GC&SU professors noted for publications

Two professors at Georgia College & State University have recently had books published in areas of their respective expertise.

Dr. Santiago Garcia Castanon, a professor in the department of modern foreign languages, has published his third book of poetry, “Lo Que Queda”, which is translated to “What Remains.”

“It’s a book of poetry,” said Castanon. “The united theme is looking back in nostalgia at all the things one has to leave behind to reach the point where one is right now.”

Castanon is certainly not a newcomer to the literary scene. His first book of poetry was published in 1994, while his first book was published in 1990. Castanon said though the book is somewhat “limited to those who understand Spanish,” there is a possibility of having a public reading of the book at GC&SU.

Also upcoming for Castanon is the release of his eighth book, “Verdadera Relacion de la Grandeza del Reino de China,” which is translated to “True Accounts of the Greatness of the Kingdom of China.” This is a “previously unpublished manuscript” discovered by Castanon in
Madrid’s National Library.

The book, dated 1575, is by Miguel de Luarca, a 16th Century sailor and explorer.

“It’s going to be a major event because the person who wrote this was the first Spaniard who traveled to China with credentials,” said Castanon.

Castanon said the author wrote accounts of the society he observed in China. Though the book was never published, it was plagiarized by a Dominican friar in the 1580′s.

Castanon has been working on the critical edition for four and a half years. Since the original copy has no punctuation or capitalization, Castanon had to “recreate the original meaning.” He also had to write an introduction with critical information, as well as footnotes. The book will be released in Spain within the next month.

Professor and Chair of Modern Foreign Languages Dr. Roger Noel said he is proud of Castanon’s accomplishment.

“He’s a prolific writer and also a poet, so I’m very pleased to have him in the department,” said Noel.

Dr. Jim Winchester, professor in the department of government and sociology, also recently had his second book published. “Aesthetics Across the Color Line: Why Nietzsche (sometimes) Can’t Sing the Blues,” is a book that Winchester said asks the question, “Does our race play a role in the way we judge art?”

Winchester said he began pondering this question while teaching Philosophy of Art at Spelman College in Atlanta, a historically black college for women. He said the course, which he will also be teaching at GC&SU next semester, looks at how to judge art “disinterestedly and objectively” and led him to ponder the questions that produced his most recent book.

Winchester said the book is really about how art is judged across racial borders. He said he believes that though there are many interpretations of art, it can be understood across these lines.

“You can understand art across the racial lines, but only if you study the culture out of which it comes,” he said.

Winchester had an important reason for wanting to write this book, which he worked on for about seven years.

“I wanted to make a contribution to greater racial understanding, particularly between blacks and whites in the United States, because I think we can understand each other’s art if we study the culture out of which the art comes,” he said.

Winchester said art is hard to understand because no one has the “final word” about the artwork’s actual meaning.

“Art always escapes our ability to grasp it,” he said.

Winchester said a favorite saying is that “some people know more, but nobody know it all,” noting that everyone can learn from other’s interpretations.

Government and Sociology Department Chair Dr. Michael Digby said he is very impressed with Winchester’s efforts, particularly because this is his first year at GC&SU.

“One of the things that I’m very impressed about is that he was able to get his work finished in the first year here,” he said. “That’s just extraordinarily impressive to me. It’s quite an achievement.”

Winchester’s newest book should be available at the GC&SU bookstore, as well as at the websites of Amazon and Barnes & Nobles.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 25 2002. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry