The Scholarship@Villanova series continues on Wed., Sept. 30 at 12:30p.m. in Falvey Memorial Library’s first floor lounge with Heather J. Hicks, Ph.D. discussing her book, The Culture of Soft Work: Labor, Gender, and Race in Postmodern American Narrative. Dr. Hicks explores the meaning of being a worker in America as she highlights general labor issues of postmodernism and industrialism.

Undeniably, labor issues, general or specific, have influenced the works of contemporary writers who show how these issues represent the experience of American workers. The Culture of Soft Work captures the decline in local economy and the deterioration of the labor movement system.

Dr. Hicks has earned accolades for her ability to promote rigorous, yet healthy, public discourse. Her passion for labor issues is evident when she describes her childhood experiences in growing up in a small rural town. Her father, a labor union worker, was frequently on strike, which helped her develop a deeper understanding of the complicated labor force issues in postmodern America.

Dr. Hicks, associate professor and director of Graduate Studies in English, has taught at Villanova University for 13 years. She teaches courses in contemporary women’s literature, postmodern fiction and science fiction.

This Scholarship@Villanova event is the second in the series sponsored by Falvey and is open to the public.

Copies of The Culture of Soft Work: Labor, Gender, and Race in Postmodern American Narrative will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

By Akua K. Adoo, Publications & Communication intern