Interviewed nine Hollywood composers affiliated with the University of Southern California Department of Scoring for Television and Film, some of whom had received the Grammy and/or Emmy award. Interviewed the Italian director Lina Wertmuller in Cinecittà, regarding the importance of music to her film art. Analyzed rhetorical/interpretive issues, including the relations among musical, verbal, and visual texts; compositional processes; and collaborative strategies. (See publications/ presentations.)

In Botany

Conducted multiple interviews of a former editor of the American Journal of Botany. Gathered data regarding his responses to an 80-year sample of visual representations from that journal. Critiqued responses within a theoretical framework informed by the anthropologist Bruno Latour. Developed guidelines for communications professionals interested in visual rhetoric. (See publications/presentations.)

In Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language

Collaborated with the review editor of TESOL Quarterly to create what may be the first advanced ESL textbook organized around the principles of classical rhetoric.

With a visiting scholar from Tunis suggested new core course requirements in ESL M.A. and Ph.D. programs in the United States. Curricula should be created for, or revised to include, (1) the history and significance of world Englishes, (2) a variety of postcolonial perspectives, especially on the past and ongoing use of English in the spread of Christianity in less economically developed lands, and (3) the problematic of international development, from the standpoint of individuals within target countries. (See presentations.)

In Cultural Studies

Collaborated with a colleague in literature to assess a multicultural learning community in a midwestern, predominantly White university. Based findings on surveys of and interviews with more than 100 first-year students participating in the community. Was instrumental in the program's being funded at a significantly higher level than requested, during an academic year in which the university experienced a $15.4-million budget shortfall. Considered the administrative, institutional, political, and personal challenges attending programs of this type and suggested ways of broadening curricula. (See publications/presentations.)

In Religious Studies

Conducted interviews of four devout women from different faith traditions--an African American Baptist, a Sri Lankan Buddhist, a Canadian Jew, and an Iranian Muslim. Gathered data about how they used religion to resist what they perceived as a materialist and inimical secularism. Considered these responses in light of Stuart Hall's articulation theory and Gramsci's critique of the notion of false consciousness. (See publications/presentations.)