Political Expert to Discuss Data and Elections at Ohio Wesleyan
Travis Ridout, Co-Author of ‘Political Advertising in the United States,’ to Speak Nov. 3
DELAWARE, Ohio – Travis Ridout, Ph.D., co-author of “Political Advertising in the United States,” will discuss data and elections Nov. 3 at Ohio Wesleyan University. Ridout also serves as co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which has tracked all political ads aired during U.S. elections in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
Ridout’s presentation is part of Ohio Wesleyan’s 2016-2017 Sagan National Colloquium, “Data in Our Lives.” He will speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Benes Rooms of Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, 40 Rowland Ave., Delaware.
Ridout also is the Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government and Public Policy and a professor in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs at Washington State University. Other books he has co-authored include “The Persuasive Power of Campaign Advertising” and “Campaign Advertising and American Democracy.” Learn more at http://public.wsu.edu/~tnridout.
Of his latest book, co-written with the other directors of the Wesleyan Media Project, James Druckman of Northwestern University states: “The authors pull together varied research areas including persuasion, negative advertising, and campaign finance laws and rulings to provide a clear and comprehensive narrative of political advertising. ... Anyone who wants to know how political advertising works must read this seminal book.”
Additional Sagan National Colloquium programs – all exploring “Data in Our Lives” – include the following. All events listed below are free and, unless otherwise noted, will be held in the Benes Rooms of Ohio Wesleyan’s Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.
7 p.m. Oct. 27 –Hamid Khan, founder and lead organizer for the grassroots Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, discusses data and surveillance. Khan also is the founder and former executive director of South Asian Network, a grassroots community-based organization committed to empowering South Asians in Southern California to act as agents of change in eliminating biases, discrimination, and injustices. Learn more at http://stoplapdspying.org.
7 p.m. Nov. 7 –Tristan Perich, an artist and composer, discusses his work, which explores the boundary between data and its physical realization. Perich is particularly interested in the intersection of the physical world and the abstract world of computation and electronics. His “1-Bit Symphony” is an electronic composition in five movements on a single microchip that “performs” its music live when turned on. Learn more at www.tristanperich.com.
7 p.m. Nov. 8 – Pianist Vicky Chow performs composer Tristan Perich’s “Surface Image,” in Jemison Auditorium inside Ohio Wesleyan’s Sanborn Hall, 23 Elizabeth St., Delaware. “Surface Image” is a piece for solo piano and 40 channel 1-bit electronics. Chow performs with the New York-based sextet Bang on a Can All-Stars and is a founding member of DUO X88 and six keyboard ensemble GRANDBAND. Learn more at www.vickychow.com.
4 p.m. Nov. 9 – Opening reception for “Machine Wall Drawing, an installation of three drawing machines designed and built by artist Tristan Perich, at the Richard M. Ross Art Museum, 60 S. Sandusky St., Delaware. Perich’s machines, which will be on exhibit through Dec. 15, create drawings using the precision of computer code coupled with the randomness of the physical environment, such as the ripple of the string attaching the pen to the machine’s motor. Learn more at www.tristanperich.com. Visit www.owu.edu/ross for more information about the museum, including its hours and future exhibitions.
Established in 1984, Ohio Wesleyan’s Sagan National Colloquium annually explores an issue of national and international significance from multiple academic angles. The colloquium forges links between liberal arts learning and the lifelong civic art of informed, involved citizenship. It is endowed with a gift from 1948 OWU alumni John and Margaret Sagan, now deceased. Learn more about the colloquium at www.owu.edu/snc.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers nearly 90 undergraduate majors and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through Ohio Wesleyan’s signature OWU Connection program, students integrate knowledge across disciplines, build a diverse and global perspective, and apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the latest President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.