Professor Adam Myers joins host William Hudson to discuss federalism’s impact on American democracy. Jacob M. Grumbach’s recent book: Laboratories against Democracy: How National Parties Transformed State Politics offers the touchstone for this discussion. Grumbach addresses a perennial issue in the analysis of American politics – whether the federal system advances or undermines democratic values. Our discussion examines and critiques Grumbach’s thesis as well as looking at recent arguments claiming federalism can advance progressive values.

Professor Adam Myers joins host William Hudson to discuss federalism’s impact on American democracy. Jacob M. Grumbach’s recent book: Laboratories against Democracy: How National Parties Transformed State Politics offers the touchstone for this discussion. Grumbach addresses a perennial issue in the analysis of American politics – whether the federal system advances or undermines democratic values. Our discussion examines and critiques Grumbach’s thesis as well as looking at recent arguments claiming federalism can advance progressive values.

Does American Federalism promote or undermine American democracy?

This episode features a conversation with the Providence College Political Science Department’s Chinese politics expert, Professor Susan McCarthy. For several months, now, China has been in the news a lot whether in reports on the Chinese regime’s response to COVID, authoritarian crackdowns on political dissidents and ethnic minorities, the recent Party Congress that extended President Xi’s term in office, worsening tension, both diplomatic and military, between the US and China, and, finally, the infamous Chinese balloon caper. Our conversation brings Professor McCarthy expertise to bear on media coverage of these issues.

This episode features a conversation with the Providence College Political Science Department’s Chinese politics expert, Professor Susan McCarthy. For several months, now, China has been in the news a lot whether in reports on the Chinese regime’s response to COVID, authoritarian crackdowns on political dissidents and ethnic minorities, the recent Party Congress that extended President Xi’s term in office, worsening tension, both diplomatic and military, between the US and China, and, finally, the infamous Chinese balloon caper. Our conversation brings Professor McCarthy expertise to bear on media coverage of these issues.

Chinese Politics

For this episode, we were pleased to welcome to Beyond Your News Feed the newest member of the PC Political Science faculty Assistant Professor Sara Hassani. Dr. Hassani joined the faculty last fall after completing her PH.D. at the New School for Social Research. She as a joint appointment in Political Science and Women’s Studies. In our conversation we talked about the courses she has taught so far and her experience so far at PC. We delved deeply into her fascinating research on female self-immolation as a form of political protest in the “Persian Belt”. We also discuss her insights into the current on-going protests in Iran.

For this episode, we were pleased to welcome to Beyond Your News Feed the newest member of the PC Political Science faculty Assistant Professor Sara Hassani. Dr. Hassani joined the faculty last fall after completing her PH.D. at the New School for Social Research. She as a joint appointment in Political Science and Women’s Studies. In our conversation we talked about the courses she has taught so far and her experience so far at PC. We delved deeply into her fascinating research on female self-immolation as a form of political protest in the “Persian Belt”. We also discuss her insights into the current on-going protests in Iran.

Introducing PC Political Scientist Professor Sara Hassani

Podcast host, William Hudson, invites back to the podcast the Providence College Political Science Departments expert on all this Israeli, Professor Ruth Ben-Artzi, to discuss recent events in Israel and Palestine. Our wide ranging conversation covers the electoral turmoil of the past four years that produced four elections, the reemergence of Benyamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister after last November’s election, the extreme right-wing character of the government he heads, and the impact of all of this on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Political turmoil in Israel

This episode takes a deep dive into the results of the 2022 midterm elections. Professors Matt Guardino and Adam Myers join host, William Hudson, to discuss key national and state races. They focus particularly on why the expected "Red Wave"- overwhelming victories for the Republican Party- did not happen. The conversation does beyond the usual journalistic analysis of the election to offer insights based on political science research on American elections.

This episode takes a deep dive into the results of the 2022 midterm elections. Professors Matt Guardino and Adam Myers join host, William Hudson, to discuss key national and state races. They focus particularly on why the expected "Red Wave"- overwhelming victories for the Republican Party- did not happen. The conversation does beyond the usual journalistic analysis of the election to offer insights based on political science research on American elections.

