PODCAST · news
The Politics Classroom
by Professor Floros
For the politics-curious who need more context and explanation to understand the news.
Episodes
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Unpacking Politics: Unpacking the First Year of Trump (47)
Co-hosts Kate Floros and Evan McKenzie discuss the first year of the second Trump administration with guest E.J. Fagan. Topics range from Project 2025 and the Unitary Executive Theory to the exclusion of Congress from policymaking and the Democrats' chances in the 2026 mid-term elections. Kate,...
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Unpacking Politics: Unpacking Maduro's Arrest
In this new podcast, Unpacking Politics, political scientists Kate Floros and Evan McKenzie (University of Illinois Chicago) will discuss a wide range of political issues, trying to get to the bottom of what's going on in the world. In the first episode we talk with Juan Albarracín, our UIC...
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2026.00 Coming Soon: Unpacking Politics
Professor Floros in The Politics Classroom teases a new podcast, Unpacking Politics.
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2023.15: An American in Lagos
In the Classroom: Raymond Baker, Global Financial Integrity Topics: Operating businesses in Lagos, Nigeria; Biafra War; Coups in Nigeria; illicit financial flows; Global Financial Integrity Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Animal Kingdom by...
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2023.14: It's Kind of Bananas - The End of Affirmative Action
In the Classroom: Professor Steven Schwinn, UIC School of Law Topics: SCOTUS; 2023 affirmative action cases; Equal Protection Clause; reinterpreting Brown v. Board (1954); achieving diversity without considering race; legacy admissions Episode transcript Intro & Outro music: Three Goddesses by...
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2023.13: The Collapse of Tunisia's Democracy
In the Classroom: Professor Sharan Grewal, Department of Government, College of William and Mary Topics: Tunisian revolution; democratic backsliding; self-coup; hyper-presidential political system; constitutional referendum; boycotting elections; secular/Islamist divide Episode Transcript Intro…
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2023.12: Racism is Over - SCOTUS
In the Classroom: Evan McKenzie, UIC Political Science Topics: US Supreme Court; Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson; writ of certiorari; Rule 10; rule of four; Voting Rights Act, Sec. 2; Independent State Legislature "Theory"; Affirmative action Episode transcript Episode art: Photo by Rochelle Nicole...
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2023.11: Constitutions, Candidates, and Coups, Oh My!
In the Classroom: Semih Patan & Petia Kostadinova, UIC Political Science Topics: Tunisia clarification and update; regimes, political systems, and voting rules 101; political party ideology; 2016 failed coup in Turkey; 2017 constitutional referendum in Turkey Episode Transcript Photo by Peter...
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2023.10: Competitive Authoritarianism in Turkey
In the Classroom: Semih Patan, PhD Candidate, Political Science, University of Illinois at Chicago: https://pols.uic.edu/profiles/patan-semih/; https://pols.uic.edu/ Topics: Competitive authoritarianism; Turkish politics; Turkish 2023 presidential election; Justice and Development Party (AKP)…
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2023.09: How Did the West Get Russia So Wrong?
When the USSR collapsed, the West had so much hope for an integrated, peaceful Russia. What went so wrong, and how did the West actually embolden Putin to become a "serial aggressor"? In the Classroom: Russia expert Ambassador Ian Kelly Topics: Ambassador Kelly's Talk 2:09: Ambassador Kelly's bio...
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2023.08: The Security State is Everywhere and Anywhere All at Once
In the Classroom: Professor Nicole Nguyen, UIC (Criminology, Law, and Justice; Educational Policy Studies) Topics: Homeland Security curriculum in US schools; Countering Violent Extremism; role of teachers and therapists in policing extremism; gendered aspect of policing extremism; Zero Tolerance...
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2023.07: Happy Birthday, UIC Radio!
