Axe & Answered

College of Liberal and Applied Arts - Stephen F. Austin State University

A 48 - 50 minute podcast by faculty members of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University. We hold lively debates related to American society and culture based a on a single question: - Why do we love horror films? - How should American history be taught? - Why are people fascinated by serial killers? - Where do urban legends come from? - Do we need the Electoral College? - Why are conspiracy theories so prevalent? - Why are there still Confederate statues? - Why does social media dominate our lives? - What are the limits to free speech?

  1. 2 MAR

    Axe & Answered - Academic Freedom Under Attack?

    The Texas Legislature has been passing bills that serve to restrict and control what kinds of subjects can be taught in Texas universities. Supporters say it's to keep professors from "indoctrinating" students in their classrooms. Opponents say it's outright censorship that restricts academic freedoms. What is the future of education at Texas universities. Host/moderator: Tom Reynolds, lecturer - Media & Communications Guest: Scott Sosebee, Professor - History

    46 min

  2. 07/11/2025

    AI in 2025: What's New in the World of Artificial Intelligence

    In this episode, we discuss the growing impact of AI on education, popular culture and beyond. Host: Tom Reynolds, lecturer - Media and Communication Guests: Dr. Jason Macintosh, asst. professor - EnglishJustin Hughes - AI researcher, graduate student

    45 min

  3. 14/11/2024

    Artificial Intelligence 2.0: What's AI up to now in 2024?

    In this discussion, we dive into the continued growth of AI (artificial intelligence) and how it's improved dramatically since it first appeared to the public back in 2022. How has it impacted education, positively or negatively? Will it replace humans in the labor market? Will it ever get so good that it will become sentient and destroy us? Guest: Sara Parks - assistant professor, Dept of English; AI educator Justin Hughes, graduate assistant Moderator: Tom Reynolds - lecturer, Dept. of Media & Communications

    43 min

  4. 16/05/2024

    Loblolly and Slash Pine: Forestry in East Texas and how Careers can be Made

    East Texas - AKA the Pine Curtain - is home to over 12 million acres of pine forests and one of the nation's major producers of softwoods for commercial and industrial use. Forestry is also one of the largest programs at Stephen F. Austin State University, offering both undergraduate and graduate studies. In this episode, we discuss forest management, controlled burns, invasive pests, and how forestry is one of the strongest careers a college graduate can pursue, with a growing (no pun intended) demand for qualified job seekers. Guest: Dr. Hans Williams, Ph. D, Dean - Dept. of Forestry Host/moderator: Tom Reynolds, lecturer - Dept. of Mass Communications

    40 min

  5. 18/04/2024

    "My Jersey is Worth HOW Much?": How NIL (Name/Image/Likeness) has Transformed College Sports

    After the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that college athletes are allowed to earn money through endorsements and merchandising, it has transformed college athletics in many ways, both good and bad. In this episode, we explore the specifics of NIL and its connection to the "transfer portal", where stand-out athletes can transfer to any number of colleges offering the best licensing deals through outside sponsors. Can it ruin a college's sports program when all of their best players are being lured away? Guest: Jonathan Shuskey - sports reporter/student athlete Host/moderator: Tom Reynolds, lecturer - Dept of Mass Communications

    35 min

  6. 03/04/2024

    "What do you mean she was a witch?": The Occult Sylvia Plath

    The American poet Sylvia Plath is known primarily for her confessional writings and committing suicide at age 30. But Tarot expert and reknowned Plath scholar Julia Gordon Bramer, author of the forthcoming book "The Occult Sylvia Plath" discovered that the late poet was obsessed with Kabbala, the occult, and Tarot, which heavily influenced her later work and continues to be overlooked by virtually every other literary scholar. In this episode, Ms. Bramer shares her research into the little-known mystical life of Sylvia Plath.

    35 min

  7. 28/06/2023

    Taming the AI Beast (or At Least Buy It a Drink): ChatGPT and Faculty

    With AI technology like ChatGPT rapidly advancing and improving, the challenge for educators is adapting it as part of their curriculum so students can learn to work with AI and not use it to cheat. In this episode, we discuss how university faculty can better understand AI and use it to its full potential for class assignments and training. Guests: Dr. Steve Marsden, professor - English Dr. Jason McIntosh, professor - English; writing program coordinator Moderator: Tom Reynolds, lecturer - mass communications

    53 min

  8. 23/05/2023

    How in the World Do We Grade This?: Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT in the College Classroom

    In this third episode on the issue of AI and ChatGPT, we discuss the possibilities and ramifications of students using chatbot technology when performing writing assignments. Much of this is still open to debate regarding official policies when faced with academic dishonesty. How far down the AI rabbit hole can both students and educators go before things spin out of control? How can we as educators work with students in having AI be used as a valuable educational tool and not for cheating? Panelists: Justin Hughes - SFA Graduate, AI independent study scholar Dr. Marc Guidry - assoc. provost, professor of English & Creative Writing Dr. Elizabeth Tasker Davis - chair, Dept of English & Creative Writing Moderator: Tom Reynolds - lecturer, communication studies

    37 min
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About

A 48 - 50 minute podcast by faculty members of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University. We hold lively debates related to American society and culture based a on a single question: - Why do we love horror films? - How should American history be taught? - Why are people fascinated by serial killers? - Where do urban legends come from? - Do we need the Electoral College? - Why are conspiracy theories so prevalent? - Why are there still Confederate statues? - Why does social media dominate our lives? - What are the limits to free speech?

Information

  • Creator
    College of Liberal and Applied Arts - Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © College of Liberal and Applied Arts - Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Show Website
    Axe & Answered