Culture & Society



Close-up of microphone

Remembering Nina Simone as a Siren and Powerful Civil Rights Activist

Source: GOOD Magazine

Nina Simone was a popular pianist and jazz singer with an unmistakable voice. Some of her later songs are considered by many to be anthems of the civil rights movement. Read this brief introduction to Simone and listen to the two clips of her work.






National flag of Ukraine

Are you Ukrainian or Russian? It’s complicated . . .

Source: Public Radio International

What determines a person’s cultural identity? For many people, it’s made up of a combination of factors such as language, loyalty, and heritage. For those from the former Soviet Union, the question is even more complicated. Read and listen to Ukrainian-born Alina Simone discuss her path to defining her cultural identity.




Frankenstein walking through open gate

Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

This site offers a wide variety of information related to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Starting with “The Birth of Frankenstein,” use the table of contents on the left side of the page to browse topics ranging from historical and scientific background information to the story’s modern influences on film, culture, and research.