Wednesday, December 30, 2009

What Did You Really Do for the Holidays and Why?

Now that we've survived the end-of-the-year holidays and head into a new year and a new college term, what better time to reflect on customs, manners, food, drink, and celebration? The following social histories bring perspective to fundamental aspects of our lives which we usually take for granted.

What are good manners, anyway? How does our culture establish rules of civility in public life, business relations, and personal relationships? "A Short History of Rudeness :Manners, Morals and Misbehavior in Modern America" takes a look at how we get along--or don't.











Thinking about all the food you've eaten recently? "Much Depends on Dinner: The Extraordinary History and Mythology, Allure and Obsessions, Perils, and Taboos of an Ordinary Meal" isn't just for Culinary Arts students. Maybe you ate more than you should have over the holidays and you took all that food for granted. Learn its history, how it gets to our tables, and the business behind everyday foods like corn flakes, citrus fruits, and even canned olives, for example.




Barbara Ehrenreich takes a look at the social history of partying in "Dancing in the Streets". From cave paintings to rock concerts humans like to get together in the pursuit of collective joy, often through dance. Today it isn't happening so much and she examines what we're missing.






Explore the history of your holiday customs with "Celebrating the Family: Ethnicity, Consumer Culture, and Family Rituals". We didn't always celebrate holidays this way in America and our customs are continuing to change.



Tom Standage maintains that every epoch has had its signature beverage. Whether it's wine, beer, or Coca Cola there is plenty to learn both about the drink and the era which produced it and why.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Happening Saturday

ASUCC (UCC's Student Government) hosted a "Study In", December 5, for UCC students to prepare for Finals Week--beginning on Monday.














Staff were there to organize and help.




















Tutors were in attendance.




Faculty came to tutor, too.






















Students showed up!






















































Pizza was served to keep the intellectual faculties fueled.





Thursday, December 3, 2009

Saturday Study @ the Library!

Duh Duh Duh! Finals are upon us, but if you need a place to brush up on those test notes or polish your final papers to a shine, you'll want to come to the UCC Library this Saturday!

ASUCC is sponsoring a Student Study-In at the Library from 11am -7pm on Dec. 5 (Sat.), with free snacks, beverages, and tutors provided! There will even be a few librarians hanging about if you need help with paper sources!

Keep in mind, the Library will also be open an extra hour on Fri. Dec. 4th (until 6pm) for those of you who want to get a little extra studying in before the weekend hits.

See you at the UCC Library!