Texas Tech University

Recent Events

header

Applied Linguistics | Arabic Club | ASL | Chinese | Classics | French | German | Italian | Japanese | Russian | Spanish

CMLL

Liz Hildebrand, Senior Advisor Retires

Hildebrand

Liz Hildebrand
CMLL Senior Advisor 1998 - 2015

The Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures would like to thank Liz for her exceptional contribution to the department during her tenure at Texas Tech University. She has been an exemplar in maintaining the highest standards of ethics and professionalism promoted by the university in her areas of responsibility including: diversity, accountability, communication, respect, and excellence.
Her recent areas of responsibility included: academic advising for Spanish, Classics, Russian Language Area Studies, Chinese, Arabic and Japanese; study abroad advising for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. She has also overseen prospective domestic graduate student applications and current domestic student records. In addition to advising, Liz has been the course scheduler for the department.
CMLL hosted a surprise Retirement Party for Liz on November 30 in the Foreign Languages, Qualia Room. Faculty, staff, friends, and colleagues joined together to congratulate Liz on her retirement.

Recent2

Recent3

Recent4

A parting message from Liz...

I moved to Lubbock in 1994 after my husband retired from the military and subsequently employed by Texas Tech University. The following year, I also became part of the Texas Tech University family. My first position was in the Department of Art during which time I became involved in advising and Freshman Orientation. As my knowledge of advising increasingly grew, I searched for a new position to expand this interest. The doors opened for me in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures in 1998 where I have been ever since. In 2000, I became the Academic Advisor for the department as well as the Graduate Liaison for prospective students.
Over the last 17 years, I have advised many students and feel a personal connection to each of them. I feel blessed to have been involved with their journey towards adulthood. I have also met many graduate students from around the world, places I have never travelled; however, these students brought their world to me. Now, as I begin my next journey beyond CMLL and TTU, I would like to thank both CMLL and TTU for the privilege of being a part of this community and for being a small part of these students' lives.

Recent5

CMLL Annual Fall Welcome Back Breakfast and Language Learning Laboratory & Resource Center Open-House

Recent6

The annual CMLL Fall Welcome Back Breakfast was held on August 19th in the lower-level lobby of the Foreign Language Building. Faculty, instructors and the administration team enjoyed a light breakfast organized by Theresa Madrid, Administrative Assistant. This year the concurrence of the breakfast and an open-house for the Learning Language Laboratory and Resource Center served as the perfect time for faculty and instructors to learn of the expanded services of the LLL & RRC and to tour the new computer lab. For information on the new computer lab, click here.

CMLL Fall 2015 Orientation

Recent7

Recent8

New and current CMLL graduate students converged in the Foreign Language Qualia Room August 20-21 for the CMLL Fall Graduate Student Orientation. Dr. Erin Collopy, Department Chair, opened the orientation with a warm welcome and introduction of the CMLL Administration. During the 2 day orientation, students had the opportunity to meet each other, faculty and administration. Workshops on "Recognizing & Responding to Students of Concern" by Dr. Amy Murphy from the Center for Campus Life and "Digital Measures Training by Elaina Cantrell Robinson from the Office of Planning and Assessment help prepare the teaching assistants for the classroom. In addition to workshops, program specific meetings were conducted to present the roles and responsibilities of Teaching Assistants and Graduate Part-time Instructors. A tour of the Foreign Language Building provided the opportunity to orient oneself to the unique layout of the structure and to learn about the resources available.

CMLL Fall Party

Recent9

Recent10

Good food, drinks, and conversation among faculty and staff set the tone for the CMLL Fall Party. CMLL shared the plentiful potluck dinner on October 3 at the home of Drs. Collopy and Qualin.

Recent11

Fall 2015 CMLL Faculty Research Lecture Series

The Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures hosted the Fall Faculty Research Lecture Series under the direction of Dr. Carmen Pereira, Associate Chair. Three lectures presented by CMLL faculty took place on October 12, November 2 and 11 in the Foreign Languages Building, Qualia Room.

