Top Story Additional Feature Faculty Authors Expertise Bonus Clip
AU Newsmakers 6.16 - 6.23, 2017
Top Story
What Will and Won't Change Following Trump's Cuba Policy Announcement
William LeoGrande, professor of public affairs, spoke to NPR's KPCC affiliate about Cuba policy changes. LeoGrande said, “These sanctions will not make any difference one way or another.” LeoGrande also authored opinion articles for the Huffington Post and The Conversation. Philip Brenner, professor in the School of International Service, also shared his insights with MinnPost. (6/16)

Additional Feature
Take Fake News by the Reins
Education Professor Vivian Vasquez talked with Forbes about teaching critical thinking skills as a way to combat fake news. Vasquez said, “I work with teachers to help them encourage students to ask some core questions when they are reading something. Ask yourself, “What is the writing trying to make me feel? What is it trying to do to me? What reactions am I having emotionally, cognitively, physically?” You may find yourself getting sympathetic or angry as you read something. Was that the writer's intent? If so, was the writer being manipulative, or are the facts of the story innately endearing or infuriating?” (6/22)

Faculty Authors
When – and Why – Did People First Start Using Money?
Anthropology Professor Chapurukha Kusimba authored a piece for The Conversation about prehistoric currency. Kusimba said, “Human beings have long used currency as a means of exchange, a method of payment, a standard of value, a store of wealth and a unit of account.” The op-ed ran online in Smithsonian and Discover magazines among other publications. (6/19)

Expertise
Online Reviewers Face Feds Over Right to Stay Anonymous
Law Professor Jennifer Daskal spoke to the Wall Street Journal about Glassdoor, Inc. refusing to disclose information about users that make anonymous posts. Daskal said the case is about the right of “people to speak anonymously on a range of a different websites without running the risk of revealing their identity to the government.” (6/16)
Highlights From a U.S. Senate Hearing on Campus Free Speech
The Chronicle of Higher Education cited testimony of Interim Vice President of Campus Life Fanta Aw, who spoke in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about free speech at universities. Aw said, “College leaders have a challenging job. They have to maintain balance when protecting important values — free speech and student safety — that can conflict at times.” (6/20)
What's Behind Fewer African-American Voters at the Polls
David Lublin, professor of public affairs, spoke to the Christian Science Monitor about why few African-Americans voted in Georgia's special election. Lublin said, “The idea that fewer African-Americans show up to vote [in the post-Obama era] is not shocking.” This story also ran in Yahoo! News. (6/19)
Evaluating Afghanistan As More Troops Expected
David Barno, distinguished practitioner-in-residence at the School of International Service, spoke to NPR about the increased number of U.S. troops being sent to Afghanistan to train local security forces. Barno said, “I think these additional troops are going to be able to be pushed further forward as advisers with frontline Afghan units.” (6/17)
What Happens When Tragedy Strikes Muslims During Ramadan
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the School of International Service, spoke to the Washington Post about how the Muslim community copes with death during the holy month of Ramadan. Ahmed said, “When someone dies, many Muslims will cite a verse in the Koran that reminds people that this life is temporary and that while they are here on Earth, they should lead a meaningful life.” (6/20)
Can Tidal and Jay-Z Get Sprint New Users?
Aram Sinnreich, associate professor of communication, spoke to Marketplace about Jay-Z's new album and the fact that it is only available to Tidal subscribers and Sprint customers. Sinnreich said, “The company's betting that when it's time to pay, its customers will be hooked on Tidal and remain loyal to Sprint.” (6/19)
What You Must Know About Men and Depression
Assistant Professor of Psychology Nathaniel Herr spoke to LifeScript about how men cope with depression. Herr said, “A man may rally at work, but then collapse and feel overwhelmed when he gets home.” (6/21)

Bonus Clip
Unity at the Ballpark: Lawmakers Come Together After Shooting
Lindsay Grace, professor of communication, attended the congressional ball game following the congressional baseball practice shooting and shared his thoughts on Congress with NPR. Grace said, “I love the idea that it'd actually be a little more cooperative instead of competitive.” (6/16)



''Online, consumer'' news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as Huffington post, NY Times
"Online, consumer" news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as Huffington post, NY Times
Both charts are based on the week's Newsmakers highlights only, not total AU mentions for the week
Both charts are based on the week's Newsmakers highlights only, not total AU mentions for the week

Prepared by University Communications

American University's faculty, staff, students and programs appear in regional, national and international print, online and broadcast media regularly. Each week, AU Newsmakers provides highlights of AU in the news. For prior weeks, go to: http://www.american.edu/media/inthemedia.cfm

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