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Understanding Spatial Media

Editor(s):
Matthew W. Wilson
Rob Kitchin
Tracey Lauriault
Book summary:

Over the past decade, a new set of interactive, open, participatory and networked spatial media have become widespread.  These include mapping platforms, virtual globes, user-generated spatial databases, geodesign and architectural and planning tools, urban dashboards and citizen reporting geo-systems, augmented reality media, and locative media.  Collectively these produce and mediate spatial big data and are re-shaping spatial knowledge, spatial behaviour, and spatial politics.


Publication year:
2017
Publisher:
SAGE
Bio:
Photo:
Short bio:
Matthew W. Wilson, PhD, is Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Kentucky and Visiting Scholar at the Center for Geographic Analysis at Harvard University. He co-founded and co-directs the New Mappings Collaboratory which studies and facilitates new engagements with geographic representation. He is co-editor of Understanding Spatial Media (SAGE), and his most recent book is New Lines: Critical GIS and the Trouble of the Map (University of Minnesota Press). He has previously taught at Ball State University and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and his current research examines mid-20th century, digital mapping practices. He earned his PhD and MA from the University of Washington and his BS from Northwest Missouri State University. His childhood was spent in Pumpkin Center, Missouri, a small farming community in Nodaway County, where his family has farmed for over 150 years.
A&S department affiliation:

New Lines: Critical GIS and the Trouble of the Map

Author(s):
Matthew W. Wilson
Book summary:

New Lines considers a society increasingly drawn to the power of the digital map, examining the conceptual and technical developments of the field of geographic information science as this work is refracted through a pervasive digital culture. This book draws together archival research on the birth of the digital map with a reconsideration of the critical turn in mapping and cartographic thought.


Publication year:
2017
Publisher:
University of Minnesota Press
Bio:
Photo:
Short bio:
Matthew W. Wilson, PhD, is Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Kentucky and Visiting Scholar at the Center for Geographic Analysis at Harvard University. He co-founded and co-directs the New Mappings Collaboratory which studies and facilitates new engagements with geographic representation. He is co-editor of Understanding Spatial Media (SAGE), and his most recent book is New Lines: Critical GIS and the Trouble of the Map (University of Minnesota Press). He has previously taught at Ball State University and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and his current research examines mid-20th century, digital mapping practices. He earned his PhD and MA from the University of Washington and his BS from Northwest Missouri State University. His childhood was spent in Pumpkin Center, Missouri, a small farming community in Nodaway County, where his family has farmed for over 150 years.
A&S department affiliation:

Lo real en "El obsceno pájaro de la noche" de José Donoso

Author(s):
Moisés R. Castillo
Book summary:

 A la luz del concepto psicoanalítico de lo 'real', esta pequeña monografía trata de desentrañar las claves de la novela cumbre de José Donoso que cierra el 'Boom' latinoamericano. La incursión en lo mostruoso y abyecto de la existencia humana llevada a cabo por el novelista chileno nos sirve para ahondar en el sentido de lo que constituye la mayor ansiedad del pueblo latinoamericano: su identidad mestiza.    

Publication year:
1997
Publisher:
Colección Eutopías, vol. 160, EPISTEME
A&S department affiliation:

The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms

Author(s):
Robert B. Grossman
Book summary:

Intended for students of intermediate organic chemistry, this text shows how to write a reasonable mechanism for an organic chemical transformation. The discussion is organized by types of mechanisms and the conditions under which the reaction is executed, rather than by the overall reaction as is the case in most textbooks. The treatment emphasizes unifying principles, showing how common mechanisms link seemingly disparate reactions. Each chapter discusses common mechanistic pathways and suggests practical tips for drawing them. Worked problems are included in the discussion of each mechanism, and “common error alerts” are scattered throughout the text to warn readers about pitfalls and misconceptions that bedevil students. Each chapter is capped by a large problem set. The author has drawn on his own research and the current literature to ensure that appropriate attention is given to topics across the range of modern organic chemistry. The text is unique in its inclusion of a chapter on reactions mediated or catalyzed by transition metals, an area in which mechanistic understanding is now essential. Relatively new topics such as olefin metathesis and cycloaromatization are covered without giving short shrift to more traditional areas such as carbonyl chemistry. The text assumes a basic knowledge of organic chemistry. It can be used either in a formal course or by students working on their own, and will be particularly useful for graduate students studying for qualifying examinations. It will also be useful to students and researchers in biochemistry, pharmacology, and inorganic chemistry.