"Disability Myths and Ethical Readings: Gertrud Kolmar's Susanna" by Dr. Allison Cattell

 Recent12

Since its first publication in 1959, Gertrud Kolmar's novella Susanna has primarily been analyzed for the ways it negotiates Jewish identity and femininity in a climate hostile to these identity categories (cf. Blumenthal 1969; Martin 1985; Goldstein 1995). Lorenz's 1998 article shifted the scholarly discussion toward the theme of disability, highlighting how Susanna critiques the violence of Cartesian dualism and presents racism and prejudice against the disabled as related issues (212).

Cattell analyzed the portrayal of the novella's central figure as disabled, focusing on how Kolmar makes use of and departs from common literary tropes that rely on the category of disability. Furthermore, she discussed the significance of Kolmar's representational strategies with regard to the difficulties and possibilities of portraying disabled characters as "life worthy of life" amidst ableist discourses. Finally, borrowing Liu's terminology, Cattell demonstrated how Susanna forces us to become "illiterate readers" (324) by only providing us with partial answers and by preventing us from crossing the line between compassion and appropriation. While we can understand Susanna as a kind of vicarious witnessing to the stigmatization and victimization of persons with disabilities during the Third Reich, the novella also encourages us to recognize the limits of our ability to understand another's experience.

"Witnessing Trauma Through the Animal: The Role of Animals in Representation of (War) Trauma" by Dr. Belinda Kleinhans

Recent13

On November 2, in a very captivating presentation, Kleinhans shed light on the representation of the effects of war trauma on animals which draws on man's emotional connection to the treatment of animals.

"Written on the Skin: The Borderland for the Leper" by Connie L. Scarborough

Recent14

When the skin does not fulfill its liminal role, the concept of selfhood comes into question and the body, in the case of a saint, becomes a site of resistance, whereas that of the leper must be eliminated from the rest of society. Scarborough's examination of the role the epidermis plays in portrayals of lepers is part of a larger project on the representations of disability in medieval Spanish texts. For the leper, infected skin becomes the ultimate border between him/herself and society and between the former, un-diseased notion of selfhood and that of rejected, objectified and abject identity.

Clerical Literature Mini-Lecture Series

Dr. Connie Scarborough, Professor of Spanish, organized a two-part lecture series sponsored by: the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Department of History Medieval and Renaissance Studies Center, the Honors College, the Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, and the Humanities Center Institute for the Study of Western Civilization. Both lectures held in the Foreign Languages Building, Qualia Room and were open to the public.

"Saint Bartholomew: A Medieval Horror Story"

Recent15

Dr. Andy Beresford, Durham University presented a lecture entitled, "Saint Bartholomew: A Medieval Horror Story" on October 19th in the Foreign Languages Building, Qualia Room.

Recent16

"Sainte Anne: A Woman of Substance"

 Recent17

Dr. Lesley Twomey, Northumbria University, gave a talk titled, "Sainte Anne: A Woman of Substance" on October 20, in the Foreign Languages Qualia Room.

Recent18

Lecture by HRH Prince Georg von Habsburg-Lothringen

Recent19

On October 29th, HRH Prince Georg von Habsburg-Lothringen presented a talk titled "Russia and the European Union in Perspective" in the Texas Tech University International Cultural Center Auditorium.

HRH Prince Georg von Habsburg-Lothringen is the grandson of Emperor and King Karl, the last monarch of the Habsburg Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary. His distinguished career was launched at the side of his late father, Dr. Otto von Habsburg, last Crown Prince of the Austrian Empire and one of the founds of the European Union. Prince Georg, his second son, is a prominent public figure with outstanding expertise in politics and business. He serves as Ambassador-at-Large in the office of the President of Hungary and was from 2006-2012 President of the Hungarian Red Cross.
Professor Peter I. Barta, editor of The Fall of the Iron Curtain and the Culture of Europe (Routledge, 2013) introduced HRH Prince Georg. The talk was free and open to the public and a reception followed.

Sponsors: The Office of the President, Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, Institute for the Study of Western Civilization, Department of Political Science, the Center for Global Understanding, the CH Foundation, and the Office of International Affairs.

CMLL Holiday Luncheon

Recent20

The annual CMLL Holiday Luncheon took place on December 3rd in the lobby of the 2nd floor of the Foreign Languages Building. Faculty, staff, instructors, and teaching assistants enjoyed a fajita feast organized by Theresa Madrid and Stephanie Santos.

