Academic journals are a very important way ideas are circulated in disciplinary fields. They provide a written and credible record of debates and conversations that are important to scholars as they conduct their research or prepare their courses. Here are just some York College professors who are staying current on and contributing to scholarship in their fields.
Craig Bauer, PhD, Associate Professor, Physical Science
Bauer, a professor at York College since 2002, has been the editor-in-chief of Cryptologia since January 2007. Prior to this, he was a member of the editorial board.
Cryptologia is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal devoted to all aspects of cryptology (the study of codes and ciphers). This includes mathematical, historical and pedagogical aspects. The January 2010 issue featured a paper by cryptology's greatest historian, David Kahn.
According to Bauer, the last step of the scientific method is to publish the results. He believes all of his work would be pointless if peer-reviewed publication outlets didn't exist.
"It also encourages undergraduates to begin their own research," he said. "I'm proud to say that Cryptologia sponsors two undergraduate paper competitions each year with cash prizes. Meeting the winners has been one of my favorite experiences associated with the journal."
Bauer teaches two classes dealing with cryptology at York College. MATH391 focuses on the mathematics and MATH107 focuses on the history.
"Through the journal, I am in frequent contact with a tremendous number of researchers who can help me answer questions that arise from students or in the course of my own research," he said. "Working with these people keeps me enthused, and this is contagious!"
So contagious that the very first student he met when he came to York College, Elliott Gottloeb '05 (York, Pa.) will be teaching cryptology at William Penn High School in York this fall.
"In turn, I expect some of his students will catch his excitement about the material and perhaps teach it elsewhere," he added. "It's like a chain letter!"
Bauer earned his PhD and master’s degree in mathematics from NC State University. His introduction to mathematical cryptology came from Jay Anderson, PhD, at Frankin & Marshall College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Kelly Niles-Yokum, PhD, Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Niles-Yokum, a professor at York College since 2009, has been managing editor of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education since 2006.
Gerontology and Geriatrics Education is the official journal of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. According to the publication's Web site, It is geared toward the exchange of information related to research, curriculum development, course and program evaluation, classroom and practice innovation and other topics with educational implications for gerontology and geriatrics.
According to Niles-Yokum, her role as managing editor is important for a variety of reasons, including the opportunity to work with authors, potential authors and members of the editorial and advisory boards.
"We pride ourselves on the teaching part of what we do in terms of providing constructive feedback and working with authors to make the process a positive experience regardless of the outcome," she said.
Working as managing editor also adds another dimension to her work in the classroom.
"The roles complement each other nicely in that I'm providing guidance and helping others while at the same time continuing to learn new things myself," she said. "Because Gerontology and Geriatrics Education is geared toward education, I am constantly exposed to best practices and innovative pedagogy."
Niles-Yocum earned her PhD in gerontology from the University of Maryland, and her master’s degree in public administration (with a specialty in aging policy) and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Portland State University.
Travis Kurowski, PhD, Assistant Professor, English & Humanities
Kurowski, a professor at York College since 2009, is the founding editor of the Luna Park Review, which was first published in the summer of 2007. Prior to this, he worked on the mastheads of a variety of literary magazines since 2002.
Luna Park Review was founded on the idea that literary magazines are credible, important and interesting venues for artistic work, as well as works of art themselves. Because of this, Kurowski believes the magazines and the works published within them are as deserving of critical attention as other artistic works.
"There is no journal like mine in the field of contemporary literature, creative writing or literary publishing," he said. "Luna Park gives attention to essential and exciting areas of publishing that get little or no attention elsewhere. In the 1960s, George Hitchcock, editor of Kayak, said that literary magazines 'are the furnace where American literature is being forged.' And this is still true today."
Kurowski has been teaching introduction to composition and literature courses since 2005, but has in the past few years focused his energies mainly on contemporary literature, creative writing and publishing.
"Luna Park keeps me acutely aware of what is going on in literary publishing, at all levels really, but mainly in the area of literary magazine publishing, where – as the above quote from Hitchcock refers – new literary styles and writers are first developed," he said.
He also believes it is essential that professors in the creative arts remain keenly aware of new directions and happenings in their area to stay connected in the livelihood of their discipline and not rely simply on textbook knowledge.
Kurowski earned his PhD in creative writing from the Center for Writers at the University of Southern Mississippi under the direction of the novelist Frederick Barthelme, where he also earned his master’s degree in creative writing. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and theater at Southern Oregon University.
Rory Kraft, PhD, Assistant Professor, English & Humanities
Kraft, a professor at York College since 2006, began as co-editor of Questions: Philosophy for Young People in Fall 2005. He became the editor-in-chief in Fall 2008.
Questions: Philosophy for Young People is dedicated to publishing philosophical work by pre-college students and articles for teachers working with pre-college philosophers. The journal routinely runs book reviews of relevant work, partial transcripts of classroom sessions, essays, poems and stories. The annual journal is partially funded by YCP, the American Philosophical Association and the Northwest Center for Philosophy for Children.
According to Kraft, because pre-college philosophy is returning to a visible position in the United States, the journal seemed like a good place for him to focus some of his energy and scholarship.
"I have learned a lot about how to teach philosophical topics through my work in pre-college philosophy, and by editing the journal I am in contact with others who do the same," he said. "This summer I am planning on teaching a section of Introduction to Philosophy that directly draws on the approaches to teaching philosophy that come out of the pre-college philosophy movement."
In addition, his own writing and research has increasingly been focused on reaching out through non-technical language to folks who would not otherwise be interested in philosophy.
"I think that my success in getting published in both The Office and Philosophy and The Red Sox and Philosophy is that I have become used to writing philosophically for non-philosophers, something that many others have not been able to do," Kraft added.
Kraft earned his PhD in philosophy from Michigan State University, his master’s degree in philosophy from American University and his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Arizona State University.
Victor Taylor, PhD, Associate Professor, English & Humanities
Taylor, a professor at York College since 1998, is the executive editor of The Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory. He began as a member of the journal's staff and then became the senior editor and, eventually, moved up to the executive editor position a few years ago.
The Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal that began in 2000. It was founded by a group of senior scholars in religious studies. The journal publishes articles, essays and reviews on the topics of religious studies, cultural studies and anything related to religion and culture.
"It is easier, I suppose, to just write one's own scholarship, but I believe it is important to take up leadership roles in one's field," he said. "Taking on the challenges of editing an academic journal or book series shows that one values the development of ideas."
Today, Taylor regularly teaches philosophy, religion, literature and writing. He doesn't require or ask students to read his books and articles, but the research that goes into producing his scholarship flows into teaching.
"Being an active scholar, I believe, makes me a much more informed and effective teacher," he said. "As the executive editor, I have the opportunity to see scholarship in process. In a sense, I see the previews of the major issues in my field of study."
Taylor earned a PhD in humanities while working with three leading figures in theology, history of religion and postmodern studies – Charles E. Winquist, Charles H. Long and Bill Readings – at Syracuse University, where he also earned his master’s degree in English and textual studies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Le Moyne College. He was also awarded fellowships by the National Endowment for the Humanities to study literature, culture and psychoanalysis.
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