Perspectives

American religious historian Mark Valeri, PhD, discusses the harrowing tales of Pilgrim immigrants, and how much our collective vision of the first Thanksgiving matches reality, for a “Hold That Thought” podcast from Arts & Sciences.

Spanish literature scholar Stephanie Kirk, PhD, of Arts & Sciences, writes on the Center for the Humanities site about the cloistered women of Jesús María, a Mexico City convent featured in the 1684 book “Parayso Occidental” (Western Paradise).

American culture critic and essayist Gerald Early, PhD, of Arts & Sciences, writes a review in The Washington Post of Linda Hervieux’s book on an all-black unit of barrage balloonists, “Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Black Heroes, at Home and at War.”

Associate Provost Dedric A. Carter, PhD, writes on the Fuse website about the need to encourage entrepreneurship — and the risk-taking that goes with it — and why we set aside this week to focus on the concept.

Freshman Mariel Sokolov writes a blog entry on the Fuse site about how helpful a new course has been for thinking about creativity and innovation across disciplines and considering career options.

In a Los Angeles Times opinion piece on the Paris attacks, Arts & Sciences’ John R. Bowen, PhD, offers advice for French President Francois Hollande: “This is a time for solidarity, not division.” Bowen is also the author of the book “Can Islam be French?”

Students in the anthropology course “Social Landscapes in a Global View” considered the concept of a university landscape, helping deepen students’ interactions with McMillan Hall. The class added QR codes to things in and around the building, ranging from native Midwest plants to Gothic architecture. Find the codes or visit the website to learn more.

Bears Repeating, the blog of University Archives, highlights the story behind an exhibit now on display in Olin Library. The exhibit features photos taken by university alumni Thomas Allen Jr. and William Sachtleben in 1891 as they trekked by bicycle through Greece, Turkey and beyond. The exhibit runs through Jan. 10.

Bob Hansman, of the Sam Fox School, writes with passion on the Institute for Public Health blog about young lives lost to gun violence in St. Louis and the tough conversations that need to happen to bring about change.

Former U.S. Army Sgt. Mike Pereira will be on NPR’S “The Diane Rehm Show” Nov. 11 to talk about his experience and service work as a returning veteran. Pereira earned a bachelor’s degree from University College in Arts & Sciences and is now in the premedical program.