Sabbatical Readings

Readings for this project fall into several categories:

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Rapaille, C. (2006). The Culture Code: An ingenious way to understand why people around the world live and buy as they do.

         Fascinating work on the cultural unconscious with heavy emphasis on American and French cultural values.

Mio, Barker-Hacket & Tumambing. (2009). Multicultural Psychology: Understanding Our Diverse Communities, 2nd Ed. McGraw-Hill.

      Textbook in use for the Cross Cultural Psychology class at Fullerton College.

Nisbett, R.E. (2003). The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think – And Why.

            I keep going back to this book to review Nisbett’s exploration of the origins of collectivism and   individualism in the ancient cultures of Greece and China.

Rubenstein, J.M. (2003). The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography. Prentice-Hall.

                I hold onto this textbook from a Cultural Geography class as a reference. I highly recommend this             course to anyone wanting to broaden their studies of cultural psychology.

 

French Canadian Immigrants to Michigan

Archival materials related to my family – Michigan Tech’s Copper Country Archives. Houghton, Michigan.

               I brought a big stack of photocopied materials back with me to revfiew further. I’m hoping to trace my father’s family back to Quebec at least. And of course, the backgrounds of wives is often a challenge to research in patrilineal societies. In one document I found via Ancestry.com hints that the Indian grandmother we always thought we had might have only been a British woman captured and later released by Indians and briefly married to a distant cousin. But there may still be another woman in our past who fits the description of the family stories, so I’ll continue searching. It was a rare thrill to be allowed to handle 100 year old documents. I have employment records of some of my family members – its amazing how much personal information the company recorded!

Ancestry.com – I set up an account that includes both my maternal and paternal family lines, including my mother’s German-American father. You can probably find it as a guest by looking for the Callista Mayotte Family Tree.

Engel, D. (2006). Jack the Hugger – True Stories of Old Calumet. Rudolph, WI: River City Memoirs-Metropolis.

            Humorous accounts from local newspapers from the copper mining boom at the turn of the 20^th   century.

Calumet – Copper Country Metropolis, (2002) Dave Engel and Gerry Mantel. Rudolph, WI: River City Memoirs-Maki.

            Newspaper stories and photographs from 1898 – 1913.

Hoagland, A.K. (2010). Mine Towns – Buildings for Workers in Michigan’s Copper Country. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

            I never thought I’d enjoy a book about architecture, but the author writes about the uses of  houses and industrial buildings as if she were a sociologist rather than an historian. Insights into  the daily lives of the people of the Keweenaw copper mining boom were immensely helpful to my understanding of the diverse peoples inhabiting the region.

Lamarre, J. (2003). The French Canadians of Michigan – Their Contribution to the development of the Saginaw Valley and the Keweenaw Peninsula, 1840-1914. Detroit: Wayne State University Press.

            This much anticipated read was torture. I only read the whole thing because I was occasionally     rewarded with little gems now and then. It was painfully redundant. I did read about the French Canadians of the Saginaw Valley as well as those of the Keweenaw Peninsula where my  ancestors landed in the U.S. and I’m glad I did, for the additional information about the  experiences of those who came from Quebec hoping for a better life. The economy of Quebec   suffered greatly following its transfer from France to Britain but the inhabitants were allowed to  leave for the U.S. and so many did.

Taylor, R.E. (2006). Images of America – Houghton County 1870-1920. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing.

            This was a more fruitful read; lots of good detail about the mining business, relationships between          employers and workers, the many immigrant groups who came to seek their fortune, carving out  a modern metropolis in the distant wilderness.

Thurner, A.W. (1994). Strangers and Sojourners – A History of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Detroit: Wayne State University Books.

           Very readable history of the region and its peoples from 1650-1980. Offers insights into the region prior to the copper mining boom (1890-1920), which is rare in books about the region. Lots of detail about the 1913 strike, including its precursors and aftermath,  with good coverage of both labor and company points of view. Possible connections to my family (both maternal and paternal) on page 129 that I want to pursue further.

 

Native Americans/First Nations Culture

Harvey, S. (2003). Native Peoples of Quebec. Quebec City, Canada: Focus Collection

            Brief introduction to the major tribal groups of Canada and their histories; lovely photographs.

