Louis Agassiz: A Life in Science by Edward Lurie My rating: 4 of 5 stars Louis Agassiz might well be considered the foremost naturalist of the first half of the nineteenth century. He brought a rigor to the scientific enterprise in America that inspired everyone from cabinet members to farmers. And he also reflects the human dilemma of being caught late in life in a paradigm shift as the work of Charles Darwin won over a younger generation of zoologists, some who had studied with Agassiz. This is an … [Read more...] about Book Review: Louis Agassiz: A Life in Science
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Week in Review: How Well Do We Communicate?
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here's a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. 1. What is conversation like in your department? Do you have 'unruly' colleagues and not know how to respond (or wonder what to suggest when you have the opportunity), then check out To Rein In Unruly Faculty Members, Chairs Suggest a Department … [Read more...] about Week in Review: How Well Do We Communicate?
How Can We Encourage Women in the Academy?
Last week, the New York Times reported that women are making gains at Harvard, five years after former Harvard President Lawrence Summers made some ill-advised remarks about women that eventually led to his resignation. NYTimes reporter Tamar Lewin describes some of the changes that Harvard has made to recruit more women faculty members, such as: A task force on women in science Improved childcare facilities Grants to help junior faculty pay for childcare on research trips Lewin also notes that Harvard … [Read more...] about How Can We Encourage Women in the Academy?
Week in Review: Christo et Ecclesiae Edition
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here's a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. 1. Why Harvard Students Should Study More Religion (Lisa Miller, Newsweek): A look at Harvard's (lack of) religion in its undergraduate curriculum, with special attention to Louis Menand's attempt to include a course called "Reason and Faith" in … [Read more...] about Week in Review: Christo et Ecclesiae Edition
Week in Review: Reading Facebook in Canada Edition
Our Week-in-Review feature has a new format. We know there's way too much to read out there already, so we're going to be highlighting the top five articles, books, websites, etc., that we've been reading or thinking about the past week. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. What They're Reading on College Campuses (Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/28/2009). How does this survey of college bookstores match with your … [Read more...] about Week in Review: Reading Facebook in Canada Edition