CMLL Dead Day Creative Readings

Recent21

Dr. Genaro Perez organized the final event of the semester "Dead Day Creative Readings" on December 3rd, in the Qualia Room, Foreign Language Building. The audience enjoyed creative readings by CMLL faculty and graduate students in Spanish.

Presenters:

  • Dr. Allison Cattell—"Radiance Over the Forest."
  • Dr. George Cole—poems from Círculos concéntricos and Hojas sueltas.
  • Janie Covarrubias, A.B.D. "Encuentro nocturno."
  • Sonia Loza, A.B.D. A poem
  • Ms. Isabel Ojeda. A poem and a short story.
  • Mr. Gabriel Peña. A poem.
  • Dr. Rodrigo Pereyra. Five poems.
  • Rubén Varona, A.B.D. Selections from his latest novel.
  • Dr. Genaro J. Pérez, moderator. Selections from Ten Lepers, Estelas en la mar and "Random Musings" (book of poems in progress)

CMLL Staff Holiday Party

Recent22

Recent23

Recent24

The CMLL staff shared a potluck meal on December 17 during the Holiday Staff Party. Lloyd Allred, Unit Coordinator played Santa for the gift exchange.

Recent25

Back to top

Applied Linguistics

Recent26

Dr. Gale Stam (National Louis University) presented a lecture entitled, "How Gesture Reveals learners' Thinking for Speaking in their Second Language" on November 10 in the Foreign Language, Qualia Room.

Arabic Club

Recent27

Beginning in September and continuing throughout the fall semester the Texas Tech Arabic Club met at the Barnes & Noble bookstore, TTU Campus, for conversation and games designed to improve Arabic language skills and to foster friendships among Arabic learners.

In September, the Arabic Club elected Arabic Club officers for the Academic Year 2015-2016.

The Arabic Club hosted several "Arabic Cinema Night" events in the Foreign Languages Building, Qualia Room throughout the semester. Students enjoyed not only watching films in Arabic but also enjoyed being introduced to Egyptian culture and traditions.

Recent28

Students in Advance Arabic Conversation appreciate improving language skills in a relaxed classroom environment!

Participation in the Céfiro Cultural Day

Recent30

Several students in the Arabic Club learned how to prepare several traditional recipes: Manakeesh za'tar and cheese and hummus with culinary help from Instructor Rula Al-Hmoud in anticipation of serving them at the Céfiro International Cultural Day.

Recent31

The Arabic Club decorated 2 tables with magnificent native costumes, mementos, and authentic cuisine at the Céfiro International Cultural Day on October 30th. Tastes of the Middle East from hummus to baklava were enjoyed by students while learning about Middle Eastern culture and the TTU Arabic program through the illuminating display.

Dining Out!

Recent32

The Arabic Club gathered together for dinner on November 13th at a local restaurant where everyone enjoyed the Arabic buffet prepared for them. Each had the opportunity to expand their palates with spices and foods from the Mediterranean such as hummus, stuffed grape leaves, jasmine rice with several varieties of seasoned meats.

Back to top

ASL

Silent Raiders Club Meetings

The Silent Raiders kicked off the semester on September 9th in the FL Qualia Room with pizza, drinks and games.

Silent Raiders Fundraisers

The annual fundraiser for the Silent Raiders was held on October 15th at Blue Oasis. Throughout the day, supports of Silent Raiders stopped by for homemade Italian Ice or Ice Cream and portions of the proceeds from the day's sales were donated to Silent Raiders.

DeaFirst organized a "meat tasting" fundraiser on October 26 to help Deaf/HoH kids go to summer camp in 2016. The fundraiser was held at the TTU Animal and Food Science Building.

Signing Dinners

This fall the ASL program hosted monthly "Signing Dinners" in order to provide a comfortable atmosphere where students could practice their ASL skills.

The first dinner took place at Torchy's Tacos on September 14.

The second dinner took place on October 18 at La Madeleine restaurant.

A third dinner was a potluck dinner on November 11 in the Foreign Language Building, Qualia Room with 2 special guest speakers.

