WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Kojo Nnamdi Show Podcast

"MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES" (MOOCS): Popular college professors routinely lecture to hundreds of students at a time. But with the advent of online learning platforms, some academics today teach classes to tens of thousands of attentive students from around the world. Tech Tuesday examines "Massive Open Online Courses" — or MOOCs — and explores how these free online classes could change the economics of higher education and the nature of teaching. (52 min.)

U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS AND THE ROAD AHEAD: When President Barack Obama took office in 2009, African nations were hopeful that relations with their continent would flourish. But since then, the Obama administration has been roundly criticized for taking a reactive, rather than a proactive, approach toward Africa. Now, with a second term on the horizon, the president finds a continent where trading happens mainly with China and where Muslim extremism continues to spread. We explore the future of U.S.-Africa relations, and find out why many experts are urging a reset with Africa. (51 min.)

PAYING FOR A SUPERSTORM: Superstorm Sandy ravaged much of the Northeastern seaboard, causing some $20 billion in property damage alone. Insurance companies, homeowners and businesses are now in the process of sorting out what's covered and what's not, and many people are finding they're on the hook for more than they expected. Our region may have dodged the worst of this storm, but experts say now's the time to make sure you've got the coverage you need. (52 min.)

THE POLITICS HOUR: Democrats win the top prizes in Virginia, taking the presidential and U.S. Senate races there. A prominent incumbent D.C. Council member's luck runs out with a loss to an independent challenger. And gambling advocates hit the jackpot in Prince George's County. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. (52 min.)

THE BUSINESS OF HOBBIES: Hands-on hobbyists face a bit of a paradox in the midst of a do-it-yourself boom: where to get supplies. Many local mom-and-pop craft and hobby shops have shuttered. And while online retailers make it easy to buy and sell raw materials and finished products, they don't allow for a tactile, hands-on assessment of the goods before purchase. We consider what happens when a burgeoning DIY movement meets a shrinking number of brick-and-mortar suppliers and a flourishing online marketplace. (51 min.)

ELECTORAL DYSFUNCTION: Long lines, technical glitches and confusion over new voting rules marred Tuesday's presidential election at many polling places. Partisans on both sides cried foul. International poll monitors, invited by the debacle in Florida in 2000, were turned away in several states. We look at the factors behind our flawed election process, and what's being done to address problems. (52 min.)

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE ELECTION: U.S. presidential elections garner almost as much media coverage in foreign countries as they do here. Most election watchers abroad acknowledge that whether the occupant of the White House is Republican or Democrat, differences in American foreign policy will be subtle. We get perspectives from journalists around the world. (25 min.) MONSANTO V. BOWMAN : Monsanto, the world's largest seed company, is headed to the Supreme Court in a case over its weedkiller-resistant soybean seeds. For years, an Indiana farmer got around the company's requirement that farmers not plant second generation patented seeds without paying a fee. Monsanto sued and won, but the farmer is taking his appeal all the way to the top. We get an overview of the case and its potential implications for our food supply. (25 min.)

ELECTION 2012: ANALYZING THE RESULTS: The Washington region's voters were in the middle of a lot more than a presidential race this week. The area also served as the battleground for hot-button issues like immigration and same-sex marriage, as well as the site of one of the most hotly-contested U.S. Senate races. We take an early look at what the results mean for the region and country. (52 min.)

3-D PRINTING: REVOLUTIONIZING MANUFACTURING: Many technologists believe advances in 3-D printing will revolutionize manufacturing. With the right software, in-home printers can already produce unique homewares, machine parts and architectural models. In the future, these devices could re-wire and democratize the global manufacturing economy. We explore the future of 3-D printing and possible intellectual property battles looming on Capitol Hill. (52 min.)

COMPUTER GUYS AND GAL: The candidates have made their pitches, now the people will decide: Who will win the battle for tablet computer supremacy? Will Windows 8 prove to be a revelation or a train wreck? The Computer Guys and Gal discuss the latest developments in consumer tech. Plus, after Superstorm Sandy plunges websites and virtual marketplaces into darkness, we explore how news and Tweets echoed around the Web. (52 min.)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE CHIEF THOMAS MANGER: Among the ballot questions Montgomery County voters face on Tuesday is a matter related to the collective bargaining rights of the police union. The county's police chief argues it's necessary to change "effects bargaining" rules that he feels limit his ability to manage the department effectively. He joins us to explore the issue and follow up on our conversation with union officials who oppose the ballot question from earlier this year. (15 min.) ON THE FAST TRACK: THE FDA AND DRUG APPROVALS: In the past year, the Food and Drug Administration approved 35 new medicines — a near-record for the last decade. After years of slow but steady drug approvals, the FDA is considering speedier review and acceptance of innovative medicines, especially obesity treatments, antibiotics and drugs to fight infectious diseases. But scientists warn expedited approvals come with enhanced risks. We explore the push for new medications and the struggle to balance risks and benefits. (35 min.)

THE ONION BOOK OF KNOWN KNOWLEDGE : Headlines like "Drugs Win Drug War" have made the satirical news agency The Onion a household name. Young audiences tend to gravitate toward mock-news sources like "The Daily Show" and The Onion, and in an election year, headlines are ripe for parody. We check in with the editor of The Onion about its coverage of election 2012 and latest book, "The Onion Book of Known Knowledge."(24 min.) YOUR TURN AND VIRGINIA BALLOT INITIATIVES: It's your last chance to weigh in on the headlines grabbing your attention ahead of Election Day. We'll also check in with WAMU reporter Michael Pope for insight into Virginia's ballot initiatives. (23 min.)

THE POLITICS HOUR: Superstorm "Sandy" jolts the region and its politics. And candidates in D.C., Maryland and Virginia sprint for the finish in the final week of the election. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. (52 min.)

TREE CLEANUP AFTER A STORM: Many residents and visitors enjoy the 2.5 million trees in the District, but an urban canopy can become a liability in severe weather. Uprooted trees or fallen limbs can take down power lines, injure people and damage cars, homes and businesses. With wind gusts hitting 70 miles an hour and drenching rainfall across our region, many eyed trees warily as superstorm Sandy hit this week. We find out how the city, businesses and homeowners fared, and what can be done to prepare for future storms. (20 min.) ZAP! BANG! POW! SHAZAM!: THE APPEAL OF COMIC BOOK CULTURE: If a picture is worth a thousand words, comic books pack a lot of bang for your buck. Once considered "kid stuff," comics are now big business for fans of all ages. And many classic comics have kept up with the times, featuring more diverse characters and plots that reflect cultural shifts. We explore the culture of comic books and their outsider appeal. (30 min.)

ELECTION 2012: REDISTRICTING IN MARYLAND: After the 2010 Census, Maryland's Democratically-controlled General Assembly re-drew congressional districts — and Republicans cried foul. Now, as candidates vie to represent the newly-shaped districts, voters will decide whether to send the map back to the drawing board. Kojo explores what's at stake in Maryland and in Congress. (24 min.) ELECTION 2012: IMMIGRATION POLITICS AND THE MARYLAND DREAM ACT: Maryland voters will decide on Nov. 6, 2012, whether their state will join 10 others in allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition at state schools. Kojo explores how Maryland's Dream Act decision will affect local immigrant communities and how the ballot initiative fits into federal immigration politics. (28 min.)