Five Rhodes faculty members have been awarded the college’s Buckman International Curricular Development Grants, reflecting their dedication to innovative teaching and curriculum development. Profs. Joel Parsons, Brian Larkins, Ricardo Martins, Laura Loth, and Benjamin Curtis will use the funding this summer for international travel, research, and exploration.
These grants, made possible through the generous support of the Robert Buckman Fellowships, are designed to assist faculty in offsetting the costs (e.g. housing, meals, research site familiarization) associated with international travel while they develop projects/programs to enhance the Rhodes curriculum with new and innovative international perspectives, research, and voices.
Below are the specific projects that the awardees will be pursuing:
Joel Parsons, assistant professor of art and director of Rhodes’ Clough-Hanson Gallery, will travel this summer to the Venice Biennale—a renowned cultural exhibition in Italy hosted every two years and dating back to 1895. During his visit, Parsons aims to prepare a new academic summer program for Rhodes students that will focus on the intersections of art and art history, gender and sexuality studies, and international studies.
Brian Larkins, associate professor of computer science, and Ricardo Martins, assistant professor of modern languages and literatures, will journey to various destinations throughout Japan with the goal of developing a pioneering summer academic program that explores the rapidly evolving fields of robotics and gaming. Their program will integrate concepts from multiple disciplines, including computer science, media studies, art, psychology, and business, creating an educational experience that reflects the multifaceted nature of these industries.
Laura Loth, associate professor of French and Francophone studies will travel to several significant locations in France. Her primary objective is to update an existing interdisciplinary course that examines the complex relationships between conservation, climate change, and cultural practices within France’s esteemed wine industry. Additionally, Loth intends to use her research findings to develop a new program at Rhodes’ Meeman Center for Lifelong Learning, enhancing the educational offerings available to the community and beyond.
Benjamin Curtis currently serves as visiting assistant professor of interdisciplinary humanities, and will journey to Paris, France. His project aims to create a summer academic program that delves into the rich tapestry of artistic, literary, and philosophical movements shaped by French academics throughout history. Not only will this program foster critical thinking and appreciation for French cultural heritage but also it will be designed to fulfill some requirements of the colleges’ Foundations Curriculum.
After the completion of these projects, all new academic programs will be subject to an approval process by faculty.
“These awardees are continuing the transformative work that is a hallmark of the Rhodes College faculty,” said Erin Hillis, executive director of the Buckman Center for Global Engagement. “Together, our commitment to global and intercultural learning continues to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to impact their communities and the world.”