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Tag Archives | 2009

David Rawson

By on December 4, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Rawson, David. “Burundi: Burundi: Biography of a Small African Country.” African Studies Review 52, no. 3 (December 2009): 190-191.

Abstract: In its first ten years of independence, the emergent state of Burundi suffered the assassination of two prime ministers, several political massacres, two attempted coups, two successful coups, and in 1972, a revolt in the south followed by state-organized genocide. Except for path-breaking studies by Rene Lemarchand {Rwanda and Burundi [Praeger, 1970] and Burundi: Eth-nocide as Discourse and Practice [Cambridge University Press, 1994]), these events went largely unreported in English-language media and unexplored in scholarly analysis. In 1988 communal violence broke out in the north, followed by another brutal repression. This time, however, pressured by external demands and internal necessity, the military ruler, Pierre Buyoya, engineered a national political accommodation and free elections in 1993, which were won by his opponent, Melchior Ndadaye.

Mark Correll

By on November 21, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Correll, Mark R. “Kevin P. Spicer, Hitler’s Priests: Catholic Clergy and National Socialism.” Fides et Historia no. 1 (2009): 111.

Abstract: Kevin P. Spicer’s new work, Hitler’s Priests: Catholic Clergy and National Socialism, examines Catholic-Nazi cooperation by inspecting the role of the small but vocal group of clerical Nazi supporters, the so-called “brown priests.” Hitler’s Priests explores the brown priests’ lives through their correspondence, parish records, and publications. Spicer describes the pastoral and theological results of the brown priests’ worldview, as well as the rationale for their open support of the Nazi party. Taking nine of the most active clerical supporters of the Nazis, he sketches biographies of these individual priests, outlining their respective entries into a pro-Hitler stance, their agitation for the Nazis, and the difficulties they encountered either with the church hierarchy or party leadership.

William Bippes

By on November 13, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Wyatt, Ken and William Bippes. “When General Booth Came to Jackson.(Company Overview).” Michigan History Magazine no. 6 (2009): 40.

Abstract: In the south-central Michigan community of Jackson, near the banks of the Grand River, stands a commanding brick railroad depot. There, on an October afternoon in 1886, General William Booth, founder of the international Salvation Army, stepped off a westbound train for what newspapers hailed as a “jubilee” and “demonstration.”

Thomas Kuntzleman

By on November 13, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Amend, John R., Greg Stewart, Thomas S. Kuntzleman, and Michael J. Collins. “Affordable Cyclic Voltammetry.” Journal of Chemical Education 86, no. 9 (2009): 1080.

Abstract: Cyclic voltammetry is a topic that may be incorporated in the analytical (1), inorganic (2), or physical chemistry (3) curriculum. A number of articles in this Journal have described both the process of cyclic voltammetry and experiments involving cyclic voltammetry (4, 5). However, experiments in cyclic voltammetry are often excluded from the undergraduate laboratory, probably owing to the prohibitive cost of equipment required. Pine Research Instrumentation (6) has recently released a low-cost voltammetry cell along with inexpensive disposable carbon electrodes designed for student use in the undergraduate laboratory curriculum.

Jonathan Rinck

By on November 13, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Rinck, Jonathan. “Abolition’s Indelible Image.” Michigan History Magazine no. 6 (2009): 8.

Abstract: The larger-than-life graphic grabs your attention the minute you walk into the Civil War gallery of the Michigan Historical Museum. Depicting an African man in chains, its caption calls out: “Am I not a man and a brother?” Though conceived in England, the image played a significant role in galvanizing support for the abolitionist cause in America. There were two Michigan connections to it as well.

Thomas Kuntzleman

By on October 13, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Kuntzleman, Thomas S., and Alice Haddy. “Fluoride inhibition of photosystem II and the effect of removal of the PsbQ subunit.” Photosynthesis Research 102, no. 1 (2009): 7. doi: 10.1007/s11120-009-9469-4

Abstract: Photosystem II (PSII), the light-absorbing complex of photosynthesis that evolves oxygen, requires chloride for activation of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC). In this study, fluoride was characterized as an inhibitor of Cl–activated oxygen evolution in higher plant PSII. It was confirmed to be primarily a competitive inhibitor in intact PSII, with Cl–competitive inhibition constant Ki = 2 mM and uncompetitive inhibition constant $$ {\text{K}}_{\text{i}}^{\prime } $$ = 79 mM. A pH dependence study showed that fluoride inhibition was more pronounced at lower pH values. In order to determine the location of the fluoride effect, PSII preparations lacking various amounts of the PsbQ subunit were prepared. The competitive F- inhibition constant and the Michaelis constant for Cl- activation increased with loss of the PsbQ subunit, while the uncompetitive F- inhibition constant was relatively insensitive to loss of PsbQ. The S2 state EPR signals from PSII lacking PsbQ responded to Ca2+ and Cl- removal and to F- treatment similar to intact PSII, with enhancement of the g = 4.1 signal and suppression of the multiline signal, but the effects were more pronounced in PSII lacking PsbQ. Together, these results support the interpretation that the PsbQ subunit has a role in retaining anions within the OEC.

Tom Holsinger-Friesen

By on August 1, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Holsinger-Friesen, Thomas. Irenaeus and Genesis: A Study of Competition in Early Christian Hermeneutics. Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 2009.

Irenaeus and Genesis Irenaeus, the second-century bishop of Lyons, left such an impression upon the church that he is sometimes considered to be theology’s “founding father.” After all, his legacy includes such theological landmarks as the regula fidei (or “rule of faith”) and the doctrine of recapitulation. Although these ought not to be minimized, we may gain a new appreciation for this early bishop by highlighting a facet of his work that is even more central: the distinctive shape of the hermeneutic guiding his readings of sacred texts as Christian Scripture. Within the contemporary climate of twenty-first century theology, the reopening of questions of power, truth, authenticity, and holism points to a critique of hermeneutical process (not just theological end-product). In Irenaeus’s day, Gnostic Christians on the fringe of the church offered a vision of the telos of faith that many found compelling. Responding to this challenge required Irenaeus to articulate an even more satisfying Christian theology and anthropology on the basis of Scripture and received apostolic tradition. In this battle of hermeneutics, both sides considered protological texts such as Genesis 1:26 and 2:7 to be indispensible. Through a sympathetic reading, then, of Irenaeus and his competitors, we aim to better understand why Irenaeus’s biblical interpretations ultimately were deemed more plausible, faithful, and fruitful within the mainstream of the church

Robert Woods & Diane Badzinski

By on July 16, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Hirdes, Wendy, Robert Woods, and Diane M. Badzinski. “A Content Analysis of Jesus Merchandise.” Journal of Media and Religion 8, no. 3 (2009): 141-157. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15348420903091030.

Abstract: Despite the growing popularity of Jesus merchandise in Christian retailing, little attention has been given to nontraditional religious media such as Jesus merchandise. The present study examined the persuasive appeals associated with various forms of Jesus merchandise and the primary communication functions that such merchandise fit. A content analysis of 982 pieces of Jesus merchandise revealed that informational and “good times” appeals are the two most common appeals used to promote Christianity. Jesus’ name is used in logical or rational appeals designed to change beliefs and promote positive attitudes toward the Christian faith, while Jesus’ image is used in emotional appeals. Edification is the most common communication function that fit Jesus merchandise analyzed in this study, with evangelism and public relations finishing a distant second and third, respectively. Implications of using certain persuasive strategies and associating particular values with Jesus merchandise were considered.