Publication year:
2003
Publisher:
Springer
Praise:
Quote:
The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms has an entirely different scope, dedicated to teaching the application of first principles to the construction of organic mechanisms. … The number of problems incorporated into the text is extraordinary. The author provides the student a Web site that includes the detailed mechanisms for every problem in the book … . The writing is clear, concise, engaging and, at times, outright entertaining. … All sections are expertly written, well organized and up-to-date.
Credit:
R. W. Holman, Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 80 (11), 2003
Quote:
In principle, most mechanisms are derived from a basis set of fundamental steps. … Grossman has succeeded in explaining these fundamentals in detail in an easily accessible monograph. … Readers can reinforce their incipient skills with practical illustrations, and are challenged throughout with complicated examples. … the present text offers additional lucid explanations and ideal opportunities for practice. This work will thus be indispensable for students who are interested in mechanisms, or who wish to gain an additional perspective.
Credit:
www.organische-chemie.ch, July, 2004
Quote:
Robert Grossman in his book attempts to familiarize the student with the awesome power of reaction mechanisms … . What makes this book special and praise-worthy is the clarity of its presentation of the subject matter. The text is lucid and sharp-edged throughout. The production quality of the book is first-class, too. Paper, printing and binding are excellent, the reproduction of the numerous formulae and reaction schemes is outstanding. … Full marks for this ‘survival guide’ to the ‘organic jungle’.
Credit:
T. Lazar, Synthesis, Issue 17, 2003
Quote:
Robert Grossman discusses ideas on organic chemical reactivity, selectivity and structure in a logical way that gives the student confidence in attempting the many practice problems provided. … This book provides a snapshot of examples of how to consider and approach the writing of simple and sophisticated examples of pushing electrons in and out of orbitals. Students will enormously benefit from using the principles and concepts in this book in writing their own mechanisms.
Credit:
Helmut Hügel, Chemistry in Australia, 2003
Quote:
I have just finished my first year of graduate studies in organic chemistry at Duke University. I just wanted to let you know how much your book got me through the past year of course work. We, like everyone else, use Carey and Sundberg for our advanced organic classes. I personally do not care much for those books and therefore seek better explanation/understanding through other texts such as Lowry an Richardson and Carrol. When it came to mechanisms, I found the clarity and thoroughness I needed only in your book. It was impressive how you were able to present so much information in a clear and comprehensive manner yet keep the book so managable [sic] in size.

In addition to the text, I also was able to benefit from the problems. I was sure I had the answer for more than a couple but I was way off on some of them! Great practice!! The on-line answers are much better than looking up answers by reference as in Carey and Sundberg. The JOC and JACS journals in our library from 1960s-1980s are a wreck because every year 20 or so first year grad students go tearing off through the journals looking up answers.

Just wanted to say thanks for such a helpful book. I am reading it again this summer in preparation for my preliminary exam next Spring.
Credit:
David Gooden, personal communication
Quote:
I am David Peralta, a Master's student and lecturer at the Department of Chemistry in the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. I am writing in admiration (and gratitude) for your book, "The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms" (2nd Ed.). You see, I have just finished taking my Organic comprehensive exam last Tuesday and (even though I still had a difficult time with the exam) I am ecstatic that I passed. As I have always considered organic mechanisms my Waterloo in Org-Chem, I have found your book and methods of great help. The explanations were very clear and all ideas were excellently presented. The excercises [sic] with the online answers were helpful in preparing too. I'd gladly recommend the book to anyone preparing for similar exams or even those who just want to brush up on mechanisms.

Again, thanks for the great book. A lot of chemistry students (undergraduate and graduate) at our University are already finding your book really helpful.
Credit:
David Peralta, personal communication
Quote:
I bought this book to practice mechanisms because I'll be taking a physical organic class in the spring that uses them heavily. I used this book instead of sitting in on a sophomore organic class, because by job as a TA conflicted.

Anyway, this book is extraordinary. Dr. Grossman has taught me so many things about how to write a correct mechanism and how to recognize a bad mechanism when I see one. The book is written in a very clear and friendly manner and it's really quite hard to put down when you start reading it.

The book also has practice problems and the book's website has the answers, giving even more incentive to practice mechanisms.
Credit:
Jason B., Amazon.com
Quote:
Wow. I have been searching for a book like this since my undergrad days at the University of Pittsburgh. Not much more to say about this book than has already been said. I will however say that this is the most concise book that I have ever found on the theory of mechanisms. It is decievingly short, for it encompases all the major topics you will find in your 1200 page O-chem text, and dare I say, may be just as, if not more usefull.

In organic chemistry it is not important to memorize a vast amount of material as, incorrectly, most neophyte students believe. The science really is an art with a few major rules that outline the whole of the science. If you truly UNDERSTAND these rules, and use this book for that purpose, you will succeed at any Organic course any school has to offer. Buy this book. Practice your problems. Be prepared to learn, not memorize.
Credit:
Michael Cook, Amazon.com
Bio:
Photo:
Short bio:
Robert B. Grossman earned his A.B. at Princeton University, where he carried out research under the direction of Robert A. Pascal. After graduating in 1987, he moved to MIT and worked under the direction of Stephen L. Buchwald to develop zirconium- and titanium-mediated and -catalyzed organic synthetic methodology. He earned his Ph.D. in 1992 and moved from Steve’s lab in Cambridge to Steve’s lab in Cambridge, England, where he worked in the Ley group on various aspects of the chemistry of azadirachtin. In 1994 he left the UK to join the faculty at UK. His research interests are the development of new synthetic methodology and the study of biosynthetic pathways.
A&S department affiliation:
Book URL:
http://www.uky.edu/~rbgros1/textbook.html