2022 Midterm Elections

In September, Iran's morality police arrested a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Masha Amini, for violating rules regarding proper wearing of the hijab, a hair covering required of all women in public. A few days later, her family was informed that Ms. Amini had died in police custody, supposedly from a heart attack, although her family claimed she had died from blows to her head. In the weeks since, protests have erupted across Iran protesting Ms. Amini's death but also challenging the legitimacy of the Iranian regime. The protests have involved thousands of women, including high school and university students, and have expanded to include oil industry workers, medical workers, and lawyers. The Iranian regime seems to be under pressure greater than it has experienced since it came to power in 1979This episode features a conversation with Providence College political science department's Middle East expert, Professor Gizem Zencirci, to help us understand what is going on in Iran and its wider significance for the Middle East. 

In September, Iran's morality police arrested a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Masha Amini, for violating rules regarding proper wearing of the hijab, a hair covering required of all women in public. A few days later, her family was informed that Ms. Amini had died in police custody, supposedly from a heart attack, although her family claimed she had died from blows to her head. In the weeks since, protests have erupted across Iran protesting Ms. Amini's death but also challenging the legitimacy of the Iranian regime. The protests have involved thousands of women, including high school and university students, and have expanded to include oil industry workers, medical workers, and lawyers. The Iranian regime seems to be under pressure greater than it has experienced since it came to power in 1979This episode features a conversation with Providence College political science department's Middle East expert, Professor Gizem Zencirci, to help us understand what is going on in Iran and its wider significance for the Middle East.

Political Turmoil in Iran

This episode features our knowledgeable and insightful team of American politics experts, Professor Adam Myers and Professor Matt Guardino to discuss the state of American politics this summer of 2022.  The last few weeks have produced a variety of interesting topics for us to talk about – all with implications for the upcoming midterm national elections this fall.  Most directly, states across the nation have been holding primaries to select candidates for the fall elections, including candidates for Congress and for state offices.  In recent weeks, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol has held several news making and fascinating public hearings.  And if that were not enough, as its term ended, the US Supreme Court released several blockbuster decisions on guns, abortion, environmental regulation, and public prayer reflecting the muscle and ambition of the Courts solid conservative majority.  Matt, Adam and podcast host, Bill Hudson, ruminate about these topics and their implications for American democracy. 

This episode features our knowledgeable and insightful team of American politics experts, Professor Adam Myers and Professor Matt Guardino to discuss the state of American politics this summer of 2022.  The last few weeks have produced a variety of interesting topics for us to talk about – all with implications for the upcoming midterm national elections this fall.  Most directly, states across the nation have been holding primaries to select candidates for the fall elections, including candidates for Congress and for state offices.  In recent weeks, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol has held several news making and fascinating public hearings.  And if that were not enough, as its term ended, the US Supreme Court released several blockbuster decisions on guns, abortion, environmental regulation, and public prayer reflecting the muscle and ambition of the Courts solid conservative majority.  Matt, Adam and podcast host, Bill Hudson, ruminate about these topics and their implications for American democracy.

The State of American Politics – Summer 2022

America has often prided itself as a nation of immigrants.  Apart from indigenous peoples, Americans generally are descended from someone who came to this country from somewhere else.  Despite this history, in recent years, many Americans have shown growing hostility toward immigrants.  Politicians like Donald Trump have fueled and capitalized on this hostility in their anti-immigrant rhetoric.  Immigrants who engage in political action of some type or hold elective office are particular targets of hostile reactions. The guests on today’s episode are the principal investigators for a in a major national study: The Immigrant Visibility and Political Activism Research Collaborative a joint initiative of Providence College and the University of Massachusetts Boston funded by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.  Their study seeks to understand xenophobic reactions to immigrants – in particular reactions toward those immigrants who engage in political action.  They are with me today to provide an early look at their findings so far.Our guests are Jeff Pugh, associate professor of conflict resolution at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Matt Guardino associate professor of political science at Providence College.  

America has often prided itself as a nation of immigrants.  Apart from indigenous peoples, Americans generally are descended from someone who came to this country from somewhere else.  Despite this history, in recent years, many Americans have shown growing hostility toward immigrants.  Politicians like Donald Trump have fueled and capitalized on this hostility in their anti-immigrant rhetoric.  Immigrants who engage in political action of some type or hold elective office are particular targets of hostile reactions. The guests on today’s episode are the principal investigators for a in a major national study: The Immigrant Visibility and Political Activism Research Collaborative a joint initiative of Providence College and the University of Massachusetts Boston funded by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.  Their study seeks to understand xenophobic reactions to immigrants – in particular reactions toward those immigrants who engage in political action.  They are with me today to provide an early look at their findings so far.Our guests are Jeff Pugh, associate professor of conflict resolution at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Matt Guardino associate professor of political science at Providence College.

