PSu Magazine Winter 2002

T H E Educating for Eco-Justice and Community By C.A. Bowers (education emeritus fac– ulty), University of Georgia Press , 2001. In his late t bo k, Prof. Chet Bowers outlines a strategy for educational reform that confronts the rapid degra– dation of ur ecosy tems. He tells us that almost all educational theorie from the last 50 years, including those meant to be progre ive or radical, ignore the cu ltural roots of the ecolog– ical cri is we all face. He suggest renewing face-to-face, intergenera– tional traditions to serve as alterna– tives to our hyper-consumerist, technology driven worldview. Psychosocial Aspects of the Asian-American Experience Edited by Namkee Choi (social work fac– ulty), Haworth Press, 200 I . "Diversity Within Diversity" is the subtitle to this book, calling attention to the many nationalitie of Asian and Pacific I landers now residing in the United States. The book' 17 articles, mostly by U.S. scholars, provide infor– mation on such diverse popu lation a hinese, Japanese, Filipino , Koreans, Asian Indian , Vietnamese, Hmong, Cambodians, and Native Hawaiian . And within these populations the authors tackle uch issues as ethnic identity, hinese adoption, academic achievement, domestic violence, elder is ue , and mental health problems. Thanos Vlekas By Pavlas Kalligas, translated by Thomas Dou/is (English emeritus faculty), North– western University Press , 2001. Prof. Douli has resurrected Kalliga 's 1855 novel for today' reader . Thanos Vlekas i con idered Greece's first real– istic social novel. The story, which centers on two opposing brothers, expo es the problems of the newly estab lished Greek tate fo llowing it War of lndep ndence. The frankness in the novel wa unu ual for it time. S H E L F Douli gives a historical context for the period at the beginning of the book along with an introduction. Doulis himself is a noveli t. His books include O/Jen Hearth: The First Genera– tion; The Quarries of Sicily; and Path for Our Valor. Writing as Reflective Action By Duncan Carter at PSU with renowned composer Tomas Svoboda, today lives in Helena, where he dir cts the city's symphony and symphonic chorus. On thi CD Funk's second ymphony, Montana, opens with towering ound-maje tic low brass building up to high strings. Piano Concerto Op. 71 again depicts the "high line" area of Montana, but "Rhayader," a score for ballet, found (English facuity) and Sherrie Gradin, Long– man, Inc., 2001. Writing as Reflective its inspiration in Philip Rhayader, a reclusive man who rescued 200 so ldiers from the shal– lows of Dunkirk during World War 11. Students are asked to consider their own identity as individu– als and contributors to society a they read the amazing 24 selections in this textbook. Carter and Gradin provide provocative essays by John Updike, bell hooks, G loria Anzaldua, Studs Terkel, Jama ica Kincaid, Susan ontag, and others. For example, student are asked to write about their own fee lings after reading an essay from a man planning to take his own life before the final deadly rage of AIDS takes it for him. "How do we tend to deal with death by AIDS in our cu lture? Do you agree with the author that 'death i death'?" ask Carter and Gradin. The difficult, reflective question are worth writing about. The Romantic Music of Eric Funk Eric Funk '75, MST '78 , composer; Latvian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Terje Mikkelsen with Philip Aaberg on piano; Big Sky Artists Manage– ment, Inc ., 2001. The inspiration for Eric Funk' con– temporary clas ical mu ic often come from his home landscape-the oaring peaks, rolling plains, and pri tine beauty of Montana. Funk, who studied Action 30 Years by the Chalkboard By John Malian MS '72, Educational Passport O/Jtions, 2000. For three decade John Mollan taught elementary school in Washington' Evergreen School Di trier. Upon retirement in 2000, his wi dom, one- liner , and fami liar adages were bound together in this collection. For– mer tudents, parents, and, of course, teacher will recognize the truths in Mollan's irreverent observations. ome examples: "Teaching elementary school is like trying to keep 30 cork under water at the same time." "No man i a prophet in his own land; n teacher i an expert in his own dis– trict." "Never do an art lesson involv– ing clay foll wing a ex education les on." D Reviews are of faculty and alumni books, recordings, and Web publica– tions. To have a work considered for this page, please submit pertinent information to Mary Ellen Kenreich, PSU Library faculty, via e-mail to kenreichm@pdx.edu, or fax to 503- 725-5799, or mail to Portland State University, PO Box 1151, Portland, OR 97207-075 1. WINTER 2002 P U MAGAZINE 5