MALS graduate Karen
McKinnon’s first book Narcissus Ascending
The antagonist in Narcissus Ascending, Callie is based on people in Karen McKinnon’s own life and Anne Sexton, although she describes Callie as “Anne Sexton with her art.”
In contrast, the protagonist, Becky is saved by her work. As a collage artist, Becky learns something important about herself and her life through her work. McKinnon says that it was a huge challenge to transform visual art in words, and she enjoyed every moment of writing about Becky’s pieces. McKinnon is now in the process of writing her second novel, the story of an epidemiologist who goes to the Ecuadorian Andes to eradicate a parasite.
McKinnon came to the MALS program after working as an AIDS researcher at Columbia /New York State Psychiatric Institute where she finished her graduate work in psychology. As an undergraduate, McKinnon was steered away from literature courses and instead specialized in psychology. Feeling that she had missed something intellectually, she applied to the MALS program intending to catch up the great books. "Psychology relies one empiricism, and I was longing to immerse myself in subjectivity, in language that wasn’t about evidence and hypothesis testing, in ideas and way of thinking about life that weren’t reductive.” For McKinnon it was a transforming experience. After a course with Rossete Lamount on portrait and self portraits of artist, McKinnon began writing fiction. Another important experience for her was Louis Menand’s course that introduced her to modernism and set her on a path of “trying to render consciousness in language.”
Karen reflects: “Writing this book allowed me to integrate so much of what I learned ion the MALS Program and I’ve come to view that task as a lifelong process”
NEWS
We would like to thank the following recent contributors to the Liberal Studies Program:
Adriana Bennett-Bernstein
Janet Brof
Zohra Lampert
Michael Newton
Alice Harrison
Sandra Waldman
Edwin Weber
Their contributions demonstrate the importance of the MALS program and its unique place at the Graduate Center.
Faculty Profile:
Prof. Rachel Brownstein
Professor Rachel Brownstein has returned from a leave of absence during which she was writing a book. When we caught up with her recently, the former chair of Liberal Studies reflected on the program. Her enthusiasm for the MALS program is infectious.
The former chair of Liberal Studies reflected on the program. Over the past 10 years, the diverse student body that the MALS program attracts still amazes Professor Brownstein.
She commented that the program is attractive for people who may have worked for 10 years in a field but are looking for something more meaningful. “They simply want to read.”
She is especially conscience of the value that the seasoned professional brings to their studies. She remembers a female Harvard law graduate from the 1930’s who was an excellent example of the diverse student body that contribute to the vibrancy of the MALS program at the Graduate Center.
For students desiring to go on to doctoral work, Dr. Brownstein has a wealth of information. From tips on writing the final thesis to information on other Liberal Studies programs across the country, she is generous with her knowledge. And she proudly emphasizes that The Graduate Center’s Liberal Studies program is unique in that it allows students to study along side of doctoral students.
If MALS students are a unique mix, it is a reflection of the interaction with professors like Dr. Brownstein. Her interests are indeed broad and varied, ranging from 19th century Parisian actresses to the realities of academia.
Welcome Back!!!
Current Student Profile:
John Mattera
John Mattera is the newly elected MALS graduate student representative to the Graduate Center’s Graduate Council. This is his first semester in the MALS program, which he chose because of the flexible and creative way its American Studies curriculum allows him to approach his interest in public history.
John expects his research to focus especially upon the way in which urban communities interact with their environments through parks, building, and subways. His occupation certainly supports this focus, as John is the Librarian and Historical Sign Coordinator for the New York City Parks Department.
Among his responsibilities, John writes and updates the more than 2,000 historical sign posted in the city’s parks throughout the five boroughs. New signs go up when a park is renovated, expanded or renamed. Recently, John wrote he sign for the Rock Garden Park in the Bronx, which tells the story of one community’s effort too improve their lives by upgrading their surroundings. John also oversees the library, located in the Parks Citywide Headquarters at 64th Street and Fifth Avenue. This is a four year-old facility that is open to the public Monday thru Friday, 9-5.
John is enthusiastic about his work at the Park’s Department because it allows him to contribute to the city in which his ancestors from Italy settled more than 100 years ago in Brooklyn—where his family still reside. John is an excellent example of the divers and interesting people that the MALS program attracts, and we are delighted to have him represent us.