Tag Archives: politics

Society & Culture

Probing question: Is it legal to bar immigrants based on religion?

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We are proud to introduce a new series: our popular Probing Question feature in the form of a video.

In the first episode (above), Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, founding director of the Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Penn State Law, addresses one of the most intensely debated political issues this year: the proposal to restrict immigrants to the U.S. based on their religion.

In each episode, we ask one of our faculty members to share his or her expertise on the question of the day, which could involve anything from a pressing global issue to a popular object of curiosity. Please email series producer Melissa Beattie-Moss at mbmoss@psu.edu with ideas, comments, and questions.

Earth & Environment, Society & Culture

Parks prompt more unity in the community

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National Recreation and Parks Association
National Recreation and Parks Association

As spring approaches, many thoughts turn toward warmer weather and outdoor activities. And at the same time we are smack in the middle of the 2016 presidential election season — where so many issues seem to be divided along party lines. But in a recent Penn State study, researchers found that Americans overwhelmingly support local parks regardless of political affiliation.  Continue reading Parks prompt more unity in the community →

Earth & Environment, Society & Culture

Focus on research: Who politicized the environment and climate change?

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By Brian C. Black

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

An environmental activist friend of mine recently shook her head and marveled at the extraordinary accomplishments of the last several months. “Still lots of work to be done,” she said. “But wow! This has been an epic period for environmentalists!”

From the rejection of the Keystone pipeline to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP21), “epic” may be an apt descriptor for someone who is an environmentalist.

However, nothing galvanizes opposing forces to action better than significant wins by their foes. And 2016 appears to promise that environmental issues – particularly climate change – will be more politicized than ever before.

It wasn’t always this way.  Continue reading Focus on research: Who politicized the environment and climate change? →

Society & Culture

Focus on research: Young voters embrace Sanders, but not democracy

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By Christopher Beem

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

When it comes to democracy, the kids aren’t all right.

Research recently presented by Roberto Foa and Yascha Mounk shows growing disillusionment with democracy – not just with politics or campaigns, but with democracy itself.

This growth is worldwide, but it is especially strong among young Americans. Fewer than 30 percent of Americans born since 1980 say that living in a democracy is essential. For those born since 1970, more than one in five describe our democratic system as “bad or very bad.” That’s almost twice the rate for people born between 1950 and 1970.  Continue reading Focus on research: Young voters embrace Sanders, but not democracy →

Society & Culture

Penn State Research is On the Road!

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Good morning from our nation’s capitol! I traveled to Washington, D.C. yesterday for the launch of the University’s newest outreach program, Research on the Road. The concept? To bring faculty researchers to locations around the country with active alumni chapters for lively conversations on timely topics.

We could not have had better partners for our inaugural Research on the Road event than the dynamic folks of the Metro D.C. Penn State alumni chapter!

Continue reading Penn State Research is On the Road! →