In the Classroom: Max, Sam, and Meghna Topics: 23 events in 23 years (2000-2023) to celebrate 23 years of UIC Radio. For more information about each event, check out The Bookshelf! (Under construction) Episode transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Happy...
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2023.06: Ja'Mal Green Runs for Mayor
In the Classroom: Chicago mayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green Topics: Chicago elections (in February!); E.P.I.C. agenda; activism arrests and bans; experience over age; creating a public bank; investing in neighborhoods; Progressive bona fides Episode transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by...
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2023.05: Introduction to Disability Culture
In the Classroom: Dr. Margaret Fink, Director, UIC Disability Cultural Center Topics: Disability vocabulary, reclaiming "crip", disability justice, disability cultural centers, non-apparent disabilities, ADHD, improving accessibility in the classroom Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three...
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2023.04: From the Archive - UICUF Wins a Contract (2019)
This is a re-release of an episode of The International Classroom, a live studio precursor of this podcast. The episode originally aired on UIC Radio in 2019. In the Classroom: 2019 UICUF President Janet Smith & Executive Vice President Aaron Krall Topics: Union contracts; bargaining units;...
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2023.03: Behind the Scenes of a Faculty Strike
In the Classroom: UICUF organizers Sophie Bauerschmidt Sweeney and Jeff Edwards; UICUF President and bargaining co-chair Aaron Krall Topics: Union organizing; strike planning; forming a bargaining team; working with management; demonstrating power through mobilization; short tribute to Janet…
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2023.02: Teaching Doctors to Teach Other Doctors How to be Better Doctors
In The Classroom: Professor Nicole A. Perez, Bridge to Faculty Scholar, Department of Medical Education, UIC Topics: Medical education; medical racism; winding career paths; social and cultural capital; community cultural wealth; first generation student success Episode Transcript Intro & Outro...
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2023.01: Populism - A Ubiquitous but Elusive Concept
In the Classroom: UIC History Professor Robert D. Johnston Topics: Professors with teacher parents; union stewards; teaching aspiring teachers; the Omaha Platform of the People's Party (1892); not populism but populisms; conspiracy theories; nativism; US Founders Intro & Outro Music: Three...
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2022.29: Voices of UIC
In The Classroom: I have the joy and privilege of speaking with many UIC faculty and students about what makes UIC special, and why they've chosen to make it home. Thank you to all who participated in the episode. I look forward to many more episodes in 2023! Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash…
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2022.28: Inside Look at Campaigns in Illinois
In the Classroom: Ryan Hurley, Regional Director for the Illinois Senate Democratic Fund Topics: Nov. 8 election; election day for a campaign staffer; paying campaign staff; post-Covid campaigning; the power of texting Photo by Andrew Adams on Unsplash Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by…
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2022.27: A Grumpy Old Man's Take on Politics
In the Classroom: Professor emeritus Chris Mooney, UIC Political Science Topics: November 8 election; election judging; ranked choice voting; ballot initiatives around the country; effects of redistricting overreach; billionaires playing politics in Illinois Photo by Niranjan _ Photographs on...
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Not this week
Brief explanation for why there is no full episode this week. Photo by Aleksandar Cvetanovic on Unsplash
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2022.26: Franken-episode
Bits and pieces of previously unaired interview fragments, strangely stitched together with spooky results. In the Classroom: Professors Cedric Johnson & Juan Albarracín and student panelists Hiba, Olivia, Meghna, and Sam Intro and Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transitions by...
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2022.25: Around the World - Leadership Edition
In the Classroom: UIC Political Science student panel comprised of Hiba, Sam, Meghna, and Olivia Topics: Protests in Iran, Brazil's elections, coup in Burkina Faso, death of Queen Elizabeth II Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Ticky Tacky by Rhythm Scott Episode...
