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Middle Eastern Studies Professor Wins Top Hamilton Book Award
Denise Schmandt-Besserat's "When Writing Met Art" wins $10,000 grand prize
AUSTIN, Texas -Oct. 23, 2008- Denise Schmandt-Besserat, emeritus professor of art history and Middle Eastern studies, won the $10,000 grand prize at the Hamilton Book Awards for "When Writing Met Art: From Symbol to Story," published by University of Texas Press.
"Schmandt-Besserat's pioneering investigation of the interface between writing and art documents a key turning point in human history and shows us that when writing met art, literate civilization was born," Michael Granof, chair of the University Co-operative Society, said at the Oct. 22 award ceremony.
The Hamilton Book Awards, sponsored by the University Co-operative Society and facilitated by the Office of the Vice President for Research, is the highest literary achievement awarded to authors at The University of Texas at Austin. It is named in honor of Professor Robert W. Hamilton, the Minerva House Drysdale Regents Chair in Law at the School of Law.
In "When Writing Met Art," Schmandt-Besserat draws upon examples of ancient Near Eastern writing to show that between 3500 and 3000 B.C., the conventions of writing spread to the making of art, resulting in artwork that presented complex visual narratives instead of repetitive motifs.
Professors James Loehlin and Kurt Weyland also earn prizes
Four faculty members, including two from the College of Liberal Arts, received $3,000 prizes for their books. They include:
James Loehlin, professor of English and author of "Chekhov: The Cherry Orchard," and Kurt Weyland, professor of government and author of "Bounded Rationality and Policy Diffusion: Social Sector Reform in Latin America."
Past winners of the Hamilton Book Award from the College of Liberal Arts include:
• Evan Carton, professor of English, for "Patriotic Treason: John Brown and the Soul of America;"
• L. Michael White, professor of classics, for "From Jesus to Christianity: How Four Generations of Visionaries and Storytellers Created the New Testament and Christian Faith;"
• Mounira Charrad, associate professor of sociology, for "States and Women's Rights;"
• Al Martinich, professor of philosophy, for "Hobbes: A Biography;"
• Neil Foley, associate professor of history, for "The White Scourge: Mexicans, Blacks and Poor Whites in Texas Cotton Culture;"
• Robert Kane, professor of philosophy, for "The Significance of Free Will."
Contact:
Jennifer McAndrew
Public Affairs Specialist, College of Liberal Arts
512-232-4730
jennifer.mcandrew@mail.utexas.edu
Hulan Swain
Assistant to the President, University Co-op
512-322-7071
hswain@universitycoop.com