USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Laws and policy are being made in the nation’s capital, despite its reputation as suffering from partisan gridlock. In fact, gridlock has always been a myth, USC Dornsife political scientist Jeb Barnes explains in The Conversation US. USC POIR

USC Dornsife on Mars?! SHERLOC, the ultraviolet laser technology that probes the red planet for life, was developed by a team led by USC Dornsife's Ken Nealson.

As we get ready to watch NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover land on Mars today, we remember the thrill of launch day! Persevere and Fight On, from the Trojan Family

We remember Robert Hellwarth, a pioneer in laser technology. A professor of physics, astronomy and electrical engineering at USC for nearly 50 years, Hellwarth was a beloved mentor, appreciated for his kindness, humor and humility. USC Department of Physics and Astronomy USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Mexico played an important role in helping escaped slaves find freedom and in shaping the United States Civil War, argues USC Dornsife historian Alice Baumgartner in her new book "South to Freedom." USC History Department Basic Books

Asking people who they think their friends are likely to vote for could help pollsters more accurately predict election wins, according to research from CESR - Center for Economic and Social Research at USC. Via Spectrum News 1 SoCal

As the new director of USC Dornsife’s Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, Joe Árvai combines his expertise in risk and decision sciences with a passion for sustainability. USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies

Congratulations to senior Trenton Stone who has been named a Schwarzman Scholar! The prestigious scholarship supports his pursuit of a master's degree, which he will use to foster more effective partnerships between the U.S. and China. Schwarzman Scholars

As the transition to electric vehicles escalates, what will gas stations of the future look like? This Friday, join USC Dornsife's 3rd LA for "Pump to Plug." Six architecture, landscape and urban-design firms will present their vision of what the fueling station of the future could look like.

Join USC Dornsife for a class on mindful creativity! You are invited to experience your own creativity through meditation and awareness practices. Classes begin Nov. 10. Info and RSVP: http://ow.ly/zIRp50CdPCV

TODAY: We invite you to attend the virtual Together Apart Freshman Colloquium presenting critical and creative work done by freshman at USC this semester. Browse the panels, share your opinions of students’ work and vote for your favorite at dornsife.usc.edu/togetherapart.

Fight on to victory, Trojans! We're cheering on the first football game of the season USC Homecoming! safely from home tomorrow. In 1923, 300 USC fans pulled this neat card trick at a game. : USC Libraries... USC Alumni Association

Nov. 12: Join USC Dornsife scholars, innovative chefs and a food activist as they describe how food can act as a passport to new neighborhoods and cultures in L.A. RSVP for the free event: http://ow.ly/bSgu50CcURA

TUNE IN: Join Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy, co-directors of the USC Center for the Political Future, and journalist Adam Nagourney, Republican political strategist Mike Madrid and USC professor Jane Junn for a discussion about the 2020 election.

#TBT Fight On from sunny California : USC Libraries Digital Library

In case you missed it, here are campus resources and tips from experts to help ease stress from the election.

This semester, students in Christian Grose's course "Critical Issues in American Politics: Fixing American Democracy" (POSC 439) had the opportunity to speak with Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's secretary of state. She Zoomed in to discuss Michigan's new redistricting commission as well as vote-by-mail and other reform efforts to make voting easier in the state.

Election Day is finally here. The final USC Dornsife Daybreak Poll reveals a consistently stable presidential race with former Vice President Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by 10 points. Overall, Biden has a distinct advantage in the poll’s measurement of the popular vote compared to Hillary Clinton’s final 2016 margin of roughly 2 percentage points over Trump. Biden is benefiting from the support of some key demographic groups that were more likely to vote for Trum...p in 2016 than his Democratic opponent, according to the poll. Read more: ow.ly/CUak30riaHK

Feeling stressed by the election? You’re not alone! USC offers these campus resources for students, faculty and staff as well as tips from experts to get you through the election: http://ow.ly/ML7l50C9syM

The final USC Dornsife Daybreak Poll reveals a consistently stable presidential race. Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by 10 points.

Happy Dia de los Muertos! USC Dornsife anthropologist Kirby Farah explains the origins of the lively festival commemorating the dead, and how it's different from Halloween in The Conversation US.

Congratulations to the USC faculty who have been named University Professors and Distinguished Professors! The very selective awards recognize significant accomplishments by leading scholars in their fields.