Language and Material Culture

Author(s):
Allison Burkette
Book summary:

This innovative and provocative work introduces complexity theory and its application to both the study of language and the study of material culture. The book begins with a wide-ranging theoretical background, covering the areas of dialect geography, the anthropological study of material culture, and a general introduction to the study of complex adaptive systems. Following this general introduction, the principles of complexity theory are demonstrated in data drawn from linguistics and material culture studies. Language and Material Culture further highlights the principles of complexity through a series of case studies, using data from the Linguistic Atlas, colonial American inventories and the Historic American Building Survey. LMC shows that language and material culture are intertwined as they interact within the same cultural complex system. The book is designed for students in courses that focus on language variation, American English and material culture, in addition to general courses on applications of complex systems.

Publication year:
2015
Publisher:
John Benjamins
A&S department affiliation:
Book URL:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286383494_Language_and_Material_Culture

Approaches to Teaching History of the English Language

Editor(s):
Allison Burkette
Mary Hayes
Book summary:

The History of the English Language has been a standard university course offering for over 150 years. Yet relatively little has been written about teaching a course whose very title suggests its prodigious chronological, geographic, and disciplinary scope. In the nineteenth century, History of the English Language courses focused on canonical British literary works. Since these early curricula were formed, the English language has changed, and so have the courses. In the twenty-first century, instructors account for the growing prominence of World Englishes as well as the English language's transformative relationship with the internet and social media.

Approaches to Teaching the History of the English Language addresses the challenges and circumstances that the course's instructors and students commonly face. The volume reads as a series of "master classes" taught by experienced instructors who explain the pedagogical problems that inspired resourceful teaching practices. Although its chapters are authored by seasoned teachers, many of whom are preeminent scholars in their individual fields, the book is designed for instructors at any career stage-beginners and veterans alike.

The topics addressed in Approaches to Teaching the History of the English Language include: the unique pedagogical dynamic that transpires in language study; the course's origins and relevance to current university curricula; scholarly approaches that can offer an abiding focus in a semester-long course; advice about navigating the course's formidable chronological ambit; ways to account for the language's many varieties; and the course's substantial and pedagogical relationship to contemporary multimedia platforms. Each chapter balances theory and practice, explaining in detail activities, assignments, or discussion questions ready for immediate use by instructors.

Publication year:
2017
Publisher:
Oxford
Praise:
Quote:
This fine collection offers plenty of new ideas and is a must-read for anyone teaching the history of English.
Credit:
E. L. Battistella, CHOICE
A&S department affiliation:
Book URL:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/approaches-to-teaching-the-history-of-the-english-language-9780190611057?cc=us&lang=en&

Exploring Linguistic Science

Author(s):
Allison Burkette
William A. Kretzschmar, Jr.
Book summary:

Exploring Linguistic Science introduces students to the basic principles of complexity theory and then applies these principles to the scientific study of language. It demonstrates how, at every level of linguistic study, we find evidence of language as a complex system. Designed for undergraduate courses in language and linguistics, this essential textbook brings cutting-edge concepts to bear on the traditional components of general introductions to the study of language, such as phonetics, morphology and grammar. The authors maintain a narrative thread throughout the book of 'interaction and emergence', both of which are key terms from the study of complex systems, a new science currently useful in physics, genetics, evolutionary biology, and economics, but also a perfect fit for the humanities. The application of complexity to language highlights the fact that language is an ever-changing, ever-varied product of human behavior.

Publication year:
2018
Publisher:
Cambridge
A&S department affiliation:
Book URL:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/exploring-linguistic-science/4E6FAC2029D3531A06103F9863DA8678

Language and Classification: Meaning-Making in the Classification and Categorization of Ceramics (Routledge Studies in Sociolinguistics)

Author(s):
Allison Burkette
Book summary:

This volume adopts a practice-based approach to examine the different ways in which classification is communicated and negotiated in different environments within archaeology. The book looks specifically at the archaeological classification of ceramics as a lens through which to examine the discursive and social practices inherent in the classification and categorization process, with perspectives from such areas as corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology forming the foundation of the book’s theoretical framework. The volume then looks at the process of classification in practice in a variety of settings, including a university course on ceramics classification, an archaeological field school, an intensive petrography course, and archaeometry laboratory at a nuclear research reactor, and highlights participant observation and audiovisual data taken from fieldwork practice completed in these environments. This volume offers a valuable contribution to the growing literature on language and material culture, making this a key resource for students and scholars in sociolinguistic, anthropological linguistics, archaeology, discourse analysis, and anthropology.

Publication year:
2018
Publisher:
Routledge
A&S department affiliation:
Book URL:
https://www.amazon.com/Language-Classification-Meaning-Making-Categorization-Sociolinguistics/dp/1138243361
Book keywords:
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