Celebration Potluck

Oakwood Baptist Deaf Church had a potluck dinner on November 22 in celebration of the one year anniversary at their new location. The Silent Raiders were invited to share in the celebration.

Silent Raiders Trunk or Treat

Recent33

The Silent Raiders filled their car trunks and welcomed trick or treaters for the annual Trunk or Treat on October 30 at Life/Run.

ASL Céfiro Cultural Day Participation

Recent34

The ASL program participated in the Céfiro International Cultural Day on October 30th in the basement of the Foreign Languages building. Homemade "I love you" signs in both milk and white chocolate made for an interesting tasty touch while learning about ASL at Texas Tech.

Silent Raiders Movie Night and Potluck

Recent35

Back to top

Chinese

Céfiro International Cultural Day

Recent36

From the Chinese New Year to the Chinese language, students enjoyed stopping at the colorful Chinese exhibit during the Céfiro International Cultural Day on October 30th.

Classics

The Texas Tech Classical Society had its first meeting of the semester on September 9 in the Qualia Room.

Classics Participates in Céfiro Cultural Day

Recent38

Dates, olives, olive oil, and bread drew students to the Classics' table during the Céfiro Cultural Day on October 30. Once there, students enjoyed reading about culture and history presented on the informative display. Graduate students were on hand to answer questions regarding the Classics program.

Lectures

Recent39

The Texas Tech Classical Society sponsored a lecture by Dr. David Crump, John B. Neibel Professor of Law, University of Houston, titled, "Translating the Aeneid: Choices, Compromises, and Losses" on November 18 in the FL Qualia Room.

AIA Lecture Series

The Classical Society took part in the Fall 2015 AIA Lecture Series:

October 15, "Joukowsky Lecture of Pompeii and Politics" presented J. Theodore Peña, University of California,Berkley

October 29, "Anthropology & Photography in the 18th century" given by Carla Manfredi, University of Hawaii

November 12, "Old Lands: A Chorography of the Eastern Morea, Greece" presented by Chris Witmore, Texas Tech University.

Classics Recreates Long Jump from Ancient Olympic Games – see article in Academic Excellence.

Back to top

French

The French Club kicked off the fall semester on September 3rd and held regular meetings for conversation, games, and movies on Wednesdays throughout the semester.

Recent40

French Movie Nights: September 29, October 27, November 17

Recent41

Games Nights

  • September 9: "les Loups-Garous" (werewolf) de Thercelieux
  • September 15: "Telestration" en francais
  • September 30: "Qui suis-je?"
  • October 6: "Time's Up"
  • October 14: the French version of "Taboo"
  • October 28: Une Chasse au Trésor: The French Club members put their language skills to use during a challenging scavenger hunt. Clues written in French were hidden all around the Tech campus and teams hunted for and solved them. Incentive to win was increased because all players won 1 point for participation and the winning team won 2 points on their next quiz.

Recent44

  • November 11: Slam - The French club organized an initiation to the Slam Poetry Workshop in French "au slam". Students were introduced to 2 well-known "slammeurs", Grand Corps Malade and Abd al Malik, and to their works after which they had the opportunity to perform their own slam in French.

Céfiro International Cultural Day

Recent45

October 30: the French program brought cultural awareness of France and the Francophone countries at the Céfiro International Cultural Day. Students enjoyed sampling on French baguettes covered in Nutella and French crepes filled with jam while learning about French clichés and stereotypes.

Commemorative Service for Victims of the Paris Attacks and Support of the People of France

Recent46

On November 18th, the Texas Tech French Club organized a gathering for the Francophone community at the Texas Tech University Memorial Circle in order to commemorate the memory of the people who perished and those who were wounded during the November 13th barbaric attacks in Paris and for a show of solidarity with the people of France. Faculty, students, friends and families and other student organizations participated in the gathering in memory of victims of other countries who have suffered similar inhumane attacks.

Back to top

German

Kaffeeklatsch

Mitchell Gries generously agreed to be in charge of Kaffeeklatsch for fall 2015. As in previous years, Kaffeeklatsch is run by graduate students of German, which provides students, faculty and everyone interested in German the opportunity to speak German in an informal weekly setting.

