Sabbatical Leave Awards
SSU faculty are spending their sabbatical leaves in many interesting ways. Here is a roundup of current projects:
Dr. Wanda Boda - Analyze the implementation and design of exercise programs for spinal chord injured individuals and then create a program for these individuals at SSU
Dr. Robert Coleman - Continue work on German influences on the Harlem Renaissance; W.E.B. Du Bois’ student years in Berlin 1892-94; and development of International Exchange for Faculty from Baden-Württemberg and Sonoma State centered on issues related to the political and institutional dynamics of multiculturalism
Dr. Paul Draper - Travel to China to research and explore its theatrical traditions and the cultural history of the 16th-century Chinese classic Journey to the West; develop a production plan for a theatrical production of Journey to the West.
Dr. Robert Eyler - Research and write a textbook on international economic sanctions; research optimal currency areas and currency unions in Africa; research lending and futures market practices in the dairy industry in Parma, Italy
Dr. George Ledin - Research current pedagogical approaches and laboratory practices in teaching computer security; lay the groundwork for seeking financial support; complete curricular design for teaching computer security; organize a conference at SSU exploring computer security
Dr. MaryAnn Nickel - Research the effects of a three-year summer reading program on the reading interests, abilities and standardized test scores of public school students; edit and co-write a text on CORE, Collaborations for the Renewal of Education; research the digital or e-portfolio implementation undertaken in the Department of Literacy Studies and Elementary Education
Dr. Carolyn Saarni - Produce edited volume on emotional development, including many international contributors; collaborate with Chinese developmental psychologists on research projects involving children and their relationships within the family and with peers
Dr. Richard Senghas - Build on previous ethnographic and linguistic research involving a new language and community for deaf Nicaraguans that has emerged in Nicaragua over the past 25 years with aid from Sweden; focus on Swedish influences on the development of the Nicaraguan language
Dr. Richard Whitkus - Continue work on a federally funded project on understanding plant evolution from the perspective of genetics, studying the environmental, ecological and genetic factors behind the spread of the plant pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death; seek new funding for future research; partake in year-long fellowship in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Robert Worth - Planning, study, preparation for Fall 2007 Spanish concert series and January 2008 concert tour of the Andalucia region of Spain, broad educational projects for student and community singers on the music, history, culture, and language of these regions
Difference-In-Pay Leave Awards
Dr. Thomas Jacobson - Work on book-length manuscript and documentary film about controversy involving the Klamath River in southern Oregon and northern California, where concerns for environmental protection, family farming and protection of the interests of Native Americans have come into conflict
Dr. Virginia Lea - Analyze and synthesize research in multicultural education in today’s public schools in the United States, Britain and France; conduct ethnographic research in two schools in Britain and the United States; publish findings; and share the findings through a seminar, a university-wide conference and reports to University committees
Dr. Barbara Lesch McCaffry - Engage in an extended study of Holocaust memoirs, fiction and poetry leading to presentations at two conferences and the subsequent publication of her research
Dr. Bala Ravikumar - Submit proposals for external funding;prepare and publish recently completed Master’s thesis’ of six students; continue on-going research projects within SSU and in collaboration with colleagues at campuses; develop graduate courses
Dr. Susan Stewart - Complete book: Aging with Grace and Zest: Inspiring Tales of the Grandmother/Crone, an examination of images of the old woman throughout the world;present the results of her work in Italy and possibly in Ireland
Dr. Charlene Tung - Complete book: Migrations of Care: Philippine Eldercare Workers in California, examining the impacts of globalization from the standpoint of transmigrant Filipina women employed as live-in domestic workers in California