*Although it looks like I didn’t do much reading on this topic, I had prepared myself with some online research about the tribes local to the area and I picked up a lot of information at the historical museums in Quebec as well as the First Nations exhibit in the Botanical Gardens of Montreal. I had also done quite a bit of reading about Native Americans in the past and didn’t feel the need to revisit those books.

(The following are still being read)

Berkhofer, R.F., Jr. (1978). The White Man’s Indian – Images of the American Indian from Columbus to the Present. New York: Random House Vintage Books.

Nabokov, P. (1991). Native American Testimony – A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present, 1492-2000. New York: Penquin Books.

Perdue, T. & Green, M.D. (2010). North American Indians – A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.

Travel Guides with useful cultural and historical Info.

AAA Tour Book – Atlantic Provinces & Quebec. (2010).

Fodor’s Montreal & Quebec City. (2011).

Magazine Musees Montreal. (2011-2012).

Official Tourist Guide 2011-2012 – This is Quebec City.

Rick Steves France (2011).

           I’m especially fond of Rick Steves’ guide books. He emphasizes the increased richness of the travel experience when you do your best to experience the culture as the locals do.

Numerous brochures about each area I visited.

 

Quebecois and Canadian Culture

Morrison, D.A. (2009). Profit & Ambition – The North West Company and the Fur Trade 1779-1821. Gatineau, Quebec, Canada: Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.

            A useful supplement to my tours of the various museums of Montreal and Quebec City. Good,    concise history of the fur trade and its impact on the land and its peoples.

Ostiguy, B., Lebel, J.M., and Dion. D. (Eds.). (2009). Quebec – A North American Treasure. Quebec City, Canada: Les Editions du Chien Rouge.

            Another useful supplement to my tours of the various museums of Montreal and Quebec City.     This one was more photos/memories than text, however.

Other readings – there was a lot of useful historical and cultural information in the travel guide books (listed in their own section) and I found several informative websites as well.

 

French Culture and History

Boyar, G. (Ed.). (2008). The Louvre Masterpieces. Paris: Societe Francaise de Promotion Artistique.

            Selected works with brief descriptions and background. Beautiful hardcover book.

Byrnes, J.F. (2005).Catholic and French Forever – Religious and National Identity in Modern France. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press.

            A painfully detailed read of the history of the relationship between the French government, the     French people, and the Catholic Church from before the revolution through the 1960s. This sort of     scholarly work of religious history is generally not my cup of tea but I’m glad to have made it  through the whole book. It took a full two months of thinking about it after I finally finished it to finally get any clarity about what it means to be French and Catholic. I’m still struggling for the right words to explain it but I do get how important the personal and national relationship with the  Church is to the French people. It is truly a part of the French spirit. Their dedication to the Church is evidenced not only by the many beautiful Cathedrals throughout France but also in the        struggle of the post-revolutionary people to create the “right” place for religious emotions in their  lives that balances their fierce intellectualism.

Collins Beginner’s French Dictionary. (2009). New York: Harper Collins.

            Much better than the larger choices, although this was still a lot to lug around everywhere. Helpful            sections on common verbs, and phrases for the traveler. Highly recommended!

Delahaye, E. (2007). The Lady and the Unicorn. Paris, France: Musee De Cluny/Musee National Du Moyen Age.

            I also read an historical novel by the same title, but I’ve given it back to the lady who loaned it to  me without writing down the author. It was a delightful break from all the non-fiction I’d been reading and provided some interesting insights into French life in the late 15^th century.

            This book is a scholarly discussion of the known history of the tapestries as well as a lot of educated guesses at their origins and meanings. Although I’m not any kind of art historian, I did  enjoy reading this book as way of deepening my appreciation of these tapestries that I’ve  admired from afar for many years. It was truly a thrill to see them in person in the darkened room  where they are displayed in the Musee de Cluny in Paris.

Delluc, B. and G. (2006). Discovering Lascaux. France: Editions Sud Ouest.

            My visits to Lascaux II and Rouffingnac caves had nothing to do with French culture other than    learning how they appreciate and present our shared human prehistory. The brief touristy books  allow the visitor to take away photographs we are not allowed to take ourselves, for the preservation of these ancient works. Truly amazing stuff. I was most pleased with the museum in Les Eyzies as well.

Goscinny, R. (1961). Asterix the Gaul. France: Orion Books.

