Summer 2006 - Trojan Family Magazine





	Autumn 2006 FEATURES Dramatic Changes Energized by new programs, USC’s School of Theatre raises the voltage on a longstanding tradition of furnishing bright lights in the big city. By Allison Engel A Tale of Two Classes How do you teach the courage and craft required to create a believable character? In the spring, USC Trojan Family Magazine visited two advanced undergraduate acting classes. Making Debuts A snapshot of new programming at the USC School of Theatre. Kinder, Gentler Robots Computer scientist Maja Mataric´ is developing a new breed of robots programmed to infiltrate schools, hospitals, even retirement homes. By Katie Sweeney The Prolific Maja Mataric Long before she started building mechanical Florence Nightingales, the charismatic USC professor nursed an ambition to bring people and robots closer together. The Womanly Art of Robotics Teacher and researcher, education activist and women's advocate, mommy and Girl Scout leader, Maja Mataric´ is redefining what a female scientist can do. Legal Rescue In post-Katrina New Orleans, students of USC’s Gould School of Law helped residents rake through the legal rubble. Their journals bear witness to an ongoing tragedy. By Gilien Silsby ‘Things Are Not OK Down There’ On an alternative spring break to New Orleans, policy and social work graduate students get up-close and personal with the public policy and counseling dimensions of an urban crisis. COLUMNS Editor’s Note President’s Page College offers a unique place to mature as a person, as a scholar, and as a citizen of the world. Last Word Taxes are unavoidable but maybe death isn’t so iron-clad. Consider the “Living Dead.” [Last Word] Gastronomical Cartography - Answers - Summer 2006 DEPARTMENTS Mailbag Trojan readers talk back. What’s New Using arts and humanities to get students thinking about values; a research institute on US-China relations; and rededication of a Korean freedom symbol. People Watch Lloyd Armstrong learns to relax; Adam Clayton Powell III on big names and big ideas; Linda Kreger Silverman’s conundrum kids; and shutterbug Jim Reed’s stormy existence. Shelf Life The mysterious Madonna in early church politics; and a memorable book on the science behind forgetfulness. Lab Work Conference 125 considers the future of science; Steven Moldin leads Trojans to the Capitol; and bracing for long-distance quakes. Arts & Culture A minimalist’s Idomeneo; lost treasures of Soviet dissident art; and remembering the heyday of Pop print. On the cover: In the dressing room with BFA students Trevor Peterson of Duluth, Ga., and Kelli Mohrbacher of Tacoma, Wash. The two students, who have since graduated, presented a scene from George Walker’s Problem Child at the 2006 Senior Acting Showcase. Photograph by Mark Berndt