A Wall Street Journal piece today examines a growing trend among university educators to utilize popular culture, particularly music, to more effectively communicate traditional intellectual concepts – and features Touro College’s Assistant Professor of Political Science Thomas Rozinski as the leading example.

In the particular lesson pictured below, Professor Rozinski’s students used the song “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from the recently released film version of Les Miserables as a jumping-off point for a sophisticated discussion of the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt.

Touro College  Assistant Professor Thomas Rozinski

Professor Rozinski “uses songs from such varied sources as musicals, rock bands and the Swedish pop group Ace of Base to illustrate classic themes in nearly every class,” according to Sophia Hollander’s story. Per the report, Professor Rozinski  presented his approach at an academic conference this year and is planning to publish a paper on the technique.

Read the full article.

Professor Rozinski with a Touro student

About the Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of Jewish-sponsored non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris, and Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro College Los Angeles and Touro University Worldwide, are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System.