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Anne Rubin, an associate professor of history, has been presenting a series of talks throughout the fall while on sabbatical. She has been discussing her new book, Through the Heart of Dixie: Sherman’s March and American Memory (UNC Press 2014). In the book, Rubin analyzes stories and myths about Sherman’s March, one of the most symbolically potent events of the Civil War, as a lens for examining how Americans’ ways of thinking about the Civil War have changed over time.

Rubin is scheduled to appear on WYPR’s Humanities Connection on November 27 to discuss her interactive online storytelling project, “Mapping Memory: Digitizing Sherman’s March to the Sea.” She will also be presenting a Humanities Forum event at UMBC on December 2 discussing her work. For more information, click here. Earlier in the fall, Rubin was quoted in a Washington Post article about Sherman’s March and provided insight on Sherman’s strategy. To read the full article, click here.

A complete list of talks presented by Rubin can be found below:

September
18-21: Flair Symposium in Austin, TX
23: Atlanta History Center

October
12: Southern Festival of the Book
20: Talk at George Mason University
22: Talk at Villanova University

November
1: Reading at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C.
7: Talk in Augusta, GA
12: Talk in Milledgeville, GA
13-16: Southern Historical Association in Atlanta

December
2: Talk at UMBC
9: Filson Historical Society, Louisville

January
21: Talk at UT Chattanooga

February
16-17: Conference on Sherman in Columbia, SC

The Council on Hemispheric Affairs, based in Washington, D.C., recently published an op-ed by Felipe Filomeno, an Assistant Professor of Political Science, about recent events in Brazilian politics.

In the column, Filomeno argues that the tight victory of President Dilma Rousseff in her bid for another term and the election of a more conservative parliament signal the exhaustion of Lulismo as a mode of governing and strategy of national development. He writes that the Workers’ Party (PT) now faces the challenge of forging new connections with the civil society to promote progressive changes in a context of economic difficulties and political polarization.

“Now, either the PT will be able to turn the difficult elections of 2014 into a ‘labor pain’ from which a new social pact for development could emerge, or it will see a revitalized President Rousseff immobilized in the face of stronger conservative forces waiting for a new ‘interrupted construction,’” Filomeno writes.

To read the full column titled “Brazilian Elections: Labor Pain?” click here.

In an article published October 31 on Vox.com, Psychology Professor Robert Provine was quoted extensively about his research on hiccups and the evolution of behavior. He discussed how there’s little scientific knowledge about hiccups and how they are difficult to study.

“We still don’t know what hiccups do, and our cure for them hasn’t improved since Plato,” said Provine. “You can’t just go into the lab and ask someone to hiccup for you.”

Provine also discussed holding breath as a possible cure for intractable hiccups. “You’re blocking the motor pattern as well as leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide,” he said.

In an article published on Today.com discussing a recent episode of “The Tonight Show” in which Bradley Cooper and Jimmy Fallon couldn’t control their laughter throughout a ten-minute interview, Provine was quoted from a 2010 interview he participated in with NBC News.

“All laughter is unconscious,” he said. “You do not choose to laugh the way you choose to speak.” The article also cites Provine by stating: “And laughter and humor aren’t as closely tied as people might think. Babies laugh without understanding a joke or that knowing that pratfalls are hilarious, according to Provine.”

To read full versions of both articles, click below:
The mysterious science of hiccups: Why we get them and how to stop them (Vox)
This is why Jimmy Fallon and Bradley Cooper couldn’t stop giggling (Today.com)

Susan Hindle

Role at the UMBC Career Center: I help students majoring in life sciences make themselves competitive candidates for jobs and internships.

 Q: Where have you earned your college degrees?

A: I hold a M.S. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. from University of Maryland.

Q: What program(s) did you study? How did you choose your major?

A: I majored in Elementary Education as an undergraduate.   My roommate who was studying to be a teacher and knew I was unhappy with my major, said to me one day, “Have you ever considered being a teacher?”  It was the one major I had not considered!  My journey back then mirrors that of many others with whom I’ve worked with over the years – finding their way through trial and error.   It never occurred to me to seek guidance from a professional! 

I later decided to pursue my master’s degree but, unlike my undergraduate degree where I stumbled onto my major, I sought the guidance of a career counselor.  That experience was through an interesting twist of fate, I was offered a full-time position at JHU’s Career Center while pursing my counseling degree.  Upon the completion of my degree, I transitioned into the role of career counselor.

Q: Tell me about the job and internship process when you were in college. Were you able to find job/internship positions that were related to your major or your career interests?

A: UMD had established relationships with local counties so it was easy to find a placement for my student teaching internship. Upon graduation, UMD held a job consortium for education majors where representatives from various counties came to interview students.

For my master’s, I participated in an internship at a family counseling center in Catonsville, MD.  Once again, JHU had established relationships with various counseling centers in the Baltimore region, which made finding a placement easy.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: I can’t say there is one best piece of advice I have received.  My greatest lessons have come from life experiences.  One thing I’ve learned over the years is that, while you may not be able to change your circumstances or what happens to you, you have control over how you respond.  I believe how we choose to think about and respond to events shapes our destiny more than any other factor. 