Understanding Hostility Toward Immigrants and Immigrant Political Participation

On this episode of Beyond Your News Feed, Dr. Bill Hudson is joined by Associate Professor of Communication and Director of PC’s new Communication Program Professor Andrea McDonnell. She and Dr. Hudson Talk about the dissolution of the line between “celebrity” and “politician,” the prevalence of gossip as opposed to substantive information, and the role that the internet—particularly social media platforms—have in exacerbating these phenomenon.

Celebrity, Gossip, and Contemporary Politics

Today’s guest on Beyond Your News Feed, Professor Casey Stevens, sits down with Dr. Bill Hudson to discuss the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conducted on April 1st. Stevens, whose expertise lies in environmental politics, discusses the report’s contents, its implications for combatting climate change, and the current political conditions as well as scientific findings that illuminate the likeliness of its success.

IPCC Reports - Climate Change Assessment

Welcome to "Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics" a new podcast sponsored by the Providence College Political Science Department. Host William Hudson, Political Science Department Chair, and colleagues will provide expert analysis of current political events and issues, delving more deeply into their causes and consequences than can be found in typical media sources.

On this week's episode of Beyond Your News Feed, three Political Science seniors were asked to share their experiences with their capstone research seminars. Two of the seniors in attendance, Malik Alwani and Addison Wakelin, completed their respective seminars—Globalization and Economic Development and Climate Change—last semester. The third student (and podcast co-producer), Sienna Strickland, is currently in the process of completing her seminar on Black and Latinx Politics. We discuss the structure of these capstones, the students’ research processes and findings, and the challenges and rewards of taking such an advanced class—as well as share some words of advice for incoming capstone students.

PC PSC Students' Experience With Senior Research Seminar

This year Providence College is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the first class of women students at the college.  Since 1971 when the college became coed, the Political Science department has had many terrific women students and our women graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in a wide variety of professions.  Some have even pleased their political science professors immensely by going on to become political scientists themselves.  This episode, in recognition of PC’s Year of the Women, is a conversation with two of our relatively recent graduates who have garnered PH.D. s in Political Science and are now political science teachers and researchers.  We discuss their paths from the Political Science Department at PC to become professional political scientists. Our guests are:  Professor Laura Bucci, PC class of 2010 and Professor Kelly Branham Smith, PC class of 2012.   

This year Providence College is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the first class of women students at the college.  Since 1971 when the college became coed, the Political Science department has had many terrific women students and our women graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in a wide variety of professions.  Some have even pleased their political science professors immensely by going on to become political scientists themselves.  This episode, in recognition of PC’s Year of the Women, is a conversation with two of our relatively recent graduates who have garnered PH.D. s in Political Science and are now political science teachers and researchers.  We discuss their paths from the Political Science Department at PC to become professional political scientists. Our guests are:  Professor Laura Bucci, PC class of 2010 and Professor Kelly Branham Smith, PC class of 2012.

PC Political Science Alumnae who are Political Scientists 

Can political philosophy help us understand what ails American Democracy?  Host Professor William Hudson explores this question with guest Assistant Professor of Political Science Justin Brophy.  We examine the question with special attention to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato and the contemporary American political theorist the late Carey McWilliams – two thinkers who have greatly influenced Fr. Brophy’s ideas about democracy.

The Democratic Soul 

This episode explores the tension within American conservative thought between Traditional Burkean conservatism and classical liberalism.  Host William Hudson discusses this tension with Providence College Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Savannah Johnston.  Her recent scholarly work suggests that the “fusion” between these theoretical tendencies worked out in the National Review in the early 1960s may be unraveling.  She argues that the fundamental contradictions between how each theoretical tradition views human nature, the purpose of government, the role of the individual – particularly as a source of morality, and the role of reason in organizing society make an on-going fusion untenable.  Many contemporary conservatives seem to be shedding the classical liberal strand and turning to the more traditional “illiberal” conservatism.

