Posted: November 17, 2006

Unique Texas Dialect Succumbs to Population Changes

Texas German Dialect Project seeks to preserve language

AUSTIN, TEXAS-As the Texas population ages and becomes more ethnically diverse, Texas German, one of the state's early dialects, may become extinct, according to a researcher at The University of Texas at Austin.

More about the future of Texas German...

Visit the Texas German Dialect Project Web site...


Posted: November 14, 2006

Research Offers Clues into Psychology of Conflict

Study has implications for warring countries, rival politicians

AUSTIN, Texas - Research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals information about how individuals remember and interpret an adversary's behavior in the midst of conflict. The findings may provide insight into the motivation of political leaders at war - both across party lines and international borders.

More about the research...

Visit William Swann's Web site...

Visit the Department of Psychology Web site...


Posted: November 16, 2006

New Deans Appointed

Professors Dan Slesnick and Marc Musick to join administration Jan. 1

Professors Dan Slesnick and Marc Musick will join College of Liberal Arts administration as, respectively, associate dean for research and associate dean for student affairs.

More about the new deans...


Posted: November 9, 2006

Turkish Studies Program to Offer New Scholarships

Turkish government grant supports language study

The Government of the Republic of Turkey gave The University of Texas at Austin a $20,000 grant to support its Turkish Studies program. The funds will create scholarships for Turkish language students who demonstrate academic promise and commitment to the study of Turkish.

More about the program...

Visit the Turkish Studies Web site...


Posted: November 9, 2006

Mid-Term Elections Experts

Professors disccuss 2006 election results

University experts and researchers are available to provide commentary on issues such as party polarization, Latino politics and the effect of gay-marriage ballot initiatives on the elections.

Meet the experts...

Visit the Department of Government Web site...

Visit the Texas Politics project Web site...


Professor Robert Helmreich

Posted: October 31, 2006

Psychology Professor Discusses Aviation and Hospital Safety in NY Times

Robert Helmreich, Director of Human Factors Research Project

The New York Times interviewed Professor Robert Helmreich for an article titled "What Pilots Can Teach Hospitals About Patient Safety." Helmreich is the director of the college's Human Factors Research Project (HFRP), which studies performance and safety in aviation, space, and medicine.

Read the article...

Visit the HFRP Web site...


Posted: October 27, 2006

South Asia Institute Introduces Flagship Hindi-Urdu Program

$700,000 grant will fund nation's first such program

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) has awarded The University of Texas at Austin's South Asia Institute more than $700,000 to establish the first National Flagship Language Program in Hindi and Urdu in the United States.

More about the new program...

Visit the South Asia Institute's Web site...


Posted: October 25, 2006

Daylight-saving Time Affects Work Habits

Research shows television viewing also impacted

People adjust their daily routines to accommodate different time zones and changes in daylight-saving time, new research from The University of Texas at Austin shows.

More about the research...

Read the complete study...

Visit the Department of Economics Web site...


Posted: October 16, 2006

Researchers Examine Impact of Population Changes

Population Research Center

This month, the U.S. Bureau of the Census predicts the nation's population will reach 300 million. Since the 1967 census, when the country's population reached 200 million, the minority population has grown, especially among Hispanics. Since the 1915 census, when the country's population reached 100 million, there has been a dramatic increase in educational attainment and life expectancy.

During the next two weeks, the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin will distribute a series of press releases and experts lists on the country's population - from demographic shifts and language preservation to educational attainment and health challenges.

More about Liberal Arts population research...

Visit the Population Research Center Web site...


Posted: October 17, 2006

Anti-depressants May Cause Aggression in Teens

New neuroscience research

Research by neuroscientists at The University of Texas at Austin offers tantalizing clues as to why some teenagers taking common anti-depressants may become more aggressive or kill themselves. The research is published in the October Behavioral Neuroscience, published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

More about the study...

Visit the Behavioral Neuroscience Web site...

Read the full study (PDF)...


