Andrew Nelson

The history of Jesus as he appears in film has been white-washed for a century. Certainly white-supremacist attitudes in the motion picture industry are an explanation for this injustice; however, one explanation that has not been fully explored is the reality that whites have always felt a sense of purity concerning their racial self-view. This paper explores that possibility with the help of important thinkers who have discussed the notion of purity. Unfortunately, the appeal of purity continues presently, and must be exposed any time it is attempted, because of its rhetorical danger.  This paper has been refereed, and is in publication.

Reimagined in the midst of the Covid-19 global pandemic, and the ongoing climate crisis, John Hughes’ 1985 film The Breakfast Club proves prescient as ever, by revealing meanings previously unconsidered.  Hughes’ successful sublimation of teenage stereotypes in favor of the triumph and shortcomings of humanness serves as a springboard for a discussion of the Stoic notion of cosmopolitanism— crucial for understanding the film’s central message. Having established the basis, through which, the film’s major meaning needs to be viewed, an argument for the philosophical notion of eco-cosmopolitanism emerges by extension.  Rather than argue for a specific policy, or an approach to climate activism, the paper suggests a way, in which, all of us can imagine ourselves—as eco-cosmopolites. Just as initial, contemporary criticism of The Breakfast Club failed to acknowledge the layered nuances of the film, a deeper viewing beyond some of the surface-level criticism is necessary to understand the potential importance the film can have for all of us, as we confront a climate-disrupted ecosystem with the Covid-19 pandemic still ravaging our brothers and sisters throughout the world. This paper was published in the 2021 edition of POMPA: 
http://www.msphilassoc.org/journal-and-other-links.html

KEYWORDS: The Breakfast Club; cosmopolitanism; eco-cosmopolitanism

The West has lost its collective mind/soul.  Just look at the sociopath occupying the American presidency--the embodiment of colonial imperialism. As the result of the political/cultural turn toward sociopathy in the West, a revolution is imperative.  The revolution starts within each and every one of us. We can begin by thinking and feeling about others a little more, and thinking and feeling about ourselves a little less; hence,  my central thesis is simple--the world needs more empathy.  This paper was presented at three academic conferences in the 2017-2018 school year, and is published in the International Journal of Linguistics Literature, and Culture.  Big ups to the Editorial Board for publishing my manuscript--my second in this publication:

http://ijllc.eu/vol-5-no-2/

This paper argues for Open Educational Resources generally, and includes a link to an OER I created.  The paper was presented at two conferences in 2017, and is published in the 2017 edition of POMPA :http://www.msphilassoc.org/journal-and-other-links.html

Scholarly and critical reception to Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 thrill ride Pulp Fiction varies in tone and interpretations.  Although the film has received a vast amount of attention, scholars and critics have missed an important meaning.  Through a detailed examination of the intense closing diner scene, an opportunity exists to explore this key idea, and also to trace histories related to this emerging meaning.  Beneath the film’s visual depravity, seemingly shallow, pop-culture references, and jagged narrative structure lies a powerful message: subversion of the meaninglessness of existence can occur through service work and charitable deeds.  Jules, the key figure in Tarantino’s film, exhibits the character transformation through which an examination of charity takes place. The paper eschews typical scholarly and theoretical approaches, in favor of historical, religious, and anthropological sources in order to emphasize the importance of charity for the individual.  This manuscript was presented at two conferences, and was published in the 2016 edition of POMPA:

http://www.msphilassoc.org/journal-and-other-links.html

I will always be grateful to the editors of the International Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Culture for publishing my manuscript. This paper was presented at two conferences in the 2014-2015 academic year, and this was my first in this peer reviewed publication:

http://ijllc.eu/vol-1-no-2/

The covid pandemic, and the resulting stress students continue to endure as the result of this public health crisis demands a reassessment of teaching.  In the freshman seminar section, the opportunity arises to transform the way this class is typically taught.  Rather than teach freshman seminar in the traditional, informationally-based way, this paper argues for infusing the section with meditation and mindfulness.  This paper has been refereed, and was presented at the English faculty professional development day at Vincennes University, and at the 2023 Indiana College English Association's (ICEA) conference at the University of Southern Indiana.