Perspectives

What draws us to scary movies? John Powers, a lecturer in film and media studies, explains and shares the history of horror films for a Halloween edition of Arts & Sciences’ “Hold That Thought.”

Suhas Gondi, a senior in Arts & Sciences, and Vishal Khetpal, a 2015 alum, write on The Huffington Post’s blog that the presidential debate held on campus Oct. 9 could have had more impact if the questions had focused on issues affecting St. Louis, many of which also apply more broadly.

Historian Sowande’ Mustakeem, of Arts & Sciences, has just released a new book, “Slavery at Sea: Terror, Sex, and Sickness in the Middle Passage,” which delves into the forgotten world of 18th-century slave ships. Learn more on “Hold That Thought.”

Adia Harvey Wingfield, of Arts & Sciences, writes in The Atlantic about the pay gap between men and women and how it’s even more pronounced for women of color.

Some in the LGBT community may find it difficult to share personal details with their doctors for fear of being judged. But it’s imperative to proper care that doctors help break down such barriers with patients, writes Brett Tortelli, an MD-PhD candidate at the School of Medicine, on the Institute for Public Health blog.

Kelsey Klotz, an alum and lecturer in Arts & Sciences, writes an essay in the latest edition of The Common Reader about the music that presidential candidates use as another way to convey their message and rally supporters.

Hundreds of members of the National Academy of Sciences — including Joan Strassmann of Arts & Sciences — have written an open letter warning that we must do more to combat climate change and that the U.S. needs to remain a part of the international Paris agreement.

Provost Holden Thorp writes on the Center for the Humanities site about higher education’s current climate of close analysis, from both the inside and outside, and suggests a focus on three key areas.

Three Washington University faculty members — Peter Kastor, Jeffrey Q. McCune Jr. and Rebecca Wanzo, all of Arts & Sciences — each analyzed a moment in the presidential debate for The Conversation.

William Acree, of Arts & Sciences, describes the phenomenon of the Creole circus in late-1800s Argentina and Uruguay in a post on the Center for the Humanities website.