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  Empowering Our Students For the Future: Encouraging Self-Direction and Life-Long Learning

  Scott D. Wurdinger, Cynthia McDermott, Kiel Harell, and Hilton Smith

  Educators of every kind such as school superintendents, principals, teachers, higher education practitioners, community organizers and even students will gain essential skills, resources and examples to encourage and support individual as well as collective empowerment from early childhood education through college in both traditional classrooms and in the broader community. Working toward the goal of empowering young people as active citizens, this collection of chapters presents voices from across the broad community of educators who share their successful individual work of methods and practices that empower young people to engage in their own agency. By using student centered practices in and out of the classroom, their stories demonstrate multiple ways to successfully achieve these ends. The book clearly and effectively presents these concepts: How to encourage self-directed learning; methods and examples of participatory practices and inquiry methods; strategies designing and supporting Problem Based Learning; models for civic engagement; organizing strategies; and practices related to Critical Race Theory. This collection can provide practitioners with strategies and skills that will encourage and develop self-confidence and self-direction in many arenas working together to create change in a democratic landscape as youth learn to use their power.

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  Two Weeks In May: Revisiting Minnesota State University, Mankato's Past [Film Showing]

  Monika Antonelli

  Two Weeks in May, Film Showing and Panel Discussion held on October 2, 2018 at the Centennial Student Union at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

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  Those Three Words: A Birth Mother's Story of Choice, Chance & Motherhood

  Christine M. Bauer

  "''You are pregnant.'' Those three words uttered together pack a powerful emotional punch. For many women, hearing them elicits tremendous joy and excitement. They are the start of a dream come true. But those same words said together also cause the opposite reaction--one of panic and despair. The first time Chris Bauer heard those words, she was just 18 years old, a few weeks into her freshman year of college. She was devastated. She was not ready to be a mother, and she had an agonizing decision to make. Those Three Words takes readers along on Chris's emotional journey through the power and importance of choice and the deep bond of maternal love. It is a bittersweet book full of heartache and joy, and a powerful testament to love in all its forms."-- back cover.

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  How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (with Jokes)

  Steve Buechler

  Steve Buechler began telling his story within a week of his diagnosis with an email to his neighbors. Over the ensuing months, he composed over sixty such reports for an ever-expanding group of recipients. With the addition of a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity changes, this compelling account documents and reflects upon his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, including a detailed account of the stem cell transplant that saved his life.

  Steve Buechler's narrative blends contemporaneous reports, granular detail, generalizable lessons, existential reflections, wry humor, an upbeat tone, a secular voice, and a positive outcome. The result is a moving, entertaining memoir written by someone who’s “been there and done that.” It demonstrates the value of telling our stories in the face of life-threatening illness, and it will appeal to all members of the cancer community as well as the broader reading public.

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  Myth of the Queer Criminal

  Jeffery P. Dennis

  The Myth of the Queer Criminal documents over a century of writings by sociologists, psychologists, criminologists, and forensic scientists, in Europe and the United States, who asserted that LGBT persons were innately and uniquely criminal.

  Applying the tools of narratology and queer theory, Jeffery P. Dennis examines the ten types of queer criminal that have appeared in seminal texts, both literary and scientific, over the past 140 years - beginning with Lombroso's Criminal Man (1876) and extending to postmodern criminologists and contemporary textbooks. Each type is named after its defining characteristic. The pederast, for example, was believed to be a master-criminal, leading vast criminal empires. The degenerate, intellectually and morally corrupted, was perceived as a symptom or cause of societal decay. The silly, lisping pansy was a figure of ridicule, rather than of dread. The traitor was murderous and depraved, prepared to destroy democratic institutions worldwide. The book aims to contextualize this mythology, revealing the motivations of the agents behind it, the influence of broader preoccupations and anxieties of the age, and its societal, political and cultural impact.

  This carefully researched, meticulously written history of the queer criminal will be of interest to students and researchers in criminology, gender studies, queer studies, and the history of sexuality.

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  Hooper

  Geoff Herbach

  For Adam Reed, basketball is a passport. Adam's basketball skills have taken him from an orphanage in Poland to a loving adoptive mother in Minnesota. When he's tapped to play on a select AAU team along with some of the best players in the state, it just confirms that basketball is his ticket to the good life: to new friendships, to the girl of his dreams, to a better future.

