Rappers take on the Gipper

+ America's missing midterms youth vote US Edition - Today's top story: Rap artists have penned plenty of lyrics about US presidents – this course examines what they say about Reagan and the 1980s [View in browser]( US Edition | 26 October 2022 [The Conversation]( When I saw a tweet about history students creating a playlist for a course called “Rap, Reagan and the 1980s,” I was immediately intrigued. After all, I not only grew up during the era of “Reaganomics” but also used to spin records as a hip-hop DJ from the mid-1980s to early 1990s – considered the “golden age” of hip-hop. I was a huge fan of politically conscious rap artists, such as Chuck D, KRS-One and Ice T, to name a few. The course, taught by Amherst College history professor Stefan Bradley, reminded me of how many rappers used to take Reagan to task for what happened under his watch. What better way, I thought, to teach today’s college students about the 40th president, who was known as “The Great Communicator,” than [through the lyrics of some great communicators]( in their own right – those early rappers from hip-hop’s golden age? The course also gave me another idea: Why not start a series to feature college courses that take an unusual approach to education? Thus began “Unusual Courses,” a new occasional series at The Conversation U.S. that makes its debut today. Bradley was the spark for this series, so it’s fitting that his course be featured first. But it won’t be the last. Be sure to keep an eye out for more stories about some of the most fascinating courses currently being taught in America’s colleges and universities. Also today: - [About 4 in 5 Americans trust scientists]( - [Campaign lawn signs are everywhere – but do they work?]( - [Why respiratory infections in kids are surging]( Jamaal Abdul-Alim Education Editor Numerous rap songs criticize the Reagan administration for its complicity in the illicit drug trade. Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images [Rap artists have penned plenty of lyrics about US presidents – this course examines what they say about Reagan and the 1980s]( Stefan M. Bradley, Amherst College Ronald Reagan may have been known as ‘The Great Communicator,’ but rap artists don’t view his legacy through such rose-colored glasses. A professor of Black studies and history takes a closer look. Science + Technology - [Most Americans do trust scientists and science-based policy-making – freaking out about the minority who don’t isn’t helpful]( John C. Besley, Michigan State University It’s tempting to focus on the minority of Americans who hold negative views about scientists. But blaming others for their lack of trust won’t build the relationships that can boost trust. - [Drugs – 4 essential reads on how they’re made, how they work and how context can make poison a medicine]( Vivian Lam, The Conversation Despite technological advancements, many challenges remain in getting a drug from lab to pharmacy shelf. Reframing what is a 'medicine' could expand treatment options for researchers and patients. Politics + Society - [Why campaigns have a love-hate relationship with their signs]( Karen Adams, Arizona State University Supporters and volunteers love them. But it’s difficult for political scientists to determine whether they even influence the outcome of elections, since no two campaigns or election cycles are alike. - [Young voters are more likely to skip midterm elections than presidential races]( Jan Leighley, American University School of Public Affairs Americans’ political affiliations and views on key issues vary a lot by age. When fewer young people vote, winning candidates and policies may not reflect their views. - [The future of creative freedom is on the line, starring Andy Warhol, Prince and 2 Live Crew]( Hannibal Travis, Florida International University Is it unfair to make money from works that borrow from copyrighted work? Economy + Business - [More than 60% of Puerto Ricans seeking FEMA aid after Hurricane Maria had their applications denied – will the agency approve more this time?]( Ivis García, Texas A&M University Within two weeks of Hurricane Fiona, FEMA had accepted most Puerto Rican housing aid applications. Nearly all those early approvals cover only $700 in assistance and won’t pay the tab for rebuilding. Environment + Energy - [By fact-checking Thoreau’s observations at Walden Pond, we showed how old diaries and specimens can inform modern research]( Tara Miller, Boston University; Abe Miller-Rushing, National Park Service; Richard B. Primack, Boston University Journals, museum collections and other historical sources can provide valuable data for modern ecological studies. But just because a source is old doesn’t make it useful. Health + Medicine - [RSV: A pediatric disease expert answers 5 questions about the surging outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus]( Jennifer Girotto, University of Connecticut Tens of thousands of children have tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus in the last months in what is the largest outbreak of the virus in recent years. Education - [How parents and schools can get chronically absent kids back in the classroom]( Joshua Childs, University of Texas at Austin The numbers of students missing 15 days or more of school in a given year is on the rise in the US. Evidence shows certain approaches can get kids back in school and help them stay in class. From our sponsor We are experimenting with underwriting messages from select like-minded organizations: [FIELD STUDIO]( offers online classes for academics who would like to learn to write more vividly within their academic writing: books, articles, and essays. In the 5-week class "Creatively," ($795) starting this January, you will learn how to more richly write scenes from your fieldwork with a fiction and creative-nonfiction writer, and consider sentence structure and image with a poet. You’ll also consider how to enact theory within lyrical and narrative writing. Ultimately, you will [bring these techniques into your own academic writing to both move your readers and reach a broader audience](. [In the studio]( We'd like to hear from you about this experiment. Please reply to this email if you have any feedback. Trending on site - [Why do people have slips of the tongue?]( - [Republicans say crime is on the rise – what is the crime rate and what does it mean?]( - [COVID-19 rapid tests can breed confusion – here’s how to make sense of the results and what to do, according to 3 testing experts]( Today's graphic [“A]( From the story, [The midterms will see a number of nonreligious candidates – but why is it so hard for atheists to get voted into Congress?]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](