Radford University experts available to discuss economics, politics, holiday songs and movies
Radford, VA (12/09/2024) — Radford University professors are available to talk about the following topics:
December is here, and so are the classic Christmas songs that have played over the radio and public places for years during the holiday season. Many of these classic secular Christmas songs - "White Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Let it Snow," and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - were written during and shortly after World War II and are still popular today. Dave Rivers, an associate professor of music at Radford University, has examined the significance of these songs, and can explain "why they are still so popular 80 years later," he said, "what they have in common musically and lyrically, how they came about, and what contemporary Christmas songs like Maria Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' have borrowed from them."
Email: drivers7@radford.edu
Phone: (615) 476-3633
On holiday movies
The debate pops up this time every year: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
Chapman Rackaway thinks so. "I can talk for a long time about why "Die Hard is not only a Christmas movie, but one of the best Christmas movies," said the Radford University professor and chair of the Department of Political Science. "The John McClain redemption arc follows a lot of the same plot lines as Hallmark Christmas movies and the Hans Gruber robbery storyline is as much a parable about greed as anything Capra ever did."
Email: crackaway@radford.edu
Phone: (540) 831-6602
Speaking of Hallmark holiday movies, Michael J. Meindl, an associate professor of media studies in Radford's School of Communication, is available to speak about Hallmark movies, their familiar plot structure, and "their connection to Hollywood romantic-comedy history," he said, "and how this connects to their ubiquity."
Email: mmeindl@RADFORD.EDU
Radford University Associate Professor of Economics Thomas Duncan is available to speak about President-elect Donald Trump's economic plans, including his aim to install a blanket tariff on all imports. "Tariffs are nearly always paid for in higher prices to consumers in the domestic economy," said Duncan, who also can address about deficits and potential tax cuts.
Email: tduncan13@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-6057
With the presidential election behind us, tensions in the workplace could be running high, regardless of political preference. Molly Sloan, a Radford University Assistant Professor of Management in the Davis College of Business and Economics, is available to speak about strategies employers can use to assist their employees through post-election anxiety and potential conflict. Sloan researches work stress, employee well-being and how relationships among work, life and stress play out over time. "Dealing with post-election stress is additionally complicated because employees are going to have varying levels of comfort or discomfort engaging in discussions or even recognitions of stress surrounding the election while at work," Sloan said. "So, organizations need to tread carefully. Employees are likely to benefit most from demand-reduction, resource-addition that makes them feel heard, understood and valued."
Email: mmsloan@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-5139