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2022.24: Criminal Governance in Latin America
In the Classroom: Prof. Juan Albarracín, UIC Political Science Topics: Relationship between political and criminal actors in Brazil and Colombia; criminal governance; transitional justice; post-conflict Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Descarga…
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2022.23: 'We Are Still Here' - Indigenous People in America
In the Classroom: Dr. Angela Walden, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Diversity Initiatives, University of Illinois, Chicago Topics: Representation of Indigenous people; 'Acknowledge is a Verb'; Native content creators; psychology of invisibility, ICWA, Relocation Acts, Indian boarding schools Intro…
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2022.22: Debating Black Lives Matter
In the Classroom: Professor Cedric Johnson, Black Studies & Political Science, UIC Topics: Limitations of the Black Lives Matter approach to social change; class solidarity; busting myths about history; New Deal policies; GI Bill Intro, Outro, & Transition Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age...
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2022.21: PoliSci Student Panel Saves Professor's Podcast
In the Classroom: Five UIC Political Science majors enrolled in Prof. Floros' Pop Culture and Politics class Topics: Florida anti-CRT and "Don't Say Gay" laws; "indoctrination;" talking to people about their white and/or male privilege; heart attacks and ADHD in women; disappointing interactions...
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2022.20: Love, Comps, and IR
In the Classroom: Anya Stewart, PhD Student, UC Davis Political Science Topics: Graduate school; internships; insurance (it's not boring, I promise!); a cappella; finding love in an intro class; comprehensive exams; academic advising Episode Transcript Photo credit: Brownstone...
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2022.19: Every Worker Should Have a Union
In the Classroom: Professor Jeff Schuhrke (SUNY-Empire State College-Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies) Topics: Unions; higher education unions; National Labor Relations Act; unions and Democrats; exploited workers; Starbucks & Amazon unions Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music…
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2022.18: SCOTUS Summer School II (Religion, Guns, and Federal Regulation)
In the Classroom: Professor Evan McKenzie (UIC Political Science/UIC School of Law) Topics: Establishment Clause v. Free Expression Clause; regulating today's guns with 1790 regulations; relying on Congress to solve climate change Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third…
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2022.17: SCOTUS Summer School I (Abortion)
In the Classroom: Professor Evan McKenzie (UIC Political Science/UIC School of Law) Topics: Supreme Court justices; radical v. conservative; Dobbs decision and implications Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Offering by Cast of Characters Photo…
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2022.16: Class Act Retires After 55 Years
In The Classroom: Professor Dick Simpson, UIC Political Science Topics: Rebirth of Democracy; history of UIC; balancing a career with public service; redistricting; voting; judicial elections; participatory and deliberative democracy Episode Transcript Photo: Wrigley Building, Chicago. Photo by...
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2022.15: It's Broke, and It Needs to Be Fixed
In the Classroom: Professor Laura T. Hamilton, Sociology, University of California - Merced Topics: Racial consequences of underfunding public universities; austerity administrators; bankers on university boards; public higher education as a public good Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music…
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2022.14: Anthropology and Political Science Smorgasbord
In the Classroom: Previously unaired interview content with Dr. Sabine Mohamed (UIC Anthropology), Prof. Chris Bonneau (University of Pittsburgh Political Science), and Prof. EJ Fagan (UIC Political Science) Topics: Blackness in Germany; filibuster; voting rights legislation; the Deep State; and...
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2022.13: Promises Kept and Unkept
In the Classroom: Professor EJ Fagan (Political Science), University of Illinois at Chicago Topics: Three branches of government; presidential authority; Senate filibuster; US Supreme Court cases; 2020 election promises; possibility of civil war in the US While discussing Supreme Court cases that...
