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History Humanities & Languages News

3rd Annual “Back to the Sources” Student Research Conference

Dr. Iana Konstantinova giving opening address at conferenceThe 3rd Annual “Back to the Sources” Student Research Conference was held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 by the Department of History, Humanities, and Languages. 31 students, from UHD and other area institutions, presented original research throughout the day on a variety of topics ranging from the rise and fall of Gilley’s honkytonk in Houston, tradition and modernism in the paintings of Velazquez, the Czech-Slovak Legion after World War II, and the ethical pitfalls of using Virtual Reality for therapeutic purposes. Attendees listened, learned, and joined in conversations and debate with the impressive group of student presenters. Student awardees recognized for the quality of their research include Andrea Casas, Angela Galvez, Minerva Rodriguez, Ryan Chandler, Elise Whatley (SHSU), and Dalanie Aufill (SHSU). The keynote address was given by Dr. Iana Konstantinova, Professor of Spanish at Southern Virginia University, who encouraged student researchers to take risks, to learn from failures, and to find their passion and let it guide them into the future.

The Department of History, Humanities, and Languages offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in History, Humanities, Philosophy, and Spanish. The curriculum in these individual programs hones students’ interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills through critical inquiry, research, and respectful debate—the basis of all university life. Our graduates have gone on to graduate school and into positions such as managers, teachers, lawyers, interpreters/translators, research analysts, and a variety of other fields where these skills are highly valued.

Dr. Salvador Salinas on Hispanic Heritage Month

Dr. Salavdor Salinas on Great Day Houston  

Dr. Salvador Salinas appears on Great Day Houston to discuss Hispanic Hertiage Month, celebrates the culture, heritage and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos. Hispanic Hertiage month begins September 15 to recognize the date Mexcio won independence from Spain. 
Great Day Houston interview

History Major Helen Martinez Earns Internships

Photo of UHD History major Helen Martinez next to alligator statue in front of UHD main building History major Helen Martinez was hesitant to apply for a summer internship, even though it deeply interested her. Although an accomplished student in the University Honors Program, she continued to doubt her academic self-worth. Ms. Martinez remembers that she felt that her achievements were “not enough.” However, her professors, as well as the knowledge that the internship provides an opportunity to underrepresented students in the humanities and social sciences, prodded her forward. She applied and was awarded a spot as an intern with the Summer Curatorial Research Project in Indigenous Arts at the University of Virginia. Her internship begins this summer. It is paid and includes housing and travel expenses. 

The summer internship opens up professional possibilities for Ms. Martinez and promises to help diversify the field of museum studies. She observes, “As a first generation college student and daughter of immigrant parents, I do not always have the privilege of seeing representation in my field of study as a history major, but I believe representation and recognizing diversity and intersectionality is integral to the study of history. I hope use this opportunity to become part of that new representation and to bring a different perspective to my field that I would have benefited from when I was contemplating whether to study history. This program is an excellent way for me to gain on site experience and network before I graduate this fall. Using the GRE course and graduate school preparation offered in the program, I will to apply for graduate school next year, after which I plan to obtain my Ph.D. in history and ultimately work as a historian in a museum.”

Ms. Martinez’s fascination with museum studies began when she was seven-years-old on a school field trip to the Museum of Natural Sciences. That visit taught her the value of history, writing, and research. “My family did not always have the financial means to visit museums,” she remembers, “but the impression of my first visit inspired me to continue my education in history.”

Upon hearing the good news of her award, Ms. Martinez’s family was “ecstatic,” she says, “although we were all a little scared of the idea of me leaving for two months to a place we had never been and that is not easily accessible by car. I am the first in my family to branch out this way, but my family agrees that it will be worth it.”

Drs. Theresa Case and Mari Nicholson-Preuss encouraged Ms. Martinez to apply for the internship. Dr. Case was impressed with Ms. Martinez’s presentation at the History, Humanities, & Languages Student Research Conference. Dr. Nicholson-Preuss, director of the University Honors Program, has high praise for Ms. Martinez: “In the four years that I have known Helen I have been truly impressed by both her exceptional academic potential and her genuine interest in all things historical. She has a boundless energy when it comes to attending panels at academic conferences and her questions are always insightful. I was very pleased to hear that Helen had been offered this opportunity and I look forward to hearing about her archival adventures when she returns.” The History Program and the UHD Honors Program extend a hearty congratulations to Ms. Martinez and wish her the very best this summer.

Dr. Jonathan Chism Publication "Saints in the Struggle"

Photograph of Dr. Jonathan Chism Dr. Jonathan Chism, assistant professor of history, uncovers the role of leaders in COGIC and other black churches in Memphis during the civil rights movement in his new book “Saints in the Struggle” (Lexington Books, a subsidiary of Rowman & Littlefield).  Through archival research (including oral histories), Chism details the significance of grassroots activism during the height of the Civil Rights era and how black churches united (regardless of denomination) to advocate for equality.  “The book uncovers many of the lesser known activists in the Memphis area, who worked behind the scenes,” Chism said. “One of the groups highlighted in ‘Saints in the Struggle’ is Community on the Move for Equality (COME).”
Read more about Dr. Chism's book.

Spanish Faculty Travel to Salamanca, Spain, to Present on Course Redesign

Photo of Dr. Nowak, Dr. Chiquillo and Dr. Mandell
Three Spanish Program faculty members – Dr. Raquel Chiquillo, Dr. Paul Mandell, and
Dr. William Nowak – traveled to the “Golden City” of Salamanca, Spain, in June 2018 to present
on their redesign of introductory Spanish courses (SPAN 1401 and 1402) at the 100th Annual Conference of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. The redesign entailed the creation of VoiceThread videos and was funded by a UHD Teaching Circle grant.

(In photo, pictured from left to right - Dr. William Nowak, Dr. Raquel Chiquillo, Dr. Paul Mandell)

Last updated 12/17/2020 7:54 AM

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