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.”

“When you are teaching literature, there is no set of truths that everybody adheres to,” says Assistant Professor Christian Uwe. He was born in Rwanda, studied in France, and now made his way to Minnesota. See how his background has influenced his field of study: sub-Saharan and Caribbean Francophone literatures.

Ritual soundscapes, atmospheric mysticism, elemental drone—none of these phrases quite captures the sound of Minneapolis band IE.

There is no longer a swimsuit parade in the Miss America pageant, and reactions are pouring in. “I’m very skeptical," says Maggie Hennefeld, an assistant professor of cultural studies and comparative literature. "This re-branding seems like a blatant PR move."

Laurie Ouellette, a professor of communication studies, cultural studies and comparative literature, talks about the increasing number of true crime podcasts and the reasons behind their popularity.

Domietta Torlasco - Northwestern University Thursday, October 26th 1:00-3:00 PM 125 Nolte Center University Of Minnesota