Select Page

Spotlight on Innovations in Teaching and Learning

ITL-bibliographic-issues-spotlightStudents are often faced with the challenge of writing research papers in which they need to reference multiple sources and provide a properly formatted works cited list (bibliography) at the end, all while avoiding plagiarism. To address this need the Biology Department developed a module for the required sophomore seminar course that teaches students how to handle in-text citations, works cited lists and the use of bibliographic databases.

To encourage students to learn how to integrate information from different sources without plagiarizing, students are provided with several different short “articles” about the Biology Department and asked to create a paragraph that combines information from at least three of the sources.  The students are asked to use appropriate in-text citations.  Then, the students must complete a series of works cited lists for their paragraph that follow three different formats so they will learn about the differences in style and will recognize the different components of a citation.

Finally, the students are taught how to use Zotero, a free bibliographic database that is capable of generating in-text citations and works cited lists, automatically formatted to the specifications of common journals.  They must search for a citation, import it into a shared database and use the program to generate sample citations.  These skills should serve them well both in future classes and in their careers as scientists.

Submitted by: Sara Morris, PhD, associate vice president, academic affairs

Goo Goo Dolls Headline “Artists for Autism” Concert to Benefit the IAR

The Goo Goo Dolls will headline a concert to benefit the Canisius Institute for Autism Research on Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, SUNY Buffalo State. The event, “Artists for Autism,” will also feature performances by singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski and violinist and vocalist Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs.

“Artists for Autism” was created by renowned producer Armand Petri, who has worked with the Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, Sixpence None the Richer, and many other artists. Petri’s son, who is autistic, showed great improvement in his social and communication skills after participating in one of the IAR’s programs. To bring greater awareness about the work of the Institute for Autism Research, Petri asked friends John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Ramsey and Kubinski to perform a benefit concert. The artists offered their full support.

Rzeznik, Ramsey and Kubinski recorded a new version of “Not So Different,” to be released on the day of the concert, April 16. All proceeds from the song will also benefit the Institute for Autism Research.

The concert will open with a short set by Kubinski, who will then be joined by Ramsey and guitarist Jeff Erickson to perform songs from the 10,000 Maniacs catalog. An acoustic set from the Goo Good Dolls will highlight the evening. The premiere performance of “Not so Different” will conclude the show.

Tickets ($30, $35, $125 VIP) go on sale at 9 a.m. today, March 16, through the Rockwell Hall Box Office, Buffalostatepac.org and by calling 716-878-3005 (charge by phone).

Submitted by: Public Relations

Fitzpatrick Series to Welcome John Sides Tonight

John Sides10665So, how does the presidential race look to you now?  Does Trump have a clear path to the nomination?  Is there any way for Bernie to stop Hillary?  And what does all this mean for the general election?

John Sides, PhD, associate professor of political science at George Washington University, will explain tonight at 7 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge. His lecture, entitled “Who Will Win the White House? How to Understand the Unpredictable 2016 Campaign,” is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is presented by The William H. Fitzpatrick Chair of Political Science Lecture Series.

The 2016 presidential primary has flummoxed political observers and even some of the candidates themselves. How can we make sense of such an unpredictable campaign season?  By drilling into the data, Sides tries to explain Hillary Clinton’s dominance, the Republican Party’s disarray and Donald Trump’s long tenure at the top of the polls. The results will help illuminate how we choose presidential nominees, and who might next occupy the White House.

Sides studies public opinion and American elections.  He is the co-author of a book about the 2012 campaign, The Gamble. Sides helped found and contributes to The Monkey Cage, a political science blog that is now part of The Washington Post. He has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post’s Wonkblog, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Salon, Boston Review and Bloomberg View.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations at Ext. 2790.

Submitted by: Public Relations

Women’s Lacrosse Hosts Fifth-Ranked Louisville

TK8A0065Looking to watch a great women’s lacrosse game? Then stop by the Demske Sports Complex today as your Golden Griffins (2-2) hosts the fifth-ranked Louisville Cardinals (7-1) at 4:00 p.m.

It’s a rare treat to have the opportunity to see a team ranked this highly visit the Canisius campus. Louisville already owns wins over Notre Dame and Northwestern and is coming off their only loss of the season at Duke. Your Griffs have split their first four games this season however, they are the favorites to win the MAAC crown.

There is no admission charge for the game. For additional information, visit www.GoGriffs.com.

Submitted by: John Maddock, associate athletic director, external affairs

Student/Faculty Recital

This Sunday, March 20, the Fine Arts/Music program, along with ArtsCanisius, presents the Spring Student/Faculty Recital at 3:00 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center.  The concert features a wide variety of music for piano, voice and piano, and percussion by Accurso, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Liszt, Monteverdi, Mozart and Torelli.

Student performers include pianists Victoria Erdman, Miyoko Ito, Owen Liu, Benjamin Parlato and Henry Welsby; vocalists Michael Alessi, Devon Bradley, and Kayla Goodman; and percussionists Rommie Arringiton, Amayia Campbell, Taryn Jessen, James Pokomowski, and Kevin Pryles.

Faculty performers include percussionist Bob Accurso and pianists Frank Scinta and Melissa Thorburn.  This concert is free and open to the public.

Submitted by: Ellen Barnum, director, ArtsCanisius