After completing his doctorate in art history at UCLA, California State University, Dominguez Hills Art and Design Department lecturer Paul Koudounaris decided to travel a bit. One of his destinations was Melnik, a city near Prague in the Czech Republic, where he visited “The Bone Church,” a 16th ossuary where the skeletal remains of approximately 10,000 people have been meticulously crafted into architectural elements and symbols of the Christian faith. “It's an extraordinary place, because it's very well-arranged with this sophisticated iconography about the Resurrection and salvation,” says Koudounaris. “I spent about three or four hours down there, taking notes about the ... Read More
College of Arts and Humanities
Graduate Student Wins PICTURE Art Essay Contest
Humanities graduate student Jack C. Patterson has been named the winner of the first exhibition-related essay contest by the nonprofit PICTURE Art Foundation, which operates PICTURE Cultural Art on first floor of the new Library South wing. A graduate assistant and supplementary instructor for the College of Arts and Humanities, Patterson received $500 for “The Twilight of Renewal,” written in response to California artist Renzo's painting “Fallen Crow,” which was featured in the center's current exhibition, “On Being Human: Love, Faith, Shame, and Hope.” “We are delighted with Jack's submission,” says Mike Johnson, president, PICTURE Cultural Art. “It's thoughtful, literate, and ... Read More
Grad Students First to Complete Special Interdisciplinary Major in Africana Studies
While many members of the Class of 2011 at California State University, Dominguez Hills celebrated becoming the first in their families to earn a college degree, Tamanika Ferguson (Class of '07, B.A., Africana studies/public administration) and Betty Knight (Class of '08, B.A., performing arts) earned the distinction of becoming the first graduate students to complete a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in Africana studies. Each student was required to use two disciplines to develop a specialized interdisciplinary program; Ferguson included sociology in her emphasis, while Knight's studies encompassed negotiation, conflict resolution, and peace ... Read More
Ryan Traylor: Moving Beyond Disability, Finding a Purpose
Ryan Traylor is a communications major and an intern in the Office of Communication and Public Affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome as a child, he has overcome many challenges while moving toward becoming a college graduate, and is discovering new strengths and a direction for his life. As told to staff writer Joanie Harmon I had normal development from birth, but I stopped talking at two years old. My mother was concerned and took me to several doctors for a medical evaluation because she felt something was wrong. Initially my diagnosis was autism, based on my lack of speech, a dislike of being held, and staring into space. This ... Read More
CSU Dominguez Hills Takes Top Honors at Systemwide Research Competition
Three students from California State University, Dominguez Hills took top honors at the 25th Annual CSU Student Research Competition, a systemwide event featuring the best academic projects from approximately 225 students at 21 of the 23 CSU campuses held at CSU Fresno on May 6-7. The category of Humanities and Letters was dominated by CSU Dominguez Hills as John Garcia, a junior majoring in Chicana/o studies, and David Marks, a graduate student in the Humanities Master of Arts External Degree (HUX) program, both took first place in their respective grade levels. Bree Nguyen, a junior majoring in business administration with a concentration in finance, was the only undergraduate entry ... Read More
