Entertainment news from campuses on the campaign trail

I could compile more news about the shutdown, but I've hit the wall of "I can't be all doom all the time."  Instead, I present some entertainment stories from Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday (IgNobel Prizes) and Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday (IPCC report released), along with a bonus video, which I present first.

Boston University on YouTube: YouSpeak: Binge TV Watching

In this week's "YouSpeak," students talk about the pleasures of binge watching and which shows they can't get enough of.

My wife and I have been doing a lot of binge watching this summer, beginning with "House of Cards," and then proceeding on to "Falling Skies," "Once Upon a Time," "Grimm," and "The Walking Dead."  All of those, including "Grimm," are post-apocalyptic.  Yes, "Grimm."  Apocalypse originally meant "unveiling."  Only later did it become a synonym for the end of the world.  "Grimm" is certainly about what happens after an unveiling of the truth.

Enough of that.  I'll write about all those series later.  I'll leave the subject for now by noting that the University of Alabama is taking advantage of the popularity of "The Walking Dead" as UA Professors Turn Zombies Into Teaching Tools.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Matt Payne and Adam Schwartz, University of Alabama telecommunication and film professors, have one thing on their brains: “BRAINS.”

Actually, that’s not entirely true, but Payne and Schwartz are each teaching a UA course this semester on zombies, cashing in on the monsters’ current popularity to provide students with culturally relevant instruction while teaching them the skills they need to succeed after college.

“What’s going to catch people’s attention is the subject matter,” said Payne, an assistant professor in telecommunication and film, who is teaching TCF 444: Zombies in Culture. “At the same time, pedagogical utility is vital. It’s very important to us to underscore what the learning objectives are.”

Finally, here is a follow-up to Carolina Crown wins with Einstein on the Beach.

University of Massachusetts, Amherst: Hannum Helps Guide Carolina Crown Drum Corps to World Championship
September 11, 2013

Thom Hannum, associate director of the Minuteman Marching Band, who taught the Carolina Crown drum corps this past season, captured another laurel Aug. 10 as the group won its first title at the Drum Corps International (DCI) World Championship in Indianapolis.

Hannum, who directs the marimba band/marimba ensemble in the department of music and dance, is regarded as one of the nation’s foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians. He is known internationally for his work with the DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana drum corps.

I'm always pleased to see drum corps people recognized for their work by their day jobs.