Diana Natalicio

Posted: October 13, 2006

UTEP President Named Distinguished Alumna

Texas Exes honor Natalicio for educational leadership; creating opportunities for Hispanics

AUSTIN, Texas: The Texas Exes have honored Diana Natalicio, a nationally recognized educator and university administrator, with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for professional achievement and service to the University of Texas at Austin.

More about honoring Diana Natalicio

UTEP: Leader in Educating Non-Traditional Students

Texas Exes: 2006 Distinguished Alumnus Awards


Posted: September 19, 2006

Man's Best Friend?

Research reveals connections between owner's testosterone levels and pet's stress

AUSTIN, Texas - By investigating the connection between hormonal levels in people and their animals, psychology researchers at the University of Texas at Austin may be able to provide hormonal clues into who has the potential to abuse their pets and how this abuse might be prevented.

More about the research...

More about Dr. Josephs...


[i]Nature[/i] cover story

Posted: September 21, 2006

Anthropologists Discover Earliest Child Human Ancestor

Research featured on cover of Nature

Scientists have discovered a three-million-year old fossil of a human ancestor known as Australopithecus afarensis. The skeleton is the oldest child fossil ever found.

Denne Reed, assistant professor of anthropology at The University of Texas at Austin, is part of the team who discovered the fossil, and Reed personally found the articulated right knee of the child. The discovery is reported in this week's issue of Nature.

More about the discovery...

Read the Nature article...

Listen to the story on NPR...


Posted: September 19, 2006

Liberal Arts Professors Join University Administration

Paul Woodruff, Terri Givens, Brian Roberts

College of Liberal Arts professors Paul Woodruff (Philosophy) and Terri Givens (Government) have been chosen as the dean of undergraduate studies and vice provost of the university, respectively. Former Liberal Arts Associate Dean Brian Roberts will be the new vice president for information technology.

More about Woodruff and Givens...

Read more about Woodruff's appointment...

More about Givens' appointment...


Ann Richards at the 1992 Commencement Ceremony

Posted: September 14, 2006

Experts discuss Gov. Richards' career, legacy

Students remember spirited professor

Former Texas governor Ann Richards died Wednesday, Sept. 13, at her home in Austin. She was 73. Richards was the 45th governor of Texas, serving from 1991 to 1995. She received a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and earned her teaching certificate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Read more: Faculty and student perspectives ...

UT Release: Richards Collection preserves former governor's political legacy ...

Information on memorial service and additional links ...


Posted: September 18, 2006

August Edition of Liberal Arts Insider is Now Online

Faculty and Staff Newsletter

In April, BookPeople hosted a Reflections book party to celebrate work from Center for Women's and Gender Studies faculty members, including Pascale Bos (Germanic Studies), Elizabeth Engelhardt (American Studies), Sean Theriault (Government) and Christine Williams (Sociology).

Read the rest of The Insider...


Frederick Douglass

Posted: September 11, 2006

Archaeologists Unearth Frederick Douglass' Early Slave Home

Anthropology grad student Lisa Kraus leads excavation

EASTON, MD - In a grove of trees on an Eastern shore estate, an archeological team is uncovering the remains of the slave village where abolitionist Frederick Douglass spent a brief but formative period as a child. Douglass wrote vividly in his autobiography of the place and his experiences there, calling it his first encounter with plantation life and the moment when he first realized he was a slave.

More about the excavation...

Visit the Department of Anthropology Web site...


Tracie Matysik

Posted: September 5, 2006

Tracie Matysik Honored for History Course

Western Civilization class named one of nation's tops

Assistant Professor of History Tracie Matysik's course, "Western Civilization in Modern Times," was identified as an example of best practices in a national study of European History courses conducted by the Center for Educational Policy Research (CEPR) on behalf of the College Board. A total of 73 courses from across the nation were reviewed.

More about the honor...

Visit the Department of History Web site...

Visit the Center for Educational Policy Research Web site...


Professor Emeritus Abram Amsel

Posted: September 5, 2006

Professor Emeritus Abram Amsel Dies

Psychology professor joined the university in 1969

Noted psychology professor Abram Amsel died Thur., Aug. 31 at the age of 83.

More about Amsel...

Read the Austin American-Statesman obituary...


Posted: August 29, 2006

Divorce and Heart Disease

Middle-aged women face higher risk after divorce

Divorced middle-aged women are 60 percent more likely to get cardiovascular disease - even when they remarry - than women who remain married, according to a study from The University of Texas at Austin published in this month's Journal of Marriage and Family.

More about the research...

Visit the Population Research Center Web site...


Tom Palaima. Photo by Barton Wilder Custom Images.

Posted: August 25, 2006

Professor Featured in Austin Magazine

The Good Life magazine profiles Tom Palaima in August issue

Good Life: A Monthly Journal of Austin Stories profiles Classics Professor Tom Palaima for the cover story of the magazine's August issue. Palaima, a frequent contributor to the Austin American-Statesman, discusses issues ranging from the battle between university athletics and academics, to the morality of war. The article also announces the Humanities Institute's Free Minds Project, which will provide free tuition, books and childcare for 30 low to moderate income residents of Travis County this year.

Read the article...

Learn more about the Free Minds Project...


Posted: August 14, 2006

How Do I Love Thee?

Study shows writing about a romantic relationship may help it last longer

Writing about one's romantic relationship may help it last longer, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin report in this month's issue of Psychological Science.

More about the study...

Visit Dr. Pennebaker's Web site...

Read the complete study...


David Oshinsky

Posted: April 17, 2006

History Professor Wins Pulitzer Prize

"Polio: An American Story" one of three books on Bush's summer reading list

The University of Texas at Austin's David M. Oshinsky has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize in the history category for his book "Polio: An American Story." President Bush recently chose the book for his summer reading list, to be enjoyed while on vacation at his Texas ranch.

More about the award...

Visit the Pulitzer Prize Web site...


Posted: August 11, 2006

Professor Examines Sports Doping

John Hoberman studies intersection of sport, science and politics

With high-profile athletes such as Barry Bonds and recent Tour de France winner Floyd Landis under the microscope for their alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, the debate over sports doping has never been more intense. President Bush even spoke out against the practice in his State of the Union address.

More about Hoberman's research...

Read the rest of the article...

Visit Dr. Hoberman's Web page...


Posted: August 9, 2006

Liberal Arts Students Win Fulbright Scholarships

Recipients chosen because of academics, leadership

May graduate Joslyn Massad (Middle Eastern Studies) and graduate student Michael Dennis (Government) have received Fulbright Scholarships to travel abroad and study for the 2006-2007 academic year.

More about the Fulbright scholars...

Visit the Fulbright Scholarship Web site...


Summer Freshmen Class Program

Posted: March 29, 2006

Summer Freshmen Class Program

Information for freshmen entering in summer, 2006.

Included are the tools needed for you to prepare for registration from your home.

More about the Program...

View the Summer Freshmen Class Program...


Posted: August 1, 2006

Preserving Endangered Languages

Latin American language archive to bolster collection

The University of Texas at Austin's Archive of the Indigenous Languages of Latin America (AILLA) received a $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Science Foundation's partnership on Documenting Endangered Languages.

More about the language archive...

Visit the AILLA Web site and download recordings..


Raja Rao (Photo courtesy of the Raja Rao estate.)

Posted: July 19, 2006

Professor Emeritus Raja Rao Dies at 97

Noted Indian author, philosophy professor

Raja Rao, professor emeritus in the Department of Philosophy, and internationally renowned author, died Sat., July 8. He was 97.

More about Raja Rao...

Visit the Raja Rao Web site...

Read the Austin American-Statesman obituary...


Posted: July 17, 2006

New Edition of Liberal Arts Insider is Now Online

Faculty and Staff Newsletter

Emmett L. Bennett, Jr. (Classics) received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Aegean Prehistory.

Read the rest of The Insider...


