News Archives

BOOKQUICK/New from the University Press

Covering the story of prejudice against Jews from the time of Christ through the rise of Nazi Germany, “The History of Anti-Semitism” presents a balanced, careful assessment of this egregious human failing that is nearly ubiquitous in the history of Europe. “From the Time of Christ to the Court Jews” systematically traces hatred against Jews as it developed from Roman times to the end of the 18th century. This volume demonstrates that organized anti-Semitism was unknown until the First Crusade.

The moral of his story: Movies can teach

Can amoral Hollywood really provide moral instruction to those of us sitting in the dark? Robert Cort C’68,G’70,WG’74, the producer of 52 films, including “Three Men and a Baby” and the soon-to-be-released “Against the Ropes” starring Meg Ryan, not only thinks so, he’s written a novel, titled “Action” (Random House, 2003), that proves it. “We who make movies have a role and a responsibility,” he explained in a telephone interview. “Today, we are in a fallow creative period. We are not making movies that provide emotional substance.”

Corporate cash has up, down sides

Should universities tack on advertising logos to their sports teams’ shirts, just so they can make millions of dollars in revenue? Should schools accept all unrestricted donations from companies to benefit research? How many classes should universities offer online? These are tough questions, and as such, present tough choices for universities, said Derek Bok, president emeritus of Harvard University. Bok spoke at a Graduate School of Education-sponsored lecture Oct. 2 about “The Commercialization of Higher Education.”

SimTeeth, real training

Dental students know that one of the integral parts of their training is sharpening psychomotor skills. Now, a new computerized teaching method helps future dentists become proficient at two times the rate of students taught with conventional methods. This success rate brings a smile to Judith Buchanan’s face.

Street and Katz try to sway student voters

Adding to an already divisive campaign, Democratic Mayor John Street and Republican challenger Sam Katz squared off at Irvine Auditorium Oct. 1. Though the event was promoted as a nonpartisan, educational forum, the crowd appeared to be one-sided, vociferously cheering the challenger and raining disapproval on the incumbent. Street, slated to speak first, was 20 minutes late. Though each candidate was scheduled to deliver a speech for 15 minutes and then answer questions, Street spoke for less than 10 minutes.

Space-saving automobiles

Out and About: The moral of his story: Movies can teach

Can amoral Hollywood really provide moral instruction to those of us sitting in the dark? Robert Cort C’68,G’70,WG’74, the producer of 52 films, including “Three Men and a Baby” and the soon-to-be-released “Against the Ropes” starring Meg Ryan, not only thinks so, he’s written a novel, titled “Action” (Random House, 2003), that proves it. “We who make movies have a role and a responsibility,” he explained in a telephone interview. “Today, we are in a fallow creative period. We are not making movies that provide emotional substance.”

Campus Buzz

The media circus comes to campus: Campus early risers on Friday, Oct. 3, who made their way to College Green got to witness a bona fide Media Event—the live broadcast of “Fox & Friends,” the Fox News Channel’s morning show.

Why is that plaque in 200 College Hall?

Illustration by Bo Brown Dear Benny, You recently mentioned “a tablet in 200 College Hall is dedicated to the ‘Sons of the University who died to uphold the laws of their country in the War of the Great Rebellion’” (a much better phrase than “the Civil War”) (“Ask Benny,” Current, Oct. 2).

History written in stone, brick and steel

In his landmark book “The Origins of the Urban Crisis,” Tom Sugrue, the Bicentennial Class of 1940 Professor of History and Sociology, dissected the hidden history of racial discrimination and violence, suburbanization and deindustrialization that afflicted our great urban centers in the second half of the 20th century.