This hard-hitting critique will serve as a wake-up call to university administrators and faculty, as well as to the average parent or prospective college student facing ever- increasing tuition costs. While reports of poor teaching at the elementary and secondary school level have unleashed widespread public outcry for reform, little attention has been paid to the quality of teaching in colleges and universities. Yet according to the National Commission on Educating Undergraduates in the Research University, "universities have too often failed, and continue to fail their undergraduate populations," and "the students paying the tuition get, in all too many cases, less than their money's worth." Citing this report and other similar studies, experienced university administrator Dr. Mel Scarlett criticizes the deficits of the current undergraduate educational system and suggests improvements that would ensure that college students get the education they're paying for. Among his suggestions for reform are: *Renewed emphasis on teaching skills in Ph.D. programs to ensure that those who do teach have some pedagogical training besides their special expertise *The more active role of experienced professors in the teaching of undergraduates to reverse the current trend of using graduate assistants or part-time faculty to teach lower-level courses *Encouraging students' active participation in the learning process as opposed to the passive learning model of the lecture method *An adjustment of the university's publish-or-perish reward system, which stresses research and ignores teaching. Dr. Scarlett lists a total of 20 "deadly sins" committed by universities against undergraduates and 80 improvements that would help to reform the current inadequate higher educational system.
Increasingly over the past decade, fan credentials on the part of writers, directors, and producers have come to be seen as a guarantee of quality media making—the “fanboy auteur.” Figures like Joss Whedon are both one of “us” and one of “them.” This is a strategy of marketing and branding—it is a claim from the auteur himself or industry PR machines that the presence of an auteur who is also a fan means the product is worth consuming. Such claims that fan credentials guarantee quality are often contested, with fans and critics alike rejecting various auteur figures as the true leader of their respective franchises. That split, between assertions of fan and auteur status and acceptance (or not) of that status, is key to unravelling the fan auteur. In A Portrait of the Auteur as Fanboy: The Construction of Authorship in Transmedia Franchises, authors Anastasia Salter and Mel Stanfill examine this phenomenon through a series of case studies featuring fanboys. The volume discusses both popular fanboys, such as J. J. Abrams, Kevin Smith, and Joss Whedon, as well as fangirls like J. K. Rowling, E L James, and Patty Jenkins, and dissects how the fanboy-fangirl auteur dichotomy is constructed and defended by popular media and fans in online spaces, and how this discourse has played in maintaining the exclusionary status quo of geek culture. This book is particularly timely given current discourse, including such incidents as the controversy surrounding Joss Whedon’s so-called feminism, the publication of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and contestation over authorial voices in the DC cinematic universe, as well as broader conversations about toxic masculinity and sexual harassment in Hollywood.
This autobiography is a must-read to prepare you to find Mel and his great next project above the sky’s limits in the cosmos. His artist business partner says, “If you read his autobiography, you will have a chance because you will like being first.”
I am appealing to my Jewish brothers and sisters to help me right some wrongs before we all pay for them. History records how Jews have been persecuted but never really say why. I am telling you why. It is because of the greed of the Jewish power brokers and the discrimination by the rest of us. Here I track a crime family to America and reveal how they took over our money (via the Federal reserve and world banks). They control the media. They control the White House, Congress, and even your life. They assassinated both JFK and RFK, and will kill anyone else who stands up to them. In Oregon, they murdered James Ross and Michael Francke to silence them. That makes me a dead man. I also address Global warming, cosmology, treason, and a lot of other things you thought you knew. This book is enlightening, but it is also shocking. If we sit back and do nothing, we will all pay. History has proven that. Please help.
Musical theatre is an international form, not just an American one. It can take root anywhere. Few people would realise that such hit standards as "The Glow Worm", "Brazil", "Mack the Knife", "I Will Wait for You" and "El Condor Pasa" came from foreign language musicals. ""His research is monumental... This is an important book on a previously undocumented area of musical theatre."" -- Peter Pinne, Stage Whispers ""There's never been a better book for the armchair-traveler-theatergoer."" -- Peter Filichia
Filipinos came to Vallejo as early as 1912, and some families here can count five generations back to their roots in the Philippines. Many came to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, where Filipinos found steady, well-paying jobs that spared them from menial work and stoop labor in the fields of California. With each major conflict of the 20th century, and finally with the relaxation of immigration quotas in 1965, waves of Filipino newcomers arrived on these shores. They advanced in their work at the shipyards, settled down, and started families, buying homes and establishing successful businesses. Now this active, politically empowered Filipino community numbers in the tens of thousands, yet traditional histories ignore its contribution to Vallejo's heritage.
In an arena built by love and supported by devotion, two couples, close friends, recent empty nesters are suddenly confronted by active sexual desire that had been just a pleasant thought for many years. Each wants the other’s spouse. Self-serving contends with concern and compassion. They all like each other very much. The story takes place from late 1988 to early 1990. The “double standard” is indicted and brought to trial. Much is about Laura, a teacher who had capably followed society’s syllabus, guided by the headmaster, her husband. She would have welcomed having tea with Ibsen’s Nora. Circumstance affects her comfortable acquiescence. Others give significant testimony. Entwined triangles bring thrill and conflict. Vivid dissection of sexual relationship and friendship reveals the misconceptions from attitude and clouded communication that cause missteps and disappointment. And there is a clear, insightful depiction of a man’s newly manifested sexual obsession beyond pleasure and affection. These are responsible people with typical aspirations and frailties. Although they are excessively self-serving at times, they care well for their families and contribute to the welfare of others. Eventually they become challenged by the price for their self-indulgence. Motivation is probed. Reader reaction will be diverse and controversial.