Posted: July 11, 2006

Economist, Engineers Receive $2.9 Million to Study Indoor Environments

Don Fullerton part of multidisciplinary team to research unique field

A $2.9 million multidisciplinary graduate program at The University of Texas at Austin aimed at improving indoor environments has been funded by the National Science Foundation. The novel five-year grant is intended to develop a pioneering generation of leaders in the study of indoor environmental quality, and will be led by Environmental Engineering Professor Richard Corsi. Don Fullerton, the Addison Baker Duncan Centennial Professor in Economics, will serve as co-leader, along with Jeffrey Siegel, an assistant professor of architectural engineering, and Kerry Kinney, the Roberta Woods Centennial Fellow in Engineering.

More about the grant...

Visit the Department of Economics Web site...


Posted: June 28, 2006

Experts Discuss Supreme Court's Redistricting Decision

Government professors offer perspective on ruling

The Supreme Court released its decision in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry regarding the Texas congressional redistricting map developed prior to the 2004 elections. University of Texas at Austin government experts are available to provide perspective to media on the Supreme Court's decision.

Contact the experts...

The Story of Texas Politics...

University Experts Guide...


Posted: June 26, 2006

College of Liberal Arts Among Nation's Leaders in Minority Education

Liberal Arts departments among top producers of degrees for minority undergrads

The University of Texas at Austin ranks fifth in the nation in producing undergraduate degrees for minority groups, with Liberal Arts departments Psychology and English both ranking in the top 30 programs, according to the June 1 edition of Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine.

More about the rankings...

Visit the Department of English Web site...

Visith the Department of Psychology Web site...


Dina Habib Powell and Alisa Manning Peppers

Posted: June 15, 2006

Liberal Arts Grads Honored

Two alums named Outstanding Young Texas Exes

Dina Habib Powell (Plan I Humanities '95) and Alisa Manning Peppers (Economics '90) were each chosen as recipients of 2006 Outstanding Young Texas Ex Awards.

More about the awards...

Visit the Texas Exes Web site...


Posted: June 7, 2006

Lloyd Bentsen's Archives Available for Public Viewing

Center for American History houses papers donated by legendary U.S. senator

Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr., former U.S. senator and Treasury secretary under Bill Clinton, died May 23, 2006. He generously donated his papers to the Center for American History's Congressional History Archive in 1996. Over 2600 cubic feet of correspondence, memoranda, scrapbooks, legislative research files, Federal Election Commission Reports and other campaign records, telephone logs, calendars, photographs, video and audio tapes, memorabilia and artifacts constitute this historically valuable collection.

More about the Bentsen collection...

Visit the guide to the papers...

Read L.A. Times obituary, quoting UT's Bruce Buchanan and Patrick Cox...


A view of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina

Posted: June 6, 2006

Response to Katrina Evacuees Focus of New Study

Sociologist Ronald Angel is lead investigator

University of Texas at Austin researchers have received $100,000 from the National Science Foundation to investigate how the actions of governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations affect the ability of disaster victims to recover after events like Hurricane Katrina.

More about the study...


Judith Langlois

Posted: June 1, 2006

Judith Langlois Takes Over as Liberal Arts Interim Dean

Psychology professor also held the position in 1998

Judith Langlois, the Charles and Sarah Seay Regents' Professor of Developmental Psychology, officially assumed her post as interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts today, June 1.

More about Langlois...

Visit the Langlois Social Development Lab...


Posted: May 30, 2006

From Winedale to the Web

UT introduces Shakespeare Web site for kids

The University of Texas at Austin has introduced "Shakespeare Kids," an educational Web site featuring a "Do Your Own Shakespeare" guide for families and a toolkit for elementary and middle-school teachers.

More about Shakespeare Kids...

Visit the Shakespeare Kids Web site...

Visit the Shakespeare at Winedale Web site...


Posted: May 30, 2006

Student Lounge Now Online

Read the May edition of the student newsletter

As we close the book on another school year, it is the perfect opportunity to look back and take note of the many accomplishments of students within the College of Liberal Arts.

Read the Student Lounge newsletter...


Brian Hart reacts to winning the Keene Prize

Posted: May 11, 2006

$90,000 Keene Prize for Literature Awarded to UT grad student

Brian Hart is first recipient of world's largest student prize

Brian Hart, a graduate student in the James A. Michener Center for Writers at The University of Texas at Austin, has won the initial $90,000 Keene Prize for Literature, the world's largest student literary prize.

