The Everyday Scholar

Taking an objective approach to learning about different religions can lead to a greater connection with other humans. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Religion and Philosophy professor Dr. Achilles Gacis about the unique diversity of religion in Hawaii. He also talks about the educational benefits of religious studies, how a deeper knowledge of religions can lead to greater understanding among people, and more.

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Many different things can contribute to a person's sense of identity including culture, location, ethnicity, religion, and more. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU English professor Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson about the concept of intersectionality, which allows people to understand how their own identity can change based on differing circumstances and why it's so important to be open-minded in order to understand other people's identities and backgrounds.

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Why do nations still wage war against each other? Is it important or beneficial for politicians to have military experience? In this episode, APU professor Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Larry Parker, who spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, about the national security strategy to protect the homeland. Also learn what issues lead to war and armed conflict, why it’s so important to understand other cultures, and the ethical side of war and conflict.

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Were labor unions successful in improving the quality of life for working-class people? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to history professor Dr. Jeffrey Leatherwood about the history of labor unions in the Carolinas. Hear about the turbulent and often violent efforts to form unions including the infamous Charlotte massacre of August 25, 1919 and how such efforts relate to present-day unions. 

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Social media has become a powerful communication tool that influences how people think about social, political, and cultural issues. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to AMU communications professor Dr. Allison Slade about the rise of popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and how people are increasingly relying on these sites for news and information. Learn how social media is contributing to the increasing divisiveness in the U.S. and why it is more important than ever to be a critical media consumer.

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In many European countries, it’s acceptable to stare, touch other people, and stand close. But in the U.S., staring is considered rude, touching is generally frowned upon, and people highly value their personal space. In this episode, APU professor Stefania Malacrida discusses these cultural norms after living in Italy, Germany and the U.S. Learn how these cultural norms lead to differences in moral and social values including the death penalty, gun rights, and more.

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There are more than 30 million "selfies" uploaded to social media every week. While this may seem like a modern-day phenomenon, there's a significant connection between "selfies" and self-portraits used by artists throughout history. In this episode, APU's Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Art Professor Mina Majstorovic about art history and selfies. Learn why artists historically composed self-portraits as autobiographies and self-expression and how such paintings reflect the culture of the time. Also learn how the selfies of today can help students connect to, and better understand, artwork from the past. 

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Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects African Americans. In this episode, APU Business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt interviews Dr. Maurice Fluitt about his work in epigenetics, which is research into how the expression of genes can be changed without changing DNA. Learn how genetic imprinting helps understand complex diseases like diabetes and why it?s so important to educate the public about this research. Dr. Fluitt also discusses how COVID-19 has affected people with diabetes, why it?s so important to listen to your body, and why people shouldn?t be afraid to go to their doctor with any health concerns.

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Political conventions have changed dramatically over the years. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU program director Dr. Tom Kelly about the history of each major party’s political convention to nominate a presidential candidate. Also learn why there’s unlikely to ever be a viable third-party candidate, how Democrats and Republicans are trying to target voters outside their traditional base, and discussion about the concept of American exceptionalism.

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Do law enforcement agencies incorporate too many military tactics and equipment in their policing efforts? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to AMU Criminal Justice program director, Dr. Chuck Russo about the origins of the military and domestic law enforcement as well as the benefits and downfalls of ongoing collaboration. Learn about the influence of traditional media and social media on politicizing police tactics and how discussions in the classroom can help bring to light many controversial policing topics including militarization, use-of-force, ethics, mental health, post-traumatic stress, diversity, supervision, management, and more.

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