Policy & Society

Robert Provine, Psychology, on MSNBC.com’s “The Body Odd”

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“It’s the height of cold and flu season, with people coughing and sneezing and blowing their noses (not to mention their germs) every which way,” reports MSNBC’s “Body Odd” blog. But not all those coughs and throat clears stem from illness, says Robert Provine, professor of psychology, who points out that we often cough when we hear others cough. “We don’t know at this time [what’s behind it],” he says. “For example, is it because we have a brain mechanism that when it detects that sound, replicates it, as we seem to have for laughing and yawning? Or are we… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, on MSNBC.com’s “The Body Odd”

Center for History Education’s “Children’s Lives at Colonial London Town” Project Wins Award

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The “Children’s Lives at Colonial London Town” project, which was developed by UMBC’s Center for History Education’s “Making American History Master Teachers in Anne Arundel County” program, is the recipient of the 2012 Social Studies Program of Excellence Award from the Middle States Regional Council for the Social Studies, an affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies. The award will be given on March 8, 2012 in Baltimore. Marjoleine Kars, chair of history, has worked with a group of 4th and 5th grade teachers from Anne Arundel County Public Schools for the past four years. She and Mary… Continue Reading Center for History Education’s “Children’s Lives at Colonial London Town” Project Wins Award

Thomas Schaller, Political Science, on MSNBC and Nicole Sandler Show

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UMBC political science professor Thomas Schaller appeared on MSNBC’s “Up w/Chris Hayes” on Saturday, February 25.Schaller frequently comments on national politics in his regular Baltimore Sun column, on Salon and through TV and radio. On “Up w/Chris Hayes,” Schaller contributed to a segment about legislative battles on social issues in Arizona, alongside Megan McCain, James Poulos and Victoria Defrancesco Soto. Schaller also appeared live on the “Nicole Sandler Show” Tuesday, February 28, discussing his latest Sun column, “An American recipe for class immobility,” and the GOP primary season.

The Coolest Job You Never Knew Existed at UMBC: Tony Baney, Glass Blower

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CimFrnWexx0&w=560&h=315] Glass may be fragile. But the process of making it is not for the delicate of hand or heart. Tony Baney, a second-generation glass blower who works in UMBC’s glass shop, manages to keep his cool even while working with his hands ungloved amid Pyrex as hot as 1,500 degrees Celsius. On the floor near his feet, a cardboard box of broken shards bears the sign: “Tony FIX ME please!” A nearby radio blares “Beast of Burden” by the Rolling Stones. Read more at umbc.edu/magazine.

Constantine Vaporis, Asian Studies and History, Explains Link Between Samurai and Cherry Blossoms

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Constantine Vaporis, director of the Asian studies program and professor of history, is a consultant and writer for a new exhibit at the National Geographic Museum entitled “Samurai: The Warrior Transformed,” which opens March 7 and runs through September 3. The exhibition was planned to coincide with and D.C.’s annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which this year marks the 100th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. by the government of Japan In the video below, Vaporis answers the question, “What do samurai have to do with cherry blossoms?” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUCayZlvvdU&w=560&h=315]

Laura Hussey, Political Science, and Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Gazette

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The Maryland Senate this week followed the Maryland House of Delegates in passing legislation allowing same-sex marriage, but opponents are planning a voter referendum. In the Gazette’s coverage of the issue, UMBC professor and chair of public policy Donald Norris argues that the referendum vote might depend on who is nominated as the GOP presidential candidate — a more extreme or more centrist candidate — and who comes out to vote as a result. Either way, says Norris, “It’s going to be a squeaker.” UMBC assistant professor of political science Laura Hussey also offered her comments for the article, as well as… Continue Reading Laura Hussey, Political Science, and Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Gazette

Robert Provine, Psychology, on MSNBC.com

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“Lin case you hadn’t noticed, people have become Lin-fatuated with the Lin-spiring rags-to-riches story of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. He’s a regular Linternet phenomenon!” begins a story on msnbc.com’s “The Body Odd.” The appeal of puns such as the one’s inspired by Lin’e name may be that they’re fun to create, and they can seem almost addictive because they have clever elements and insights to them. But not everyone likes them. “Puns are considered the lowest form of humor — a reason why speakers say, ‘no pun intended,’ denying responsibility for their spontaneous e-joke-ulation,” said Robert Provine,… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, on MSNBC.com

Tune in: Thomas Schaller, Political Science, on MSNBC

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UMBC political science professor Thomas Schaller will appear on MSNBC’s “Up w/Chris Hayes” on Saturday, February 25. The morning show airs 8:00-10:00 a.m. Schaller frequently comments on national politics in his regular Baltimore Sun column, on Salon and through programs such as Current TV’s “The Young Turks.” He is the author of Whistling Past Dixie.

Symmes Gardner, CADVC, Addresses Maryland House of Delegates

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On Friday, February 24, Symmes Gardner, executive director of the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC), addressed the Maryland House of Delegates as a special speaker on Black History Month. His presentation featured images of the CADVC’s major touring exhibition, For All the World to See, organized in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and now on display at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Among the delegates attending the presentation were Speaker of the House Michael Busch and Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones (’76 psychology). In his remarks, Mr.… Continue Reading Symmes Gardner, CADVC, Addresses Maryland House of Delegates

Jill Scheibler, Psychology Ph.D. Student, in the Baltimore Sun

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Jill Scheibler, a psychology doctoral student, was featured in a Baltimore Sun story about Baltimore’s Make Studio, which offers a place for developmentally challenged men and women to develop and market their artistic skills. Scheibler is one of a trio of art therapists who founded Make Studio in 2010. The studio serves artists with disabilities such as autism, bipolar disorder and Down’s syndrome. “Through the process of working at the studio and working with others, they’re developing translatable skills,” she said. “They learn about time management, how to be cooperative, how to present themselves, how to market themselves.” The story,… Continue Reading Jill Scheibler, Psychology Ph.D. Student, in the Baltimore Sun

Kaye Whitehead ’09, LLC, in the Baltimore Sun

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Kaye Whitehead ’09 Ph.D., language, literacy and culture, recently published an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun. In her piece, entitled “Black History is American History,” she argues that “we should no longer celebrate or recognize Black History Month; instead, we should teach black history alongside white history, Asian-American history, Latino history, women’s history and others” in order to create one narrative of American history. A former middle school social studies teacher, and the 2006-07 Gilder Lehrman Maryland History Teacher of the Year, Whitehead did not recognize Black History Month in her classroom. She is now an assistant professor of communication… Continue Reading Kaye Whitehead ’09, LLC, in the Baltimore Sun

Piotr Gwiazda, English, to Read at Walters (3/10)

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Associate Professor of English Piotr Gwiazda will read from his new book, Messages: Poems & Interview, at the Walters Art Museum on March 10. Also reading will be Campbell McGrath, the author of ten books of poetry, including Spring Comes to Chicago, Florida Poems, Seven Notebooks, and most recently In the Kingdom of the Sea Monkeys (Ecco Press, 2012). The reading will take place at the The Walters Art Museum, 600 N Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201, at 2 p.m. on March 10.  It is free to the public.

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