A shelf of Harry Potter books complete with a wand

The Value of Using Harry Potter to Teach Politics

A political scientist argues that Harry Potter can be used to teach students about politics, institutional behavior, globalization, and identity. 
Julia Child's French home

Vacationing with Julia Child

Want to get away this summer? Come daydream with us to the kitchen of Julia Child, in the south of France...
Black and white drawing of an ant

What We Saw Under the Microscope’s Lens

The lens, a tool technology that helps make the invisible world visible, brought a revolutionary perspective to our descriptions of nature.
Photograph: a woman applying facial cosmetic product.

What Beauty Product Trends Really Mean

American beauty products were once widely exported abroad and seen as representations of freedom and modernity.
James Baldwin by Allan Warren

Gay Culture: Ancient Wonder or Modern Creation?

Even at more open-minded times, gays and gay culture is always seen as a frivolous—a decorative, added bonus of civilization.
A teacher meeting a student and his parents

How Parents Watch Teachers

What parents watch teachers the most? Economic class has a lot to do with report cards.
People praying during Ramadan while a while stands close by

Even Water? Why (And How) Muslims Fast During Ramadan

Ramadan is underway for the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims. This year, Ramadan takes place in the dead of summer, a particularly difficult time to fast. 
Beer Steins Are Raised as the Concord Singers Practice Singing German Songs in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Drinking Problems

How the medical profession has dealt with alcohol throughout the years.
Central medallion of a Qashqai rug, 19th century, with fragmented Herati pattern.

An Object History of the Persian Carpet

The famous Persian carpet, woven by female artisans in southwestern Iran, may be going extinct. Its story can be told in spindles and whorls.
Rainbow colored stained glass windows

What Helps Gay Christians Feel Welcome at Church?

Gay Christians have special challenges when it comes to integrating an LGBT identity within a religious identity.