The first Kaffeeklatsch was held on August 28 at J&B Café and continued every Friday throughout the semester.

Stammtisch

Stammtisch kicked off the fall semester on September 3 at Fuzzy's Tacos and continued every Thursday evening throughout the semester.

German Film Screenings

Recent47

Students and faculty had the opportunity to participate in the 20th Century German Films series throughout the semester. Films were screened once a month in the Foreign Languages, Qualia Room.

German Film Screenings: September 21, October 5, October 26, November 2, November 30

Activities

Recent52

The German Club Fall Picnic took place in Wagner Park on September 20. Students enjoyed friendly games of football, Frisbee while practicing their German skills.

The annual Slaton Sausage Festival drew the German Club to St. Joseph Hall on October 17 to feast on German sausage while hanging out with friends.

"A Taste of German" Bake Sale

Recent53

During the morning of October 26th, TTU students drew to the "A Taste of German" bake sale in the foyer of the Foreign Languages Building where they could purchase German baked bread slathered with Nutella and fresh baked apple coffee cake along with a hot cup of coffee. Proceeds from the bake sale are used to help fund German Club activities.

International Cultural Day

Recent54

Nutella, German bread and sweets were among the tastes of Germany presented at the Céfiro International Cultural Day on October 30th at the German table. In addition to German cuisine, students could browse through books on Germany to learn about its rich culture and history.

Top Chef Contest

Recent55

The 2015 Top Chef Contest stirred up fierce competition between the lower-level German classes on November 10th in the basement lobby of the Foreign Languages Building. Both savory and sweet dishes tantalized the taste buds of participants, leaving them desirous of more than a mere taste. The event serve as a fund raiser for the German program.

Recent56

Awards:

  • Gold Medal for table design: GERM 3303
  • Silver Medal for table design: GERM2302
  • Best dish: Michael Daniels
  • Tastiest dish: Maura Ballard
  • Best Austrian dish: Colleen Hardy
  • Most traditional clothing: Robert Cook
  • Most energetic course: GERM 1501 (Grair)
  • Most enthusiastic course: GERM 1501 (Gries)
  • Most involved course: GERM 2312

Weihnachtsfest

Recent57

December 3-4, the Texas Tech International Cultural Center was filled with the sights and sounds of Germany at Christmas during the annual Weihnachtsfest hosted by the German program. Local elementary students discovered German holiday traditions, culture through film, handmade crafts and a live production of a German puppet show (Puppenspiel) by TTU German students.

Back to top

Italian Program

International Cultural Day

Recent58

The Italian program brought awareness to Italy and its rich culture at the Céfiro International Cultural Day on October 30th. Italian Bruschetta made with fresh tomatoes and basil on fresh bread drizzled with Italian olive oil whet students' appetites for authentic Italian cuisine. Awareness of Italian culture and the various regions of Italy were made available through a variety of books at the Italian exhibit.

Panetteria Italiana!

Recent59

The Italian program hosted 3 days of "Panetteria Italiana" (Italian Bakery) from November 18-20. Students from across campus made their way to the lobby of the Foreign Languages building where they enjoyed both breakfast and lunch items including Italian baked goods, fresh bruschetta, and Italian sandwiches for an authentic taste of Italy!

Japanese

GENKI, the Japanese Culture Club, met throughout the fall semester on Thursdays in the Foreign Languages building. The group's main focus is to improve Japanese skills through fun and games and activities. It is also a way for learners of Japanese to mix with other learners to practice listening and speaking skills. For more information click here.

Officers for 2015-2016

President: Sarah Tran
Campus Advisor: Hidetoshi Tanihara
Treasurer: Harrison Cohen

Study Sessions

  • September 17th, an introduction study session was held during which the group played a kanji game, with non-Japanese students learning hiragana and Japanese first year students trying out hiragana and some early kanji. Introductions with each other in Japanese were made which started the integration of members and non-members of Japanese classes.
  • October 1st: the first Genki Club Study Session provided hiragana practice with non-Japanese students while first and second year students worked on assigned essays and class material.
  • October 29th: the 2nd Genki Club Study Session was held in order to promote student success in moving from written skills to oral skills by going over class material and practicing oral skills using dialogues from the textbook.
  • November 26: the 3rd study session included a segment where students could practice dialogue with each other in order to give attention to intonation and pronunciation in order to improve speaking skills.

