by Joseph Herman
Liberal Studies
Major
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Professor Viesca and the American Sabor Ehibit
Victor Hugo Viesca is a graduate of the New York University in New York City. He trained in American Studies, and his primary focus of research includes popular Music produced in the US by Latino/a artists which have contributed to today's popular music. He currently maintains a full time professorial status at CSULA in the Liberal Studies department. Recently late 2013 early 2014, Viesca had the opportunity to bring to CSULA the American Sabor Exhibit produced by the American Smithsonian, and sponsored by Ford Motor Company.
The Smithsonian originally contacted professor Viesca bases on his research of Cultural influences of music. For more information the article is titled The Battle of Los Angeles: The Cultural Politics of Chicana/o Music in the Greater Eastside. and can be found in the American Quarterly of the 2004 September issue.
With his expertise in the field Viesca became the primary contact person, and on site curator for the exhibit. He also created his own special exhibit of underground art and musical influences of the local area. CSULA was the perfect location for the exhibit due to being centrally located in East Los Angeles which holds a highly mix and cultural population. The event focused on Latino/a music and their art in a historical aspect. During it’s time here at CSULA symposiums, lectures, salsa lessons, and a film series were presented for the student body, and community. The exhibits purpose was to create student to community involvement, and an open safe space for the community to learn about it’s heritage. Thank you Professor Viesca for bring CSULA this wonderful experience.
Exhibits of interest include the following:
“Black and Brown Interaction in Los Angeles Latino/a Popular Music"
“Organizers in the History of Key Community Spaces in the Latino/a Music Scene”
“The Making of an East Los Angeles Music Scene”
“Chicanas in the East LA Music Scene” - Panel/Concert
Closing Concert: East LA Popular Music w/Quetzal
If you would like more information regarding his article or the Sabor Exhibit please visit the web links below.
http://americansabor.org/exhibition/venue/1534
Alumni
Rebekah Ruswick Liberal Studies alumna from CSULA completed her B.A (2007), Multiple Subject Credential, and an M.A. in Special Education and Teaching (2010). Rebekah works closely with the Pasadena School district and was in charge of a total of six schools and was recently appointed the new Special Education Program Coordinator for the Pasadena Unified School District in August, 2014. She works with such groups as Focus Point Academy to help struggling students with Emotional and Behavioral Disturbances. She also works as adjunct professor at UCLA Extension in the special education credential program, training and motivating up and coming teachers in her field. Being a first generation graduate in her family Rebekah feels the need to be an example to her family and community. She states “SUCCESS IS RELATIVE”, and that the key to obtaining your goals is through dedication and perseverance. She is a great asset to our community, and CSULA is pleased and proud to have her as our Alumna and we wish her luck on future community support.
04/22/2015
Dr. Patrick B. Sharp
Dr. Patrick B. Sharp is Professor and Chair of Liberal Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. He is an alumnus of the University of California Santa Barbara, with a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English from that institution. He came to CSULA in 2001 after two years as a Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow and one year as a Program Coordinator at Georgia Tech.
As Chair of the Liberal Studies department, Dr. Sharp oversees a major of over 350 undergraduates who are pursuing options in Elementary Teacher Preparation and Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture and Society. He has also obtained over $130,000 in grants for the purpose of improving curriculum and instruction during his career at CSULA. He spearheaded the effort to convert the Liberal Studies curriculum from a quarter to a semester calendar, which takes effect in 2016. As a part of this, he created several new courses in science fiction and is developing a minor in Science Fiction Studies that draws mostly from approved general education courses. Dr. Sharp has taken on the role of Faculty Director of Eagle-Con, CSULA's science fiction convention which is set to return to campus on May 14-15, 2015.
Dr. Sharp is an established interdisciplinary scholar of science studies and science fiction who has published one monograph, two co-edited anthologies, and a number of book chapters and journal articles in his fields. He is the founding co-editor of the book series New Dimensions in Science Fiction from the University of Wales Press. His next book is a co-edited anthology entitled Women’s Work in Science Fiction, which will be released by Wesleyan University Press in spring 2016. For more information on Dr. Sharp’s publications and academic achievements visit these links:
http://www.amazon.com/Patrick-B.-Sharp/e/B001JRVAWK/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
04/08/2015
Eagle-Con 2015
The Department of Liberal Studies and College of Arts and Letters have once again teamed up with the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and the Cross Cultural Centers (CCC) to bring Eagle-Con to Cal State LA. Eagle-Con is a conference that includes engaging presentations by scholars and industry professionals, an art exhibition from the Art Directors Guild, a vendor’s room, and a cosplay masquerade. The purpose of Eagle-Con is to bring our students and communities together through exploring and celebrating diversity and culture through the genre of Science Fiction across media. The faculty director for Eagle-Con, Dr. Patrick Sharp (Liberal Studies), is collaborating with the Student Union and its sponsor The Art Director’s Guild of Los Angeles to create this two-day event on May 14-15, 2015. Last year's event focused on multiethnic science fiction with an emphasis on comics, super heroes/villains, and film, with over 450 attendees. It is expected to be twice as big this year, and it is something you will not want to miss. For more information please visit the website here: http://www.calstatelausu.org/eaglecon
Margaret Salazar-Porzio (2005)
Margaret Salazar-Porzio is a Liberal Studies alumna (class of 2005) who continued her education at University of Southern California where she received an M.A. and Ph.D in American and Ethnicity Studies. Recently she has taken the position of Curator in the Division of Home and Community Life at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Her focus is on Latina/o History and Culture in the 20th century. With this new position as Curator she intends to promote community relationships by bringing forth Latina/o stories and objects. Her future projects with the Smithsonian include Our American Journey: Many Voices One Nation. The exhibition will open some time in 2016, which will increase community awareness of important histories. For more information, watch her clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP7UhS_lYvU&list=PLL71NEDhCwbF2t8h4avr1JLz9WoxcZ8WR