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 6/9 to 6/11/2012
Featured Stories
The Wall Street Journal reported that USC School of Cinematic Arts student Amanda Tasse won a Gold Medal in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Student Academy Awards, for her animated film "The Reality Clock." The news was also covered by USA Today, Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly and The Wrap.
Los Angeles Times reviewed "Elsewhere, California" by Dana Johnson of the USC Dornsife College. The novel follows children of African American parents who move from the South to L.A., experiencing different customs, language and values in their new home. "Johnson finesses this undertold story with grace, sensitivity and nuance," the review stated.
Forbes highlighted a study by Douglas Joines of the USC Marshall School and a colleague titled "The Implications of a Greying Japan for Public Policy." The study predicts that Japan's health care costs will become overwhelming in the near future, even if the country implements a consumption tax increase to 10 percent.
Science & Vie (France) featured Valter Longo of the USC Davis School and his research on fasting and chemotherapy recovery.
Mail Tribune featured a new documentary about Morton Lauridsen of the USC Thornton School, "Shining Night." The film, which details Lauridsen's life and work, will be screened after a performance by him and the South Oregon University Chamber Choir. The story noted that Lauridsen, a winner of the National Medal of Arts, composes choral music from secular texts.
SmartPlanet featured "Bloom," a work by Doris Sung of the USC School of Architecture, who has developed a prototype smart-building skin. Sung works with thermo-bimetals, commonly used in thermostats, which expand according to changes in temperature. The metal panels of "Bloom" open and close as the light and heat affect the structure. Sung believes that in the future this technology could be used to ventilate buildings without using any energy.
S.F. Weekly ran a Q&A with Luis Alfaro of the USC School of Theatre about his play "Bruja." Alfaro, a poet, playwright, community activist and MacArthur Fellow, has adapted a series of plays from Greek myths, with "Bruja" reimagining Euripides' "Medea." Alfaro said: "It's looking at different levels of how people assimilate into the culture, what are the things you give up in terms of your beliefs and values, and what are the things you hold on to?"
NBC News Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV ran a column by Sherry Bebitch Jeffe of the USC Price School assessing California's recent primary election. Jeffe wrote that the 30th congressional district race between Howard Berman and Brad Sherman will ramp up in the general election. "This nasty intra-party battle for political survival is likely to become the most expensive Congressional race in the history of the world," she added.
The Jerusalem Post (Israel) highlighted "Looking for Spinoza" by Antonio Damasio of the USC Dornsife College, on 17th century Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza's anticipation of modern science's discoveries regarding human emotions. The story compared Damasio's research on victims with severe head trauma to research by neurologist Simon Baron-Cohen, who studies the scientific causes of evil.
Experts Quoted
USA Today quoted David Carter of the USC Marshall School on what a Triple Crown win for I'll Have Another would have meant for the horse racing industry.
Los Angeles Times quoted Patrick Moore, assistant dean of financial aid at USC, about raising money for AIDS services and education at the L.A. Pride Parade.
San Francisco Chronicle quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about political campaign spending on social media.
Bloomberg News quoted Dan Schnur of the USC Dornsife College about President Obama's comment that the private sector economy is "doing fine."
News at a Glance
Curbed L.A. highlighted the third annual Transit-Oriented Development Summit at USC, which featured Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Toronto Star (Canada) mentioned a lecture by Antonio Damasio of the USC Dornsife College titled "Music and the Brain."
The Dallas Morning News ran a book review by Philip Seib of the USC Annenberg School of "Cronkite," a biography by Douglas Brinkley.
The Lexington Herald-Leader mentioned that USC is among the schools that conduct courses in collaboration with international universities.
L.A. Observed mentioned that the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission approved a lease with USC.
The Huffington Post reported that Jonathan Taplin of the USC Annenberg School spoke at the Tech Policy Summit about the Stop Online Piracy Act.
Associated Press mentioned that Martin Kaplan of the USC Annenberg School appeared on PBS News New York affiliate WNET-TV's "Moyers & Company."
Scientific American ran a column by USC student Judith Fong about the USC Dornsife College's Guam and Palau Program.
NPR San Francisco affiliate KALW-FM ran a story produced as a project for the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships, which are administered by the USC Annenberg School.