Symposium

Bernie Sanders' 2019 speech regarding ideology aimed to dismantle Americans' negative perceptions of democratic socialism. Valentyna Stadnik presents her analysis of Sanders' use of "socialism" as an ideograph.Access the Undergraduate Symposium Virtual Event Page here.View the event program here.Learn more about the Symposium here.Reported: Kaila TrefilProduced: Ronia Cabansag

Senior Biology major Morgan Chaudry has spent the past couple years researching the impact of rainfall and snowmelt as sources of microplastics in local streams. She teaches us what microplastics are, where they come from, and where they can end up.Access the Undergraduate Symposium Virtual Event Page here.View the event program here.Learn more about the Symposium here.Reported: Ethan MyersProduced: Ronia Cabansag

Tre Briscoe shares his experience conducting an oral history project with Felix, a young trans man. He shares his biggest takeaways, and lends advice on having personal conversations. The Q&A portion of Tre's presentation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. on March 26. His presentation is prerecorded, and can be viewed all day. Access the Undergraduate Symposium Virtual Event Page here.View the event program here.Learn more about the Symposium here.Written & Reported: Kaila TrefilProduced: Ronia Cabansag

Political Science student Jack Swartzinski shares his research regarding the evolution of the implementation of the 14th Amendment. He also explains why he believes the 14th is the most critical Amendment in the American legal system.Jack's presentation will take place on the virtual event page at 1:40 p.m. on March 26 during live session C.Access the Undergraduate Symposium Virtual Event Page here.View the event program here.Learn more about the Symposium here.Produced & Reported: Ronia Cabansag

Social media has made it possible for any individual to publicly present their thoughts to a large audience. The rise of this modern form of communication has made it more difficult for American courts to define the boundaries of both protected and unprotected speech. EMU graduate Gwenyth Andrusiak analyzed different court cases and literature to better understand how courts decide whether something that’s said on social media should be allowed, or suppressed.Reported: Justus MaddoxProduced: Ronia Cabansag

In comparison to every other population in the U.S., African American woman face disproportionately high rates of diabetes and death attributed to hypertension. McNair Scholar, EMU senior, and Psychology major Jada Childs shares her research on the effects of stress on the mental health of African American women and low-income neighborhoods. She also offers an original solution to the unique wellness challenges that African American women face. ---The Eastern Echo’s newest podcast features students who were set to present their projects at EMU’s 40th Annual Undergraduate Symposium. Subscribe to Symposium wherever you get your podcasts, and listen to students answer question you never knew you had!---Reported: Justus MaddoxProduced: Ronia-Isabel Cabansag

Krishna, a major Hindu deity, is widely perceived to be a wise, cosmic figure. However, the Bhagavatam Purana reveals a more complex character that also delights in mischief and playfulness. English Language and Religious Studies student Makoto Takata analyzes the contrast between stories of Krishna's early life, and other sections of the text that discourage playfulness and birth. She discusses a theatrical tradition that appears to balance these two portrayals of childhood.Takata also wrote a play titled "Bala Gopal." Bala Gopal is a name for young Krishna, and the play follows some of the major stories of Krishna's life. She organized a staged reading of the work, bringing in two friends who practice traditional Southeast Asian instruments to accompany the performance. You can find a video of this on our website.---Written & Produced: Ronia Cabansag

Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major was written for Joseph Weigl, a renowned cellist and a dear friend of Haydn. Athena Goppold performs the first movement and discusses the history of the piece, which went missing for about 200 years.---The Eastern Echo’s newest podcast features students who were set to present their projects at EMU’s 40th Annual Undergraduate Symposium. Subscribe to Symposium wherever you get your podcasts, and listen to students answer question you never knew you had!Written: Kaila TrefilProduced: Ronia Cabansag

Last October, Ellen DeGeneres faced criticism after being spotted sitting next to former president George W. Bush at a football game. She continued to face backlash for that way that she addressed the moment on her variety-talk show. Psychology student Cameron Harris uses Kenneth Burke's dramatistic pentad to analyze Ellen's message, and considers the social responsibility that celebrities hold. He argues that Ellen's and Bush's relationship is ultimately questionable and hypocritical.---Ever thought about how 9/11 impacted your favorite sitcom? Or what Ypsilanti really thought about abolishing slavery? Students who were set to present at Eastern Michigan University’s 40th Undergraduate Symposium hold answers to questions you never knew you had. Written Kaila TrefilProduced: Ronia-Isabel Cabansag

In 1971, Civil Rights advocate Julian Bond was invited to speak at Eastern Michigan University's commencement and receive an honorary degree. The announcement was met with great opposition in the form 237 letters addressed to the Board of Regents. Shelbie Torok explains what the letters reveal about their writers' attitudes at the time. She also puts the incident in the context of the black student protests that took place on campus in the 1960s and 1970s.---The Eastern Echo’s newest podcast features students who were set to present their projects at EMU’s 40th Annual Undergraduate Symposium. Subscribe to Symposium wherever you get your podcasts, and listen to students answer question you never knew you had!Written: Kylie GilliganProduced: Lauren Smith