A Sampling of New Books by Columbian College Faculty

October 2, 2013
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If you browse the library of books authored by Columbian College faculty this year, you’d discover prolific scholarship on topics ranging from the Trojan War to the citizenship of women in the U.S. The following is a sampling of our recent books.

Citizenship and the Origins of Women's History in the United States

Narratives about women’s history between the late 18th century and the American Civil War are constantly changing. Associate Professor of American Studies Teresa Anne Murphy outlines the development of women's history during this period in her book Citizenship and the Origins of Women's History in the United States.

Murphy examines literature that promoted domestic citizenship and looks at how these historical writers set the stage for a more progressive women's rights campaign. She demonstrates that citizenship is at the heart of women's history and, consequently, that women's history is also the history of nations.

Globalization and Austerity Politics in Latin America

In an age of globalization, are markets and democracy compatible? When is austerity imposed externally and when is it a domestic political choice? Globalization and Austerity Politics in Latin America by Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Kaplan examines the effect of financial globalization on economic policymaking. The book challenges the conventional wisdom that political business cycles are prevalent in newly democratizing regions.

Studying in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Venezuela using a multi-method research strategy, Kaplan’s book investigates how relations between international creditors and national debtors affect economic policy choices.

Reinventing Professionalism: Journalism and News in Global Perspective

Prevailing anxiety about the future of journalism adds timeliness to the notion of professionalism in the media. In Reinventing Professionalism: Journalism and News in Global Perspective, Professor of Media and Public Affairs Silvio Waisbord argues that professionalism should be used as a tool of specialization and to control occupational practices.

As today’s technological, political, and economic climates shake news outlets, Waisbord critically assesses journalistic professionalism in a global context. In his book, he refers to reporting that observes certain ethical standards as well as to collective efforts by journalists to exercise control over the news.

The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction

The Iliad, Homer's epic tale of the abduction of Helen and the resulting decade-long Trojan War, has fascinated audiences for generations. The war has inspired countless books, movies, television documentaries, and art. In The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction, Eric Cline, chair of the Department of Classical & Near Eastern Language & Civilizations and professor of classics and anthropology, taps archaeology, Hittite texts, and Greek legend to investigate the truth about the infamous war so often prominent in U.S. pop culture.

Cline offers an original perspective on the war, examining events that may have inspired Homer's timeless epic. He investigates the question of whether the Trojan War was a real historical event and whether the actual site of ancient Troy has been correctly located. He also challenges the assertion that Helen’s abduction was the impetus for the war.