Game Nights

Recent60

  • September 25th: The club members benefitted from a presentation on the current game culture (and a brief history) in Japan, the recent Konami controversy (Konami is a well-known game company), what it takes to be a game developer in Japan, and a brief discussion on careers in Japan in general. Afterwards the group held a game day with Super Smash Bros, Nintendo DS's, and GO, a Japanese board game.
  • October 15th: The Japanese Club played a modified version of the game, "Assassin" during which players had to translate Japanese to figure out their identities and their targets' identities. Different resources and slight rule changes to the game put a new twist on the traditional one. Various vocabulary from the first few lessons was used and the translations taught students how kanji works even if they are not familiar with kanji itself. Members learned at least a few words from the vocabulary and maybe to read some kanji by the end of the game.

Japanese Fright Night: On October 23rd, the Japanese club celebrated Halloween with spooky Japanese folklore, scary movie culture, horror games, pumpkin carving and making Oni (Japanese demon) masks.

Recent63

International Cultural Day: On October 30th, the Japanese club added intrigue to the Céfiro International Cultural Day. Colorful cultural displays drew students to the tables where they practiced the art of calligraphy and origami, and learned to write their names in Japanese.

Origami Day: November 6th, the Japanese Club explored the history of origami and paper craft as well as learning to make some things. They played a game involving the origami and went over various uses for it in Japan and with the language.

Fall GO Tournament: November 20th, students brought their laptops because the bulk of the tournament will be held on online-go.com.

End-of-Semester Dinner: Instructors and students met on December 4th at a local Japanese steak house to celebrate the end of the semester.

Back to top

Russian

2015-2016 Officers for the Russian Club were elected in September as follows:

President: Jeremy Jones
VP: Tyler Simpson
Secretary: Ariel Rogers
Treasurer: Steven Vargas

Russian Club Events

Free Tutoring for Russian Students was offered on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the semester in the Foreign Languages, Learning Language Lab.

Monsters and Superstitions of the Pagan Slavic World Lecture

The word has spread across campus about the intriguing lecture on Slavic monsters and superstitions given each fall for the past 2 years and is fast becoming an annual lecture given by Irina Drigalenka, Instructor of Russian. Once again approximately 100 students of Russian and from across campus packed the large classroom on October 29th to hear the 3rd annual lecture entitled, "Monsters and Superstitions of The Pagan Slavic World". Students were introduced to and can now identify the most popular folkloric creatures and spirits of the ancient Slavs which sparked interesting discussions on superstitions as international phenomena and guessing about the consequences of some superstitions.

International Cultural Day

Recent66

On October 30th, the Russian Club brought a rich dimension of culture to the Céfiro International Cultural Day with several tables lavishly decorated with beautiful Russian mementos. Eye catching photographs depicting Russian culture, tourism, and the Texas Tech Russian Club events drew students to the exhibit.

Fish Day - November 19

Recent68

Students from the Russian language and literature courses gathered together to learn interesting facts about the oldest lake in the world, Lake Baikal, and its influence on Siberians from Instructor Irina Drigalenko.

Sampling dishes made with fish, caviar and delicious blinis added much flavor to the meeting and whet the appetite of students to join the Russian Club. The Russian Club held its weekly meeting after the lecture which included new potential members.

Russian Film Screenings: September 8 & 22

The Russian Club held the first meeting of the fall semester meeting on September 2 in the Foreign Language building.

Recent69

Post-screening Discussions

"Andrei Rublev"

Recent72

On September 8th, the Russian Club screened the film "Andrei Rublev," as part of the 2015 International Film Series at the International Cultural Center. The film depicts the life and iconic work of famed Russian painter, Andrei Rublev. Set against the background of medieval Russia, the film examines the meaning of artistic freedom and political ambiguity. Anthony Qualin, Associate Professor of Russian, introduced the film and presented remarks.