Q: Why should students visit the Career Center?

A: I view one’s career as a journey, not a destination -- an ever-changing canvas that one must continually adapt to.  The Career Center's mission is to help people navigate their way – much like a compass to a traveler.  While you may find your way without our guidance, much like I did early on in my career -- through trial and error -- there is an easier way!  And no matter where you are along your career path, the Career Center can provide the guidance you need when you need it.

Q: What is your favorite aspect about UMBC?

A: UMBC is such a dynamic place to work, it’s difficult to choose one thing. But one thing that stands out is that it is a place where ideas are welcome and where collaboration is encouraged – at all levels.

Q: What is one item on your bucket list?

A: After seeing "Riverdance", I fell in love with Irish dancing.  I would love to learn how to Irish dance!

Q: What is one aspect of the DC/Baltimore area that you often explore?

A: Our family enjoys spending time visiting historic sites and museums in Baltimore and DC.  We also love hiking Patapsco Valley State Park.  The park is in our back yard and we hike there year-round.

Want to connect with Susan or any of our great Career Center team? Call our office at 410-455-2216 or check out our contact us page here: http://careers.umbc.edu/aboutus/

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news!

Baltimore’s Fort McHenry recently celebrated the 200th- anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key in September 1814. Jim Bailey ’03 and ’08 M.A., history, took part in the festivity by portraying Major George Armistead, the fort’s commanding officer. Dressed in uniform, Bailey played his role and told history’s story, patrolling around the fort with thousands of children watching. Read the full article.

Brittany Walker ’12, sociology, was one of the first to train as a peer leader for Upward Bound at UMBC, a program which helps high school students with low-income families to prepare for college. Working as a mentor gives the mentor leadership skills and proves the younger students someone who can give them guidance. Walker now works there as a full-time academic advisor. Upward Bound is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. See the complete story.

Have a story of your own to share? Submit a class note.

Several UMBC faculty have been in the news providing 2014 midterm election analysis. Thomas Schaller, Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department, appeared on MSNBC’s “All in with Chris Hayes,” to analyze the election results and discuss how Republican control in Congress could affect legislation in the future. In addition, Schaller co-wrote a column for Politico Magazine before the election in which he discussed pre-election polls of Latino voters and how they could have an affect in predicting the outcome in Colorado’s Senate race. Schaller was quoted in a Washington Post story before the election discussing how the Maryland gubernatorial race turned unexpectedly close in the days leading up to Election Day.

Donald Norris, Professor and Chair of Public Policy, provided live election night analysis on WJZ-TV. To watch a clip of Norris discussing the Maryland governor’s race and candidate campaign strategy, click here. The day before the election, Norris also appeared on WJZ discussing how voter turnout could affect the race. Norris was interviewed by the Washington Post and commented on how political attitudes nationwide could have affected the election outcome in Maryland. He also discussed gerrymandering and its affect on Maryland congressional races. In the Baltimore Sun, Norris commented on the importance of Baltimore County in the election. In Politico Magazine, Norris talked about campaign strategies in the governor’s race.

Tyson King-Meadows, Chair of the Africana Studies Department and Associate Professor of Political Science, co-authored a report on black voter turnout and how it could affect several key Senate and gubernatorial races across the country. King-Meadows and his colleague received extensive media coverage for their findings.

Political Science Professor Roy Meyers wrote an op-ed published on MarylandReporter.com discussing the outcome of the Maryland gubernatorial election. He wrote that “pocketbook” issues were most important in the race, and little scrutiny given to candidate policies made citizens lose out on critical information and may have had a strong impact on the results of the race.

On Thursday, November 13, Schaller and Norris are participating in a Post Election Forum at UMBC along with Washington Post Political Reporter John Wagner. The event takes place at 4:00 p.m. in the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery.

For a complete list of election analysis coverage by UMBC faculty, click below.

Thomas Schaller:
Obstruction works: Why compromise isn’t on the horizon (MSNBC)
Getting Latinos Wrong (Politico Magazine)
Maryland Governor’s Race has Turned Unexpectedly Tight (Washington Post)

Donald Norris:
Martin O’Malley’s First Presidential Primary (Politico Magazine)
UMBC Analyst Discusses Today’s Elections (WJZ)
UMBC Students Talk about Md. Gubernatorial Race (WJZ)
Hogan won Maryland Governor’s Race by Seizing the Message of the Campaign (Washington Post)
In Maryland’s eight congressional races, incumbents face little competition (Washington Post) 
Candidates hope to pry ‘soft’ supporters off the couch (Baltimore Sun)

Tyson King-Meadows:
Tyson King-Meadows, Africana Studies and Political Science, Co-Authors Report on Black Voter Turnout and the 2014 Midterm Elections

Roy Meyers:
Maryland citizens were the biggest losers (MarylandReporter.com)