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Exploring Maghrebi Literature Through the Lens of Active Learning Strategies
No full textThe objective of this article is to share with its readers active learning strategies for the study of contemporary Maghrebi literature. The corpus comprises Maïssa Bey’s epistolary novel Nulle autre voix (2018) and two volumes of Leïla Slimani’s trilogy Le Pays des autres: La guerre, la guerre, la guerre (2020) and Regardez-nous danser (2022). I articulate the pedagogical value of three evidence-based practices that level the playfield for all learners: active-learning assessment tools designed in partnership with the students, embedding a growth- mindset approach to discuss content, and continuously soliciting students’ anonymous inputs throughout the semester by the means of anonymous questionnaires and polls.Thematically, students explore socio-political and cultural effects of Colonialism and Post-Colonialism and analyze how women characters articulate or express the problems of identity and resistance, gender roles and family dynamics, sexuality and difference, marriage, and womanhood. From a pedagogical perspective, this article incorporates specific examples of respectful classroom engagement, scaffolded reading guides aiming at increasing language proficiency, highly structured activities based on graphic organizers and note-takers, and collaborative learning
Teaching One Hundred Years of Solitude through Talmudic Eyes
No full textThe Talmud is a hermeneutical text—legalistic and mythological—that positions its anecdotes, characters, and arguments in an ahistorical landscape. Using it as a tool, I have taught, for decades, Gabriel García Márquez’s masterpiece One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967), generally known as the Bible of Latin America, delving into its mythopoeia, e.g., its narrative structure, its syntax and style, and its political, psychological, and biographical scaffolding. This essay chronicles my own discovery of the novel as a young man in my native Mexico, the subsequent wrestling I underwent with its content, and the trajectory I have undergone as a teacher of it in a popular advanced undergraduate seminar mostly in an elite small Liberal Arts college. It explores the famous segment in Bava Metzia 59a-b, known as “The Oven of Akhnai” as an introduction to Talmudic hermeneutics, and, specifically, to disagreement. Anecdotes about specific interpretative instances in the novel are offered as well as revelatory comparisons between a handful of its characters and scenes and their equivalents in the Bible, the Talmud itself, and other works
Agricultural Technical Service Providers and Rural Resilience: Adapting to Weather, Climate, and Water Challenges
No full textIncreasing temperatures and extreme weather events challenge agricultural production worldwide by reducing water availability and disrupting operational timelines. Extension educators and technical service providers (TSPs) provide critical assistance to producers. Yet they often face challenges in addressing weather- and climate-related issues due to limited climate literacy training, demanding workloads, and the sensitive nature of the topic. To better understand these challenges and job-specific needs gaps, we conducted a three-phase needs assessment–comprising six focus groups–to identify the needs of Wyoming TSPs in supporting producer decision-making regarding weather, climate, and water availability. Key findings include the need for additional training in climate and environmental sciences, enhanced climate communication skills, expanded place-based monitoring, more locally relevant outreach and education, improved data interpretation, forecasting, and information consolidation, and strengthened professional networks. By situating these findings within global conversations on agricultural resilience, knowledge transfer, and climate change, the study contributes recommendations for building trust, strengthening relationships, and advancing climate literacy and communication in climate-skeptical contexts. This work informs ongoing international efforts in capacity building and extension education, offering insights for Cooperative Extension Services and similar programs, particularly in rural and politically diverse contexts
Integrating Weed Management Strategies to Reduce Seed Production and Viable Seed Dispersal in Kansas Soybean Production
No full textThe management of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a challenge in Kansas soybean production, particularly due to its high seed production, persistence in the soil seedbank, and herbicide resistance concerns. Harvest Weed Seed (HWSD) control strategies have shown promise in mitigating this issue by targeting weed seeds during harvest. A field trial assessed the effectiveness of herbicide programs and cover crops on Palmer amaranth biomass and seed production, and the effectiveness of the HWSD in reducing Palmer amaranth seed viability in soybean fields. Results indicated that the herbicide programs were not different in their impact on biomass and seed production. In contrast, use of cover crops reduced the biomass and seed production ≥ 50%. Also, HWSD significantly reduced the viability of Palmer amaranth seeds exiting the back of the combine when the seed control unit was engaged (93% non-viable seed), contributing to a more effective seedbank management practice
Editor Thank You to Reviewers for 109(2)
No full textThe editors thank the reviewers of Volume 109, Issue 2
Suicidal Ideation, Planning, and Attempts Among Black/African American Adults: Differences by Sexual Orientation 2023, USA
No full textSuicide is the 15th leading cause of death among Black/African American individuals and remains a significant public health concern globally. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are known to be at elevated risk for suicidality compared to their heterosexual counterparts. While recent evidence shows increasing rates of suicidality among Black/African American populations, few studies have examined these trends using nationally representative data, particularly at the intersection of race and sexual orientation. This study analyzed data from 4,543 Black/African American respondents from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to assess risk factors associated with past-year suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts, with a focus on differences by sexual orientation. An estimated 3.70% of respondents reported past-year suicidal ideation, 1.27% reported planning, and 0.76% reported attempting suicide. Results indicated that Black/African American individuals identifying as bisexual had significantly higher risk across all suicidality outcomes. However, lesbian/gay Black/African American individuals did not significantly differ from their heterosexual peers in suicide planning or attempts. These findings underscore the importance of considering both racial and sexual identity when evaluating suicide risk and suggest the need for intersectional informed suicide prevention strategies, particularly for bisexual individuals within the Black/African American community