More about the prize...

Visit the Michener Center Web site...


Posted: May 1, 2006

University Announces $12 Million for Creation of Jewish Studies Center

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation donates $6 million

The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation has given a $6 million challenge grant to help create a $12 million Center for Jewish Studies at The University of Texas at Austin.

More about the Jewish Studies Center...

Visit the Schusterman Family Foundation Web site...


Posted: May 2, 2006

Student Division Named One of Nation's Top Advising Programs

Liberal Arts advisors honored for innovative services

The College of Liberal Arts Student Division was named Outstanding Advising Program by the National Academic Advising Association. The Student Division is one of only four programs in the nation to receive the award. The Outstanding Advising Program Awards annually recognize programs that document innovative and/or exemplary practices resulting in improvement of academic advising services.

More about the Student Division...


Stephanie Maher

Posted: May 8, 2006

Student Named Gilder Lehrman History Scholar

Junior Stephanie Maher will study in NYC this summer

Stephanie Maher, a junior history and Plan II major from Houston, was recently named a 2006 Gilder Lehrman History Scholar. She is one of fifteen students selected from more than 300 undergraduate applicants nationwide. This summer, the scholars will study in New York City for six weeks in a program that combines historical research, seminars with eminent historians and behind-the-scenes tours of rare archives.

More about the program...

Visit the Gilder Lehrman Web site...


Don B. Graham

Posted: April 28, 2006

English Professor to Receive Chancellor's Council Outstanding Teaching Award

Don B. Graham known as engaging teacher, master writer

Don B. Graham, the J. Frank Dobie Regents Professor of American and English Literature, has been named recipient of the university's 2005-2006 Chancellor's Council Outstanding Teaching Award.

More about the award...


Douglas Biow

Posted: April 19, 2006

Italian Professor Earns Guggenheim Fellowship

Douglas Biow will use grant for new book

Italian professor Douglas Biow is one of 187 artists, scholars and scientists selected to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship. Biow will use the fellowship to work on his fourth book, "In Your Face: The Art of Being Conspicuous in Renaissance Italy."

More about the award...


L. Michael White

Posted: April 13, 2006

Classics Professor Wins Hamilton Book Awards Grand Prize

L. Michael White one of four Liberal Arts faculty honored by University Co-Op

Classics Professor L. Michael White was this year's $10,000 grand-prize winner of the University Co-op Robert W. Hamilton Book Awards for his book "From Jesus to Christianity: How Four Generations of Visionaries and Storytellers Created the New Testament and Christian Faith." His book was published by Harper Collins.

More about the Hamilton Awards...


Posted: April 11, 2006

Government Senior Wins Two National Championships at Speech Competition

Stephanie Cagniart also recognized as All-American

Stephanie Caginart won national titles in Impromptu Speaking and Communication Analysis at the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament. Caginart is a member of The University of Texas at Austin Individual Events speech team, which also showcased two national runners-up.

More about the speech team results...

Visit the Individual Events Team Web site...


Manasi Deshpande with (L to R) Dean Richard Lariviere, President William Powers, Liberal Arts Honors Program Director Larry Carver and Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson.

Posted: March 29, 2006

Liberal Arts Student Awarded Truman Scholarship

Junior Manasi Deshpande will receive $30,000 for graduate school

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation has awarded Manasi Deshpande, an honors student majoring in Plan II, economics and mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin, a $30,000 scholarship to pursue her graduate degree.

More about the scholarship...

Visit the Truman Scholarships Web site...


Liberal Arts

Posted: March 10, 2006

Liberal Arts Staff Excellence Award

Nominate a Liberal Arts Staff member

Dean Richard Lariviere is pleased to solicit nominations for the
2005-2006 College of Liberal Arts Staff Excellence Award.

