This unprecedented anthology asks thirty-six leading literary and cultural critics to elaborate on the nature of their profession. With the humanities feeling the pinch of financial and political pressures, and its disciplines resting on increasingly uncertain conceptual ground, there couldn't be a better time for critics to reassert their widespread relevance and purpose. These credos boldly defend the function of criticism in contemporary society and showcase its vitality in the era after theory. Essays address literature and politics, with some focusing on the sorry state of higher education and others concentrating on teaching and the fate of the humanities. All reflect the critics' personal, particular experiences. Deeply personal and engaging, these stories move, amuse, and inspire, ultimately encouraging the reader to develop his or her own critical credo with which to approach the world. Reflecting on the past, looking forward to the future, and committed to the power of productive critical thought, this volume proves the value of criticism for today's skeptical audiences. Contributors: Andrew Ross, Amitava Kumar, Lisa Lowe, Vincent B. Leitch, Craig Womack, Jeffrey J. Williams, Marc Bousquet, Katie Hogan, Michelle A. Massé, John Conley, Heather Steffen, Paul Lauter, Cary Nelson, David B. Downing, Barbara Foley, Michael Bérubé, Victor Cohen, Gerald Graff, William Germano, Ann Pellegrini, Bruce Robbins, Kenneth Warren, Diana Fuss, Lauren Berlant, Toril Moi, Morris Dickstein, Rita Felski, David R. Shumway, Mark Bauerlein, Devoney Looser, Stephen Burt, Mark Greif, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Mark McGurl, Frances Negrón-Muntaner, Judith Jack Halberstam

There are many conferences, workshops and meetings annually around the world, each emphasizing a specialty area for scientific exploration and research. Yet in very few instances, if at all, do the multidisciplinary aspects of science get presented so one may see the diversity of dependencies these seemingly disparate disciplines actually have. The Explorers Club and the U. S. National Park Service collaborated to make a first attempt at what will continue to be an "ocean pulse'" effort; conferences combining the aquaculture sciences; the search for underwater antiquities and the marinelbio-technologies utilized to explore these areas. The purpose has been to bring together not just academicians to talk about their finding in the field or the laboratory, but to provide a forum for the practical applications of "technology" to expanding our worlds fisheries as well as to continue to explore our world's oceans; the earth's truly last frontier. After everything is said and done, we still know precious little about our ocean environments. Their influences on our lives are monumental and yet we continue to be very parochial and conservative in our dedication to exploring their depths and resources. We feel confident that this initial effort by our respective groups to awaken a realization in the public and private sectors of the need for a cross-disciplinary approach to scientific research in the marine environment, is a necessity as we approach the 21 st century. Kevin C.

Dialectic: The Pulse of Freedom is now widely regarded as a classic of contemporary philosophy. Written by the renowned founder of the philosophy of critical realism, first published in 1993, this book sets itself three main aims: the development of a general theory of dialectic – of which Hegelian dialectic can be seen to be a special case; the dialectical enrichment and deepening of critical realism – into the system of dialectical critical realism; and the outline of the elements of a totalizing critique of Western philosophy.

Examining the complex relationship between art and therapy, Pulse takes as its starting point the seminal work of Joseph Beuys and Lygia Clark, whose respective artistic practices promoted curative effects. From these pioneers spawns a generation of contemporary artists who consider art as sites for restorative activity: Gretchen Bender and Bill T. Jones, Tania Bruguera, Cai Guo-Qiang, Felix Gonzelez-Torres, Irene and Christine Hohenbuchler, Leonilson, Wolfgang Laib, David Medalla, Ernesto Neto, Hannah Wilke and Richard Yarde. In addition to documentation of these artists' works, Pulse provides theoretical, historical and critical insight into this subject via essays by Sander Gilman, author of many volumes on the relationship between art, science and medicine; Sandra Alvarez de Toledo, a Paris-based author and curator; Thierry Davila, Curator of Capc, Bordeaux and author of L'Art Medicine; Jessica Morgan, curator of the related exhibition and newly appointed curator at the Tate Modern; and Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, professor of African American studies at Harvard University.

Introduces the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Includes NIST news and general information, technology program, manufacturing extension partnership, laboratory programs, measurement services, campus information, and other sites. Provides information on the Baldrige Quality Program. Posts contact information via e-mail, telephone and fax numbers, and mailing address. Notes that NIST is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration.