Arts and Sciences in the News

A Rutgers University department devoted to the study of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia has long been known for its expansive scholarship and course offerings, everything from “The Bible in Aramaic” to “Intermediate Swahili" to "Storytelling in the Muslim World."

As a historian, Tatiana Seijas is drawn to the struggles of ordinary people—those living without privilege or power in the colonial era, when European powers were colonizing the Americas. Her latest book tells stories of essential workers in the 1600s —coachmen, barbers, and food vendors—who strived to gain economic stability in what was then the largest city in the Americas, a globalized society with massive disparities in wealth, privilege, and power.

The ODASIS program, which stands for Office for Development and Academic Success in the Sciences, is marking 40 years of shaping Rutgers students who aspire to become doctors or other healthcare professionals, helping them prevail through the challenging and intimidating courses—such as organic chemistry and calculus—that they’ll need for their future calling.

"My Friend Manny" weaves science and history into a work of fiction for children. He roamed the Earth thousands of years ago, navigating his massive, elephant-like body through North American forests and using his tusks to strip the bark off trees for his dinner.

A lunchtime book discussion by the Department American Studies featured a conversation between SAS professors Jameson Sweet and Maya Mikdashi, the only Native American faculty members on the Rutgers University–New Brunswick campus.

The scholars who came from around the world to Rutgers for a conference on artificial intelligence didn't meet in the science halls of Busch Campus. And they didn't dive into topics like robotics and neural networks.

It was the moment Dinesh Patel had been waiting for. The 22-year-old with a knack for organic chemistry was leaving his home in India for Ph.D. studies at Rutgers University.

Tom Arlotto grew up in a Jersey City neighborhood that was vibrantly Italian, from the mouthwatering pastry at Monteleone’s Bakery to the beautifully expressive Italian masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church.

In 1930s America, a notorious far-right group openly supported Adolf Hitler, spread racist and antisemitic propaganda, and drew 20,000 people to a rally at Madison Square Garden. The German American Bund was outlawed in the early 1940s after the U.S. entered World War II and the group faded into history.