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  Minnesota State University, Mankato 1868-2018: A Sesquicentennial History

  William E. Lass

  Follows the development of the university from its first 27 students pursuing two-year diplomas in 1868 to the almost 15,000 students pursing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in 2018.

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  Navigating Visual Culture: Theoretical Perspectives on Visual Media

  Amy Mattson Lauters

  Navigating Visual Culture: Theoretical Perspectives on Visual Media brings together an eclectic collection of theory-driven readings to help students understand and navigate the visual culture in which they live.
  
  The selections in Section I explore the nature of the visual and how people identify what they see around them, ranging from basic color to visual codes translated by the brain. Section II features readings that address the way people interpret, explain, and understand visual culture, while the readings in Section III give an overview of the various ways people participate in visual culture, whether as members of a particular media tribe, consumers of advertising, or users of personal computers.
  
  Each reading is framed by an original introduction that explains its place and relevance in visual culture, and discerning questions to facilitate classroom discussion or serve as writing prompts. The anthology also provides recommendations for supplemental reading and viewing. Navigating Visual Culture is well-suited to undergraduate courses in mass media, and can also be used for upper division and graduate courses in visual culture and new media.

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  Culturally Proficient Inclusive Schools: All Means All!

  Delores B. Lindsey, Jacqueline S. Thousand, Cynthia L. Jew, and Lori R. Piowlski

  Create inclusive educational environments that benefit ALL learners!

  As schools become more diverse with students of differing abilities and needs, this self-reflective and action-oriented guide helps you create and support more inclusive schools and classrooms that intentionally educate all students. Using the Five Essential Elements of Cultural Proficiency as a roadmap, this book presents:

  • Students’ learning differences as just that – differences rather than deficits
  • Strategies that show you how to break though the common barriers to culturally proficient and inclusive schooling
  • Assessments that gauge your awareness and show you how to best serve every student’s needs

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  Human Factors in the Built Environment

  Linda L. Nussbaumer

  Human Factors in the Built Environment, Second Edition explains the relationship of the human body and space planning to the design process so that you can plan and detail interiors. Key topics include proxemics, anthropometrics, ergonomics, sensory components, diversity, global concerns, health and safety, environmental considerations, special populations, and universal (inclusive) design. Recipient of the American Society of Interior Designers Joel Polsky Prize, this book has all the information you need in a quick reference format.

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  Broken Signals: (Trials of Disconnect)

  Tracy Ross

  Poems confronting the problems and paradoxes inherent in communication.

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  Certainty of One: A Tale of Education Automation

  Tracy Ross

  An autobiographical fictional memoir about a psychiatrist, a patient, and the journey of five friends who find unity through shared experiences.

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  Introspective Meditations for Complete Contentment (Santosha)

  Manoj Sharma

  “Introspective meditation” entails delving deeper into one’s own consciousness to find the answers. The book is divided into 25 chapters so that the reader can read one chapter every day and master transformed introspective thinking in a month’s time or so. These meditations are based on collective intelligence of modern and traditional thoughts and analyses. The book links these introspective meditations with scientific advancements in the fields of medical, behavioral and social sciences.

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  Lifespan Development: Telling the Human Story

  Heather Von Bank

  Writing a textbook that covers the events of the entire span of human life is a daunting task, believe me; in the nine months that it has taken me to research, write, edit, and re-write this text a human baby could have been born, learned to crawl, and would be eating solid foods by now! However, the real task is now ahead of you, the student, who has chosen to take a lifespan development course, and is expected to read and learn about lifespan development theories that describe the transitions, growth, and changes that human's experience in a lifetime, and apply those theories to your future career. Ideally the structure of the text will allow students to make more efficient connections between one’s lived or observed experiences with children or adults and the classical and contemporary theories of human development. I have taught a Lifespan Development course for 10 years, and while the task has become more routine with each year, I have found that results of new research studies are calling into question once undisputable theories. These theories must now must evolve and change to more fully describe the process of human development. The purpose of this book is to explore the lifespan development by examining humans’ physical, social, emotional, and physical development. This text is focused on the ways in which individuals’ environments, biology, and the interaction between the two effect developmental outcomes. Throughout the text, students will see common topics or threads such as learning through play, the important role of attachment figures, the role that relationships have on providing optimal outcomes for individuals, and how theories of development are ever-changing.

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  The Supernatural in Society, Culture and History

  Dennis D. Waskul and Marc Eaton

  In the twenty-first century, as in centuries past, stories of the supernatural thrill and terrify us. But despite their popularity, scholars often dismiss such beliefs in the uncanny as inconsequential, or even embarrassing. The editors and contributors to The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History have made a concerted effort to understand encounters with ghosts and the supernatural that have persisted and flourished. Featuring folkloric researchers examining the cultural value of such beliefs and practices, sociologists who acknowledge the social and historical value of the supernatural, and enthusiasts of the mystical and uncanny, this volume includes a variety of experts and interested observers using first-hand ethnographic experiences and historical records.

  The Supernatural in Society, Culture, and History seeks to understand the socio-cultural and socio-historical contexts of the supernatural. This volume takes the supernatural as real because belief in it has fundamentally shaped human history. It continues to inform people's interpretations, actions, and identities on a daily basis. The supernatural is an indelible part of our social world that deserves sincere scholarly attention.

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  Changing the Status Quo: Courage to Challenge the Education System

  Scott D. Wurdinger

  Have you ever wondered where the ever expanding layers of bureaucracy are taking us in the field of education? This book challenges us to think carefully about this question. The status quo in education consists of policies, practices, and power structures impacting the way we teach, and prevent students from learning in meaningful and significant ways. Assessment techniques drive our teaching practices resulting in a learning process that students strongly dislike. Technology like PowerPoint presentations and clickers force students to pay attention to lectures, but the end result is the same-memorizing information for exams. It is causing students to become less focused on comprehending what they read. It is also physically changing the way students read focusing on small sound bites on what they believe is necessary to remember for tests. Discriminating against students of color continues to be a prevalent problem as well. Data show that white educators consist of a huge majority often lacking cultural awareness in our classrooms. Reading this book will inspire you to become a courageous educator and implement meaningful changes in your classroom on how to asses your students, what kind and how much technology to use, and how to sensitively treat educators and students of color.

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  The Final Paladin

  T.J. Akers

  Life for Peg Bowman is rough in the infamous slums of Five Points, New York, but her brother's murder changes everything. Thrust into incredible worlds beyond any story she's ever heard, Peg meets Sir Godfrey, an eleven-hundred-year-old knight from Charlemagne's court, trainer of Paladins. He reveals to Peg her family's ancient obligation to protect the Key of Apollyon, a relic of immense power. She is the last descendant of the Paladins and his only hope for keeping it safe.When Godfrey confides her brother was murdered because of the Key, Peg rejects her calling and demands revenge, a luxury she can ill afford as otherworldly creatures seek her death to claim the key's power for themselves. Can Godfrey and his faithful retinue--Chim the Hobgoblin, Rebecca the Jewish maven and healer, and Jack the sometimes human and sometimes seven-foot black dog--keep her safe and convince her that her calling is worth pursuing? Or will she succumb to the key's lure and wield it for revenge?

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  Two Weeks in May: Revisiting Minnesota State University, Mankato's Past [Motion Picture]

  Monika Antonelli; Ryan Neil; Minnesota State University, Mankato. Library Services; and Minnesota State University, Mankato

  When James F. Nickerson took the reins as the new president of Mankato State College in July 1966, the college was rapidly expanding. It was also a time of social unrest in the United States and in Mankato. "Two Weeks in May," uses historic photos, documents, newspapers, film footage, and recorded interviews, to tell the story of the 1972 Vietnam Was student protests at Mankato State College. Years after the events Nickerson would reminisce on those weeks in May 1972 and conclude, that it was a positive reflection of the American way. It was "democracy in action." -- Back cover.

  A film made possible by funding provided by Library Services, Minnesota State University, Mankato. With additional funding support from the Department of English at Minnesota State Mankato, the Minnesota State Mankato Foundation, and a grant provided by Prairie Lakes Regional Art Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.

