Faculty Feature: Humanities

Rachael DeLue, Associate Professor of Art and Archaeology, discusses the significance of art and explains the role that it played in the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge throughout history.

Ellen B. Chances *72, Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, uses excerpts from world literature—from Winnie the Pooh to Dostoevsky to Woody Allen—to suggest using a non-linear and irrational approach to finding a meaningful life. Presented on the occassion of the Many Minds, Many Stripes conference for Princeton's graduate alumni.

Bill Gleason, Professor, English Department, and Acting Director of the Program in American Studies, discusses the explosive growth in digital media for children’s literature. He explores the relationship between what this digital technology enables us to do and the kinds of reading and learning experiences it offers children and young adults, as well as readers of all ages. Presented as part of Alumni Day 2012.

Bill Gleason, Professor, English Department, and Acting Director for the Program in American Studies, discusses the monumental growth of Young Adult (YA) literature and its success as a crossover genre, with The Hunger Games trilogy a prime example of this popular phenomenon in appealing to both adult and youth readers. Presented as part of Alumni Day 2012.

Caroline Harris, Curator of Education and Academic Programs at the Princeton University Art Museum, presents various masterpieces of late-nineteenth century French painting and explains their significance within historical and artistic contexts. She discusses the techniques of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, and others associated with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism to describe the complications of defining these movements. Presented as part of Alumni Day 2012.

Nigel Smith, William and Annie S. Paton Foundation Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature and Professor of English, describes the interplay between lyrical poetry, rhythm, and music in the form of the song. From classical music to Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and others, the importance of the collaboration between words and music is demonstrated through examples of songs over time. Presented during the 2011 Fall Football Lectures series.

Denis Feeney, Professor of Classics and Giger Professor of Latin, explains the peculiar art form of Greek tragedy and its resonance with modern times. Presented as part of Alumni Day 2011.

Eric Gregory, Professor of Religion, discusses historical perspectives on religion and politics, citing the influences of Augustine of Hippo, Reinhold Niebuhr, and John Rawls (among others) upon democratic ideals and current political thought. Presented as part of the Alumni Studies course, "Religion Today," Spring 2009.

Robert Fagles, Arthur W. Marks '19 Professor of Comparative Literature, Emeritus shares his perspectives on the timelessness of Homer's The Odyssey. Presented during the 2005 Fall Football Lectures series.

Jerome Silbergeld, P. Y. and Kinmay W. Tang Professor in Chinese Art, Professor of Art and Archaeology, and Director for the P.Y. and Kinmay W. Tang Center for East Asian Art, discusses the concept of landscape as a genre in Chinese art.