"Solaris"

Recent73

On September 22, Dr. Robert Bird, University of Chicago, presented a lecture titled, "Cosmic Tarkovsky: Art and Artificial Intelligence in Solaris".

Andrei Tarkovsky's third feature film, "Solaris" (1971) was partly conceived in his attempt to tailor his idiosyncratic and uncompromising style of art cinema to the ideological and commercial demands of the Soviet film industry. Tarkovsky, exhausted by the banning of his previous film Andrei Rublëv , chose as his next project the relatively safe route of adapting the popular science-fiction novel Solaris by Soviet-bloc author Stanisŀaw Lem. Critics have frequently viewed the film as work of compromise. Nonetheless, it has proven to be popular and influential. It was remade for American audiences by Steven Soderbergh in 2003, starring George Clooney. Bird revisited Tarkovsky's move to sci-fi in the context of his career, the Soviet fascination with artificial intelligence (i.e., "cybernetics"), Lem's novel, and other contemporary sci-fi moviemaking, particularly Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.

IFS (International Film Series) screened Andrei Tarkovsky's science fiction classic "SOLARIS" on September 22 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Dr. Robert Bird, University of Chicago, Dr.Qualin, TTU, introduced the film and took questions afterward. CMLL faculty and students attended.

"Museum Revolution" Discussion

Recent74

Cultural knowledge was heightened for the Russian Club during the screening of the award winning Russian documentary, "Museum Revolution" on October 22 at the International Cultural Center Auditorium. Director and screenwriter Nataliya Babintseval explores the role of art and artists in the anti-government protest movement in Kyiv in 2014. The film won the award of the University of Innsbruck (24th International Filmfestival Innsbruck 2015). The notion of the changes produced by revolution were introduced throughout the film: changes to the social and political "landscapes" of a country, the physical landscape; changes to the function of things, moves them from their places, mixes up the concepts. From art being remembered its primordial archetypical functions to the elementary, utilitarian, naïve artistic gestures a new name emerged in the midst of the Maidan carnival, "The New Middle Ages" from the artists themselves. The art that emerged stands against the primitive aesthetics of the ruling elite. "Revolution Museum" is more than a simple assembly of objects, items and works of art. It is a depository of emotions, frustrations, trauma, personal histories through depicted through the phenomena of creativity in extreme circumstances.

Recent75

The screening was sponsored by Our Texas, Department of History, Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, Office of International Affairs, and the CH Foundation.

Bolshoi Ballet

Recent76

Members of the Russian Club were introduced to Russian high culture during their attendance at the screening of the Bolshoi Ballet on Sunday, October 11th at the Cinemark Movies Sixteen Theater in Lubbock. The Institute for the Study of Western Civilization sponsored the program designed to introduce students to opera with the inclusion of dance and theater this year. The dance event featured a performance by Bolshoi of the ballet classic, Giselle. Members first attended an introductory lecture by Professor Kyla Olson, TTU dance program, on October 9 in the TTU Creative Movement Studio.

Recent77

Storytime: Members of the Russian Club gathered together for the First Russian Club Storytime on Monday, October 19. A selection of readings were chosen from Russian fairy tales and other Russian language books.

Back to top

Spanish

The 5th International Hispanic Crime Fiction Conference (CILDE: Conferencia Internacional de Literatura Detectivesca en Español)

Drs. Jorge Zamora and Rodrigo Pereyra of Texas Tech University, Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures organized the 5th International Hispanic Crime Fiction Conference (CILDE V) in Mexico City from September 24-26th and in collaboration with the National University of Mexico (Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, UNAM). Ricardo Vigueras (Spain) and Vicente Alfonso (Mexico), two award-winning authors of Hispanic noir, were recognized and presented at the conference.

Two Texas Tech professors presented at this year's conference:

Dr. George Cole, Spanish, presented a paper entitled, "Letal como un solo de Charlie Parker: recreando el hardboiled en la novela histórica detectivesca del siglo XXI".

Rubén Varona, PhD Candidate, presented a paper entitled, "¿Cómo se hornea una ficción criminal? La hora del cheesecake: presentación de una novella".

