Oil in the Gulf: The Effects on Wildlife

9/9/10 Oil in the Gulf

The recent BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in many images in the media of oil-covered birds. The leak is stopped and the oil is out of the headlines, but the effects on wildlife continue, and will for years to come. Jill Rolfe, a UMUC instructor at Misawa AB, Japan, talks about some of the ongoing and anticipated effects of the oil on wildlife. Also, what does it take to get oil off a bird?

The History of Leon McCrillis

3/9/10 The History of Leon McCrillis

Leon McCrillis has taught for UMUC Asia for almost 30 years, in the Philippines and Guam. He talks about his own history with UMUC, as well as American, Guamanian, and medieval European history.

Whales in Japanese Culture

3/3/10 Whales in Japanese Culture

Yoko Morimoto and Gyongi Plucer-Rosario, UMUC faculty members on Guam, preview their upcoming lecture on whales in Japanese culture. Why does Japan insist on continuing whaling “for research”? Why is there such an outcry regarding whales when other species are even more endangered?

Rory O’Neil talks algae

10/30/09 Rory O’Neil

Rory O’Neil

Meet biologist Rory O’Neil, a new faculty member at Misawa Air Base, Japan. He has put in a lot of fascinating research on algae, and also tells us why the apostrophe in his name may not be as important as he thought it was.

Understanding Arabs and the Middle East

9/22/09 Understanding Arabs and the Middle East

The Western perception of the Arab world is filled with stereotypes and misinformation. At Osan Air Base, Korea, on October 9, Dr. Ray Weisenborn will be giving a lecture entitled “Understanding Arabs and the Middle East.” Dr. Weisenborn has taught writing, English, speech, theatre, and Human resource management for UMUC Asia. In this episode, he talks about his experiences with the Arab world and some of the misconceptions Arabs and Westerners have about each other.

The Financial Meltdown: Re-learning Old Lessons

9/11/09 The Financial Meltdown: Re-learning Old Lessons

What’s it like to teach an Economics class during an economic meltdown? UMUC Asia Adjunct Associate Professor Douglas Ostrom had this experience last fall while teaching at Yokosuka NB, Japan. He’ll describe how he handled it, the causes of (and solutions to) the economic crisis and the current recession, and the effect it has had on the Japanese economy.

Jeffrey Newbern on Sex and Drugs

8/28/09 Jeffrey Newbern on Sex and Drugs!

Is there such a thing as a “gateway drug”? Are certain types of personalities more prone to substance abuse? Why does dinner seem to be the ideal date for most couples? Psychology instructor Jeffrey Newbern talks about teaching the UMUC courses PSYC 307X Substance Abuse: An Introduction, and PSYC 332 Psychology of Human Sexuality.