macalester talks podcasts

October

English Professor James Dawes shares his experience about interviewing the confessions of Japanese war criminals, who were responsible for some of the greatest atrocities of the 21st century. "We never get the chance to talk to the perpetrators," says Dawes, who wrote That the World May Know: Bearing Witness to Atrociy. "They agreed to talk to me because, they're sorry." Here, he talks about that experience. listen

Is the recession over? Do you think the recession is over? Economics professor Pete Ferderer talks about the meaning of a recession and if our current one is indeed over. listen

September

Eugene Rogers, professor of music and director of choral activities, talks about the choir at Macalester, shares some of his recent music and what it takes to please an audience. listen

Art + Fire. This year marks the third year for art professor Stan Sears' Art + Fire project, which involves burning artwork created specifically for this event. In this episode, he answers the obvious question: why would an artist would spend so much time making a piece of artwork only to destroy it by fire? The event will take place on Saturday, September 26. listen

August

Young brilliant and focused on stars, Astronomy Professor John Cannon shares his recent findings and his students tell us about their research projects this summer and how this experience has affected their career aspirations. listen

Do you have health insurance? Millions of Americans don't. Political Science Professor Michael Zis talks about how politics, the economy, and the simple act of change all play a role in reforming the country's health care system. listen

July 2009

Thoughts on Cambodia. Religious Studies Professor Erik Davis spent three years in Cambodia. Here, he talks about the history of Cambodia in Vietnam, its garment industry and how its roots in agriculture could be improved to raise the poverty level. listen

Computer Science and Music. Professor Shilad Sen knows his way around computer code and the notes of a musical score. This summer he's working on something he calls a poliwiki and in his spare time, playing the saxophone in three jazz bands. listen

June 2009

Director of the Sustainability Office Suzanne Savnick-Hansen talks about the new features of the green features of Markim Hall, home of the Institute for Global Citizenship. listen

May 2009

Mommy Wars. Anthropology Professor Dianna Shandy talks about her forthcoming book Glass Ceilings and 100 Hour Couples, which she co-authored with Economics Professor Karine Moe, Shandy and Moe interviewed professional women who chose to opt out of the professional workforce to stay home with their children. listen

Kofi Annan '61 holds a Q&A with students on Wednesday, May 20. Listen»

Commencement speech by Tonderai Chikuhwa '96, "Turmoil and Possibilities--A Worldview from Macalester to Darfur" Listen»

Senior Commencement speech by Andrew Ver Steegh Listen»

Senior Send off Lecture. Economics Professor Vasant Sukhatme delivered the address to seniors. Listen»

Does anybody remember Hurricane Katrina? Sophomore Kyera Singleton spent a week with other Macalester students in New Orleans, a city which she says is divided. One part, she says, looks as though a hurricane never hit while the 9th District looks like the storm was yesterday. listen»

 

April 2009

Khmer Rouge Peace Project. Alumna Leah Roth-Howe '08 organized workshops for Cambodians who suffered through the Khmer Rouge genocide and for children that had yet to learn about the history. The project took some unexpected turns but ultimately it proved to be a healing experience. listen»

What is a global citizen? Shantee Rosado '09, winner of this year's Global Citizenship Student Award, shares her views on the topic and her aspirations for life after Macalester. listen»

 

March 2009

How are women in sports faring? Vanessa Seljeskog, athletics, talks about the importance of sports in the life of women and how families can encourage youth to participate. listen»

 

"We tend to demonize humans but don't humanize demons," says Marlon James about his characters in the novel The Book of Night Women, which has received rave reviews. The novel takes place in 18th century Jamaica and follows a group of seven women living as slaves on a plantation. In this episode, he talks about his inspiration for the novel and how to write about atrocities such as slavery. listen»

 

Frank Adler, Political Science, has researched the role of Israel's Mizrahim, Jews who for millennia were deeply rooted in the region, but were summarily expelled from Arab states after the state of Israel was founded in 1948. Professor Adler examines the "orientalist" discrimination that Mizrahim suffered in Israel, but also raises the possibility that both as Jews and Arabs, the Mizrahim might serve as a bridge to regional reconciliation. listen

 

February 2009

Professor Vasant Sukhatme, economics, gives listeners a brief history of events that has led to the current economic crisis, which he calls a crisis of confidence. listen»

 

January 2009

Professor Kendrick Brown, psychology, talks about his research on interracial friendships and what he has discovered from it. listen»

Professor Adrienne Christiansen, who is the director of the Jan Serie Center for Scholarship and Teaching, tells us what it takes to be a good teacher. listen»