Reynolds College Blog

Berkwitz and Brinkman present research at “Metaphors of Religion” conference

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Missouri State University’s Dr. Stephen Berkwitz and Dr. Bryan Brinkman recently presented their research at the “Metaphors of Religion” conference at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany.

Berkwitz is head of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions (LCR). Brinkman is an assistant professor in LCR.

The conference was held Oct. 27-29 at the Center for Religious Studies (CERES). Organizers describe it as an interdisciplinary event that “explores metaphors as fundamental elements of religious language, thought and practice across cultures and historical periods.”

Berkwitz and Brinkman attended the conference as part of a formal agreement between LCR and CERES. Created to foster collaborative relationships, the two groups signed a memorandum of understanding in 2019. Berkwitz helped write the memorandum in consultation with members of CERES.

In particular, LCR and CERES hope the agreement strengthens international collaboration. In turn, the agreement might increase research and course opportunities for graduate students and faculty members, Berkwitz said.

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“History on Tap” series provides support and guidance for local history teachers

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One small idea to bring K-12 teachers and university scholars together in an informal setting has grown into the successful “History on Tap” series, and Missouri State University’s Dr. Michelle Morgan has helped pave the way.

Morgan, associate professor in the Department of History, became interested in the “History on Tap” event after learning of it through the Missouri Council for History Education (MOCHE). Morgan has been a member of MOCHE since 2011 and became a member of the board of directors in January 2022. She also serves on the program committee that coordinates the “History on Tap” series.

According to Morgan, the first “History on Tap” event was held in St. Louis when Debbie Schmidt, president of MOCHE, took inspiration for the event from a program she learned about through the National Council for History Education.

To achieve the desired informal atmosphere, the events started being held at local breweries.

“Hence ‘History on Tap,’” Morgan said. [Read more…] about “History on Tap” series provides support and guidance for local history teachers

MSU faculty get creative with Public Affairs mission

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Missouri State University associate professor of history Dr. Julia Troche admits it. She is fascinated by the history of beer.

“I have always held an academic interest in the role of feasting (and drinking) in ritual and history,” said Troche, a specialist in Egypt as well as ancient history.

When she and her colleague, assistant professor of classics and global studies Dr. Bryan Brinkman, attended a local beer festival, they enjoyed visiting with brewery employees who thought their academic specialties were interesting.

From those conversations, Troche and Brinkman decided to coordinate a community-facing event about the history of beer that would align with MSU’s public affairs mission while using an interdisciplinary approach.

This would allow MSU faculty to share their expertise “in fun, accessible ways,” Troche said.

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Linguistics program hosts 2023 Linguistics Colloquium Series

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The linguistics program at Missouri State University has announced its Linguistics Colloquium Series for fall 2023, which will focus on examining words in educational contexts.

The virtual event will take place at noon Oct. 24 via Zoom. The colloquium is open to all students, faculty, staff and anyone interested in these areas of study.

Guest speaker Dr. Vicente Iranzo, assistant professor of Spanish at the University of Texas at Arlington, will present “What’s in a Name? The Erasure of the Valencian Language in Spanish Education.” [Read more…] about Linguistics program hosts 2023 Linguistics Colloquium Series

Faculty forum series highlights ancient Mediterranean world scholarship

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Egyptologist Dr. Julia Troche and ancient history scholar Dr. Bryan Brinkman saw an opportunity to build scholarly community when the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences were recently formed.

The two RCASH faculty members have created Cultures and Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (CRAM), a “brown bag” forum series highlighting research and scholarship conducted by Missouri State University faculty.

[Read more…] about Faculty forum series highlights ancient Mediterranean world scholarship