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Famed Stradivari instruments coming to U. of I. for display and performances
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – When a University of Illinois alumna returns to her alma mater later this month, her executive jet will reach what musicians might call stradospheric heights. That’s because Sheila Crump Johnson will be bringing with her four “Strads” – extremely rare, decorated and matched Stradivarius stringed instruments, which their owner, the Smithsonian Institution […]
Ramifications of North Korea’s nuke test
On Oct. 9, North Korea announced it had conducted an underground test of a nuclear device. The claim triggered renewed speculation about how a successful test might affect the balance of power in Asia and throughout the world. Julian Palmore, director of the UI’s Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security, discussed the situation […]
Facebook, ‘soft surveillance,’ and the Millennial Generation
Social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Friendster and countless other online communication forums have become the new town hall (amusement arcade) for tech-savvy young people. On Sept. 26, Facebook – previously open only to individuals associated with academic communities, major companies and high school students – opened membership to anyone with an e-mail address. […]
Remains of St. Louis founder’s home believed to have been located
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Archaeologists believe they have found the Illinois home of the founder of St. Louis. What had been thought to be a priest’s residence near the French colonial village of New Chartres, in present-day southern Illinois, “appears instead to have been owned by a series of merchants during the mid-1700s, before it was […]
Course offers chance to learn and earn college credits for free
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In a small public library not far from the University of Illinois campus, talking is encouraged, and animated discussions not only are tolerated, they are provoked. In fact, the voices in the classroom, just a few steps from the circulation desk, resound with the energy and excitement that comes from exploring new […]
You mean people still try to ban books they don’t like?!
Sept. 23 to 30 has been designated as this year’s Banned Books Week. According to the American Library Association, more than one book a day faces expulsion from open public access in U.S. schools and libraries every year. Christine Jenkins teaches in the areas of youth services librarianship, children’s and young adult literature and literacy […]
U. of I. cinema expert offers commentary on new release of ‘Seven Samurai’
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A professor of cinema studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of five film scholars weighing in on a new DVD release of “Seven Samurai.” David Desser, the director of Illinois’ Unit for Cinema Studies, did a 40-minute audio-track commentary for Criterion’s new three-disc set of the Japanese classic, […]
U. of I. scholar’s documentary on American Indians to reach broad audience
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A professor of American Indian Studies and of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is taking her show on the road quite literally this fall, shifting her venue, if only temporarily, from the classroom to television and movie theaters. LeAnne Howe, an award-winning author, playwright and scholar who teaches in […]
U. of I. linguistics scholar to receive Presidential Award in India
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A professor emerita of linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will receive the Presidential Award from the president of India. Yamuna Kachru will go to the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on Sept. 14 to receive her award, one of four to be presented by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the […]
Why is the number of fatal motorcycle crashes increasing?
A recent New York Times article reported that in 2005 the rate of deaths in highway accidents rose for the first time in almost 20 years, an increase attributed to a spike in the number of fatal motorcycle accidents. John Sudlow is project coordinator for the free Motorcycle Rider Program at Illinois, which offers basic […]
What happens to U.S.-born children when their parents are deported?
Noreen M. Sugrue is a faculty member in the Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program, where she is coordinator of Health Policy Initiatives. In a recent op-ed published in the Christian Science Monitor, Sugrue documented the affects of existing and proposed U.S. immigration laws and policy on families. She discusses those points further in […]
Some online video games found to promote ‘sociability,’ researchers say
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Hang in there, parents. There is some hopeful news on the video-gaming front. Researchers have found that some of the large and hugely popular online video games – although condemned by many as time-gobbling, people-isolating monsters – actually have socially redeeming qualities. In theory, anyway. After examining the form and function of […]