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A New Era of Discovery in Physics
First Week (March 6 through March 12)
The discipline of physics is relatively
new, but a lot has been accomplished since British scientist
J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897. Since then,
the atom was split, smaller and smaller particles have been
discovered, and now the main question is how do quarks work?
Last year, a consortium of nuclear physicists discovered a
new subatomic particle called a pentaquark. Physicists Kevin
Giovanetti (JMU) above
and Ioana Niculescu (JMU)
right explain what this means in the detective story that
is particle physics. Also featured: Charles
Perdrisat (W&M) and
Vina Punjabi (NSU) explain
how the proton is no longer thought to be round, but more
like an oval.
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Playing Basketball, Cycling
West
Second Week (March 13 through
March 19
Phil Raisor (ODU)
was on the losing team in two of the most storied basketball games
ever played - the 1954 Indiana high schools final and the 1957 NCAA
Championship final. He's documented the experience in his memoir,
Outside Shooter. Also featured: From 1994 to 1998, Fess
Green (RU) used vacation time each
year to follow the original Wilderness
Road. He bicycled 850 miles along the
western migration route from Philadelphia to Louisville. The result
is his book Wilderness Road Odyssey:
A Cyclist's Journey Through Present and Past.
Violence and Forgiveness
Third Week (March 20 through March 26) Is
it possible to forgive someone who has committed evil acts against
you? Many people who study conflict resolution say forgiveness is
the key to repairing a fractured society. But, will Palestinians
and Israelis ever forgive each other for a decades-long history
of aggression and violence? And what about injuries done inside
of a marriage? Marc Gopin (GMU) left
and Everett Worthington (VCU) right discuss
what's required for people to forgive. Also featured: What is the
nature of violence? Many scholars are beginning to dissect what
it means to be violent, and how to overcome its powerful effects.
Roberta Culbertson is the director of
the Institute on Violence and Survival at the Virginia Foundation
for the Humanities.
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Living with Autism
Fourth Week (March 27
through April 2)
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More
and more children are being diagnosed with autism, a neurological
condition that impedes speech development and social skills.
That's due in part to an increasing awareness of the many forms
autism can take, but the increase is taking its toll on social
programs and special education budgets. The exact cause of autism
is unknown, and there is no cure. But, many treatments show
promise and parents across the country are organizing to make
sure school systems will pay for it. Psychologist professor
Miriam Liss (MWC) explains
how Applied Behavioral Analysis helps some autistic children
learn to socialize. Pediatrician Susan
Anderson (UVA) of the Kluge Children's
Rehabilitation Center discusses what we know about the origins
of autism.
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