Archive for Jack Beahler
The Chinese Winter Solstice
by Professor Nan Li The winter solstice is one of the most important twenty-four Chinese solar terms that were established as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.) It is also the occasion for a traditional Chinese celebration called the Winter Festival (冬节), which falls between December 21 and December 23 of the Gregorian calendar. Ancient Chinese […]
This Month in the Spanish Department:
by Leah Mott From calavaras and papel picado to violence and gender, the Spanish department’s November was equal parts celebration of Latin American culture and critical examination of one of the region’s current challenges. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a well-known holiday that originated in Mexico and is celebrated each […]
Gustavus French Grads Teach English for TAPIF
by Professor Laurent Dechery This year, four Gustavus students who graduated in May 2016 with minors or majors in French are participating in the Teaching Assistant Program in France, or TAPIF. The program gives the opportunity to work in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages. Each year, over 1,100 […]
Guest Lecture: “Acupuncture: Science or Myth?”
by Professor Nan Li Acupuncture originated in China during the Neolithic period. Ancient Chinese people found that their pain could be greatly reduced or even eliminated by using a sharp-edged stone tool pressed hard on their body. Hence, the earliest needle used in the acupuncture was made of stone. Later on, copper, iron, gold, and […]
A Festive Oktober for the Gustavus German Club
by Professor Patricia Branstad Prost! One of the most common associations with Germany is the Oktoberfest. Contrary to popular belief, the Oktoberfest is not a nationwide celebration, but rather a 16-day folk festival that takes place in München (Munich), the capital of Bayern (Bavaria), the largest of Germany’s sixteen states. Touted as the “world’s largest […]
Bonjour From Visiting Assistant Professor Kate Droske!
Bonjour! My name is Kate Droske and I am joining the department of Modern Languages Literatures and Cultures this year as a Visiting Assistant Professor of French. I am coming to Gustavus Adolphus College from the University of Minnesota, where I recently completed my doctorate in French with a focus on the literature of Quebec. […]