CAHSS

News and Updates about UMBC’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun

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“Presuming he avoids over-reaching on assault weapons or immigration reform — or unless the president makes a major push on climate change, as he hinted in his inaugural address Monday — Mr. Obama’s second-term success or failure will be largely defined by how he handles these fiscal battles with Capitol Hill Republicans,” writes political science professor Thomas Schaller in his latest Baltimore Sun column. And what can we expect those fiscal battles look like? Schaller suggests, “no matter how ugly the squabbling gets on Capitol Hill during the next two years, there’s almost no incentive for Republicans…to work with Mr.… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun

Robert Provine, Psychology, on NPR’s Science Friday

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On December 7, Robert Provine, professor of psychology, discussed laughter and why tragedy sometimes makes us laugh on NPR’s “Science Friday.”  He was joined on the show by comedian Tig Notaro, who incorporated her breast cancer diagnosis into her stand-up routine. “We humans, in many ways, are beasts of the herd.  We are not the rational, voluntary beings we fashion ourselves as,” Provine said. “The essential ingredient for laughter is another person,” Provine said. “In Tig’s audience, you had a group of people, and they’re laughing when they hear other people laugh.  So laughter is contagious. Also, it was a comedy… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, on NPR’s Science Friday

Kimberly Moffitt, American Studies, on the Marc Steiner Show

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On Tuesday, January 22, Kimberly Moffitt, assistant professor of American studies, was a guest on the “Marc Steiner Show.”  The topic of the discussion was the Presidential Inauguration and Obama’s rhetoric at the start of his second term.  Moffitt was joined by E.R. Shipp, Journalist in Residence and Associate Professor of Journalism at Morgan State University, and Tyrone Keys, political analyst. “I think that it’s more than appropriate to talk about the speech as celebratory, as ceremonial, and the focus is not about specific politics. Although there are areas of the speech where he is clearly making political statements, I… Continue Reading Kimberly Moffitt, American Studies, on the Marc Steiner Show

Maurice Berger, CADVC, Interviewed for Maryland Morning

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An interview with Maurice Berger, Chief Curator and Research Professor of the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, by Tom Hall of WYPR is scheduled to air this Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Maryland Morning. In the interview, Berger discusses the exhibition currently on display in the CADVC, For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights (curated by Berger). To listen, tune in to WYPR on Monday, January 21 at 9:45 a.m. UPDATE: A podcast of the interview will be available online after the program airs through Maryland Morning’s archive. The interview, “Viewing… Continue Reading Maurice Berger, CADVC, Interviewed for Maryland Morning

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun

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Annual campaign finance reports released this week indicate three fundraising leaders among potential Democratic candidates for Maryland governor: Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (taking in $1.25 million), Attorney General Douglas Gansler ($1.24 million) and Howard County Exec. Ken Ulman ($1.14 million). A fourth potential candidate, Montgomery County Del. Heather Mazeur, collected $248,671 in 2012, leaving her with $380,000 in cash on hand. Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department of Public Policy, told the Baltimore Sun that Ulman’s fundraising figures were particularly surprising, saying, “You would think the other candidates would be ahead of him, but he’s been out… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun

For All the World to See Mentioned in Baltimore Office of Promotion & Arts Blog

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For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, the exhibition currently on display in the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture was mentioned earlier today in Baltimore Arts, the blog of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts. Visit the blog: baltimorearts.org

Robert Provine, Psychology, on NPR Blog

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Every year the website Edge.org poses an annual question to dozens of scholars, scientists, writers, artists and thinkers.  Among them is Robert Provine, professor of psychology. NPR’s 13.7 blog wrote about this year’s question, “What should we be worried about?” in a January 14 post. Themes that the blog detected in the answers included “the impact of technology on individual minds and human relationships,” “the growing disconnect between science and the rest of human knowledge and culture,” and “worry itself.” Provine gave a positive spin on the question, urging people to “stop worrying about worry.” “Too much worry strands us… Continue Reading Robert Provine, Psychology, on NPR Blog

Laura Hussey, Political Science, on the Marc Steiner Show

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Laura Hussey, assistant professor of political science, participated in a lively conversation on the Marc Steiner Show discussing the 2013 Maryland legislative session, in which lawmakers will grapple with topics like gun control and the death penalty. Joining her on the program were Cory McCray, co-founder of the BEST Democratic Club; Jon Cardin, Delegate for Maryland’s 11th District in Baltimore County; and E.J. Pipkin, Minority Leader in the Maryland State Senate. Hussey initially focused on the question of whether we have too many people in prison, responding,  “I think that the answer has got to be ‘yes.’ If you look… Continue Reading Laura Hussey, Political Science, on the Marc Steiner Show

Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun

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In the weeks since the shooting in Newtown, Conn., Gov. Martin O’Malley has repeatedly referred to gun violence as a “public health issue.” On Monday he announced a plan that would give Maryland one of the nation’s strictest gun laws, reports the Baltimore Sun. To own a handgun, residents would need to pass a training course and provide fingerprints to a police database, and Maryland would ban the sale of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. How was the proposal received and how might this impact O’Malley’s prospects in a national election? Donald F. Norris, professor and chairman of UMBC’s Department… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun

Roy Meyers, Political Science, on WYPR’s Maryland Morning

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On Wednesday, Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to deliver his budget proposal for the coming year to the Maryland legislature. Last year the General Assembly garnered a lot of unwanted attention for failing to pass a budget before time ran out in the regular legislative session. WYPR’s Sheilah Kast interviewed UMBC political science professor Roy T. Meyers on Maryland Morning to learn if there might be any surprises in store for this year. “The state has made some very tough choices over the past couple years in reducing spending,” says Meyers. Listen to the full interview to learn about the… Continue Reading Roy Meyers, Political Science, on WYPR’s Maryland Morning

Thomas Schaller, Political Science, on Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Politico

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A new post by UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller on Sabato’s Crystal Ball discusses the concept of election “drop-off” and why he expects it to benefit the Republican Party in the 2014 election. Schaller explains, “‘Drop-off’ is the political science term for the decline in turnout between the high-water benchmark of presidential elections and other electoral moments” such as “midterm elections for both chambers of Congress” and “state and local elections…held in non-presidential years.” Between 1964 and 2010, the average drop-off effect was 14%, with election turnouts ranging from 54.2% to 69.3% in presidential cycles and from 41.8%… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, on Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Politico

For All the World to See Receives Positive Review from Sun

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The exhibition currently on display in the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights received praise in the Sun article released today, “Using Images to Change History” written by Lionel Foster. Read the article here: “Using Images to Change History: UMBC exhibit shows how African-Americans have portrayed themselves and how they have been portrayed by others” The author reviews For All the World to See by speaking about the exhibition’s impact on him personally, and discussing the ability certain objects have to captivate its audiences. He also… Continue Reading For All the World to See Receives Positive Review from Sun

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