From GM corn debates in Mexico to drug-addicted mothers in Atlantic Canada, the seventh annual Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences book launch celebrated the practical, beautiful and essential side to the arts.
Guests were welcomed to the event, held on Wednesday, March 7, by Frank Harvey, FASS associate dean research, along with FASS Dean Rob Summerby-Murray and John Newhook, associate vice-president, research.
Co-organizer Dr. Harvey is excited about the number and variety of works published in 2011.
His own book, Explaining the Iraq War: Counterfactual Theory, Logic and Evidence, casts a critical eye on the events leading up to and explanations given for the 2003 war. It was one of many books featured which looked at politics, policy and Canada’s role on the international stage.
Diving into important scholarship
Indeed, a number of the books demonstrated the essential role of the arts, humanities and social sciences in the fields of health, environmentalism and justice.
Sociologist Fiona Martin took an applied perspective to drug addiction in her contribution to Contemporary Drug Problems (38, no. 3, 335-366), while Political Scientist Katherine Fierlbeck explored health care reform with Health Care in Canada: A Citizen’s Guide to Policy and Politics.
Works which delved into the human side of history, culture and the self were also well-represented.
English’s Christina Luckyj explores history, religion and politics in her examination of playwright John Webster’s 17th century work The Duchess of Malfi: A Critical Guide. Costume Studies’ Lynn Sorge-English’s looks at the formation of body image and self through clothing in Stays and Body Image in London: The Staymaking Trade, 1680-1810.
Works from FASS language departments included a critical analysis of the works of Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, by Vittorio Frigerio in Dumas: l’irrégulier. Russian Studies had an impressive four entries: Yuri Leving’s Keys to ‘The Gift’: A Guide to V. Nabokov's Novel dissects and celebrates Nabokov’s final Russian novel, while three articles by Denis Koslov take a historical look at the politics and culture of Soviet Russia.
“In addition to featured published work, FASS has much to celebrate, from theatre and musical performances to faculty prominence at national and international conferences,” Dr. Summerby-Murray said of the launch. He says the event represents the tip of the iceberg of what FASS has to offer.
“Albeit a stellar tip,” he added.
A total of 55 books and journals from 35 FASS faculty members were featured at the event. For a full list of 2011 works, visit the FASS website.