This episode explores the tension within American conservative thought between Traditional Burkean conservatism and classical liberalism.  Host William Hudson discusses this tension with Providence College Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Savannah Johnston.  Her recent scholarly work suggests that the “fusion” between these theoretical tendencies worked out in the National Review in the early 1960s may be unraveling.  She argues that the fundamental contradictions between how each theoretical tradition views human nature, the purpose of government, the role of the individual – particularly as a source of morality, and the role of reason in organizing society make an on-going fusion untenable.  Many contemporary conservatives seem to be shedding the classical liberal strand and turning to the more traditional “illiberal” conservatism.

American Conservative Thought: The Demise of “Fusionism”

We apologize for the technical problem with the recent upload of this episode. Episode is now ready for your listening enjoyment. It is a good one!Host William Hudson and his guests, Professors Adam Myers and Matt Guardino, take a comprehensive look at American politics about one year after the 2020 election. The discussion encompasses the results of the recent “off-year elections” in Virginia and New Jersey, the Biden agenda in Congress, continued political polarization, and much more.

We apologize for the technical problem with the recent upload of this episode. Episode is now ready for your listening enjoyment. It is a good one! Host William Hudson and his guests, Professors Adam Myers and Matt Guardino, take a comprehensive look at American politics about one year after the 2020 election. The discussion encompasses the results of the recent “off-year elections” in Virginia and New Jersey, the Biden agenda in Congress, continued political polarization, and much more.

The State of American Politics One Year After the 2020 Election

This episode of Beyond Your News Feed explores the fate of local news. Professors Andrea McDonnell and Matt Guardino of the Providence College Political Science Department join host William Hudson for a conversation about the dire straits of local newspapers and the impact on American democracy.Over the past couple of decades, local newspapers across the country have begun to disappear. Battered by huge revenue losses from declining advertising and circulation, newspaper owners have sought to reduce costs in a variety of ways, including selling newspaper buildings, outsourcing printing and other tasks, but mostly by firing reporters – depriving the paper of the very journalism that makes the paper valuable. This strategy, obviously, has meant newspapers that are thinner, with less news for their readers, and less able to monitor what is happening in the local community. The obvious result is even more declines in circulation and revenues. This decline in local news has affected every city in America and some of its most venerable, prize-winning papers such as the Chicago Tribune, the Philadelphia Enquirer, the Baltimore Sun, and the Providence Journal. Professors McDonnell and Guardino explain why local newspapers are in trouble, what effect this has on democracy and local citizens, and what might be done to restore vibrant local newspapers.

This episode of Beyond Your News Feed explores the fate of local news. Professors Andrea McDonnell and Matt Guardino of the Providence College Political Science Department join host William Hudson for a conversation about the dire straits of local newspapers and the impact on American democracy.Over the past couple of decades, local newspapers across the country have begun to disappear. Battered by huge revenue losses from declining advertising and circulation, newspaper owners have sought to reduce costs in a variety of ways, including selling newspaper buildings, outsourcing printing and other tasks, but mostly by firing reporters – depriving the paper of the very journalism that makes the paper valuable. This strategy, obviously, has meant newspapers that are thinner, with less news for their readers, and less able to monitor what is happening in the local community. The obvious result is even more declines in circulation and revenues. This decline in local news has affected every city in America and some of its most venerable, prize-winning papers such as the Chicago Tribune, the Philadelphia Enquirer, the Baltimore Sun, and the Providence Journal. Professors McDonnell and Guardino explain why local newspapers are in trouble, what effect this has on democracy and local citizens, and what might be done to restore vibrant local newspapers.

The Demise of Local Newspapers and American Democracy

For this episode, the tables are turned on Beyond Your News Feed’s normal host, Professor William Hudson.  Guest host Professor Adam Myers interviews Hudson about federal budgetary politics.  Budget issues are very much in the news these days with Democrats internally divided over President Biden’s proposals for increased spending on physical and social infrastructure and Republicans, once again, seeking to derail these proposals through refusal to help raise the debt ceiling.  In this conversation, Adams and Hudson try to place the current controversies in the context of conflict over the federal budget going back decades.  They explore how the current moment is informed by the budgetary politics during the Obama administration.  What is different about current budgetary politics and what happened then? 

