New Books in Sociology
New Books Network
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 20, 2024 • 49min
Anna Lora-Wainwright, "Resigned Activism: Living with Pollution in Rural China" (MIT Press, 2021)
In this engaging discussion, Anna Lora-Wainwright, a Professor of Human Geography of China at Oxford University, explores the intricacies of living with pollution in rural China. She introduces the concept of 'resigned activism,' showing how villagers navigate their daily struggles amidst industrial contamination. The conversation dives into grassroots responses, the emotional toll of pollution, and the challenges of seeking justice against a backdrop of socio-economic inequalities. Drawing on her rich fieldwork, Lora-Wainwright highlights community resilience and quiet forms of resistance.
Oct 18, 2024 • 1h 20min
Mahmoud Muna and Matthew Teller, "Daybreak in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Culture" (Saqi Books, 2024)
Mahmoud Muna, a Jerusalem-based writer and bookseller, and Matthew Teller, a UK journalist and broadcaster, discuss the impactful stories in 'Daybreak in Gaza.' They highlight the resilience of Gazan culture through vignettes of artists, students, and health workers, showcasing humanity amid despair. The duo emphasizes the moral duty to amplify Palestinian voices, especially in light of recent conflicts. They explore education as a beacon of hope and dive into the struggles faced by journalists documenting life in Gaza, challenging misconceptions and advocating for empathy.
Oct 18, 2024 • 41min
Jennifer Chudy, "Some White Folks: The Interracial Politics of Sympathy, Suffering, and Solidarity" (U Chicago Press, 2024)
Dr. Jennifer Chudy, a political science professor at Wellesley College, dives into her latest work revealing the complexity of racial sympathy among white Americans. She explains how this sympathy shapes public opinion on critical issues like social welfare and criminal justice reform. Chudy discusses the emotional nuances and political implications of racial attitudes, illuminating why some white individuals feel distress over racial inequality. She also explores the relationship between liberalism and sympathy, considering their role in shaping future political engagement.
Oct 17, 2024 • 41min
Shared Paths: Exploring Jewish and Muslim Experiences in America
Mujahid Bilici, an Associate Professor of Sociology known for his insights on Muslim experiences in America, joins Samuel Heilman, a distinguished expert in Jewish studies. They discuss their upcoming book, highlighting the shared challenges faced by Jewish and Muslim communities in the U.S. The conversation reveals how both groups navigate their identities while dealing with prejudice and maintaining cultural practices. Themes of interfaith understanding and historical connections emerge, offering a hopeful perspective on coexistence amid societal challenges.
Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 5min
Reunited: Family Separation and Central American Youth Migration
Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, discusses the poignant themes in his co-authored book, illuminating the harrowing migration journeys of Central American youth. He reveals the harsh realities of gang violence, economic despair, and the yearning for family reunification that drive these minors to leave home. Castañeda emphasizes the emotional burdens of family separation and the critical role of schools and communities in fostering belonging and integration for these resilient young migrants.
Oct 16, 2024 • 1h 1min
Rachel O'Sullivan, "Nazi Germany, Annexed Poland and Colonial Rule: Resettlement, Germanization and Population Policies in Comparative Perspective" (Bloomsbury, 2023)
Rachel O'Sullivan, an author focused on the nexus of colonialism and Nazi population policies, delves into the complexities of Nazi Germany's actions in annexed Poland. She explores the resettlement of ethnic Germans and the Germanization processes, revealing their colonial parallels. The discussion highlights exclusionary tactics against Poles and Jews, alongside the brutal realities of wartime oppression. O'Sullivan emphasizes the need to intertwine colonial narratives with Holocaust studies, challenging conventional historical frameworks.
Oct 15, 2024 • 57min
Meghana Joshi, "Children are Everywhere: Conspicuous Reproduction and Childlessness in Reunified Berlin" (Berghahn, 2024)
Meghana Joshi, a teaching associate professor at the University of Buffalo, dives into her groundbreaking ethnographic work on parenting and childlessness in reunified Berlin. She discusses how demographic anxieties shape social inclusion and exclusion, revealing the contrasting experiences of ethnic Germans with fertility issues. The conversation touches on the societal attitudes towards reproduction and family structures, while also exploring cultural differences in emotional journeys around parenthood between Berlin and India.
Oct 15, 2024 • 48min
Jamie Furlong and Will Jennings, "The Changing Electoral Map of England and Wales" (Oxford UP, 2024)
In this engaging discussion, Jamie Furlong, a Research Fellow at the University of Westminster, and Will Jennings, Professor at the University of Southampton, dive into their book, analyzing the shifting electoral patterns in England and Wales. They unpack the complexities of 'left behind' regions, exploring how industrial decline and educational changes have shaped voter behavior. The conversation also highlights Lincolnshire's unique political dynamics post-Brexit and the transformation of Labour's 'Red Wall.' Their insights provide a thought-provoking look at contemporary politics.
Oct 14, 2024 • 46min
Xiaoming Wang, "Muslim Chinese: The Hui in Rural Ningxia" (de Gruyter, 2019)
Xiaoming Wang, a librarian and cultural anthropologist, dives into the intricate identity of the Hui people, China's largest Muslim group, in rural Ningxia. He examines how migration reshapes their religious practices and beliefs, such as fasting and the concepts of purity. Wang shares insights from his field research, highlighting gender dynamics and the cultural challenges Hui women face within patriarchal norms. The discussion illustrates the impact of modernization on the Hui’s ethno-religious identity as they navigate cultural assimilation.
Oct 13, 2024 • 1h 19min
Sharad Chari, "Apartheid Remains" (Duke UP, 2024)
In this engaging discussion, Sharad Chari, an Associate Professor of Geography at UC Berkeley and author of "Apartheid Remains," delves into the long shadows of apartheid in South Africa, particularly in contemporary Durban. He investigates how marginalized communities navigated the oppressive frameworks imposed by a racially stratified state. Chari highlights the historical resistance of Black, Indian, and coloured populations, exploring themes of racial capitalism, biopolitical struggle, and the transformative power of subaltern placemaking in urban spaces.
