From the desk of
CLASS Connect | Spring 2014 | 2
Dr. Curtis Ricker
F
or much of this past year, those in the “Eagle Nation” have been repeatedly invited to “Join the Journey,” a slogan referring, of course, to the impending move of Georgia Southern University’s athletic teams from the Southern to the Sunbelt Conference. Comparing a major change in a person’s or an organization’s life to a journey is common, with a long literary history that encompasses many of the world's great writings: The Odyssey, Pilgrim’s Progress, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Divine Comedy, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are just a few that come to mind. Indeed, the journey or quest motif is so basic in human experience that it is one of the universal archetypes, found in all cultures’ folklore and literature; consequently, its use both in literature and other cultural expressions resonates easily with us. My own journey with Georgia Southern began when I joined the faculty in 1984, coincidentally, the first year that the Eagles began participation at the Division 1-AA level. The journey’s been a great one for the institution, with one constant since that time seeming to be, somewhat paradoxically, change – change from 6,000 to 21,000 students, change from Georgia Southern College to Georgia Southern University, change from the College of Arts and Sciences to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. And change has been a part of my personal journey – from faculty member to department chair to associate dean and now dean. (Please note that the alignment in timing of the conference change with my appointment as dean is, I’m sure, purely coincidental!) Like the University, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences continues its journey. We now have 11 academic departments, an institute, and four interdisciplinary centers. More than 250 in number, the faculty of the College remain committed through excellent teaching and research to helping each of our students on his or her own journey. With so many interesting things happening in CLASS, a few of which are highlighted in this publication, I invite you to “Join the Journey.”
CLASS Notes
In 2012-13, CLASS faculty published: 28 books, 157 journal articles/book chapters, and 306 conference papers
339 creative works,
Dr. Janie Wilson of the Department of Psychology was awarded the Ruffin Cup at the Fall 2013 CLASS faculty meeting. The Ruffin Cup recognizes the highest achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service in the College.
In 2012-13, CLASS awarded 1,053 diplomas (977 undergraduate and 76 graduate)
27.39%
of the total degrees awarded by the University that year.
Dr. Curtis E. Ricker, dean of CLASS Cover photo by Jeremy Wilburn, Georgia Southern University Your opinion matters, and we want your feedback! Connect with the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences at Georgia Southern University by calling 912.478.2527 or emailing class@georgiasouthern.edu. Tell us what you think of CLASS Connect and what you'd like to see in future editions.
departmental directory art.................................................... 3 communication arts......................... 4 criminal justice & criminology........ 4 foreign languages............................ 5 history. ............................................ 6 literature & philosophy....................7
music. ................................................7 political
Science.............................. 8
psychology..................................... 10
& anthropology. ...........11 & linguistics...................... 12
sociology writing