First Texas Tech University Hispanic/Latin @ Researchers' Symposium

The Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic and International Communication hosted the first Texas Tech University Hispanic/Latin@ Researchers' Symposium on Wednesday, October 7th in the College of Media & Communication. The symposium featured Texas Tech faculty engaged in research on Hispanic and/or Latino topics, including discussions on subjects ranging from language and literature to community-based research and higher education leadership. The event was open to TTU faculty, staff, students and community guests.

Session 1: In Print: Spanish Heritage Language, Translating the Mexican Writer..., and Feminist and Traditional Ideologies in Nonprofit Online Magazines

• Curtis Bauer, Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures , College of Arts & Sciences
• Idoia Elola, Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, College of Arts & Sciences
• Josh DeLaRosa-Prada, Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, College of Arts & Sciences
• Marilda Oviedo, Electronic Media, College of Media and Communication

Session 2: Society: Science Fiction Societies, Women & the American West, Social Justice in the Colonias, and Latino-Cyber Moral Immigrant Panic

• Andrew Gibb, Theatre & Dance, College of Arts & Sciences
• Sara Spurgeon, English, College of Arts & Sciences
• Nadia Y. Flores-Yeffal, Anthropology & Social Work, College of Arts & Sciences
• Amy Heuman, Communication Studies, College of Media and Communication

Session 3: Leading and Persisting: Framing the Voices of Latina/o Education Leaders and Predictors of Academic Motivation among Mexican American Adolescents

• Fernando Valle, Educational Leadership, College of Education
• Irma Almager, Educational Leadership, College of Education
• Brandy Piña Watson, Counseling, College of Education

The symposium concluded with a Research Roundtable/Social.

"Names and Voices: Mapping Out the Historical Memory of Spanish Civil War and Dictatorship Victims"

Recent78

Dr. Lourenzo Fernández Prieto, Chair of Contemporary History, Universidad of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) & former Dean of International Relations presented a talk titled, "Names and Voices: Mapping Out the Historical Memory of Spanish Civil War and Dictatorship Victims" on October 9th in the Foreign Languages Building, Qualia Room. The lecture was sponsored by the Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures, the Department of History, and the Department of Political Sciences and was open to the public.

The Spanish Club

Spanish Conversation was available to undergraduate students each Monday-Friday throughout the semester in the Foreign Languages, Qualia Room.

Mexican Independence Celebration: Students enjoyed celebrating El Grito, Mexican Independence on September 15 at the North Plaza of the Student Union Building with free food, live mariachi music and much more. The event was sponsored by the Cross-Cultural Academic Advancement Center.

Spanish Movies:

  • October 19th, "La Casa Muda" (the Silent House). The Silent House- La Casa Muda
  • October 26, "Wild Tales"
  • November 9, "Ocho Apellidos Vascos"
  • November 16th, "La Sirga"
  • November 23, "Los Ojos De Julia"
  • November 30, "Escobar Paradise Lost"

Céfiro Events

All Spanish and Portuguese graduate students were invited to the 1st meeting of Céfiro: Enlace Hispano culturaly literario on September 9.

International Cultural Day

Recent80

On October 30, the basement of the Foreign Languages Building was transformed into an international showcase with colorful exhibits that include pictures, memorabilia, native costumes, and traditional cuisine from an expansive list of countries being represented at the International Cultural Day.

Recent81

Recent82

The Department of Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures hosted the event in collaboration with Céfiro Enlace Hispano cultural y literario (the CMLL Spanish graduate student organization) and other student clubs and organizations who worked feverishly with event coordinators, Maria Ortiz-Martinez and Isabel Ojeda (PhD Spanish candidates) to offer a culturally rich affair on the languages, customs, and traditions of 13 countries or groups represented: American Sign Language, the Middle East, Brazil, China, Classics, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Unidos por un mismo idioma (UMI).

Recent83

Live music and dance mesmerized the audience while heightening cultural awareness of the Hispanic culture. David Barrientos and Santiago Baena played several duets on the clarinet followed by Madelynn Contreras and Averie DeLeon who engaged the audience with their performance of Mexican dances in colorful native dresses.

Recent84

Back to top

Classical & Modern Languages & Literatures

  • Address

    CMLL Building, 2906 18th St, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.3145