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Ginetta Candelario, Sociology
Latin American Studies
Naomi Miller, English Language & Literature
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The biological exercise of motherhood relies on the female body and its ability and/or willingness to turn itself over to the tasks of gestation and birth, and to the post-partum sustenance of infants through lactation. It is a reproductive process that human societies have conferred with powerful meanings—even when the subjects are other mammals, such as rodents and primates that predominate in natural science studies of maternity. Motherhood includes the symbolic construction of maternity as a virtual archetype of natural beauty in its pure state. But the functions of motherhood in human societies are neither purely "natural" nor purely a thing of beauty. While motherhood can be deeply satisfying, it often comes at a high biological and personal cost, from the temporary stress upon the physiological system to permanent physical or psychological damage. This project will take an interdisciplinary approach to maternity, juxtaposing representations of actual and mythic mothers in different mediums, in different societies, and in different historical periods to contextualize the cultural undercurrents that produce both commonalities and differences. Click here for more information on this project.
Barbara Brehm-Curtis
Exercise & Sport Studies
Nicholas Horton
Mathematics & Statistics
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Throughout history and in virtually every culture, people have sought ways to alter their bodies and their minds to achieve improved performance. Innovative training regimens and nutritional methods to enhance athletic performance in sports competitions are constantly in development. New drugs and pedagogical methods are regularly introduced to refine concentration and improve educational outcomes. Novel psychotherapeutic techniques and pharmaceutical interventions are continuously researched, tested, and prescribed in an effort to enable individuals to function more effectively in their daily lives. This semester-long project will apply diverse disciplinary perspectives to the investigation of efforts to alter minds and bodies in our society. Click here for more information on this project.
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