For this episode, the tables are turned on Beyond Your News Feed’s normal host, Professor William Hudson.  Guest host Professor Adam Myers interviews Hudson about federal budgetary politics.  Budget issues are very much in the news these days with Democrats internally divided over President Biden’s proposals for increased spending on physical and social infrastructure and Republicans, once again, seeking to derail these proposals through refusal to help raise the debt ceiling.  In this conversation, Adams and Hudson try to place the current controversies in the context of conflict over the federal budget going back decades.  They explore how the current moment is informed by the budgetary politics during the Obama administration.  What is different about current budgetary politics and what happened then?

Budgetary Conflict: From Obama to Biden (via Trump) 

This episode takes up the topic of Utopia.  What value do dreams of a better world have for understanding politics in the real world?  What impact has utopian thinking had on the evolution of the political world over the past few centuries?   Can imagining utopias provide a way to solve political challenges in our contemporary world?   These and other questions our guest, Professor Mark Jendrysik, addresses in his marvelous new book entitled Utopia. Mark Jendrysik is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Dakota.  Mark is Providence College political science alum of the class of 1986.    Professor Jendrysik earned his Ph.D. in political theory at the University of North Carolina in 1996.  He has been on the faculty of the University of North Dakota since 1999 and has served as department chair and won numerous awards for his research, teaching, student advising, and service to his university.  He has  published numerous scholarly article in political theory and several books.  His latest, Utopia, was published late last year by Polity Press.  Links to Professor Jendrysik’s books:  Utopia: https://politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509534920&amp;subject_id=2 Modern Jeremiahs: Contemporary Visions of American Decline: https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jeremiahs-Contemporary-Visions-American/dp/0739121928 Explaining the English Revolution: Hobbes and His Contemporaries: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0739121812/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2  

This episode takes up the topic of Utopia.  What value do dreams of a better world have for understanding politics in the real world?  What impact has utopian thinking had on the evolution of the political world over the past few centuries?   Can imagining utopias provide a way to solve political challenges in our contemporary world?   These and other questions our guest, Professor Mark Jendrysik, addresses in his marvelous new book entitled Utopia. Mark Jendrysik is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Dakota.  Mark is Providence College political science alum of the class of 1986.    Professor Jendrysik earned his Ph.D. in political theory at the University of North Carolina in 1996.  He has been on the faculty of the University of North Dakota since 1999 and has served as department chair and won numerous awards for his research, teaching, student advising, and service to his university.  He has  published numerous scholarly article in political theory and several books.  His latest, Utopia, was published late last year by Polity Press.  Links to Professor Jendrysik’s books:  Utopia: <a href="https://politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509534920&amp;subject_id=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509534920&amp;subject_id=2</a> Modern Jeremiahs: Contemporary Visions of American Decline: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jeremiahs-Contemporary-Visions-American/dp/0739121928" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jeremiahs-Contemporary-Visions-American/dp/0739121928</a> Explaining the English Revolution: Hobbes and His Contemporaries: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0739121812/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0739121812/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2</a>

Utopia

Providence College Associate Professor of Political Science Ruth Ben-Artzi joins host William Hudson to discuss the formation of a new Israeli government formed last spring.  We discuss the March election (the fourth Israeli election in two years) and how its outcome led the long and complicated process that produced the new coalition government.  This government, under Prime Minister Natali Bennett, consists of eight parties representing diverse ideological points of view and interests.  Professor Ben-Artzi analyzes the challenges facing the new government and discusses the changes for this diverse party coalition to hold together.  We discuss, as well, the fate of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his legal troubles, and the possibility of his return to power.  In addition, we look at other developments in the Middle East, including the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan. 

Providence College Associate Professor of Political Science Ruth Ben-Artzi joins host William Hudson to discuss the formation of a new Israeli government formed last spring.  We discuss the March election (the fourth Israeli election in two years) and how its outcome led the long and complicated process that produced the new coalition government.  This government, under Prime Minister Natali Bennett, consists of eight parties representing diverse ideological points of view and interests.  Professor Ben-Artzi analyzes the challenges facing the new government and discusses the changes for this diverse party coalition to hold together.  We discuss, as well, the fate of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his legal troubles, and the possibility of his return to power.  In addition, we look at other developments in the Middle East, including the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Israel’s New Government 

Last week, after twenty years of conflict, the Afghanistan Taliban took effective control of the country.  The rapid collapse of Afghan government forces clearly surprised American officials and has led to the continuing chaotic removal of Afghan refugees, American citizens, citizens of allied Nato countries, and NGO workers.  This episode of Beyond Your News Feed offers some perspective and context for these remarkable developments.  The PC Political Science Department’s comparative politics of the Middle East expert and Associate Professor of Political Science Gizem Zencirci joins host William Hudson to provide perspective and expert analysis of the situation in Afghanistan.     

