header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 8
1946 - Dedication of newly constructed William S. Hart High School [story]
dedication


Iswari Pandey, a professor of English at California State University, Northridge, has won the 2017 Advancement of Knowledge Award for his book “South Asian in the Mid-South: Migrations of Literacies” from the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Pandey’s book analyzes how recent South Asian immigrants form and transform their language and cultural practices as a result of migration and contact with other cultures in the United States. He interviewed more than 70 immigrants representing different walks of life and faith traditions — including Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims — and observed cultural and educational practices at community spaces, as well as presentations by these community members at religious and secular institutions.

Writing the book in its current format was not his original plan, Pandey said.

“I originally wanted to do a case study, but as I gathered my information, I was getting deeper into the thick of things — deeper into a treasure trove of knowledge about how languages and cultures are recreated as a result of relocation,” Pandey said. “The immigrants were not simply importing their cultures to their new homes. They were also heavily invested in reshaping what their authentic culture should be like, discussing and interpreting different texts, to select the most appropriate ones for their children’s literacy education in relation to history and contemporary culture.

“The central concern of this book is how literacies migrate and how immigrants invent and reinvent — or define and redefine — their identities as people belonging to multiple spaces and cultures,” he said. “They work to understand this multiplicity and recast their own identities, while ensuring that their children feel the same connection through language and other cultural practices.”

Some of the practices Pandey observed during his research surprised him. He said they challenge the accepted wisdom that immigrants, especially the first generation, bring their native culture and eventually blend into the “melting pot” by the third generation. The book also tackles technology’s effects on this paradigm shift.

Immigrants use today’s connected global society as an asset, to share their experiences across cultures, he said.

“With globalization and new technologies, there’s a two-way exchange of culture and information that has tremendous implications for how cultures transform and language learning takes place today,” he said.

According to a press release from the NCTE, the Advancement of Knowledge Award honors “an empirical research publication in the previous two years that most advances writing studies.” The award selection committee praised Pandey’s work as a “robust, engaging read” that articulates a “viable and adaptable methodology to study literacy in motion.” He will accept the award at the 2017 CCCC Annual Convention on March 17 in Portland, Ore.

He said he feels honored to receive the award and have his research recognized. He is working on two new books — one focused on global English practices, especially how the language is learned by marginalized student populations labeled “remedial” in higher education. The second book is centered on non-Western rhetoric and knowledge systems, primarily in South Asia.

Pandey, who earned a Ph.D. at the University of Louisville, has taught in the U.S. and his native Nepal. He joined the faculty at CSUN in 2013 and has taught courses in writing, rhetoric and postcolonial studies, while also directing the English program in business and professional communication.

His love of teaching diverse students and the value of writing instruction serve as Pandey’s major motivations, he said.