When Machines Speak Science: Testing Consumers’ Perceptions of AI-Generated Communication Messages
No full textEffective science communication is essential for fostering public understanding and trust in scientific information, particularly as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are used to generate content quickly. The purpose of this research was to explore how U.S. consumers perceive transparency and source credibility of an agricultural science communication message delivered via Facebook when messages are generated by AI versus a human scientist. Using an experimental design embedded in an online survey, 1,011 respondents, representative of the U.S. public, were randomly assigned to view one of four social media posts covering either a benign (animal nutrition) or controversial (animal welfare) topic, authored by AI or a scientist. Respondents rated the perceived transparency of the messages before and after the source was revealed. Results indicated perceived transparency significantly decreased when respondents discovered the post was AI-generated and increased when they learned it was scientist-generated. Topic contentiousness did not have a significant influence. Findings suggest a preference for human-generated science communication messages, emphasizing the importance of source disclosure and highlighting challenges to public acceptance of AI-generated messaging. Science communicators should be cautious using AI when communicating science to the public until trust and acceptance of AI improves
Exploring the Use of Infographics to Alter Consumer Opinions and Perceptions of Sustainability within the U.S. Beef Industry
No full textThe meat industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental impact, animal welfare practices, and role in sustainable food systems, often fueled by misinformation and lack of consumer understanding. The purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of using infographics to change negative or misinformed opinions about the beef industry. Effective science communication strategies, such as evidence-based infographics, offer a promising approach to conveying complex agricultural topics in a visually engaging and accessible manner. These communication devices are effective in visually informing audiences and simplifying the messages; however, there is not a large body of literature on infographic use in agricultural education. A survey was conducted to gather participants’ subjective and objective knowledge about resource usage, their prioritization of sustainability issues to address, and their beef shopping habits. Participants then rated their agreement with statements about sustainability, grass-fed and conventional cattle, and hormone use. After viewing three infographics, they were reassessed on the same questions to determine any changes in opinions or knowledge. Results showed a significant increase in self-reported knowledge (p \u3c .001) and positive increases in opinions and agreement on statements about sustainability in the beef industry (p \u3c .001). Participants expressed lingering doubt about the hormone information and the over- or underinflation of statistics represented. Further research could include more specific infographics focusing on fewer topics to decrease information load and integrating more interactive elements into the infographics to increase participation and interaction
Industry is Talking: A Delphi Study Exploring Oregon State University\u27s Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication Programming
No full textAgricultural and natural resources (ANR) communication undergraduate programs are expanding across the U.S. in response to the increase in employment opportunities and needs of the ANR sector. As such, Oregon State University is developing a curriculum for an undergraduate ANR communication major. To align programming needs with Oregon\u27s industry, this study served as a needs assessment to explore the employability skills and ANR communication competencies expected by an expert panel of communication practitioners in ANR via a three-round Delphi methodology. Fourteen experts panelists obtained 100% consensus on the following nine competencies: (1) Understanding the impact and power of visual storytelling and interactive tools, (2) using credible, science-based content on social media, (3) information literacy, (4) being open to criticism, questions, and feedback, (5) demonstrating writing competencies, (6) storytelling in ANR and humanizing ANR, (7) demonstrating problem-solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, (8) cultural competencies, (9) listening skills. Panelists also rated communication skills as the most important skills within the state of [State’s] Essential Employability Skills (EES) for graduates of higher education. Recommendations include programs that integrate both employability and technical skills, such as the use of visual storytelling and interactive tools, and sourcing credible information into their curriculum based on the consensus of the panel
Examining the relationship between health literacy and the primary source of information for healthcare services among rural residents
No full textRural residents face significantly lower access to and utilization of healthcare services compared to their urban counterparts. To inform the development of effective interventions aimed at reducing urban-rural health disparities through improved health communication, we conducted a survey study from June to September 2023. This study examined the primary sources of healthcare information used by rural residents and explored the relationship between health literacy and the primary source of healthcare information. The sample included 464 residents from Tillman and Harmon counties in Oklahoma. These two counties are marked by persistent rural health disparities, including low education levels, high poverty rates, and limited access to healthcare services. Key sources of healthcare information identified included social media, the internet, email, and community newsletters. Results indicated that higher health literacy was associated with greater use of the internet and community newsletters for healthcare information. Additionally, sociodemographic factors played a significant role in healthcare information-seeking behaviors. For instance, Hispanic/Latino participants were more likely than White participants to use mobile platforms and text-based communication. Participants with higher education levels and incomes were more likely to rely on social media and the internet, while those with lower income levels tended to rely more on traditional sources like television. These findings underscore the need for tailored health communication strategies that account for varying levels of health literacy and cultural preferences in rural populations. This study highlights the importance of integrating both modern and traditional information sources to enhance healthcare access and informed decision-making in underserved rural communities