Last week, after twenty years of conflict, the Afghanistan Taliban took effective control of the country.  The rapid collapse of Afghan government forces clearly surprised American officials and has led to the continuing chaotic removal of Afghan refugees, American citizens, citizens of allied Nato countries, and NGO workers.  This episode of Beyond Your News Feed offers some perspective and context for these remarkable developments.  The PC Political Science Department’s comparative politics of the Middle East expert and Associate Professor of Political Science Gizem Zencirci joins host William Hudson to provide perspective and expert analysis of the situation in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Taliban Return to Power

Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics

In this episode, we are joined by PC political science professors, Dr. Joseph Cammarano and Dr. Adam Myers, to discuss the process of impeachment. We explore what impeachment means, what the U.S. Constitution says about impeachment, and what the current impeachment process of President Donald Trump means for the nation.

A Briefing on Impeachment 

Link to purchase "A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal" by Kate Aronoff, Alyssa Battistoni, Daniel Aldana Cohen, and Thea Riofrancoshttps://www.versobooks.com/books/3107-a-planet-to-win

Link to purchase "A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal" by Kate Aronoff, Alyssa Battistoni, Daniel Aldana Cohen, and Thea Riofrancos <a href="https://www.versobooks.com/books/3107-a-planet-to-win" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.versobooks.com/books/3107-a-planet-to-win</a>

The Green New Deal 

We are joined by PC political science professor, Rick Battistoni, to help define and discuss the meaning of democracy. Dr. Battistoni provides critical insight into the complexities and challenges of democracy today and examines its political significance.

An Exploration of Democracy

PC Political Science professor, Dr. Ruth Ben-Artzi, sits down with us to provide an update on the second round of elections that were recently held in Israel. We examine the results and discuss the future for the Israeli legislature.

An Update on the Israeli Elections

Qasem Soleimani

In this episode of Beyond Your News Feed, Professor Gizem Zencirci and Professor Ruth Ben-Artzi discuss the details of the killing of top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani that occurred earlier in January. We also discuss the implications of this attack on future U.S. foreign policy and on other nations within the Middle East.

The Latest on the Killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani

Emily Ascherl

In this episode of Beyond Your News Feed, host Bill Hudson sits down with one of the newly graduated seniors from Providence College, Emily Ascherl, to discuss her honors thesis entitled: From Authoritarian Rule to Democratic Accountability: The Negotiation for Human Rights Trials Following the Proceso Regime. Professor Thea Riofrancos, Emily's thesis advisor, also joins us in this episode to give her thoughts about the process and Emily's contributions to this field of academic study. Emily offers our listeners specific insights into the research process and the conclusions she asserts in her thesis. We are all very excited to have brought a student to Beyond Your News Feed and hope you enjoy listening to her achievements!

Emily Ascherl's Senior Thesis -  From Authoritarian Rule to Democratic Accountability: The Negotiation for Human Rights Trials Following the Proceso Regime

In this second installment of Beyond Your News Feed: Virtual Edition, Professor Susan McCarthy joins us to unpack the origins of the virus, COVID-19. Professor McCarthy helps us to trace back the discovery of the virus in Wuhan, China and analyze how the Chinese regime reacted initially. Furthermore, we delve into the details of the regime's response to the virus, the impact of the pandemic on Chinese foreign relations and on Chinese economic projects including the Belt and Road Initiative, and where China stands now on the global stage. From all of us here at Beyond Your News Feed, we hope that you continue to stay healthy during this time. Thank you for your continued support!

China's Pandemic Response and Impact

News Theme 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Artist: http://audionautix.com/

News Theme 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a>)Artist: <a href="http://audionautix.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://audionautix.com/</a>

The American Political System's Response to a Pandemic

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News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a>)Artist: <a href="http://incompetech.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://incompetech.com/</a>

Understanding Brexit

What's New With Impeachment and the Supreme Court

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The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!