“Teaching writing is one of the rare opportunities where by the end of a semester, I begin to see tangible results in my students’ work,” he said. “Writing is essential to so many things we do in a democratic, documentary society, and I’ve always loved teaching and just being with students in the classroom or out in the community.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS
LOCAL COLLEGE HEADLINES
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024
PBS SoCal has announced the 33 student finalists for the 25th season of the Fine Cut Festival of Films, showcasing the talents of emerging filmmakers from across Southern California.
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024
The Family Engagement Team in the Office of Student Affairs at California Institute of the Arts is seeking participation from Santa Clarita Valley businesses during the school's annual Family Weekend Oct. 18-20.
Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024
California State University, Northridge microbiologist Cristian Ruiz Rueda has dedicated his career to developing novel ways of preventing and treating infectious diseases caused by bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics. 
Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024
Documentaries will take the spotlight in California State University, Northridge’s Fall 2024 Cinematheque series, which begins Sept. 18 and runs through Dec. 4.
Monday, Sep 2, 2024
Evidence of further turmoil at College of the Canyons continues with the resignation of Jerry De Felice, the chief development officer of the College of the Canyons Foundation. ttelman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72447320218?pwd=aVOeeiS36F5EddU5snNoAVoUKq5YTw.1
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1946 - Dedication of newly constructed William S. Hart High School [story]
dedication
1933 - Birth of the late John Fuller, local banker, co-founder of Henry Mayo Hospital, and VP of CalArts [obituary]
John Fuller
Caltrans announced northbound Interstate 5 will be reduced to two lanes from Lake Hughes Road to two miles north of Templin Highway (near the Whitaker Sand Shed) north of Castaic overnights Monday, Sept. 9 through Friday, Sept. 13 from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Sept. 9-13: Overnight Lane Closures Resume for NB I-5
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has announced that Saugus Union School District had 15 schools among the 879 schools nationwide to be awarded and named America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2023-2024 school year.
SUSD has 15 Schools on America’s Healthiest Schools List
On Sunday, Oct. 13, Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra opens the 2024-2025 season with “Young Stars and Old Masters” at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center.
Oct. 13: Young Musicians to Kick off SCSO Season
The National Weather Service, which early this week warned of the intense heat wave from San Luis Obispo County all the way down to San Diego County, has announced the excessive heat warning will last in the Santa Clarita Valley until 8 p.m. Monday.
National Weather Service Extends Excessive Heat Warning Thru Monday
The Saugus High School Instrumental Music and Booster Club's "All Valley Showcase", sponsored by Scriptz will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. at Valencia High School, 27801 Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.
Sept. 21: Saugus High’s Instrumental Music Club Hosts ‘All Valley Showcase’
Agua Dulce Winery is back on the market with a reduced price of $10,888,000. It is now listed with by Mike Goldfarb, an agent affiliated with the Beverly Hills office of Coldwell Banker Realty.
Agua Dulce Winery Back on Market for $10,888,000
California Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has delivered a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom inviting him to tour the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, where an underground chemical fire continues to impact the environment, health, safety and wellbeing of residents in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Wilk Calls on Governor Newsom to Visit Chiquita Canyon Landfill
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports that of the 40 rabid bats found in Los Angeles County in 2024, 16 of those rabid bats have been found in the Santa Clarita Valley. The latest cases of rabid bats found in the county include two bats found in September, both found in the SCV.
Rabid Bats Found in Santa Clarita Valley
Circle of Hope will host a fundraiser Wednesday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. at Handel's Homemade Ice cream located at 25880 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381.
Sept. 11: Circle of Hope Handel’s Ice Cream Fundraiser
Students from the West Ranch High School marching band will put down their instruments and pick up sponges and buckets to take part in the band’s annual “Wet Ranch” car wash fundraiser tol be held Saturday Sept. 14.
Sept. 14: West Ranch Marching Band Car Wash Fundraiser
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, College of the Canyons, city of Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and America's Job Centers of California will host the Santa Clarita Job Fair, Friday, Oct. 18.
Oct. 18: Santa Clarita Job Fair to be Held at COC
Child & Family Center invites Santa Clarita residents to a free movie screening and discussion of the original hit film Inside Out on Friday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. at 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 13: Child & Family Center ‘Inside Out’ Movie Screening
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.
Kathryn Barger | Do Your Part to Prevent Wildfires
1975 - Saugus High School opens [yearbook]
1976 yearbook photo
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will be jumping and jiving when they celebrate the days of poodle skirts and pompadours with “SCV History Hops: Back to the ‘50s” on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Oct.19: SCV History Hops: Back to the ‘50s to Launch Fundraising Drive
After being part of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the early 90s and spending nearly 30 years on the City Council, my life has been dedicated to creating a community where residents and businesses feel welcomed and safe here in Santa Clarita.
Laurene Weste | Creating Community at The Roller Rink
This year's SCAA Art Classic and Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1-5 p.m. along with a viewing Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at The Centre, 20880 Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA. 91350.
Sept. 28-29: SCAA Art Classic 2024 and Viewing
PBS SoCal has announced the 33 student finalists for the 25th season of the Fine Cut Festival of Films, showcasing the talents of emerging filmmakers from across Southern California.
CalArtian Filmmakers Selected for 2024 ‘Fine Cut Festival of Films’
Santa Clarita Sister Cities, in partnership with the city of Santa Clarita, have announced the winners of the 2024 Young Artists and Authors Showcase.
Santa Clarita Students Win Local, International Awards
The city of Santa Clarita invites non-profit organizations interested in learning more about the 2025 grant cycle of the Community Services and Arts Grants Program to attend a webinar via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
Sept. 19: City Hosts Non-Profit Informational Zoom Meeting for Grants
William S. Hart School District and Valencia High School will host the first ever International Cultural Festival Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5-8:30 p.m. at the Valencia High School campus, 27801 North Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.
Sept. 18: Valencia High School Inaugural International Cultural Festival
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with county agricultural commissioners have announced after a year of hard work all populations of invasive fruit flies have been eradicated from California.
USDA, CDFA Declare California Free of Invasive Fruit Flies
SCVNews.com