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  Stealing History: Art Theft, Looting, and Other Crimes Against Our Cultural Heritage

  Colleen Margaret Clarke and Eli Jacob Szydlo

  "When compared to terrorism, drugs and violent crimes that occupy the news today art is not considered as important. But, as it turns out, art and cultural crime is currently ranked as the third-largest criminal enterprise in the world. What exactly is art crime? Why does art matter? And what is law enforcement doing to prevent this crime today? Due to the misleading portrayal of art crime in the entertainment industry people have the flawed belief that art and cultural crime doesn't damage anyone in a direct way. And the truth of the matter is that this crime results in the loss of billions of dollars annually. Art and cultural crime is not simply focused on museums or private displays, the loss of art directly affects our cultural identity and history. Napoleon moved from one region to the next collecting art and sending as much as possible back to France. The Nazis looted cultural property from every territory they occupied. And there have been various cases of ISIL and ISIS destroying archaeological sites as a method of destroying any evidence of past culture or history that disagree with their own. With the United States being the largest market for both legal and illicit artwork in the world more preventative attention from law enforcement and security is needed for our country to meet international standards and end detrimental art crimes. [In this book, the authors] look at the history behind art crime, how these crimes have grown over the last half century, and what law enforcement has been involved in protecting the world from these crimes."-- Provided by publisher.

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  Surviving Sexism in Academia: Strategies for Feminist Leadership

  Kirsti Cole and Holly Hassel

  This edited collection contends that if women are to enter into leadership positions at equal levels with their male colleagues, then sexism in all its forms must be acknowledged, attended to, and actively addressed. This interdisciplinary collection—Surviving Sexism in Academia: Strategies for Feminist Leadership—is part storytelling, part autoethnography, part action plan. The chapters document and analyze everyday sexism in the academy and offer up strategies for survival, ultimately 'lifting the veil" from the good old boys/business-as-usual culture that continues to pervade academia in both visible and less-visible forms, forms that can stifle even the most ambitious women in their careers.

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  Enlightenment and History: Theory and Praxis in Contemporary Buddhism

  Hyun-Eung, Chang-Seong Hong, and Sun Kyeong Yu

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  Teaching Strategies for All Teachers: Enhancing the Most Significant Variable

  Andrew P. Johnson

  This book is designed to be a professional development tool for both preservice and practicing teachers. It provides descriptions, explanations, and examples of a variety of research-based teaching strategies that will enhance your ability to teach effectively. These strategies are appropriate for all teachers (general education, special education, and content area specialists), at all levels (kindergarten through graduate school).

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  Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High-Performance Edge

  Cindra Kamphoff

  In Beyond Grit, Cindra Kamphoff reveals the ten practices that the world's best use to gain the high performance edge. Kamphoff shares the tools and strategies she's taught executives, entrepreneurs, NFL ProBowl athletes, Olympians, college athletes, and championship teams. Based on almost twenty years of research and consulting with the world's best, she provides a practical, inspiring, and easy-to-use guide to radically accelerating your performance and improving your happiness. You'll also discover 52 life-altering strategies that you can put in your High Performance Toolbox to develop these practices and change your daily life. Each chapter describes one strategy and ends with a powerful affirmation to help you develop the High Performance Mindset. Inspiring and practical, Kamphoff will show you how to 'own your why,' develop your grit, take control of your future, discover your purpose, thrive under pressure, and be your best more often.

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  Out of Chaos: Reflections of a University President and His Contemporaries on Vietnam-Era Unrest in Mankato and Its Relevance Today

  James F. Nickerson

  Out of Chaos: Reflections of a University President and his Contemporaries on Vietnam-era Unrest in Mankato and its Relevance Today is a collection of personal reminiscences that provide a glimpse into what Mankato was like during the 1960s and 1970s. The book was created by Dr. James F. Nickerson, former Mankato State College president, with input from a variety of graduates, faculty, administrators and citizens who were witnesses to these local events. It is by piecing these stories together that the reader gets an understanding of this dynamic time period and how one person can make a difference in the outcome of events.

  Minnesota State University, Mankato will observe its 150th anniversary as an institution of higher learning in 2018. Out of Chaos, represents a significant time in University’s past, and so to coincide with other Sesquicentennial undertakings, it is being reprinted as a Sesquicentennial Edition. Out of Chaos has also been selected as the 2017 Common Read book. As Minnesota State Mankato’s Common Read book for 2017, Out of Chaos will support the commemoration of the Sesquicentennial by allowing campus and community readers to explore the University’s remarkable history through book discussions, thought-provoking programming and other associated educational experiences.

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  Body Turn to Rain: New & Selected Poems

  Richard Robbins

  Body Turn to Rain brings together work from Robbins five previous collections, plus forty new poemsthat continue his wise meditation upon the American experience in this time, with all its variation, expanse, history, clownishness, beauty, and uncertainty. The book represents a way station in the life work of a thoughtful and finely tuned sensibility such as come among us all too rarely. And it is comprised of poems that walk out to meet you as though you were a friend.