Thursday, August 30, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

It’s in the jeans.

There’s a new Levi’s 501 jeans TV commercial in which a guy opens up a box and takes out a new pair of jeans. As he pulls the pants on, the whole street rises up to meet him, including an attractive stranger. In one version of the ad, the stranger is a woman; in another version, the stranger is a handsome guy. The two walk off down the street together in both ads while exchanging knowing glances. The ad with the two guys is running only on Logo, the gay and lesbian channel, but Levi’s plans to air it on other channels with gay and straight audiences. Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication, says he thinks we’ll see more overtly gay ads in the future. “The key is using the channel that delivers a very specific demo. … the same ads will find favor on Comedy Central, Cartoon Network’s ‘Adult Swim’ and even certain dayparts on Lifetime.”

Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465.
pondillo@mtsu.edu

Diversity in the gallery

A variety of faculty-created works—from mixed-media installations, printmaking and sculptures to paintings and graphic-design imagery—is on display now through Sept. 4 in the Todd Gallery as part of the annual fall faculty art exhibition. Each year, one-half of the university’s art faculty members are invited to present new work to the MTSU campus and community at large. “This year’s faculty exhibit contains from 24 to 30 pieces,” says Dr. Lon Nuell, gallery curator. The gallery, which is located on the first floor of MTSU’s Todd Building, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Admission is free, and the exhibit is open to the public. The gallery will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.

For more information, call 615-898-5653.

The past is prologue?

The Washington-based Center on Education Policy reports that only 47 percent of 12th graders tested know basic-level history, even though that’s up from 43 percent in 2001. Fourteen percent of high school seniors performed at or above the “proficient” level on National Assessment of Educational Progress Tests. Are college history professors seeing this reflected in the students they teach? Dr. Brenden Martin, history, says, “History professors have taken notice of the appalling lack of basic knowledge of U.S. and world history. While recent changes in curriculum standards and accountability promote ‘fact-based’ memorization of names, dates, and events, many students entering college still have difficulties understanding the relevance of history to their lives.”

Contact Martin at 615-898-2643.
cbmartin@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

AUDIO AUGMENTATION--Give your kids a wholesome, fun extracurricular activity this school year. Enroll your child in the Youth Culture and Arts Center’s (YCAC) next recording workshop at MTSU. The current enrollment period is in effect through Sept. 7 for the upcoming Sept. 13-Oct. 12 workshop in MTSU’s John Bragg Mass Communication Building. The workshop is for youngsters ages 12-17, and the fee is $125 per student. Classes are taught by Ryan York, a 21-year-old MTSU student and teacher of guitar, bass, and drums lessons at Chambers Guitars and Musical Instruments in Murfreesboro. Ryan will provide instruction in cassette four-track instruction, digital eight-track, computer recording and electronic music. All proceeds will benefit YCAC, a program of Youth Empowerment Through Arts and Humanities (YEAH), a nonprofit organization. Call 615-631-9479 or contact York at bororecording@gmail.com.