SU English professor Yaffe receives Roger Shattuck Prize in criticism
David Yaffe has always been able to best express himself through words.
The assistant professor of English at Syracuse University will be awarded the 2012 Roger Shattuck Prize for Criticism, which honors two critics with rising potential who also have a substantial body of work.
Yaffe, who began his journalism career as a writer for his high school paper, has worked as a music critic published in the Nation, the Village Voice, Harper’s Magazine and the New Republic, among others.
He has also written two books, ‘Bob Dylan: Like a Complete Unknown’ and ‘Fascinating Rhythm: Reading Jazz in American Writing,’ which have both been praised by academics and literary critics alike, according to an April 18 SU News release.
Yaffe said he decided to become a music critic when he found his ability to sense praise-worthy music was better than his actual musical talent.
Other critics such as Adam Kirsch, Marcela Valdes and Marco Roth have previously won the award. Yaffe said he was in disbelief upon hearing the news of his award, as he assumed the odds were not in his favor.
George Langford, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, called Yaffe one of the college’s ‘great success stories,’ according to the release.
‘His receipt of the Shattuck Prize is emblematic of our commitment to cutting-edge scholarship,’ Langford said in the release.
Yaffe has been a member of SU’s English department since 2005, teaching courses on American fiction, poetry and music criticism, according to the release.
‘In a strange way, this honor has made me reflect on mortality,’ Yaffe said. ‘This is the last time I’ll be awarded the most promising anything.’
As a critic, you never expect to be loved. Any award beyond seeing your name in print is unexpected, he said.
‘So many great critics didn’t get awards,’ Yaffe said. That makes this recognition even more meaningful for him, he said.
Yaffe will be awarded the Roger Shattuck Prize in New York City in May at a ceremony sponsored by the Center for Fiction, according to the release.
This recognition has made Yaffe think about the consequences of his work, he said.
‘I want to produce things that matter,’ he said. ‘I want to live up to this award.’
Published on April 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu
