International scholars recognize UChicago professor's original thinking
UChicago Prof. Eric Santner does not belong to one discipline. Instead, he has explored different fields, which has led him to develop diverse concepts that combine literature, philosophy, psychoanalysis, and religious thought.
In tribute to his intellectual contributions, the "Angelaki, Journal of the Theoretical Humanities," recently devoted an entire special issue to him called “Politics of the Flesh.” The issue contains articles written by an international group of philosophers, theologians, legal scholars, political theorists, and literary scholars who have found in Santner’s work resources for rethinking problems in their own areas of research. The authors presented many of these papers at an international conference called “The Weight of All Flesh” held in Munich in June 2023 at the Hochschule für Philosophie.
Welcome to Haven Academy
Throughout your exploration of this world, you discover a number of mysteries and solve puzzles, all while interacting with characters and your fellow students en route to discovering deeper truths about the university—and working together to make a big decision.
This is Haven Academy, a multimedia role-playing game created by UChicago scholars and students to help orient first-year College students to the Core curriculum, university life and the Chicago Principles of free expression. This summer, more than 1,000 incoming first-years engaged with Haven during Orientation—and the game has been made available to all undergraduates to play and experience over winter break.
UChicago students engage their senses outside the classroom
On an unusually warm November day, a group of University of Chicago students walked through Jackson Park in Chicago, listening for natural and unnatural sounds. Bird calls were drowned out by crunching gravel, and the hum of cars mixed with rustling leaves. Though the park appeared a natural oasis, it sounded far from bucolic.
This Autumn Quarter, the course “Sensing the Anthropocene” challenged students to engage senses often dulled in the classroom: hearing, touch, taste and smell. Co-taught by UChicago scholars Amber Ginsburg and Jennifer Scappettone, the course took students across Chicago to grapple with how our built urban environment has transformed the natural one.
Humanities scholar analyzes racial perceptions through architecture and home ownership
Assoc. Prof. Adrienne Brown’s groundbreaking research connects the architecture of skyscrapers and the propaganda of home ownership to key transformations in race’s perception. She finds strong evidence to support her argument in political, organizational, and literary sources of the 20th century, with culprits as varied as politicians like Herbert Hoover, organizations such as the National Association of Realtors, and writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Her first book, The Black Skyscraper: Architecture and the Perception of Race (2017), shows the skyscraper’s influence on the shape of modern U.S. cities and the racial perceptions of its residents. For Brown’s insights, her first book won the Modernist Studies Association’s 2018 First Book Award. Her new book, Residential Is Racial: A Perceptual History of Mass Ownership (2024), is equally groundbreaking as she discusses how mass homeownership changed the definition, perception, and value of race in the U.S.
Meet the Staff: Eduardo Suh-Chavez
More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.
Eduardo Suh-Chavez
Business Operations Manager
Office of Language Assessment
University of Chicago Language Center
What do you like most about your job?
It would be the people I work with. If I had to use one word to describe those individuals, it would be “innovative.” We support one another in ways I find to be rare in the typical workplace. The Chicago Language Center was founded by strong advocates of language learning, which is essential to everything we do in the Office of Language Assessment. This type of advocacy and collaboration truly fosters a culture of openness and innovation that I find exciting and sustainable.
What was the last good book you read?
I just finished The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. The author is a wonderful storyteller. However, it does include some disturbing scenes. If you ever wondered just how difficult it was to live as a teenage girl in rural Alaska in the 1970s, I’d highly recommend it.
You might work with me if …
You are a language instructor, a language learner, or just a language enthusiast. While I mainly focus on language assessment, my job reaches to nearly every department on campus and beyond. Whether I’m reaching out for academic texts in your discipline to build an exam or collaborating to expand our innovative language programs, you’ll likely hear from me at some point or another.
What's the most unexpected skill or hobby you picked up recently?
Running. And trust me when I say this is a skill. I’ve hated running my entire life despite being physically active. During the past year, however, I decided to train for a marathon. Through this experience, I’ve learned a lot about my body and mental strength. Through learning how to run long distance, I have discovered many lifelong lessons, and I’m still just beginning my journey. It is such an admirable sport, and I am so lucky to have found it.
UChicago fourth-year student named 2025 Rhodes Scholar
Francesco Rahe, a fourth-year student in the College at the University of Chicago, has been selected as a 2025 Rhodes Scholar. He will pursue a master’s degree in classical Indian religions at Oxford University this fall and is particularly interested in translating Sanskrit texts.
He is the 55th student from the University of Chicago to be named a Rhodes Scholar. Fourth-year College student Anqi Qu was named a Rhodes Scholar for South Africa last week.
“It means an immense amount to have received this opportunity,” said Rahe, who is majoring in fundamentals and religious studies. “I’m honestly a little stunned, but I also am trying to focus on making good on this opportunity. It’s a gift, but it also comes with responsibilities. I want to make sure what I do in the future is able to repay this thousand-fold.”
Norman Maclean biography uncovers personal stories of beloved UChicago author
The late Norman Maclean was many things: the most decorated teacher of undergraduates in UChicago history; author of the first original work of fiction published by the University of Chicago Press; and a sage to literary-minded anglers the world over.
Until now, however, Maclean, PhD’40, was not the subject of a biography. Rebecca McCarthy, AB’77, has changed that with the publication of "Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers" (University of Washington Press).
Unraveling the ancient past one tablet at a time
In the half-dark of a third-floor office, Danielle Levy lifted a clay tablet out of its box. Carefully examining it with gloved hands, she explained how 3,500 years ago, a student in the ancient city of Nippur had copied a teacher’s cuneiform script—and smudged any mistakes smooth with their fingertips.
Ancient objects each tell their own unique stories, the University of Chicago undergraduate has learned. Through her work on Akkadian—the language of ancient Babylonia—the fourth-year student has discovered her passion for uncovering and sharing its unique history.
Media Mentions October 2024
The latest media mentions, quotes, profiles, and writings from Division of the Humanities faculty, students, staff, and alumni. Visit us on X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook for more updates.
Organized Looting Is Dispersing Islamic Heritage
New Lines Magazine
Cecilia Palombo (Middle Eastern Studies) co-authored this article on the organized looting of Islamic artifacts, providing insights into their historical and cultural significance while highlighting the detrimental impact of the illicit antiquities trade on Islamic heritage.
More than any other artist working today, Theaster Gates — ceramist, urbanist, archivist, sculptor — has earned the title “multidisciplinary.”
The New York Times Style Magazine
Theaster Gates (Visual Arts) is featured in this article for his multidisciplinary practice that bridges art, community, and urban development. He restores buildings on Chicago's South Side, preserving Black cultural archives and creating spaces for art and community. His vision to revitalize disinvested areas exemplifies his model of an artist as an active shaper of the city's cultural and physical landscape.
These notorious Roman emperors became ghostly legends
National Geographic
Shadi Bartsch-Zimmer (Classics) was mentioned in this article about the haunting legacy of notorious Roman emperors. She noted that Nero’s interests in performing arts, seen as dishonorable by Romans, likely led historians to portray him as a “master of pretense.” This characterization has contributed to the enduring, dark legends surrounding Nero.