Feb. 19, 2008

Cuban leader Fidel Castro announced today that he is stepping down as president

Expert – Pablo Policzer
Assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Latin American Politics
403-220-5923
policzer@ucalgary.ca

A Calgarian’s perspective inside the Kenyan crisis

Former Calgarian Lara Quarterman, a double graduate of the University of Calgary with degrees in psychology and international relations, is based in Nairobi, Kenya with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM is supporting the United Nations’ country team during the national crisis that started with the contested election on Dec. 27, by helping to save the lives of stranded migrants. The UN is reporting that 1,000 people have been killed in the post-election violence and another 350,000 have been displaced since the contested election.
Expert – Lara Quarterman
lquarterman@gmail.com
011 254 728 601 275 (please remember Nairobi is 10-hours ahead of MST)  

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Feb. 11, 2008

Special Oscar Edition

Food: the silent supporting role

Food plays an important role in film, including Oscar-nominated films like Ratatouille and Into the Wild. Dawn Johnston, professor of Film and Communications Studies says food is often featured as significantly as a character and motivates plot development, dialogue and furthers relationships.
Contact: Dr. Dawn Johnston
403-220-3199 debjohns@ucalgary.ca

No happy endings for Canadian cinema

Film historian George Melnyk says Canadian cinema distinguishes itself by reflecting our cultural identity, whereas genre-based Hollywood films are more frequently driven by formulaic plot devices, happy endings and a star system. “Canadian art house cinema specializes in lack of narrative closure. It has sad endings and characters who fail to change the world, get the person they love or capture the bad guy,” he says.
Contact: Professor George Melnyk
403-220-7562 gmelnyk@ucalgary.ca

Is Juno a good girl or not?

Rebecca Sullivan explores how women’s virginity and sexuality is portrayed in film and how sexuality is used to define women’s identity and express their independence.
Contact: Dr. Rebecca Sullivan
403-220-3397 rsulliva@ucalgary.ca

You be the star

Charles Tepperman studies home movies and says just because it’s not on the big screen, doesn’t mean home movies are not important. “Home movies offer a valuable perspective on local and cultural history,” he says. “As well, they are an opportunity for us to be the star if only momentarily. People get to play a range of different versions of themselves from mugging for the camera as if you were the star to fighting with your older brother.”
Contact: Dr. Charles Tepperman
403-220-7303 c.tepperman@ucalgary.ca

Are we any different from the Americans?

Tamara and Robert Seiler explore the evolution of Canada’s national movie theatre chains, the movie-going experience in prairie cities and how Canadian audiences became an extension of the American film market.
Contact: Dr. Tamara Seiler
403-220-5320 tseiler@ucalgary.ca

And the Oscar goes to…

James Parker, professor in the Department of Drama, can predict who is going to win and who should win this year at the Oscars.
Contact: Dr. James Parker
4032-220-6784 (w)
403-862-1327 (cell)
jparker@ucalgary.ca

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Feb. 4, 2008

Special edition: Alberta/U.S. election

Tom Flanagan, Department of Political Science
Areas of expertise: campaign organization, financing, methods, etc. in Alberta
Phone: 403-220-8225
Email: tflanaga@ucalgary.ca 

Doreen Barrie, Department of Political Science
Areas of expertise: Alberta politics
Phone: 403-220-3624
Email: dpbarrie@ucalgary.ca

David Taras, Faculty of Communication and Culture
Area of expertise: Alberta politics
Phone: 403-220-7575
Email: dtaras@ucalgary.ca

Stephen Randall, director, University of Calgary Institute for United States Policy Research
Areas of expertise: United States election
Phone: 220-3096
Evening phone: 403-220-9223
Email: srandall@ucalgary.ca