The Pulp Fiction Edition

Dear Arts,

As an homage to Reading Week, this edition of the weekly update celebrates the advent of pulp fiction. Understood as a watershed moment in the history of both publishing and popular reading, the pulp fiction era significantly expanded the canvass of reading and creative writing into new and germinal domains (mysteries, detective stories, science fiction). Most importantly, however, the availability of low-cost pulp-based books precipitated a widescale popularization of reading as an everyday activity appropriate to everyone (Server 2002). The proliferation of pulp paperbacks thus transformed the cultural status of reading, redefining books as for the people –  helping to challenge the tendency to position reading primarily as matter of moral education. Chances are that one of the books you picked up this week has some vestigial connection – however near or distant – to the legacy and impact of the pulp fiction era.

TIME-SENSITIVE ITEMS:

The Declaration Chronicles: As the end of Declaration Month approaches – a full court press is in order. Arts has been busy promoting majors and minors through its social media campaign, and this week, Arts Advisors sent an email to 383 KPU students who are eligible to declare and inviting them to do so. Please continue to share with students the many benefits of declaring into their B.A. Major and the advantages of pursuing your disciplines and future course offerings. 

The Big Survey: As of Thursday, February 18th, the Faculty of Arts response rate has increased significantly. Sam Spade is not investigating who hasn’t completed their survey.  to the Employee Insights Survey being administered through The Office of Planning and Accountability (OPA).  Let’s all complete the survey, make it to the goal of an 80% response rate, and blow OPA away by the excellent tidal wave of data from Arts!  The purpose of the survey is to obtain feedback on your experience of working during the pandemic and to plan for our future.  Please search your inbox for the original email sent February 1 with the subject line “The Employee Insights Survey Has Launched” for your link to the survey, as well as subsequent reminder emails. The survey closes on February 21 and takes about 15 minutes to complete.  

LOOKING AHEAD:

Are You a Detective, Researcher, or Investigator?  The Arts Research and Scholarship Committee invites proposals that will appeal to a broad range of interests and audiences, including faculty, students, staff, and members of the public. We are particularly interested in submissions that showcase collaborative undertakings with students and the transformative impact that involvement in research and scholarship can have on the overall quality of our student’s educational experience. Each event in the Arts Speaker Series is one hour in length. Presentations should be interactive presentation components no longer than 30-40 minutes and suitable for non-specialist audiences. The events will take place “virtually” on Microsoft Teams Proposals due: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 by 5:00 p.m.  Send proposals to Nancy.Norman@kpu.ca  Applicants will be informed of the final selection by June 30, 2021. We look forward to receiving your proposals for the 9th annual Arts Speaker Series. 
 

Astonishing Stories: Held onMarch 15-19, 2021, the OLC Innovate Conference emphasizes the importance of educational innovation and the continued desire to thrive in a rapidly changing learning environment. Moving to a virtual format in 2021, OLC Innovate presents a unique opportunity to spotlight the best of what online modality affords – meaningful collaboration and the ability to reflect and connect with colleagues around the world. Supporting administrators, designers, and educators alike, this conference offers a comprehensive list of sessions and activities tailored to address the challenges and goals of higher education while inspiring new teaching and learning paradigms, reimagining the learning experience and ideating on how disruptions in education today will shape the innovative classroom of tomorrow. To learn more about OLC Innovate 2021, visit the Online Learning Consortium’s website

ERRATA:

In last week’s Update we celebrated Krystal Charlston’s art piece, Women of Confederation. Krystal took inspiration from her History courses, but also – of course – from her courses as a Fine Arts Major; and she produced the work under the mentorship of Elizabeth Barnes. As well as testifying to the stellar teaching in FINA, this exemplifies the kind of learning through multiple disciplines which education in the Arts makes possible. Chapeau to all involved.

We hope you have enjoyed the reading break and that you managed to get some time away.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend – and in the immortal words of Humphry Bogart

Here’s lookin’ at you, Arts

Diane, Shelley, Greg and Wade

BTW- if you haven’t yet visited the Faculty of Arts Blog, do not delay further. It is truly a tour de force retrospective of our peregrinations and adventures during the pandemic.