Notes in the Margins: Porn, pop culture and a MOOC report card

Professors embrace pop culture to teach economics A growing number of academics are reaching beyond dense economic texts and into the world of pop culture to help students and others recognize that business and economic concepts are all around us. (USA Today)

Part-Time Work Becomes Full-Time Wait for Better Job Even for those who have been able to take advantage of the better job market, the opportunities have not been good. Since the economy began to recover almost four years ago, hiring has been concentrated in relatively low-wage service sectors, like retailing, home health care, and food preparation, and in contingent jobs at temporary-hiring companies. For example, nearly one out of every 13 jobs is at a restaurant, bar or other food-service establishment, a record high. (The New York Times)

Two Cheers for Web U! The professors: B+ Convenience: A. Teacher-to-student interaction: D. Student-to-student interaction: B-. Assignments: B-. Overall experience: B. (The New York Times)

Porn Class At Pasadena City College Teaches Students How To 'Navigate Pornography' Professor Hugo Schwyzer gives his students the opportunity to talk about pornography in an academic setting for credit -- and yes, some of their homework involves watching porn in private. (The Huffington Post)

Oklahoma state Rep: 'It's Not Our Job To See That Anyone Gets An Education' Oklahoma state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City) told fellow lawmakers last week that they have no responsibility to ensure students have access to a college education. The state's legislature has been debating a bill that would expand Oklahoma's Promise, a program that provides post-secondary education scholarships to qualified low-income students. (The Huffington Post)

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