More about awards

Fill out a nomination (UT EID required)


William Doolittle

Posted: January 5, 2006

Doolittle Honored by Association of American Geographers

Professor William Doolittle recognized for research in Southwest and Mexico

The Association of American Geographers (AAG) bestowed the 2006 Distinguished Scholarship award on Dr. William Doolittle. Doolittle, the Erich W. Zimmermann Regents Professor in Geography, is chair of the Department of Geography and the Environment.

More about the award...


Center for Women's and Gender Studies

Posted: January 27, 2006

Women's and Gender Studies to be Offered as Major

Fall 2006

The College of Liberal Arts will offer women's and gender studies as a major, beginning in the fall of 2006.

More about this major...

Visit the Center for Women's and Gender Studies Web site...


Sue Heinzelman

Posted: January 30, 2006

Teaching Web Site Profiles Professor

The Teaching Company spotlights Sue Heinzelman

The Teaching Company, which produces DVDs and CDs of lectures by university professors, selected Sue Heinzelman, English, to be featured on its Web site.

More about Heinzelman's feature...

Visit The Teaching Company Web site...


Life and Letters

Posted: January 2, 2006

The latest edition of Life and Letters is now online

A publication for faculty, staff, students and alumni

Download the Current Issue (pdf format)

View Past Issues


Dean Richard Lariviere

Posted: February 16, 2006

Liberal Arts Dean to Take Post in Kansas

Richard Lariviere will become Lawrence campus' chief academic officer on June 1

University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway today named a University of Texas dean with a distinguished career as a scholar and internationalist as the next provost and executive vice chancellor for the KU Lawrence campus.

More about Dean Lariviere...

Visit the University of Kansas Web site...


Posted: February 17, 2006

British Studies Program Releases Collection of Autobiographies

"Burnt Orange Britannia" features work from 60 authors

The British Studies program at The University of Texas at Austin has just released "Burnt Orange Britannia," a collection of 60 autobiographies that offer insight into the passions of academic life from the 1930s to the present.

More about the collection...


Dr. Mark Regnerus

Posted: February 22, 2006

Strong Relationship with Father May Delay Daughter's Sexual Activity

New study from Professor Mark Regnerus

Girls who have good relationships with their fathers tend to wait longer to have their first sexual intercourse experience, according to a new study by a University of Texas at Austin sociologist.

More about the study...


Juliet E.K. Walker

Posted: March 8, 2006

Black Herstory Conference Honors Juliet E.K. Walker

History professor to receive Lucy Terry Prince Award

Juliet E. K. Walker, founder and director of the Center for Black Business History, Entrepreneurships and Technology (CBBH) at the University of Texas will receive the Lucy Terry Prince Award at the Ninth Annual National Black Herstory Conference and Awards Banquet.

More about the award...

Visit the Black Herstory Web site...


Lone Star Literature, by Don Graham

Posted: April 3, 2006

English Professor's Book Featured for Honors Day

Don Graham's anthology of Texas literature will be given to parents and students

The university has chosen "Lone Star Literature," an anthology edited by English Professor Don Graham, to be distributed to students and parents attending the Honors Day celebration on Sat., April 8.

More about the book...

Visit the Honors Day Web site...


Dr. Judith Langlois

Posted: March 9, 2006

Judith Langlois Named Interim Dean

Psychology professor to take over for Richard Lariviere

Dr. Judith Langlois, the Charles and Sarah Seay Regents' Professor of Developmental Psychology, has been named interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

More about Dr. Langlois...

More about Dr. Langlois


Liberal Arts Insider

Posted: March 21, 2006

New Edition of Liberal Arts Insider is Now Online

Faculty and Staff Newsletter

Richard Lariviere accepted a position at the University of Kansas as provost and executive vice chancellor. He will take over the job starting June 1. Lariviere has been at UT since 1982 and served as Dean of Liberal Arts from 1999 to the present.

Read the rest of The Insider...


Dr. Mark Southern

Posted: March 27, 2006

Former Professor Mark Southern Dies

Southern taught Germanic Studies at UT from 1995-2003

Mark Southern, former University of Texas at Austin professor, died Wed., March 15 at his home in Middelbury, Vt. He was 45.

More about Dr. Southern...