Each year, USC programs and faculty research are highlighted in print, broadcast and online stories throughout the world. Highlights of recent news coverage are compiled by USC Media Relations.
USC in the News 6/1/2012
Featured Stories
The New York Times reviewed "Hollywood Left and Right: How Movie Stars Shaped American Politics" by Steven Ross of the USC Dornsife College. The book details the impact on politics of Hollywood figures ranging from actors Charlie Chaplin and Ronald Reagan to studio head Louis B. Mayer.
Los Angeles Times featured the USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times Poll, which found that workplace conditions are worse for many Californians since the economy took a downturn. More than a third of respondents said that their workplace conditions worsened in the past year; more than half said that they or someone they knew had experienced reduced wages or hours. The poll was also covered by a Los Angeles Times blog post, Notimex (Mexico), MSNBC's "The Maddow Blog," United Press International, The Christian Science Monitor, LAist, The Bay Citizen and City News Service.
The Huffington Post ran a column by Lois Banner of the USC Dornsife College for Marilyn Monroe's birthday. Banner, author of the new biography "Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox," wrote that Monroe believed in astrology and was a Gemini — a sign identified with "shape-shifting personalities." "She could be withdrawn or ebullient, downcast or laughing, with an ability to make hilarious puns or tell jokes," Banner wrote.
Politico ran an op-ed by Manuel Pastor of the USC Dornsife College and a colleague, on how America should view its changing demographics. They wrote that the country's increasingly diverse makeup suggests a need for investing in education, from early childhood to college. "Embracing America's tomorrow means making investments today — and we'd best do it with optimism, hope and conviction," Pastor and colleague wrote.
The Huffington Post ran a column by Philip Seib of the USC Annenberg School on China's exertion of its influence through soft power. Seib wrote that China's leaders need to accept the realities of being a superpower — including being criticized, whether fairly or not. "Chinese public diplomacy leaders need a better appreciation of the give-and-take of superpower diplomacy," he wrote. The Huffington Post ran a second column by Seib on Chinese diplomacy.
FishbowlLA featured a program of the USC School of Cinematic Arts that provides two Afghan students a year with training in film production, including writing, editing and cinematography. David Weitzner of the School of Cinematic Arts oversees the program, and former MTV and Viacom executive Tom Freston has sponsored the students.
Experts Quoted
The Boston Globe quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about controversy over senatorial candidate Elizabeth Warren's claim to Native American ancestry.
Politico quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about the similarities between Meg Whitman's campaign for governor and Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.
The Sacramento Bee quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about Californians' attitudes toward medical marijuana.
News at a Glance
The Washington Post, in a story by The Root, reported on a petition relating to USC.
Los Angeles Times mentioned that USC meets the criteria for the Student-Athlete Bill of Rights, a proposed piece of legislation that would provide additional financial and academic support for injured and low-income athletes.
Los Angeles Times mentioned an upcoming discussion with Howard Rodman of the USC School of Cinematic Arts about the Samuel Fuller film "White Dog."
Pocono Record ran a column by Susan Estrich of the USC Gould School about presidential candidate Mitt Romney's ideas on education.
Fox News mentioned that Antonio Damasio of the USC Dornsife College has received Spain's Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research.
Scientific American ran a column by Jim Haw and David Ginsburg of the USC Dornsife College about the school's Guam and Palau Program.
KCET-TV noted that images for a story were provided by the USC Libraries and by L.A. as Subject, a research collective hosted by the USC Libraries.
The Rafu Shimpo reported that USC awarded honorary degrees to Nisei students who had been interned by the U.S. government during World War II.
The Guardian (U.K.) mentioned that director George Lucas is a USC alumnus.
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) mentioned that director John Carpenter and late screenwriter Dan O'Bannon both attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts.