New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
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/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 29, 2024 • 1h 44min
Too Black and Rasul A. Mowatt, "Laundering Black Rage: The Washing of Black Death, People, Property, and Profits" (Routledge, 2024)
Too Black, a low-wage worker, poet, and filmmaker, joins geographer Rasul A. Mowatt to dive deep into the concept of 'laundering' Black rage in their new book. They dissect how systemic oppression obscures the emotional toll on Black communities while critiquing capitalism's role in commodifying Black struggle. The discussion traverses historical injustices, the erasure of Black pain, and the connection between grassroots movements and corporate America. Together, they spotlight the ongoing fight for true representation and the implications of recent events on Black identity.
Nov 27, 2024 • 35min
Sabrina Strings, "The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, and the Death of Romance" (Beacon Press, 2024)
Sabrina Strings, a sociologist and author of "The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, and the Death of Romance," discusses how societal forces shape modern relationships. She delves into the rise of 'situationships' among men and how race and gender biases influence ideas of love and commitment. Strings critiques the portrayal of women in media, tracing the impacts of historical movements on contemporary romantic interactions. She also examines the evolution of toxic masculinity and its links to racial and economic dynamics.
8 snips
Nov 27, 2024 • 32min
In Conversation: Islamophobia, Race and Global Politics
In this conversation, Professor Nazia Kazi, an expert in economics and anthropology, dives into her book, discussing the intricate links between Islamophobia, race, and global politics. She explores the rise of Islamophobia post-9/11 and its societal ramifications. Kazi critiques master narratives that shape perceptions of American identity and highlights the interplay of race with imperialism. Additionally, she challenges simplistic responses to Islamophobia and calls for a deeper political consciousness within the Muslim community.
Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 36min
Sandipto Dasgupta, "Legalizing the Revolution: India and the Constitution of the Postcolony" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
Sandipto Dasgupta, an Assistant Professor of Politics at The New School for Social Research, dives into the rich tapestry of India's constitutional development in the wake of decolonization. He unpacks the complex interplay between anti-colonial ideals and institutional realities, revealing the challenges of embodying revolutionary ideas within a legal framework. The discussion also illuminates the evolving nature of democracy, property rights, and the tensions that shape India's political landscape today, connecting historical struggles to current crises.
Nov 25, 2024 • 40min
Megan Rae Blakely, "Technology, Intellectual Property Law, and Culture: The Tangification of Cultural Heritage" (Routledge, 2024)
Megan Rae Blakely, a law lecturer at Lancaster University and author of a book on cultural heritage, dives into the impact of technology on preserving cultural expressions. She discusses the significance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and highlights challenges artists face with digital rights. Case studies from Scotland and Ireland reveal the complexities of cultural tourism and legal frameworks. Blakely emphasizes the need for balancing commercialization with safeguarding identity, especially in the digital realm and online gaming communities.
6 snips
Nov 25, 2024 • 46min
Steve J. Shone, "Dangerous Anarchist Strikers" (Brill, 2023)
In this thought-provoking discussion, Steve J. Shone, a Political Science lecturer at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and author of "Dangerous Anarchist Strikers," dives into the impactful stories of radical women in labor history. He sheds light on figures like Virginia Bolten, Helen Armstrong, and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, emphasizing their often-overlooked contributions to labor strikes across the Americas. Shone also explores the intersection of anarchism, feminism, and democracy, challenging conventional narratives and advocating for a re-examination of historical activism.
Nov 24, 2024 • 1h 18min
Infrastructure, Development, and Racialization
Begüm Adalet, an assistant professor at Cornell University, dives into the intersections of infrastructure, development, and racialization. She discusses how international development efforts often marginalize communities and draw on histories of colonialism. Adalet highlights the complexities of the Green Revolution in Turkey and its impacts on class and race. She also examines how anti-colonial movements challenge these narratives, advocating for alternative approaches to built environments that empower marginalized identities.
Nov 24, 2024 • 57min
Jennifer Denbow, "Reproductive Labor and Innovation: Against the Tech Fix in an Era of Hype" (Duke UP, 2024)
Jennifer Denbow, a political science professor at California Polytechnic State University, dives deep into the intricacies of reproductive labor in her new book. She critiques society’s reliance on tech solutions, revealing how this obsession undermines essential caregiving work. Denbow discusses the tension between innovation and reproductive labor, emphasizing the pitfalls of technological fixes. She advocates for a collective approach to reproductive decisions, while navigating the gig economy's impact on caregiving and challenging the narratives shaped by profit motives.
5 snips
Nov 24, 2024 • 50min
Kevin B. Smith, "The Jailer's Reckoning: How Mass Incarceration Is Damaging America" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)
Kevin B. Smith, Leyland and Dorothy H. Olson Chair of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, dives deep into the harsh realities of mass incarceration. He explores how societal decisions have made the U.S. the world’s leading jailer, highlighting shocking disparities, such as a man facing 70 years for stealing a tuna sandwich. Smith discusses the socio-economic impacts, the historical shifts in criminal justice policy, and how examining global penal systems could inspire reform. He urges listeners to reconsider the costs and consequences of current practices.
Nov 23, 2024 • 51min
Lauren D. Olsen, "Curricular Injustice: How U.S. Medical Schools Reproduce Inequalities" (Columbia UP, 2024)
Lauren D. Olsen, an Assistant Professor at Temple University and author of "Curricular Injustice," discusses the troubling gap between the intent and impact of humanities in medical education. She reveals how U.S. medical schools perpetuate inequalities despite attempts to integrate social sciences aimed at fostering empathy. Olsen critiques how students are trained to individualize systemic issues, leading to burnout and avoidance of advocacy. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need to rethink curricula to genuinely address structural disparities and promote health equity.
