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A new generation of African American theology scholars are striving to define their place at the intersections of religion, social causes and education. Next month, more than 40 of them from across the country will gather at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University to discuss the challenges on this formidable road. Read More

Results from the latest AmericasBarometer Survey showing what the impact of worldwide economic decline might mean for democratic consolidation in Latin America will be presented on May 8 at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C. The presentation by ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University political scientists Mitchell Seligson and Elizabeth Zechmeister is titled "Economic Shocks and Democratic Vulnerabilities: Evidence from the AmericasBarometer Survey." Read More

Churches with predominantly black congregations are thriving in urban and suburban areas, and the most successful churches employ a variety of sophisticated marketing and programming strategies to draw members, a new study by ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University researcher Sandra Barnes finds. The research offers insights into what successful black churches have in common today, when parishioners have more choices and expect more from their churches than they have in the past. Read More

While many people associate the word "pork" with lawmakers' wasteful spending for pet projects, new ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ research demonstrates the importance of cabinet secretaries and their political ideology in the distribution of lucrative federal grants. Read More

One of the most important themes to listen for in Barack Obama's inaugural address is a call for a united American body or citizenry, says Vanessa Beasley, an associate professor of communication studies at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University. Beasley is the author of You, The People: American National Identity in Presidential Rhetoric, which looks at previous inaugural addresses from 1885 to 2001. Read More

Voters in Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams' district could continue to support and re-elect the Elizabethton representative – even if he switches parties – says ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University political scientist Christian Grose. Read More

America's arduous struggle over competing visions of nationhood involving race is a giant step closer to resolution with the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, says ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University historian Gary Gerstle. Read More

The intricacies of being a black male in America are explored in the new issue of AmeriQuests, the interdisciplinary e-journal based at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University. Read More

Results from an unprecedented collection of public opinion data in 23 nations on wide-ranging political issues and their policy implications are included in the new AmericasBarometer Insights, a series of short studies now available to the public. Read More

²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ experts are available to comment on education, immigration and health care policy. Read More

Political pundits have time to reflect in the days ahead on the reasons behind Barack Obama's historic election as the first African American president, but the president-elect must focus immediately on his transition and the challenges ahead, according to several ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ professors. Read More

A smooth presidential transition with an emphasis on advance preparation and avoidance of past pitfalls is crucial to a strong start for the next administration, says political scientist David E. Lewis. ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ experts are available to discuss the many aspects of this year\'s presidential election. Read More

John McCain Needs Game-Changer: Campaign and polling expert John Geer says Barack Obama should strive to look presidential and avoid major mistakes in the remaining two presidential debates, while John McCain needs a game-changing event to shake up the race. However, with economic troubles looming, that could be difficult for the GOP nominee. (²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ has a campus broadcast facility with a dedicated fiber optic line for live TV interviews and a radio ISDN line) For a full list of election experts and news coverage, visit ElectionVU 2008. Read More

A series of musical performances, panel discussions, the release of a double CD of religious music and a conference to sum it all up will mark a semester-long investigation of "God in Music City" at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University. Read More

The first conference of an organization of black women philosophers will meet next month at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University and the keynote speech will address racial violence in Jena, La. Read More

The roles of government, the wealthy and God in combating poverty will be examined during the Conference on Religion and Economy: A Focus on Poverty at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University. Read More

A professor from ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University told Congress on Tuesday that she found American culture "deeply gratifying and simultaneously disturbing" during a Washington hearing about stereotypes and degrading images in popular culture. Read More

Memos in 2002 and 2003 written by White House lawyers to President Bush effectively promoting the use of torture are shocking, but not because of faulty legal arguments, says a ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University professor. Read More

The program at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University that helped give Muhammad Yunus to the world is a small but mighty wonder. The Graduate Program in Economic Development (GPED) has been producing ambassadors, finance ministers and heads of central banks around the world for 50 years. Read More