Humanities News, Features, and Other Updates

CinOptic Media Enterprise Competes at Design Expo

Published April 18, 2024

Cole Risko (CCM ’24) and Charlotte Haanela (English ’24) in front of the multimedia display of their work with the Cinoptic Media Enterprise Team

The CinOptic communication and media enterprise team presented their work on Tuesday at Michigan Tech’s 24th annual Design Expo. The team, which develops film and multimedia projects for a range of clients, developed a video discussing their work on two recent projects, one for the National Park Service, and the Enterprise Podcast.

The video, presented in a podcast-like format, featured host Lyndsay Lagreid (CCM ’24) interviewing team leads Cole Risko (CCM ’24) and Vanessa Dulong (Sound Design ’25) about their respective projects.

The Isle Royal National Park project, commissioned by the National Park Service, includes a flagship promotional video, as well as orientation materials all written, filmed, and edited by CinOptic team members. The footage for these videos was taken by team members on a trip to Isle Royal in 2021.

The Enterprise Podcast develops episodes centered around interviewing and presenting the work of other Michigan Tech enterprise teams, and is available to listen to on Spotify.

In addition to presenting their work, the team won an award for their image submission, which featured the process of filming their video.

See below to watch the video in full, and don’t forget to checkout the Enterprise Podcast on Spotify! If you’d like to read more about the CinOptic enterprise team and the work that they’ve done, check out their web site!

106: CinOptic Enterprise

Connect with Humanities on Social Media

Published April 16, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

News

Did you know that the department of humanities has several social media accounts that you can connect with? In addition to our Facebook and Instagram pages, we have recently started a group on LinkedIn! Use the links below to find and follow us on platforms across the web:

Brilynn Janckila Awarded Finishing Fellowship

Published April 15, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

A hearty congratulations to RTC PhD candidate Brilynn Janckila, who has been awarded a finishing fellowship for the summer of 2024!

Finishing fellowships are awarded by the graduate school to outstanding PhD students in their final semester. During that time, the student’s work is fully funded as they finish and defend their dissertation.

Brilynn’s research topics include girlhood studies, Barbie and Barbie media, feminist research methods, fan culture, writing studies, and writing program/writing center administration, usability and social justice in technical communication.

Great work, Brilynn!

Humanities Names 2024 Departmental and Program Scholars

Published April 2, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

A hearty congratulations to our humanities departmental and program scholars! These awards recognize outstanding performance of one undergraduate student in each of our three programs, as well as the department as a whole.

Congratulations to Griffin Six, our English program scholar, Alli Churchwell, our communication, culture, and media program scholar, and Aracely Hernandez-Ramos, our scientific and technical communication program scholar! Each program scholar receives $100 from the department in recognition of their achievements.

Griffin Six has also been named our humanities departmental scholar! Griffin will receive an additional $200 from the department, as well as eligibility for the Provost’s Award for Scholarship, which awards an additional $800 to recipients.

Congratulations and excellent work to all of our amazing humanities scholars!

Humanities Alumni Social in Germany

Published April 1, 2024

By Humanities Department

Alumni
News

Last summer’s study abroad students come together for a memorable reunion in Dresden.

Calling all alumni of Michigan Tech University! Are you ready to embark on a journey down memory lane in one of Germany’s most enchanting cities? We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive Alumni Student event hosted by our very own Stephanie Rowe, Associate Teaching Professor at MTU. Get ready for an unforgettable evening of reconnecting, reminiscing, and exploring the vibrant city of Dresden. It’s our first Humanities alumni social in Germany!

Savoring German Cuisine

Our exploration continues with a mouthwatering dinner at the historic Sophienkeller. As we indulge in traditional German cuisine and raise a glass to old memories and new experiences, laughter and camaraderie will fill the air. It’s the perfect opportunity to reminisce about our time at MTU and share stories of our adventures abroad.

A Scenic Evening Walk

After dinner, we’ll take a scenic walk past the famous Fürstenzug to Neumarkt, soaking in the beauty of Dresden’s historic landmarks along the way. As we wander through the cobblestone streets and admire the architecture that has stood the test of time, we’ll be reminded of the rich history and culture that make Dresden truly unique.

Concert in the Frauenkirche

Our evening concludes with a breathtaking concert in the awe-inspiring Frauenkirche. Surrounded by the timeless beauty of this iconic venue, we’ll let the music wash over us and create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s the perfect way to end our reunion on a high note, with hearts full of gratitude and spirits lifted by the magic of music.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Humanities Alumni Social in GermanExperience

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned alum, we invite you to join us for this special Alumni Student event in Dresden. It’s a chance to reconnect with your MTU family, rediscover the beauty of Germany, and create memories that will last a lifetime. RSVP today and get ready for an evening you won’t soon forget!

