Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Blogging the Super Bowl Commercials

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Ralph Hanson

So on Sunday of this week there was a massive showcase for creative and entertaining commercials on NBC.  Oh, and there was also a football game. Want to see all the commercials that you missed?  Sure you do!  Here are … Continue reading →

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Mass Communication and Fear

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Ralph Hanson

I’m guest lecturing today in a  class on the Science of Fear.  Here are some readings that I’ve put together on the topic.  

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Ralph Hanson

Lots going on to ask questions about! What happened to the staff photographers at Sports Illustrated? They all got let go.  All photography at the magazine will now be done by free lancers. How did movies headlined by women do last year? … Continue reading →

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Thinking about King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Ralph Hanson

One of the greatest honors of my life was being invited to speak at the Martin Luther King, Jr. candlelight vigil Monday evening at the UNK student union, along with Kevin Chaney, UNK’s women’s basketball coach. Here’s what I had to say: When … Continue reading →

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JMC 406 Student Blogs

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Ralph Hanson

This spring I’m teaching my Blogging & Commentary Writing class, a course I’ve taught in one form or another since the winter of 1988 (Hint: Blogging wasn’t part of the title then…)  Here are links to my students’ blogs and … Continue reading →

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Terrorists attack satirical French newspaper

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Ralph Hanson

On Wednesday, three masked gunmen attacked and killed at least 12 at the Paris offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Charlie Hebdo is known for it’s controversial covers and provocative cartoons which are known for skewering religion and politics … Continue reading →

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LIAMW Holiday Music – The Roches sing “Good King Wenceslas”

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

I’m a huge fan of the Roches and their Christmas album We Three Kings, and this video by Father James Martin at American Magazine explains the strength of the gospel in this carol. Here are both a video explaining the meaning … Continue reading →

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

What would the Jerk Store say to the Oxford English Dictionary? Quite a bit, actually.  The OED gives us the history of the Jerk Store and other Seinfeld references. What should you watch when you’re done with A Charlie Brown Christmas? … Continue reading →

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LIAMW Holiday Music – Joseph, Who Understood

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

Today’s song is my absolute favorite contemporary Christmas song, and it is done by a band with the unlikely name of The New Pornographers.  A friend of mine asked recently why a band doing such a nice song has such … Continue reading →

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LIAMW Holiday Music – Robin & Linda Williams: Shotgun Shells on the Christmas Tree

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

I love this song by Robin and Linda Williams that tells the story of an unexpected Christmas tree with unusual decorations.

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