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RELEASED: Feb. 26, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—Senior Sarah Hermann's research paper on conflict in Northern Ireland has been published in The Pierian Spring, an undergraduate research journal for the humanities.
"Art and Activism: Heaney's Response to Conflict in Northern Ireland" was the first essay featured in the publication. The Pierian Spring is an outlet for the best work being done by undergraduate students in the Associated Colleges of the South (http://www.colleges.org/), of which Centre is a member.
Hermann, a double major in English and Spanish from Louisville, Ky., wrote the piece last year for her Irish literature course taught by Helen Emmitt, associate professor of English. Emmitt encouraged Hermann to submit her work to the journal.
In her paper, Hermann examines how poet Seamus Heaney explores the Catholic/Protestant conflict in Northern Ireland, his homeland.
Last month Hermann took part in the CentreTerm course "Ireland: Literature and Landscape." The class, developed by Emmitt and led by Professor of English Maryanne Ward, spent nearly three weeks in Ireland. Three-fourths of Centre students study abroad during their time at Centre.
"Visiting sites that have been central to Irish history and culture from 3,000 B.C. until today certainly helped me to understand works better that I read in my Irish literature course," Hermann says.
This spring Hermann is taking "Contemporary Irish Poetry," which examines the works of about a dozen poets currently writing in the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland. Emmitt teaches the course.
"As we read the works concerning certain places, I've repeatedly thought, 'Hey, I've been there!' " Hermann says.
Hermann is a John C. Young Scholar. This competitive program provides stipends for a select number of Centre seniors to pursue advanced research with a Centre faculty member. Hermann's project, titled "Portrayals of Childhood in Northern Irish Poetry," examines how Protestant/Catholic troubles in Northern Ireland are depicted in the works of contemporary Northern Irish poets as they describe their childhoods. Emmitt is serving as Hermann's faculty mentor.
Hermann is a highly active student at Centre. She's a resident advisor, Panhellenic Council president, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was selected as a national outstanding campus leader by "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges."
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