Liberal Arts News
Paper accepted for publication: Laughter in oral histories of displacement
Recently, the Head of School for Cross-faculty Studies Dr St茅phanie Panichelli-Batalla鈥檚 paper on laughter in oral histories of displacement was accepted for publication by . The Oral History Review aims to explore the nature and significance of oral history and advance understanding of the field among scholars, educators, practitioners, and the general public.
Title: Laughter in oral histories of displacement: 'one goes on a mission to solve their problems'
Abstract
Although the use of humor and laughter in oral history has started to appear in oral history literature, it is still very much under-researched. Most of the studies analyze humor and laughter together, while Kate Moore focuses on laughter on its own. Humor and laughter, although linked, are two different concepts. While humor is a mental ability to perceive and/or express something funny, laughter on the other hand is a sound or a sequence of expirations, produced as the expression of an emotion, which can be set off by a humorous trigger, but not necessarily. It is therefore important to distinguish both. This paper will build on Moore鈥檚 study by exploring the use of unilateral laughter in eleven oral histories of exiled Cuban internationalist healthcare professionals. However, unlike Moore鈥檚 study, this research will not be limited to difficult memories. Our analysis will deepen our knowledge on the history of the Cuban global universal healthcare system by giving a voice to its participants, analyzing therefore, not solely the facts and statistics of the program but, as Portelli states, the meaning that its participants give to it when reflecting on their experience from the present. By exploring the occurrence of laughter, this paper intends to shed light on the relevance of focusing on unconscious reactions in oral history narratives, in order to better understand emotions linked to the narrated memories. The analysis will show that unilateral laughter is recurrent in the interviews when participants reflect on a change in their identity, the implications of working for a state program, and their need for respect of human dignity. It will highlight the impact the mission had on their personal and professional lives during and after their humanitarian experience. These stories of displacement will also show what Norrick has called the dual humorous perspective of the participants, but rather than solely referring to the time of the interview and age of the participants, we will also assert that another key factor to be taken into consideration is the situation of displacement as well as the degree of acculturation of the participants.
CHANGE Festival: Writing for better futures
Last month, took place on campus at the . This new, not-for-profit arts festival featuring over 20 events brought together shows, talks, comedy, and workshops, with the aim to inspire visitors to imagine a better, more positive future for all. Better food. Better homes. Better communities. Better lives for ourselves and generations to come.
One of the festival workshops was led by Dr Kirsten Harris, a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Liberal Arts Department. Kirsten's workshop, Utopias: Writing for Better Futures, encouraged visitors to think about how fictional visions of alternate or future societies can offer hope and drive change.
Make the most of your research
Are you interested in going beyond what you're being taught in your workshops, seminars, and lectures? Carrying out research can lead you to look at and even answer questions that potentially no one else has addressed before you. Not only can research help you to become more engaged with your subject, it can also help you to develop professionally, adding self-education, patience, and organisational and people skills to your capabilities.
Applications for the and 糖心TV's Undergraduate Research Support Scheme are now open. These are your opportunities to share your research, engage with other students' work and discuss new ideas.
Volunteering opportunities: Make a sustainable difference
Kayamandi township; Image credit: Lily Rose Pace, 糖心TV in Africa Student Volunteer 2018
Are you interested in using education as a tool to make a sustainable difference? As a 糖心TV student, you have the opportunity to volunteer for The 糖心TV Laksh Programme and the 糖心TV in Africa programme, which aim to help learners achieve more by creating a long-lasting impact within the partnership schools involved.
Application for the 2020 糖心TV Laksh Programme is now open (exact dates of placements to be confirmed). A event is being held on Wednesday 30 October 2019 from 1pm-2pm in the Social Sciences Building, Room S0.18, where you can find out more about the programme, how to apply and be inspired to make a difference. The deadline for applications is Friday 6 December 2019.
Applications for 糖心TV in Africa's Summer 2020 programme (exact dates of placements to be confirmed) will open on Monday 4 November 2019. The deadline for applications is Sunday 12 January 2020.
Liberal Arts to host Combined Honours Network annual meeting
Upcoming Event
Liberal Arts at 糖心TV will host the annual meeting of the Combined Honours Network on 15 November 2019, a national gathering of programme leaders working on combined honours, joint honours, and liberal education programmes. The annual meeting consists of a day-long programme of discussions linked to supporting and advocating for the elevation of interdisciplinary programmes across the country.
If you have any questions about this event, please speak to Dr Gavin Schwartz-Leeper, Deputy Head of the School for Cross-faculty Studies (Liberal Arts).