Reynolds College Blog

RCASH departments host screening of “Black Box Diaries” documentary

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Academic departments within the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) recently teamed together to co-host a screening of Shiori Itō’s 2024 documentary “Black Box Diaries.”

The screening, coordinated by Assistant Professor of East Asian History Dr. Linshan Jiang, was held Nov. 14 at the Moxie Cinema in Springfield, Missouri.

“Shiori Itō is such an iconic figure of the Japanese #MeToo movement and holds significance for me personally,” she said.

Missouri State’s Department of History; Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film; Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions; and Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology joined the Moxie Cinema to sponsor the event.

Jiang estimated 50-60 people attended the screening.

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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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Sociology students present research in Brazil over summer

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Two Missouri State University students presented their research at the 22nd Biennial Meeting for the Society of Brazilian Sociology at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in July 2025.

Bruno Miranda Guerra and Sophia Dela Coleta presented, “Cannabis in Context: Attitudes and Consumption Patterns Among College Students in Missouri” at the conference.

Miranda Guerra is a recent graduate of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG). He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Second Language Acquisition in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions. Dela Coleta is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Missouri State.

Sociology Associate Professors Dr. Herbert Rodrigues and Dr. Abby Templar Rodrigues accompanied Miranda Guerra and Dela Coleta to the conference and presented their own research.

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RCASH sets new participation record in Education Abroad programs

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The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) continues its impressive participation in Missouri State University’s Education Abroad program.

For the 2024-25 academic year, RCASH led in both the number of participants and percentage of graduates who engage in study abroad.

According to a report issued by Education Abroad Director Elizabeth Strong, 188 RCASH students participated in education abroad programs during the 2024-25 academic year. That number is up from 177 during the previous year.

“This growth is reflected in the percentage of RCASH education abroad participants compared to RCASH graduates in the same academic year, which is 28.5%,” Strong said.

A total of 434 Missouri State students participated in education abroad programs during 2024-25.

In addition, of the 316 faculty-directed activities, 140 were led by RCASH faculty.

Panzer and Geibler named 2026 Education Abroad Faculty Fellows

Two RCASH faculty members have been named to the 2026 Education Abroad Faculty Fellow cohort. They are Associate Professor Dr. Sarah Panzer, from the Department of History, and Assistant Professor Dr. Robert Geibler, from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Other Missouri State faculty named to the cohort are Alison Alaimo (McQueary College of Health and Human Services), Mandy Benedict-Chambers (College of Education), Leslie Echols (McQueary College of Health and Human Services), Asif Ishtiaque (College of Natural and Applied Sciences), Nancy Kageyama (Darr College of Agriculture) and Kristen Thornton (College of Business).

RCASH schedules robust Education Abroad activity for 2026

RCASH Dean Shawn Wahl said he continues to be impressed by faculty engagement with Education Abroad.

“Their collaboration across academic areas to deliver impactful learning experiences for our students is inspiring,” he said. “This collaboration is the essence of Missouri State as the Public Affairs University.”

Several RCASH faculty have already scheduled Education Abroad activities for 2026, Strong noted.

  • 2025 Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Nikki Ferry and William Harwood — Greece
  • 2025 Education Abroad Faculty Fellow Jeff Loughary (coordinated with Dr. Tonia Tinsley) — Morocco
  • Leslie Seawright — United Arab Emirates
  • Jonathan Newman and Rhonda Stanton — United Kingdom
  • Cameron LaBarr — Australia and New Zealand
  • Antoinette Barffour — Ghana
  • Vadim Putzu — Italy
  • Gwen Walstrand and Marcus Howell — Italy
  • Luis Lombilla — Mexico and Spain
  • Jason Shepard — Ecuador [“Eight Missouri State students enjoy studying in Ecuador“]
  • Vanessa Rodriguez de la Vega — Peru
  • Holly Holladay and Cristina Pippa — United Kingdom
  • Amy Muchnick — United Kingdom

Learn more about Education Abroad

 

Day of the Dead festivities set for Nov. 5

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The Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions (LCR) will once again host Día de Muertos festivities from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom.

The biennial event is free and open to the public.

“Día de Muertos — or Day of the Dead — is a joyful and meaningful celebration that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away,” said Dr. Vanessa Rodríguez de la Vega, professor of Spanish in LCR.

The festival symbolizes the return of souls to the world of the living, according to de la Vega. “The event encourages reflection on life, memory, and community, reminding everyone that death is not an end but a continuation through remembrance.”

Día de Muertos emphasizes remembrance rather than mourning by combining pre-Columbian Indigenous traditions with Catholic All Saints’ Day customs, de la Vega said. And while the festival is associated primarily with Mexico, it is also celebrated in several Latin American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador and Peru.

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