Monthly Archives: January 2017

Pre-Class Video – In Spite of Ourselves

This is a somewhat rude, but very old-fashioned song about a really dysfunctional relationship sung by John Prine and Iris DeMent.  But a great way to introduce students to the witty songwriting of John Prine.  

Posted in Chapter 7 | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Pre-Class Video – In Spite of Ourselves

Real Radicals Part II – I.F. Stone’s Weekly

I had a strange journey through the wilds of the radical and protest movements of the 1960s and 70s yesterday morning that I had not anticipated taking. Here’s part 2 of that journey. Radical journalist I.F. Stone was an investigative journalist who … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 6 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Real Radicals Part II – I.F. Stone’s Weekly

Real Radicals Part I – Lady Gaga & Phil Ochs

I had a strange journey through the wilds of the radical and protest movements of the 1960s and 70s this morning that I had not anticipated taking. Here’s part 1 of that journey; part 2 will come tomorrow. It all … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 7 | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Pre-class video: Elvis Costello Anne Sofie Von Otter – For the Stars

My list of favorite Elvis Costello recordings is likely somewhat different from yours: Here’s “From the Stars” from an album of covers he did with classical singer Anne Sofie Von Otter.  

Posted in Pre-class video | Tagged , | Comments Off on Pre-class video: Elvis Costello Anne Sofie Von Otter – For the Stars

Dr. King – Be an extremist for love

One of the greatest honors of my life was being invited to speak at the Martin Luther King, Jr. candlelight vigil two years ago at the UNK student union, along with Kevin Chaney, who was then UNK’s women’s basketball coach.  This year’s … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 12 | Tagged , | Comments Off on Dr. King – Be an extremist for love

Pre-Class Video: Rosanne Cash sings Pancho & Lefty

Today’s pre-class video is the great Rosanne Cash singing the Townes Van Zandt classic “Pancho & Lefty” at the Kennedy Center Honors Willie Nelson concert. (Townes, of course, wrote the song, but Willie is among the many people who made … Continue reading

Posted in Pre-class video | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Pre-Class Video: Rosanne Cash sings Pancho & Lefty

Back To Pre-Class Video: One Last Time from Hamilton

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve spent the last semester on a productive and refreshing sabbatical, but I’m now back in the classroom and making use of pre-class videos for students to watch as they come in. I started things off … Continue reading

Posted in Pre-class video | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Back To Pre-Class Video: One Last Time from Hamilton

Amazing Exhibit on Publishing, Luther & Reformation at Minneapolis Institute of Art

Over Christmas break I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Martin Luther: Art and the Reformation exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that is showing through January 15th.  While much of the focus of the exhibit is, unsurprisingly, … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 4 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Amazing Exhibit on Publishing, Luther & Reformation at Minneapolis Institute of Art

When a celebrity dies, is it ok to do a brand-oriented tweet about it, especially if it’s really clever?

When a celebrity dies and you have a great idea for tweet with a  meme, should you send it out right away? Probably not…  At least that’s the lesson that Cinnabon learned when they tweeted out the image at right following the … Continue reading

Posted in Chapter 12 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on When a celebrity dies, is it ok to do a brand-oriented tweet about it, especially if it’s really clever?