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2022.12: No One Should Have Life Terms...Except Tenured Professors
In the Classroom: Professor Chris Bonneau (Political Science), University of Pittsburgh Topics: College classes in correctional facilities; judicial elections; US Supreme Court; University shared governance Episode Transcript Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music…
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2022.11: It's Similar to How Cartels Work
In the Classroom: Ryan Hurley, Regional Director, Illinois Senate Democratic Fund Topics: Illinois Democratic Politics; campaign minutia; former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan; redistricting Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Rage On by Divisioner Podcast website…
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2022.10: The Road to War
In the Classroom: Retired US Ambassador Ian C. Kelly Topics: Ten centuries of Russia-Ukraine history in 30-ish minutes; Putin's motivation in Ukraine; what message Western sanctions send to China Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: These Open Roads are Calling by...
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2022.09: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend
In the Classroom: Dr. Sabine Mohamed, Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate (Anthropology, UIC) Topics: War in Ethiopia; Ethiopian military + Eritrean military against region of Tigray (Ethiopia); shifting alliances in Ethiopia/Eritrea; importance of access to the sea; race in Germany...
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2022.08: If You've Imagined It, It's Happening
In the Classroom: Dr. Emily Vasquez (Sociology), Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate, UIC Topics: Sociological aspects of genomic sequencing; public health philanthropy; sci fi medicine; government funding of for-profit research Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age...
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2022.07: Critique of Academia with a Side of Existential Crisis
In the Classroom: Prof. Heather Elko McKibben (Political Science), UC Davis Topics: Challenges of academia; pandemic fatigue; Professor Floros' existential crisis; whether tenure is worth it Intro & Outro music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition music: Horcrux by Tiger Gang
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2022.06: The US Affirmatively Needs to Take Action
In the Classroom: Dr. Lawrence Brown (Public Administration), UIC Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate Topics: Affirmative action; federal hiring policy; court challenges to race conscious university admissions; US' inability to confront the past Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses…
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2022.05: Migrant Youth in the United States
In the Classroom: Dr. Ivón Padilla-Rodríguez (History), UIC Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate Topics: Migrant youth detention; racialized immigration policy; geopolitical considerations for classifying migrants; from homelessness to the Ivy League Episode Transcript Intro & Outro...
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2022.04: Racialized Policing in Colonial France
In the Classroom: Dr. Danielle Beaujon, Bridge to Faculty Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Criminology, Law, and Justice, UIC Topics: Policing in colonial France and the US; Charles de Gaulle; Algerian independence; Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by...
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2022.03: Equity is the Goal: DEI Initiatives at UIC
In the Classroom: Dr. Amalia Pallares, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement at UIC Topics: academia v. activism; MSIs; community engagement; the other CATE; Bridge to Faculty Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Island Spring by Bright Seed For...
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2022.02.2: Office Hours: Professor Holman is Lectured by Sheriffs
Special Office Hours bonus segment with Professor Mirya Holman (Political Science, Tulane University). Material about sheriffs and sexism that didn't make the original episode. Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Photo by Illumination Marketing on Unsplash
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2022.02: There's Something About Mirya: An Aggressive Discussion of Women in Politics
In the Classroom: Professor Mirya Holman (Political Science, Tulane University) Topics: #FeministMafia, #MHAWS, differences in political ambition between girls and boys...and what to do about it Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Wire by Jessie Villa For further...
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2022.01: The Ongoing Effects of Settler Colonialism in the US
In the Classroom: Dr. Jacki Thompson Rand (Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) Topics: settler colonialism; land grant institutions; land acknowledgement statements, problematic mascots Intro & Outro Music: Three Goddesses by Third Age Transition Music: Pacesetter by Phantoms For further reading,...
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2022.00: Spring 2022 Teaser
Check out the new website, thepoliticsclassroom.org for more about the show! The Bookshelf is where you'll be able to find links to authors and ideas mentioned in the show.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Politics Classroom have?
The Politics Classroom currently has 90 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Politics Classroom about?
For the politics-curious who need more context and explanation to understand the news.
How often does The Politics Classroom release new episodes?
The Politics Classroom has 90 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Politics Classroom?
You can listen to The Politics Classroom on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Politics Classroom?
The Politics Classroom is created and hosted by Professor Floros.
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