In the sequel to Down in the Dumps, Polly finds herself touring as set and puppet designer for a small rural theatre company. When the stage manager fails to appear for the first rehearsal, Polly has to step in and do the job. The police won't show an interest, so Polly investigates alone, unwittingly carrying out the murderer's master plan.
Set your watch to 30 minutes, because that's how long you have to finish each of these 72 fiendish, timed crosswords. They're created by some of the members of CrosSynergy, a syndicate of a dozen top puzzlemakers. None of their puzzles see the light of day until it has gone through a brainstorming and peer review process; along the way, reviewers weed out obscure or unsuitable words, and if anyone feels that a clue is unclear it's eliminated. That's why the final product is so much fun, so well constructed, and so delightfully challenging to tackle. The intriguing crossword themes include Wedding Traditions, Color Commentary, Giver of Gifts, All Saints' Day, It's No Longer Elementary, and You Wanna Piece O' Me?
Glamour and gowns and cool girls, oh my! From Jennifer Lawrence to Tina Fey, Kate Moss to Kerry Washington, and Twiggy to Audrey Hepburn, Color Me Girl Crush features drawings of some of the world’s most admirable ladies (as well as the ensembles they’re known for)—all for coloring in! You’ll find true-life stories about your favorite It girls, along with fill-in-the-blank activities so you can weigh in on what makes them so darn appealing. Here’s your chance to style some of the loveliest ladies around, while celebrating everything that makes them crush-worthy.
This quadruple edition of the Polly Deacon mysteries presents all four hilarious Polly Deacon novels. Includes Down in the Dumps Cue the Dead Guy Dead Cow in Aisle Three One Large Coffin to Go
THE HILARIOUS SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A big-hearted story of a family on the brink from the marvellous, much-loved Mel Giedroyc. 'Properly funny with a brilliant cast of characters' GRAHAM NORTON 'A real treat. I enjoyed it HUGELY' MARIAN KEYES 'Funny and fresh. No soggy bottoms here' CLARE MACKINTOSH __________ Sally Parker is searching for the hero inside herself. But TBH she just wants to lie down. Her husband Frank has lost his business, their home and their savings in one go. Her bank cards have been stopped. The kids are running wild. And now the bailiffs are at the door. What does a woman do when the bottom suddenly falls out? Will Sally Parker surprise everybody....most of all herself? __________ 'This book is a riot! Delicious in its detail' SOPHIE KINSELLA 'A stonking good read. Exactly like Mel herself: engaging, uproarious and gleeful' JO BRAND 'A warm, honest and humorous look at a family and what really matters in life. Brimming with hilarious scenes, it is also a redemptive book, and one of hope' WOMAN & HOME 'A warm contemporary fable bursting with colourful characters and comic energy' DAILY MAIL SHORTLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE 2021 REAL READERS ADORE THE BEST THINGS... 'A well written, warm hug of a read. Something much needed in these days of doom and gloom' 'This book is everything I would have expected from the wonderful Mel Giedroyc. Funny and touching*****' 'I could hear Mel reading this book! Terrific characters. Very entertaining *****' 'A lovely, warm cuddle of a book' 'One of the best things I've read this year. Please read it *****' 'I felt like Mel was reading this into my ear. I was left with the warm fuzzys at the end****' 'Would make a brilliant film or sitcom. The Parker family are a chaotic, loveable bunch' 'I zipped through it with many an accompanying titter, the occasional chortle and the odd unladylike snort. A nice piece of escapism, so needed at this time ****' 'Warm, interesting, clever and funny, as well as poignant at times. A brave heroine, a cast of strong characters and a page-turner of a story *****' 'Glorious storytelling, this is a rich comedic feast of domesticity. Excellent characters. Kept me gripped throughout. *****
Something More Permanent A story of friendship, devotion and betrayal. Carol and Pamela in their late forties, married and post child rearing are dear friends and at times near to expressing their affection physically. Both having been faithful wives, they share their sexual fantasies and eventually begin extra-marital relationships. Around the same time Carol’s husband Gus also begins an affair. He had been on a two-year hiatus from years of infidelity. These are nice people doing naughty things. Self-absorption does not stop Carol and Pamela from being good parents and dedicated volunteers for a mentoring organization and does not stop Gus from being a supportive husband and parent. By chance he becomes involved in the rescue of an endangered fourteen-year boy, thus becoming involved with his family. This begins to broaden Gus’s interests and circle of concern, and he begins to face things that had been suppressed. Against a backdrop of children advocacy, child endangerment, domestic violence and thought-provoking issues, Carol and Gus attempt to deal with their infidelity and other attachments. There are twists and surprises. Questions are answered, and others are raised, one being, why do two people who respect, admire and continue to be attracted to each other look elsewhere?
This special bundle contains seven books that detail Canada’s long and storied history in the performing arts. We learn about Canada’s early Hollywood celebrity movie stars; Canadians’ vast contributions to successful international stage musicals; the story of The Grand, a famous theatre in London, Ontario; reminiscences from the early days of radio; the history of the renowned Stratford Festival; and a lavish history of the famous National Ballet of Canada. Canada’s performing artists blossomed in the twentieth century, and you can learn all about it here. Includes Broadway North Let’s Go to The Grand! Once Upon a Time in Paradise Passion to Dance Sky Train Romancing the Bard Stardust and Shadows
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