Modern Languages Spring Celebration 2024 Scheduled for Wed. April 10

Published March 28, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

Modern Languages & Cultures is happy to host a celebration of our Minor students, especially those graduating this Spring and Summer 2024 with a minor in French, German or Spanish. We will gather on Wednesday, April 10^th, 6-7.30PM in Walker, 134.

Mingle with us, play games, sing karaoke songs in the four languages, meet people and have fun! Taste a snippet of our foods.

Celebrating language minors at the 2023 Modern Languages Spring Celebration.

Rhetoric, Theory, & Culture Students Recognized for Academic Achievements

Published March 27, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

Graduate

Several of our graduate students in the Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture program have been recognized this spring for achievements in both teaching and research!

Basanti Timalsina was awarded a Spring 2024 Finishing Fellowship by the graduate school, which is funding her research for the spring semester as she finishes her doctoral dissertation and prepares for her thesis defense. Click Here too learn more about Basanti’s research and the topic of her dissertation. Congratulations and good luck, Basanti!

Reid Devoge has been recognized with the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, which is granted to graduate student instructors who have displayed excellence in teaching within their department. Reid is a PhD student in the Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture program, as well as the Deputy Director of Michigan Tech Public Safety and Police Services. Congratulations, Reid!

Brilynn Janckila has been awarded the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, which recognizes excellence among graduate students in the year of their graduation. Students may be nominated for the award who display outstanding qualities in areas such as research, teaching, leadership, dissertation quality, and departmental involvement, to name a few. Brilynn is scheduled to complete her PhD in Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture this year. Congratulations and good luck, Brilynn!

Alumni Student Social in Dresden Scheduled for May 10, 2024

Published March 26, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

Stephanie Rowe, German professor in the Humanities Department, is hosting an Alumni Student event on Friday, May 10, 2024 during the faculty-led study abroad program Topics in Germany. Event details and RSVP can be found on the alumni event page Dresden, Germany Alumni Student event, organized by Stephanie Rowe (’95), Associate Teaching Professor, MTU.

Alumni are invited to join the students for an evening on their study abroad, including a leisurely stroll through the Zwinger grounds, where students and alumni will have an opportunity to get to know each other, dinner at the Sophienkeller, and a walk past the porcelain Fürstenzug to Neumarkt, where we will cap of the evening with a concert in the Frauenkirche.

Victor Wiesen Awarded SURF Scholarship for Summer 2024

Published March 25, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

Congratulations to Victor Wiesen on a successful proposal for the SURF scholarship!

Victor is interested in examining the environmental impact of traditional practices of preparation and disposition of remains and comparing those impacts with “green” or “natural” burial practices. In this initial stage of research, Victor will utilize ethnographic research methodology to reveal attitudes and compare social and cultural practices and beliefs surrounding end-of-life disposition practices in Germany and the United States. When we understand the impediments to reducing the environmental impact of these cultural practices, we can more effectively map a pathway to preferable funereal practices. This research reflects a critical aspect of sustainability, especially when one considers that within one lifetime, 8 billion dispositions will take place. Through this type of research, we can potentially accomplish this with minimal impact on the planet.

Stephanie Rowe, Associate Teaching Professor in Humanities, is the faculty mentor for this research. Victor Wiesen is a first year ME student.

Modern Languages Film Series Returns for 2024

Published March 18, 2024

By Samantha Canevez

The annual film series sponsored by Modern Languages returns this week for spring 2024! Each of the languages offered, French, Spanish, and German, will be represented by one of the films, which all screen at 7pm in Fisher Hall and are free and open to the public!

Here is the lineup for this year:

Thursday March 21

Québexit

Demers 2020, Canada
When a transnational pipeline leads to a successful Québec sovereignty referendum, a small border road becomes a lightning rod of conflict between the new Québec military, the Canadian Armed Forces and two indigenous women who traverse the border frequently.

Wednesday, March 27

Argentina, 1985

Mitre 2022, Argentina
A team of lawyers takes on the heads of Argentina’s bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time in order to bring justice to victims of the junta.

Thursday, March 28

The Silent Revolution

Kraume 2018, Germany
Based on the true story of a group of twelfth-grade students in East Germany who decide to show their solidarity with the victims of the 1956 Hungarian uprising by staging two minutes of silence during lessons.

For more information on Modern Language minors at Michigan Tech, visit https://www.mtu.edu/humanities/undergraduate/modern-languages/