About Us
Ever wonder why it takes so long for professors to return assignments? Curious about why they have so few office hours, and why these hours take place at the most inconvenient times?
No, professors are not lazy. They do not take so long to return our papers and portfolios because they are catching up on House of Cards or watching HGTV. Rather, our professors are so busy because they are spending their free time writing books!
In 2015 alone, Boston College faculty published 55 different titles. These books range from discussions on gender violence to commentaries on the civil war, from studies on United States’ drone usage to observations of the Catholic faith. While the list of BC faculty books is filled with intriguing titles, students simply do not have the time to read every single work. Therefore, The Gavel has put together a short list of must-reads for your convenience. Happy reading!
The full list of 2015 faculty publications can be found here.
The New Bostonians: How Immigrants have Transformed the Metro Region Since the 1960s by Marilynn Johnson
Marilynn Johnson is a faculty member in the History Department. Her area of expertise centers around urban American social relations. The New Bostonians adds another chapter to Johnson’s impressive collection, which includes eight previous publications.
Johnson’s latest title tells the story of how immigrants in the latter half of the twentieth century have drastically altered the landscape of the greater Boston area. She notes that immigrants have played an integral part in reviving the metro area and have greatly contributed to the rebirth the region has experienced since 1980. Choice describes Johnson’s book as “well written and organized, makes for interesting reading, and presents a thoughtful and balanced interpretation.” This work is a useful read for BC students, as it discusses an extremely topical theme in American society while also shedding light on the diverse landscape of BC’s backyard.
The Catholic Church and Argentina’s Dirty War by Gustavo Morello, SJ
Gustavo Morello, Sociology professor and one of BC’s most well known Jesuits, has penned an in-depth analysis of the role of Catholicism and the Church during Argentina’s 1970s Dirty War. Morello’s work is the first of its kind to view the dirty war through the lens of a single case study.
The Sociology professor focuses on the kidnapping, jailing, and torture of Fr. James Week and five seminarians by the Argentinean government. Through the lens of this single case, Morello explores how Government leaders justified violence against Catholics by creating a Catholic discourse, how the Church remained silent during a time of persecution, and “what it meant to be Catholic under Argentina’s dictatorship”.
Gustavo Morello’s book sheds considerable light on an incredibly important historical event that many BC students have limited knowledge of, and delves into issues of faith and identity—words that carry large weight at a Jesuit institution such as Boston College. An examination of this work also gives students a chance to see firsthand the efforts of one of the Heights' most prominent academic minds. The Catholic Church and Argentina’s Dirty War is surely an enlightening work, and one that would greatly benefit all who read it.
Shakespeare, not Stirred: Cocktails for your Everyday Drama by Caroline Bicks & Michelle Ephraim
While the other recommended titles in this piece are heavy on academic jargon, Shakespeare, not Stirred provides a more whimsical, entertaining read for those BC students in search of a little humor.
BC English professor Caroline Bicks and Michelle Ephraim’s book mixes “equal parts booze and Bard to help you through your everyday dramas." The recipe book is full of mixed drinks with Shakespearean names, each of which touches on a dramatic part of daily life. For instance, one can help cope with workplace difficulties by downing a glass of Othello’s Green-Eyed Monster, or take a break from household theatrics with Kate’s Shrew Driver (for 21+ students only).
This creative work is chock-full of hilarious illustrations, facts on Shakespeare’s life, and relatable daily struggles that all of us face. While definitely outside the box, Bricks’ book combines humor, intelligence, and flat-out fun to create a work that is sure to satisfy both readers’ minds and taste buds.
