Laurie Ouellette discusses what we can learn about society and culture from reality television.

Senior Elizabeth Schleisman is the recipient of 4 scholarships this semester. The College of Liberal Arts, The Tower, and the University of Minnesota Press all helped towards making her dreams come true. “It’s going just fantastic so far, I’ve definitely learned more than I could have just by sitting in a classroom, so I’m really grateful for that opportunity,” says Schleisman about her internship experience.

The relationship between music and philosophy has been a topic of discussion since the emergence of ancient philosophy. Recently named a McKnight Presidential Fellow, Michael Gallope explores how the ineffability of music inspires philosophers to address strange and perplexing questions relevant to modern social life.

Laurie Ouellette has spent her career viewing popular culture through an academic lens. “Things that appear trivial at first glance, like a reality TV show, might actually be circulating certain norms or prejudices or values,” she says. “If we can think critically about the cultural and media environment that we’re immersed in, that’s an important step toward being engaged citizens.”