Utah State Univ. Press

The changing of knowledge in composition; contemporary perspectives.

According to the editors and contributors to this book, the field of composition is becoming a more research-driven discipline. There is also an emerging trend to replace traditional composition with the writing studies model. In considering these trends, contributors respond to the ideas expressed in Stephen M. North's 1987 book, The Making of Knowledge in Composition. Part 1 offers personal responses to North's book, and part 2 explores changes in knowledge-making communities since the publication of The Making of Knowledge in Composition, discussing areas such as critical consciousness and the historical impulse in composition, and rhetoric and racism. The third section looks at applications of these ideas in undergraduate and graduate education and beyond, with chapters on contemporary public policy and undergraduate researchers as makers of knowledge in composition. The last section of the book examines disciplinary identities and challenges. Massey and Gebhardt are affiliated with the English department at Bowling Green State University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

History of Utah radicalism; startling, socialistic, and decidedly revolutionary.

This history of political radicalism in the American West during the early twentieth century examines the brief success of the Socialist Party in regional and municipal politics in Utah and the confrontations between socialists and the Mormon Church for control of the state's grassroots political infrastructure. The volume examines such topics as socialist rhetoric and membership building, electoral successes, Christian socialism, rhetoric and the socialist press and the Mormon campaign against the movement. McCormick is professor of humanities at Salt Lake Community College and Sillito is a professor of library studies at Weber State University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Winter carnival in a western town; identity, change, and the good of the community.

In this first volume in a new series, Gabbert (English and folklore, Utah State U.) presents an ethnographic study of the revived tradition of Winter Festival in McCall, Idaho, in relationship to constructions of community and change. Based on interviews, she found that the festival featuring iconic ice sculptures, was generally supported by residents for promoting tourism and being integral to the complex process of creating community identity. The 2011 Winter Carnival event schedule, maps, and numerous images are featured. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)