Editor’s Note: A special thanks to sound editor Humphry Del Castillo, who helped prepare the podcasts for publication.
These podcasts are sorted alphabetically by academic department or study and then by course number, when applicable.
Anthropology
Jadan Falk sits down with professor and chair of the anthropology and sociology department, Mary Sundal, to discuss Cultural Anthropology. They discuss how the course will create an appreciation and understanding for diverse societies and an ability to discuss contemporary global cultures. Sundal recommends the course to freshmen and sophomores alike, as the course is a prerequisite for several higher-level anthropology courses.
Shay Watts and Aika Kajihara sit down with anthropology professor Jason Miller to discuss his course Linguistic Anthropology. The discussion includes how language is used in different cultures and the evolution of language across time. The course is focused on helping students understand why language is different from culture to culture, the different concepts in different languages, and language evolution. Miller mentions how the course covers all aspects of language.
Caroline Rea sits down with associate professor Laura Murphy to discuss Ancient Latin America. This course will survey the cultures of Latin America pre-European contact. Students will be able to see artifacts from the time period for themselves and listen to guest lectures by academics with experience in the field. Murphy describes the class as a “journey through the cultures” of Ancient Latin America.
Art
Sabrina Humpert and Melina Scherer sit down with art lecturer Madeline Eshenberg to discuss her online class Introduction to Art. Eshenberg discusses how the course is designed to help students talk about art and understand art in society. The class focuses on types of art and the vocabulary related to it. Eshenberg wants students to know the class is welcoming and exciting for all students, and while an online course, it contains plenty of activities to keep students engaged.
Dwyne Jordan sits down with art adjunct instructor Margret Ramberg to discuss Ceramics I. The two discuss what the course is about and what projects the students will be completing over the semester. Ramberg also talks about why she enjoys the class and teaching at Washburn.
Communication
Jami Morain and Dainey Salinas sit down with communication studies Professor Tracy Routsong to discuss her online compressed course Introduction to Communication Studies. Routsong discusses the benefits of taking the course, what students will gain from their time in the course and how it applies to the real world.
Economics
Stella Whalen sits down with economics professor Jennifer Ball and discusses her Introduction to Economics course, which is offered for women at the Topeka Women’s Correctional Facility. Throughout the podcast, Ball discusses her teaching methods and how they have changed from traditional formal models to relating methods to real-world social problems and benefits of the course. Ball also talks about the success Washburn has had teaching at the Corrections Facility since 2021.
English
Cameron Manthe and Stella Whalen welcome Brad Siebert, assistant professor of English, to discuss his special topics course Film Appreciation: Comedy. Seibert discusses what is so unique about the course, how it helps students develop critical thinking skills and the real-world application the course has to offer.
First Year Experience
Londyn Furnish and Taylor Bockover sit down with Librarian Sean Stacey and discuss his upcoming WU101 class. Stacey explains how the class is there to help students get an idea of what college is about, the types of assignments involved and how the class is designed to be a helpful transition from high school into college through its assignments.
Human Services
Niyah Pattmon and Stephie Granada Arriola sit down with Stacy Conner, associate professor and chair of Family and Human Services, to discuss her class, Working with Parents and Youth. Connor discusses her background in the field and experience working with parents and children and the three talk about why the course is offered, how it is helpful in the real world, and what some of the projects entail in the course.
Kinesiology
Joshua Stephen sits down with Karen Garrison, senior lecturer in kinesiology, to discuss her upcoming course Sports Traditions and Cultural History of London, which she co-teaches with Ross Friesen. Garrison defines and explains the kinesiology department and what it offers. She goes on to talk about how the course is attached to a study abroad trip and what the assignments are in the class.
Mass Media
Camden Schrickel and Viviana Calderon-Sosa sit down with mass media Lecturer Sam Finch to discuss Introduction to Mass Media. Finch discusses his background in media and a current project. The three talk about who the class is for, what students will gain from the course and why students need to have this course in their repertoire.
Music
Michael Blackwell sits down with Bryce Call, assistant professor of music, to discuss his History of Rock and Roll Course. Call, who has a passion for rock and roll, discusses how he makes rock music accessible for students without much previous knowledge. Students will spend time in class listening to music and breaking it down, and on some days, Call even takes song requests.
Religious Studies
Aidan Caldino-Duran and Eli Kofoid sit down with Chris Jones to discuss his course, World Religions. Jones answers questions about what world religions are about and what is covered in the class.
Note: Due to complications with sound quality, a few podcasts will not be available. A few additional podcasts will be added.
