More Human

The capstone course of Tri-C's Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Scholars Academy, HUM 2020, pairs teams of students with community partners. In this episode, Mandel Scholars Aaron Hayes and Liz Ward, along with Professor Kim Hill, sit down with Dean Jordan to explain the work they've been doing in partnership with City Fresh, an organization that exists to create and promote a more healthy, vibrant, and equitable foods system in northeast Ohio.

Dr. Ben Vinson III is the provost and executive vice president of Case Western Reserve University, as well as a prominent advocate for the humanities. But... what are "the humanities," anyway, and why do they matter? Along the way to answering this question, Dr. Vinson discusses his passion for Latin American history, what college administrators do for a living, why we need to integrate rather than divide the sundry areas of human inquiry, and, of course, Venezuelan soap operas.

Finnish-Canadian theologian and erstwhile television personality Jason Lepojarvi ("Dr. Love") recorded this conversation with Dean Jordan while he was in town to speak to the Tri-C Philosophy Club on the subject of loving one's enemies. This problem is especially vexing in the context of war... is it even possible to attempt to love someone against whom you are fighting in a war? Along the way, he discusses the difference between theology and religious studies, argues for theology as an important area of study even in secular colleges and universities, and gives a philosophical account of what love really is.

Greg Deegan is the executive director of Teaching Cleveland. In this episode, he sits down with Dean Jordan to discuss the city's history and how it shapes our present moment. This wide-ranging conversation covers everything from Cleveland as a center for innovation in the early 20th century to the impact of the Great Depression, the ongoing legacy of redlining, hot dogs with Froot Loops, and a little-known fact about the history of rock & roll.

If you've ever wondered what students actually do in an art history course, or walked into an art museum and realized you don't really know how to look at art, this is the conversation for you! Key Jo Lee, of Yale University and the Cleveland Museum of Art, and Tri-C's own Christine Wolken join Dean Jordan for a wide-ranging discussion of these and other topics, including careers in the art world, how race impacts art, and Director Lee's "Currents and Constellations" exhibit at CMA.

Professor Daniel Goldmark of Case Western Reserve University is a scholar of popular music and the interim director of the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities. In this conversation, he offers insight into the ways music is used in animated films, tips for growing our appreciation of music, and introduces listeners to the work of Rufus Harley, the bagpipe-playing jazz musician. Dr. Goldmark also gives an overview of the Cleveland Humanities Festival: what it is, where it came from, and some highlights of the 2022 festival.

Professor Gayle Williamson of Cuyahoga Community College is a scholar and teacher with particular interests in literature and storytelling. She’s been working with The Great Questions Foundation’s Transformative Texts project, designed to enrich humanities education at community colleges across the country. In this conversation, she discusses her love of books, how great literature helps us see the human experience from multiple points of view and reminds us that the point of learning is not merely to be able to ace a pop quiz.

A sneak peak at what's to come on More Human...