Latest news with #Brickey
Winnipeg Free Press
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
New U of W project a crash course in classic and contemporary works
The University of Winnipeg is launching a first-of-its-kind course that will introduce undergraduate students to classics, religion and Indigenous studies all at once. Four academics will co-teach Introduction to the Humanities — an experimental project that's been five years in the making — this fall. 'This is pretty unique and special, and I think it has the potential to grow into quite the feather in U of W's cap,' said Alyson Brickey, an assistant professor in the department of English. The University of Winnipeg (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files) Brickey, alongside colleagues in the faculty of arts — associate dean Brandon Christopher, associate professor Melissa Funke and professor Carlos Colorado — designed it together. They plan to take turns assigning famous texts in their respective research areas and delivering lectures to an inaugural cohort of 36. A variety of scholars with other areas of expertise are scheduled to make guest appearances to round out the comprehensive intro to the social sciences. The co-creators took inspiration from Halifax-based University of King's College. Students enrolled in its foundation year program on the East Coast spend all of their time reading and analyzing influential historic books, such as the Bible, Frankenstein and The Communist Manifesto. King's teaches this content in chronological order, but U of W will group lesson plans by theme: beginnings; self and community; love and desire; and endings. 'This might look like a 'great books' course — but in so far as it does, the four of us have been actively thinking about how the traditional canon has excluded important voices who have an awful lot to contribute to the study of big ideas,' said Colorado, a scholar of religion, politics and identity. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and Frederick Douglass's famous speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? are on the 2025-26 syllabus. It also features contemporary works, such as North End Love Songs, a 2011 collection from Winnipeg poet Katharena Vermette, and Kendrick Lamar's 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning album, To Pimp a Butterfly. The associate dean of arts said the setup will require students to both think critically about the lasting influence of historical texts and how modern-day interpretation changes their meaning. For Christopher, who researches Renaissance literature, what's most exciting about the new course is the opportunity to learn from his colleagues on a regular basis. It's rare to be able to sit in on a colleague's lecture, let alone teach alongside them, he noted. 'The way we teach things is often siloed, but nothing happens in a vacuum,' he said, adding that the interdisciplinary nature of the course will allow students to make connections between texts and disciplines, from rhetoric to philosophy. Brickey echoed those comments. She said their goal is to encourage more 'cross-pollination' among professors and students as they consider big questions about the history of human thought. Introduction to the Humanities was designed to be a first-year course spanning two semesters (MULT-1301 and MULT-1302) for a total of 12 credits. Registration is underway. As is standard in foundational humanities classes, there will be an emphasis on essay writing 101 and group presentations. Much of the allotted time will be spent in intimate tutorial settings. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Funke called it 'the ultra U of W experience.' Students are going to get to know each other and four professors 'very well,' in addition to becoming anchored in the community on campus, said the researcher who is interested in Greek literature and gender and sexuality. There are 1,422 courses scheduled to run in 2025-26. Last year, four in 10 students at U of W were working towards an arts major of some kind. Roughly half of all pupils were in an arts classroom on the downtown campus at some point. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Axios
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Immersive game show experience in Charlotte gives players a shot at $100K
An interactive game show experience with a $100K grand prize recently opened its first Charlotte location in the Belmont neighborhood. Why it matters: The Game Show Challenge is the latest in a wave of immersive entertainment venues popping up across the city, from escape rooms to other game-show style attractions. What to expect: In one hour, players partake in four to five fast-paced games, inspired by popular game shows, from "Family Feud" to "Minute to Win It," explains creator and managing partner Josh Brickey. Think "Spin to Win," similar to "Wheel of Fortune," where, depending on where the wheel lands, you might have to confess a secret or bust a dance move in front of the group. Like a real game show, there are buzzers, a live host and producer to keep things moving. The intrigue: A recently added bonus round called "The Perfect Eight" gives players a chance to win $100K. How it works: One contestant per game gets the chance to roll eight custom dice. If every die lands on the winning side, that person walks away with $100,000. Yes, but: No one has taken home $100K yet. Brickey says the odds of winning are about 1 in 1.16 million. Even if you don't win the grand cash prize, you can still win real prizes, like gift cards from local businesses and branded merch, says Brickey. The vibe: The experience is customized for each group, from kids' birthday parties to company outings, says Brickey, adding no one will have the same experience twice. All games are developed in-house. Flashback: Husband-and-wife duo Josh and Patty Brickey opened the flagship Game Show Challenge in Columbia, SC, in late 2019 next to their former escape room business, Escape Plan Columbia. It has since expanded to Greenville, SC; Charlotte, and most recently, Atlanta. Fun fact: Josh Brickey is an ordained minister, and Patty is a chiropractor. But together, they've built a career in immersive entertainment. Josh says he stumbled into the business after reading an article about escape rooms a decade ago. What's next: New games are coming soon, including a trivia-style game called "Brain Buzz." They're also working on food and drink partnerships with local businesses and hope to eventually record games so guests can receive "highlight reels" of their experience. If you go: Tickets are $35.97 per person. Bookings must have a minimum of six people ages seven or older. Stop by: 933 Louise Ave., in the same plaza as Hygee Coworking, The Royal Tot and BATL Axe Throwing.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Scott County braces for winter weather after flooding
SCOTT COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) – As Scott County, Virginia is still in a declared state of emergency after widespread flooding, county officials are now preparing for forecasted snow to hit. Jeff Brickey, Scott County Emergency Management Coordinator, said most of the impacted areas of flooding occurred around the Clinch River. 'So far, it's spread pretty evenly across Scott County and this includes the damage to private roads,' Brickey said. 'We've had several homes that have had damage and flooding to them. We've also had blockages in drains and tiles and that type of thing.' Brickey said they know of seven people at the time who have been displaced from their homes. Emergency shelters were ready just in case anyone needed a place to stay. He said those who were displaced had relatives to stay with or other places to go. 'We're doing damage assessment to determine the damage to homes, businesses within the community, and that'll be going on for several days. We'll also be working with our partners with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and FEMA in order to secure assistance for individuals who need that assistance in the county.' The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is handling much of the road damage. Michelle Earl, a VDOT spokesperson, sent News Channel 11 a statement saying around 100 roads in the Bristol 12-county region were impacted by flooding, and crews are checking roads and bridges for damage. 'In addition to efforts due to flooding, staff are working to prepare for Wednesday's predicted winter weather. Brining operations will take place midday Tuesday on Interstate 81 in Washington, Smyth and Wythe counties and on Interstate 77 in Bland and Wythe counties. Plans for winter weather response will be further refined Tuesday. ' Michelle Earl, VDOT Brickey said Scott County has emergency plans in place for upcoming winter weather and plans to have emergency shelters ready again. 'We normally encourage folks to stock up on nonperishable items, food items and that type of thing, make sure their vehicles are fueled up and gassed and everything is in good shape on their vehicles, check their propane levels on their homes and their heating equipment to make sure it's operating properly,' Brickey said. He also encourages people to pay attention to the weather forecast to stay up to date. 'Any changes that might impact their travel, plan ahead. We tell people, when it comes to water across roadways, turn around don't drown.' Hurricane Helene also affected Scott County. Brickey said they are still recovering from that damage. 'We're still seeing a lot of effects of that, where we had a lot of trees that were knocked down and blown over and those have fallen into streams. So that's had some impact on the flooding by holding back water in some places.' Brickey said those who have damage can call the Scott County government offices at 276-386-6521 or him at 423-335-8821. The Virginia Department of Energy (VDEM) also has a form where you can self-report damage. Information about shelter locations will be listed on the Scott County government website and their E-911 website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
