Political Science lecture series - podcast review

Compelling and provocative. In the first two lectures of Berkeley's undergraduate course in political science (Political Science 179), Alan Ross does everything to bring out the fireworks. Ross doesn't believe in teaching the science. He brings guest speakers, preferably ones with unusual points to make, to bring debate, to bring politics to life.

If his speakers won't do that, he will himself. He does the first lecture and challenges his audience, not only with provocations. He uses sheer sarcasm. 'Hey you with the funny t-shirt, you look like you have an attitude.' 'All those people who said their vote counts, what are they? Wrong!'

You absolutely do not have to agree, just do not fall asleep. If only you weren't listening on the podcast, but actually could be there; you could participate. Where do you find such with regards to politics these days?

More Berkeley courses:
Man, God, and Society in Western Literature,
Economic Geography of the Industrial World,
Ancient Philosophy,
Physics for Future Presidents,
A survey of Europe from the Renaissance to the present.

Dan Carlin announcement

Today I received an email from Dan Carlin, making an announcement that all you podcast listeners who follow his Hardcore History, will want to know.

His series about the Punic wars is delayed. He was planning to make it into a double episode, but has decided to make it a trilogy in stead. Nevertheless the publication of the second installment is going to be soon. It just won't be the final. A lot of the material that has already been recorded will be discarded. For those who are interested in the full version, Dan relates, this may become available at a premium. See Dan's blog.

I appreciate he lets quality prevail over a preset publication schedule. I have seen this happening with many podcasts lately. The on demand character of the medium also allows for an on supply approach, I gather. We listener's have so much to choose from, we won't suffer if there is less, especially when what is there, is properly produced.

More Dan Carlin:
Punic Nightmares I,
Under the Influence,
Apaches,
Assyrians,
and Dan Carlin praises Anne is a Man!