An idea for elaborating an upper melodic line over an ascending scale in the bass line. Ascending scales in the bass can be awkward to harmonise satisfactorily without generating parallels. This pattern illustrates one way of handling...

Have you ever had the frustrating experience of hearing a musical idea you want to work with as a player or as a composer but have struggled with being able to write it down? This lesson is an exercise in hearing a melodic line and being...

We explore one idea for harmonising a descending scale in the bass line. Many people find it easier to harmonise an ascending scale than a descending scale and most people find it easier to harmonise a scale at the top of the texture...

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego), describes Bill Stokoe’s early work on analyzing sign languages and searching for the relevant parameters to characterize meaning.

Sign language linguist Carol Padden relates the importance of Bill Stokoe’s pioneering work for developing a deeper understanding, not only of sign language, but of the linguistic structure of all languages.

Ben Nelson (Minerva) recounts one of his formative educational experiences at the University of Pennsylvania that helped inspire him to later create a new top-tier university.

Historian Nile Green (UCLA) describes how adopting the model of religious economy allows us to make better sense of the difference between all manner of violent and non-violent religious sects.

UC Berkeley political theorist Mark Bevir relates his belief in the importance of thinking philosophically in order to make vital progress in the social sciences.

Author and independent scholar Matthew Stewart argues that much of contemporary America has turned its back on the essential educational agenda promoted by the Founding Fathers.

Intellectual historian Quentin Skinner (QMUL), describes how government agents reading our email is actually a diminishment of our civic liberty.

Tufts University philosopher Brian Epstein describes how key aspects of his philosophical views of the social world can be directly applied to politics, explaining that to understand politics, it is vital to consider what led people to...

Political scientist Mark Bevir (UC Berkeley) argues that we need to move beyond reification of abstract concepts and recognize intentionality.

Philosopher Brian Epstein (Tufts) uses the example of electoral control models to highlight problems with model-building.

Intellectual historian Quentin Skinner (QMUL), demonstrates how the classical libertarian argument against the state impinging on our personal freedom is incorrect.

Alexa conjugates the French verb PENSER (TO THINK) in the PRESENT TENSE.

Izzy surprises Shane by announcing that she would rather be a film maker than a chef. Will Shane get over his disappointment? And what will Izzy’s film turn out like?

Shane’s confidence in his own abilities is shaken when Marvin comes to Munchington with his Marvellous Mango Roadshow.

Honey learns a lesson about teamwork.

How many ways can you make a number? Join Latiffa as she finds out different ways to show the same number, like number 4 or number 7. Decomposing numbers in multiple ways builds numeracy skills, encourages critical thinking, and helps...

Award-winning author Pankaj Mishra describes how his outlook to life has been irrevocably affected by a deep sense of crisis that is common to many people who grow up in Asia.

Primatologist Frans de Waal (Emory) discusses how a wealth of primate studies suggest that our sense of fairness does not derive from logical reflection or reason, but is a product of evolution.

Author and independent scholar Pankaj Mishra explores how finding ourselves in a prolonged societal crisis can force us to grapple with vital political, economic and environmental issues.

UCLA Chinese cultural studies expert Michael Berry describes how he launched himself on the path to becoming a Chinese translator by spontaneously contacting Yu Hua to translate his renowned book To Live, and relates the joys and...

Linguist Carol Padden (UC San Diego), describes how sign language might afford new perspectives on the notion of linguistic embodiment.