College of Humanities Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2016

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From the desk of Humanities dean Elizabeth A. Say

Elizabeth A. Say, Ph.D.Elizabeth A. Say, Ph.D.
CSUN Alum 1981

As the academic year draws to a close we have been able to enjoy all the traditional celebrations of completion and success. CSUN had over 11,000 students who were eligible for graduation and our commencement ceremony was made particularly special as we awarded an honorary doctorate to Reverend James Lawson. Lawson was a central figure in the U.S. civil rights movement and a close compatriot of Martin Luther King, Jr. For the past six years, he has been an active participant in CSUN's Civil Discourse & Social Change Initiative. I was especially pleased to honor Dr. Lawson at the CoH commencement because I had an opportunity to study with him when he taught a course on King's legacy at USC while I was a graduate student there in the 1980s.

This year I am delighted to report that we have hired 14 outstanding new faculty members in the College of Humanities. I know that you will be as impressed as I am with their scholarship, their commitment to our student population, and their enthusiasm tor the mission of CSUN and the College. With faculty members such as those we have hired in recent years the future of the College is very bright!

Not quite the PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE...with apologies to Vanity Fair and Marcel Proust

Courtesy of Teresa K. Morrison

In fall 2015 the College of Humanities welcomed a whopping 14 new faculty members in the following departments and programs: Central American Studies, Chicana/a Studies, English, Liberal Studies Linguistics, Modem and Classical Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. As they settled into their second semester at CSUN, we asked them to respond to a brief, modified Proust questionnaire, so named for Marcel Proust, who answered a similarly probing set of personal questions twice during his lifetime.

Many thanks to our faculty members. who so willingly shared with us their time. thought, wit, and honesty. Each answered only the questions to which they wished to respond. 

Xochitl AlvisoXóchitl Alvizo
Assistant Professor, Religious studies

Dr. Alvizo earned her Ph.D. in practical theology at the Boston University School of Theology. Her research is focused on new and postmodern forms of church, feminist theology, and feminist ecclesiology. Her teaching specializes in areas of women and religion and the philosophy of gender, sex, and sexuality in religion.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I don't know that I identify with her, per se, but I do surround myself with the art and image of Frida Kahlo — she inspires me and helps me feel courageous.

Which living person do you most admire?
I have amazing women friends I love and admire — friends who have survived much and do amazing work in the world. Their gynergy gives me strength. 

What is your most treasured possession?
My HAG ring. It's a silver ring with the word HAG embossed across the band that used to be Mary Daly's. I wear it on my ring finger and it really throws people oft. It makes me smile. 

Which talent would you most like to have?
I have always wished I could belt it out like Janis Joplin or Beth Hart — you can lead revolutions by singing. 

What is your motto?
Resist, rebel, revolt!