December 21, 2021    
 
Short List
 
News for the UChicago community
 
 
 
Today marks the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—and the final issue of Short List for 2021. We would like to thank you for reading and giving us space in your in-box.
 
If your New Year’s resolution is to read more, note that our first two items offer some book recommendations—including one with beautiful (albeit inscrutable to many) mathematical experiments. Or if you’re looking for space to reflect during this hectic time of year, don’t miss the Postscript to learn how to make a labyrinth.
 
We wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season and look forward to saying hello again when we resume Short List on January 11, 2022.
 
 
       
  Top of mind    
 
 
1. Math masterpieces
 
Two UChicago professors inspired a photography book that captures the beauty of mathematicians’ chalkboard experiments. More 
 
Learn how an alumni-led program teaches calculus to fifth graders.
 
 
 
2. Choose your own adventure
 
Build your holiday syllabus with recent faculty books. Whether you pick literature, history, ecology, or film, your academic adventure awaits. More 
 
Browse recent alumni books on avian communication, the quest for contentment, and more.
 
Check out some book recommendations from UChicago faculty and staff.
 
 
 
3. The anxiety of acceptance parenting
 
In a piece selected for Best American Essays 2021, philosopher Agnes Callard considers a quandary facing modern parents: they’re “pre-committed to acceptance” but ignorant of what they may be asked to accept from their children. More 
 
Get a macroeconomic perspective on raising children.
 
 
       
  Plus . . .    
 
 
Public safety update  +  Council to examine history, relationship of UChicago and South Side  +  New University librarian named  +  COVID-19 Q&A  +  Chicago’s gerrymandering  +  See more stories
 
 
       
  Things to do    
 
December 28
 
 
 
January 15–17
 
Celebrate and honor MLK’s legacy with a day of service 
 
         
         
    See more things to do    
         
         
 
       
  On the job    
 
Job of the week
 
Research specialist, Loyola University Chicago 
 
         
         
    See more jobs    
         
         
 
 
 
Professional development
 
January 19
 
Learn to speak tech 
 
         
         
    See more job resources    
         
         
 
 
       
  In memoriam    
 
 
Allan Rechtschaffen
 
 
Allan Rechtschaffen, 1927–2021
 
Studying the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation, Rechtschaffen led the UChicago Sleep Laboratory for more than 40 years. More 
 
 
       
  Postscript    
 
 
Walk like a Cretan
 
The transition from the old year to the new is often a time for reflection. Let Brent House’s Rev. Stacy Alan show you how to make a labyrinth—cookies optional—and go deep within yourself. More 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The University of Chicago Alumni and Friends
 
 
 
The University of Chicago
5801 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
1.800.955.0065