March 24, 2011
Bryant professors publish new books on their latest research
Scholars in history, political satire, and Tanzanian culture have dedicated years of exploration and research to become experts in their fields.
In the preface of his new book, “The Other Eighties: A Secret History of America in the Age of Reagan,” Associate History Professor Bradford Martin notes that the idea of writing this account began when a colleague threw down the gauntlet.
He remembers an editor friend telling him, “Any book on the 1980s inevitably turns into a Reagan book.” Martin reasoned this to be the case because, “the president’s advocates credited him with monumental accomplishments. The beaming accounts of his presidency and achievements only intensified after his death in 2004, generating a wave of affectionate tributes in the popular media.”
However, closer examination reveals that a “sizable swath” of the American public disapproved of the way Reagan handled his job. “This suggests that there was more to the story, that there was another 1980s, its history buried under the celebratory narrative of Reagan and conservative ascendancy,” writes Martin, who will read from and sign copies of his book on Thursday, March 24, at Books on the Square in Providence.
Martin’s responding research resulted in a book well-received by the experts. “In arguing for a 1980s that not only didn't uniformly embrace the superficial conformity of the Reagan years but actively laid groundwork for today's progressive movements, Martin does valuable work,” writes the Boston Globe.
Judith Smith, professor of American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, commented, “Bradford Martin’s fascinating and extensively researched book will take you on a revelatory trip to the other side of Reagan’s 1980s.”
Despite voter apathy and a waning interest in traditional news coverage, there is a renaissance taking place where political satirists are being elevated to the level of legitimate pundits, Assistant English and Cultural Studies Professor Amber Day argues in her recently published book.
In “Satire and Dissent: Interventions in Contemporary Political Debate,” Day contends that political satire has attracted attention as “various media from hard news to talk shows speculate about the impact of Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” on a presidential election [and] loudly bemoan the rumor that American youth get more information from fake news programs like “The Daily Show” than from ‘legitimate’ newscasts.”
“Turn on the television in any number of countries around the world, and you are bound to find at least one highly topical news-parody show providing its own take on contemporary events,” writes Day. “The political discourse taking place in the satiric register currently appears far more vibrant than any of the traditional outlets for serious political dialogue.”
“In an era of stage-managed and choreographed political showmanship and debate, today's brand of political satire offers a refreshing alternative to the predictable script," she continues. (Read a roundup of Day's recent comments in the media; Type "Day" in the search field in the top right corner of Bryant's Online Newsroom.)
Jeffrey Jones, author of “Entertaining Politics: Satiric Television and Political Engagement” is one of many who has praised Day’s work. “Day deftly demonstrates the power of satire as a means of political critique and engagement. Day adds an important new voice, advancing significant theoretical insights. This is a ‘don't miss’ volume.”
A new book by Associate Professor of English and Cultural Studies Alex Perullo, “Live from Dar es Salaam: Popular Music and Tanzania’s Music Economy,” will be released in October. (Learn more about Prof. Perullo's new book.)
In 2004 and 2005, Perullo who teaches courses in anthropology, ethnomusicology and African studies, received Bryant Research and Teaching Grants to visit the East African country of Tanzania. He has written several articles about the country’s music and culture based on his studies.
A former Fulbright Scholar in Tanzania, Perullo says he was attracted to African culture as an undergraduate when he studied in Madagascar. “I found myself drawn to the connection between music, knowledge, and culture,” he says.
Perullo’s work was applauded by renowned Tanzanian guitarist and singer Remmy Ongala. “This book will become a road map for the next generation to use in order to learn about Tanzanian popular music,” says Ongala. “It is a very important book that illustrates the past, present, and future of Tanzanian music.”
For the last four years, Perullo has organized the African Studies Workshop to encourage information and cultural exchange between students and members of Rhode Island’s African community. In 2007, Perullo was awarded an Aluka Award for Innovative Teaching for his classes that examine African customs and traditions.
Perullo and his students also started the Tanzania Education Resource Network to collect books to donate to universities and K-12 schools in Tanzania. They have collected 3,500 books that have been distributed to more than 30 programs throughout the country.
Learn more about the research being conducted by Bryant's faculty members.
