Sentencing mitigation videos are a form of documentary shown in court where individuals who know a defendant provide words of support. Is this method truly helpful, or is a misuse of it by lawyers turning the courtroom into a reality television show arena where the more persuasive storyteller wins the case?
Read more“We Exist and We Resist," Issam Nassar Delivers Insightful Lecture
On Wednesday, Feb. 6., Professor Issam Nassar, a historian of the Modern Middle East and Photography at Illinois State University, guest lectured at Skidmore as a part of the “Palestinian Voices” series in relation to the current Tang Museum exhibition ‘This Place’.
Read moreMaking Democracy Work: Constitutional Principles in an Age of Uncertainty
On Tues., Jan. 30, a lecture on the core principles of the United States Constitution was hosted by Dr. Katie Zuber, a visiting professor in the Political Science Department. Zuber presented myths about the Constitution, calling it a “timely topic.”
Read moreRussian Dissident Kara-Murza Visits Skidmore
This week, Skidmore welcomed distinguished Russian democratic oppositionist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who believes the 2020s will bring a long awaited democratic change to Russia’s politics, refuting the myth that Russian society is not fit for democratic rule.
Read moreOne Year Later: Trump’s Immigration Policy (Opinion)
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Trump promised to build a wall, restrict immigration, and end DACA. It has now been a year since President Trump has assumed office and his promises are yet to be fulfilled.
Read moreWhat Democrats Should Do to Get DACA through Congress (Opinion)
The government shutdown was an utter debacle for the Democrats. However, there is still a way to get DACA through Congress.
Read moreThe Next Celebrity-In-Chief: RIP #Oprah2020 Who’s Next? (Opinion)
Oprah Winfrey recently set the Internet ablaze when her Golden Globe's speech inspired people to call for her candidacy in the 2020 presidential run. While “President Oprah” may be intriguing, America should be looking for someone with a firm grip on policy-making and years of experience who knows how to maneuver through the system rather than another celebrity.
Read moreDavid Brooks Says Trump was the Wrong Answer to the Right Question
Like many Skidmore students, David Brooks, a world renowned journalist who is currently a conservative writer at the New York Times, was surprised by Trump’s win. To get to the bottom of what happened, Brooks spent 18 months in “Trumpland.” What he found was Americans who recognized Trump’s character flaws, but nonetheless regarded him as their “shot at change.”
Read moreAssault Rifles and Turkey (Opinion)
In the past few years the intensity of mass shootings have gone up, yet our elected officials have done nothing in response. While the NRA definitely has a major role to play in influencing congressmen and women to curb gun control, it is us, the American people who are to blame.
Read moreGlobal Citizenship 101
On Friday Nov. 17, students and faculty from the Political Science Department travelled to SUNY Adirondacks for a night of discussion on global citizenship.
Read moreA Hundred Years On
2017 marks the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in the New York State. While the efforts of thousands of women in the Women’s Suffrage Movement were integral toward gaining voting rights, the movement’s blatant racism should not go unnoticed.
Read moreGermany’s New Gender Legislation
Last week, the Constitutional Court in Southern Germany recognized third gender in official state documents and certificates. The Court is giving the country’s Parliament until the end of next year to implement this.
Read moreInternational Education Week: Cross-Cultural Conversations in the 21st Century
On Monday, accredited consultant/adviser and “cultural translator” Tayo Rockson, with origins from Nigeria, came to Skidmore. He delivered a talk on the significance of the International Education Week.
Read moreA Community of Memory: Recalling Jewish Calcutta
Jael Silliman is an author, scholar, and women’s rights advocate who started a collaborative online media archive that is devoted to preserving the memory of Indian Jewish communities. On Nov. 8, Silliman came to Skidmore to speak to students.
Read moreIt is Possible to Stop Mass Shootings!
America has the worst gun violence rate compared to any other country, making it evident that changes need to be made. Countries like Australia have adopted legislations that have fully eradicated mass shootings. Why are we not doing the same?
Read moreDo We Need to Worry about Information Overload and Mass Media?
We’re in an age of rapid accessibility and diversity of information. Our smart devices are becoming smarter, manipulating us to make decisions we otherwise would not make. What is the effect of technological developments in our lives?
Read moreConsent Has No Exceptions (Opinion)
Each year, 56 million animals are killed for food. That means if humans killed each other at the same rate that we kill animals, we would be extinct in a mere 17 days. Female animals, however, are brutalized at an even higher rate than the male animals.
Read moreUnited States Withdraws from UNESCO
On Oct. 7, United States announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, claiming the organization has anti-Israeli bias. The withdrawal will be fully implemented by the end of next year, by when the country will owe UNESCO $600 million.
Read moreLecture on Israel-Palestine Does a Disservice to Students (Opinion)
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, Bassam Eid, a Palestinian refugee and human rights activist gave a lecture at Skidmore. However, the lecture focused on critiquing Palestinian efforts and did not acknowledge all of the conflict’s main actors, namely Israel.
Read moreHow Working with the Homeless Population Changed My Life
Emily Barth’18 is a social work student who spent her summer working at a non-profit organization that works to help serve the needs of the homeless population, as well as the needs of those at risk of becoming homeless.
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