Humanities, History & Social Sciences News

First LAS Dean’s Award for Cultural Studies Given to 2009 Grad 
John R. Thompson

John R. Thompson, a 2009 Columbia College Chicago graduate, is the first recipient of the LAS Dean’s Award for the Outstanding B.A. Thesis in Cultural Studies.
 
Thompson was recognized by the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences for his thesis, “Homo/genous Territories: Queer Youth and the Struggle for Public Space in Chicago’s  Boystown.” His work explores the complex history and politics in the popular Chicago neighborhood, noting that “in between the ‘trendy fashion outlets’ and rainbow flags,” the area has “a complicated history entwined in the politics of race, class and urban development.”

The award was granted through a selection process conducted by the Cultural Studies Program faculty in the Department of Humanities, History, and Social Sciences, and an ensuing review by Deborah Holdstein, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and other staff in the dean’s office.

Dr. Holdstein praised Thompson’s work, which set him apart from considerable competition for the award.

“I note the interdisciplinary and well-researched nature of the work, drawing from history, sociology, urban studies, literary theory, film studies and other areas relevant to your research,” Dr. Holdstein wrote in her award letter to Thompson. “Thank you for honoring your education at Columbia College Chicago and the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences – and the excellent faculty who have worked with you – with this very strong thesis.”

Ann Hetzel Gunkel, Ph.D., director of Cultural Studies at Columbia College Chicago, also commended Thompson for his work as an undergraduate student.

“I can't think of a better way to honor one of our brightest, most thoughtful and promising students,” she said.

This year, the award includes a $250 monetary prize.