One Year, Seven Books

The faculty of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences consistently surpasses expectations with their remarkable research achievements. In the 2022-23 academic year, we proudly showcased several of these accomplishments on our social media platforms and official website. Today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievement of seven book publications that were published during this school year.

History

Mikkel Dack, History, published Everyday Denazification in Postwar Germany: The Fragebogen and Political Screening during the Allied Occupation with Cambridge University Press in March of 2023. In his book, Dack sheds light on the practical aspects of denazification and its impact on the lives of individual Germans and their families, challenging traditional interpretations and providing a more comprehensive history. The Fragebogen, in particular, serves as a lens through which the everyday experiences of Allied planners, civil affairs soldiers, and ordinary German citizens can be examined.

Of Light and Struggle: Social Justice, Human Rights, and Accountability in Uruguay by Debbie Sharnak, History, is being published with Penn Press in June of 2023. In her book, Sharnak explores how activists, transnational movements, and policymakers responded to Uruguay's dictatorship and transition to democracy. The book examines the evolving language and politics of human rights, encompassing grassroots struggles, international activism, and debates on citizenship. It suggests that Uruguay's experiences had global implications for human rights discourse 

Edward Wang, History, published Integration and Interaction: New Perspectives on Comparative Historiography with Peking University Press. In his captivating book, Wang showcases a curated collection of 19 insightful scholarly essays, delving into the fascinating realm of comparative perspectives on Chinese and foreign historiography. With its expansive vision and profound originality, this work stands as a true masterpiece of theoretical and methodological research in   the field of historiography.

Law and Justice Studies

Kimberly A. Houser, Law & Justice Studies, published  Rethinking the Reentry Paradigm: A Blueprint for Action, Second Edition with coauthor Melinda Schlager-Arnold. The book was published in May of 2023 with Carolina Academic Press. In the book, Houser and Schlager-Arnold highlight that offender reentry is a dynamic and ongoing process rather than a single event. It suggests that the reentry policy should focus on preparation and planning rather than just release dates. This book provides a comprehensive account of the reentry process, addressing barriers and offering solutions across the continuum from entry to prison to integration into the community. Houser and Schlager-Arnold discuss the implications for returning offenders, families, and society, considering historical context and current trends.

Political Science & Economics 

Anne Pluta, Political Science & Economics, published Persuading the Public: The Evolution of Popular Presidential Communication from Washington to Trump in March of 2023 with the University Press of Kansas. In her book, Pluta challenges the idea that presidential communication with the American public only emerged in the twentieth century. Pluta argues that even early presidents understood and leveraged their connection with the public. She presents an alternative theory of opportunistic communication, emphasizing the role of technology, media, enfranchisement, and party politics. Through her extensive dataset of presidential speeches, including pre-1929 rhetoric, Pluta offers a new theoretical approach to understanding the evolution of presidential communication from 1789 to 2021.

English

Claude Willan, English, published Literary Authority: An Eighteenth-Century Genealogy with Stanford University Press in March of 2023. In his book, Willan explores the deliberate invention of the idea that authors can gain significant economic and cultural power through writing imaginative literature. The book focuses on the central figures of Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson, but the narrative begins in the 1680s when the link between literary and political authority was fading. Jacobite poets celebrated the Stuart dynasty while Whig writers examined the consequences of William of Orange's accession. Both groups left behind literary devices that conferred authority. The author challenges the prevailing "Scriblerian" model and examines how it was engineered. By historicizing the relationship between "good" and "bad" writing, the book raises intriguing questions about the potential of literature if Pope and Johnson hadn't claimed literary authority for themselves.

World Religions

David Weinfeld, World Religions, published An American Friendship: Alain Locke, Horace Kallen, and the Development of Cultural Pluralism with Cornell University Press in May. In An American Friendship, Weinfeld explores the biography of an idea called cultural pluralism, which is the precursor to modern multiculturalism. This idea originated from the friendship between two philosophers, Horace Kallen and Alain Locke, who advocated for cultural pluralism as an alternative to racist nativism and assimilationist "melting pot" ideologies. Their belief was that different ethnic groups can coexist in the United States, preserving their cultures for the benefit of the entire country. Kallen, a prominent American Zionist, and Locke, a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, developed this idea based on their personal experiences and friendship. The book highlights how cultural pluralism can provide a new perspective for diverse societies globally. "An American Friendship" offers important background knowledge to understand the current conflicts over identity politics in the United States.