            I vaguely remember being introduced to the Asterix & Obelix series as a kid and I’m very glad that           my aunt insisted that I re-read them before going off to France. These “comic books” speak  volumes about French humor and sense of pride in their ancient history. There is an Asterix Park  near Paris that is quite popular. Asterix is the funny little guy (a take-off on a real historical figure)   who always beats up the bad guys. There are lots of puns; these books are for adults and  children to enjoy together. Not at all the sort of hero I’ve met in American comics!

Goscinny, R. (1966). Asterix in Britain. France. Orion Books.

Goscinny, R. (1976). Obelix and Co. France: Orion Books.

Platt, P. (2003). French or Foe? Getting the Most out of Visiting, Living and Working in France. Laval, Canada: Groupe Beauchemin.

            Many thanks to Violette Vornicel-Guthmann the French instructor at FC for recommending  this book! The ones I had chosen on my own were very good but this one is written by an American who has been living in France for many years and so she knows well the way Americans see things and is great at explaining the French point of view. She has loads of  practical advice; much of it for the person planning to do business in France and/or stay there for  an extended time.

Miller, M. (1994). Chartres Cathedral – Medieval Masterpieces in Stained Glass and Sculpture. Great Britain: Pitkin Publishing.

            I am so lucky to have been able to go on one of Malcolm Miller’s tours of Chartres Cathedral! He has been leading English Language tours since 1958! He is very happy for the “new” policy of the Cathedral that tour leaders must use wireless  microphone/headset devices so as to not create so much noise inside the cathedral –      his old voice can’t project the way it did when his hair was still brown! These lovely little books treat each part of the cathedral and its history with awe and respect for the people who built it.

Miller, M. (1995). Chartes – The Cathedral and the Old Town. Great Britain: Pitkin Publishing.

Prehistory. (2006). France: Societe MSM.

Plassard, M.O. and J. (1995). Visiting Rouffignac Cave. France: Editions Sud Ouest.

Steele, R. (2002). When in France, Do as the French Do – The Clued-in Guide to French Life, Language, and Culture. Chicago: McGraw-Hill.

            Exactly the sort of book I was looking for covering everything from the arts – family life – politics –         history – leisure – transportation – language – health and more. And there were helpful websites in many of the chapters as well.

Tomalin, B. (2008). Culture Smart – France. London: Kuperard.

                A handy little book with all the usual stuff. Not nearly as helpful as the other two French Culture    books because it didn’t address any topic in depth. If I had only read the other two before coming  across this one I wouldn’t have bothered with it.

 

Thinkers of the European Enlightenment Era

Kramnick, I. (ed.). (1995). The Portable Enlightenment Reader. New York: Penguin Books.

            A wonderful find! Selected writings by all the greats, both European and American. I plan to re-read it and take notes from all the pages I marked up so that I can better separate the ideas of the different writers in my memory.

These next two are still waiting to be read:

Wood, G.S. (1991). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. New York: Vintage Books.

Zuckerman, M.B. (2010). Mysteries of History – Secret Societies.New York: U.S. News & World Report Collector’s Edition.

           

U.S. Founder’s Writings

Grant, G. (ed.). (2009).The American Patriot’s Handbook – The Writings, History and Spirit of a Free Nation. Naperville, IL: Cumberland House.

            Fantastic reference for any home. Its small enough to be quite portable and covers many more    writers than I’d expected – many I’d never heard of. It even included a section about each of the “founders,” including the 18 presidents who served before George Washington! It turns out he  was only the first president under our current constitution! I’m happy to have finally spent the time to read the original authors vs. the summaries in textbooks.

American Culture Today

Gore, A. (2007). The Assault on Reason. New York: The Penquin Press.

            I’m still working my way through this one. I chose this book for this project because he does a great job of describing his take on what the founders had in mind for America and how important  they believed it was to have an educated, reasoned people if their experiment in democracy was going to work. Gore promises good news toward the end of the book but I’ve had to put it down because the early parts are pretty depressing. I’m wondering how the author is feeling about the current political and intellectual (or anti-intellectual) scene today, several years after writing this.    I’ll pick it up again after I survive this very trying semester with technology woes, budget cuts and    the wildness of the Republican Presidential Primary.

 

Italian Culture and Psychology (for an upcoming Study Abroad project)

                This collection is on campus, awaiting further study

Materials for Students

                This collection is on campus, awaiting further study