New Books in Sociology

New Books Network

Episodes

Mentioned books

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Sep 18, 2025 • 39min

Shakirah E. Hudani, "Master Plans and Minor Acts: Repairing the City in Post-Genocide Rwanda" (U Chicago Press, 2024)

Shakirah E. Hudani, an urban studies scholar specializing in African cities and post-conflict transitions, delves into the intricate world of urban repair in post-genocide Rwanda. She explores how large-scale planning interacts with local memory and materials to forge reconciliation. Hudani introduces the concept of 'Minor Acts,' everyday repairs vital for social restoration. She critiques Kigali's master plans, revealing their impact on residents, and discusses ongoing themes in urban transformation as she looks toward her future research in Nairobi.
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Sep 17, 2025 • 58min

Dominic Davies and Candida Rifkind, "Graphic Refuge: Visuality and Mobility in Refugee Comics" (Wilfrid Laurier UP, 2025)

Dominic Davies, a Reader in English with expertise in postcolonial studies, and Candida Rifkind, a Professor of English specializing in life writing, delve into the rich realm of refugee comics. They discuss how these graphic narratives illuminate the complexities of displacement and challenge conventional perceptions of refugees. Key topics include the innovative storytelling techniques that evoke empathy, the representation of second-generation refugee experiences, and the comics' power to redefine identity and reveal the interplay of trauma and resilience in the face of adversity.
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10 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 49min

Katherine Eva Maich, "Bringing Law Home: Gender, Race, and Household Labor Rights" (Stanford UP, 2025)

Katherine Eva Maich, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University, explores pivotal issues surrounding domestic labor rights. She highlights the struggles of domestic workers in New York City and Lima, Peru, revealing the complexities of legal protections influenced by gender and race. Listeners will learn about the historical evolution of labor laws, the impact of advocacy, and the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized workers. Maich also discusses empowering organizing efforts that enhance skills and solidarity among domestic workers across varying legal landscapes.
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Sep 13, 2025 • 1h 7min

Kevin Passmore, "The Maginot Line: A New History of the Fall of France" (Yale UP, 2025)

Kevin Passmore, a historian specializing in fascism and the French right, dives deep into the ambitious yet ultimately flawed Maginot Line. He reveals intricate details about its impressive engineering, the lives of soldiers manning the forts, and the diverse roles of foreign labor in its construction. Passmore challenges misconceptions surrounding its purpose, emphasizing its historical impact on local communities and military strategy despite France's quick defeat during WWII. Join the discussion to unpack the myths and human stories behind this monumental project.
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Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 12min

Simon James Copland, "The Male Complaint: The Manosphere and Misogyny Online" (Polity, 2025)

Simon James Copland, an Honorary Fellow at the Australian National University, dives into the troubling world of the online Manosphere in his insightful examination. He discusses how figures like Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson shape anti-feminist narratives, and explores the historical scapegoating of women during societal crises. Copland critiques simplistic views on masculinity, emphasizing the need for nuanced dialogue to address male grievances and combat rising nationalism. His work prompts essential conversations on fostering understanding and community engagement amid this complex issue.
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Sep 11, 2025 • 51min

Chelsi West Ohueri, "Encountering Race in Albania: An Ethnography of the Communist Afterlife" (Cornell UP, 2025)

Chelsi West Ohueri, Assistant Professor at the University of Texas, dives into her groundbreaking work on race in Albania. She explores how historical contexts shape racial identities and perceptions, particularly in a post-communist landscape. The discussion covers the complexities of hospitality and its role in identity performance. Ohueri sheds light on the marginalization of the Roma and Egyptian communities, illustrating the ongoing relevance of racial dynamics in today’s Albania, all while challenging the Western-centric views of race.
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Sep 10, 2025 • 38min

Anna Strhan and Rachael Shillitoe, "Growing Up Godless: Non-Religious Childhoods in Contemporary England" (Princeton UP, 2025)

Anna Strhan, a Reader in Sociology at the University of York, and Rachael Shillitoe, a senior social scientist, dive into the fascinating landscape of non-religious childhoods in England. They discuss how children today form their identities and values without traditional religious frameworks. The conversation explores the dynamics between parents and kids regarding beliefs, the impact of education on non-religious views, and how these shifts affect children's moral development. They also touch on future research directions in understanding secular identities.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 53min

Stephanie K. Kim, "Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul" (MIT Press, 2023)

In this insightful discussion, Stephanie K. Kim, a comparative and international higher education scholar at Georgetown University, challenges the myths surrounding international student mobility. She reveals how universities shape recruitment pathways, particularly focusing on the dynamics between U.S. and South Korean institutions. The conversation dives into the role of education agents, the economic motivations behind recruitment, and the nuanced realities faced by international students. Kim also discusses the impact of geopolitical tensions on university funding and student experiences.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 23min

May Friedman, "Fat Studies: The Basics" (Routledge, 2025)

May Friedman, a Professor of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University, dives into the fascinating realm of Fat Studies, outlining its impact on societal perceptions of body image. She unpacks myths surrounding fatness as a site of oppression and challenges the idea that being fat is a choice. The discussion spans the intersections of race, gender, and health, while celebrating fat activism as a powerful form of resistance. Friedman also emphasizes the need for compassionate dialogue and positive representations of fat lives in media and society.
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Sep 7, 2025 • 59min

Ruth E. Toulson, "Necropolitics of the Ordinary: Death and Grieving in Contemporary Singapore" (U Washington Press, 2024)

Ruth E. Toulson, an anthropologist and trained mortician, explores the necropolitics in Singapore, revealing how state policies reshape ancestral traditions into a controlled form of Buddhism. She discusses the emotional turmoil caused by forced exhumations and the political contestation surrounding cemeteries. The conversation highlights personal grief against societal expectations, particularly a father's heartache over his daughter's suicide, and the complex dynamics of mourning rituals that reflect deeper issues of identity and colonial legacies in a rapidly changing society.

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