New Books in Sociology

In this engaging discussion, Andrew Smith, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and author of 'Class and the Uses of Poetry,' delves into the often-overlooked connection between poetry and class. He reveals how poetry can be exclusionary for working-class readers and shares insights from community reading groups that foster inclusivity. Smith emphasizes the need to appreciate poetry’s aesthetic value while critiquing existing cultural barriers. He also explores collaborative approaches to interpretation, highlighting the power of shared experiences in understanding poetic texts.

Casey Golomski, an associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, unpacks his enlightening book, 'God's Waiting Room'. He reveals the intriguing dynamics between older white residents and younger Black caregivers in a post-apartheid South African nursing home. The conversation dives into themes of racial reckoning, ageism, and the complexities of care in a historically charged environment. Golomski also discusses the impact of systemic inequalities on healthcare and the powerful stories that emerge from these intimate interactions.

Jing Xu, a research scientist at the University of Washington, dives into children's moral development in a Taiwanese village during martial law. She blends anthropology and psychology, revealing how children learn morality through peer interactions and disobedience. Xu discusses innovative methodologies that merge ethnography with machine learning to reinterpret historical fieldnotes. She emphasizes the importance of children's voices, highlighting their agency and the dynamics of play, all while challenging traditional narratives in sociocultural anthropology.

How do Black women experience education in Britain?Within British educational research about Black students, gender distinctions have been largely absent, male-dominated or American-centric. Due to the lack of attention paid to Black female students, relatively little is known about how they understand and engage with the education system, or the influences which shape their long-term strategies and decision-making in order to gain educational 'success'.Babygirl, You've Got This! Experiences of Black Girls and Women in the English Education System (Bloomsbury, 2024) by Dr. April-Louise Pennant will illustrate the educational experiences and journeys of Black British women graduates and considers the influence of the intersections of race, gender, ethnicity, culture and social class on their educational journeys. Dr. Pennant uniquely documents the entire educational journey - from primary school to university - within both predominantly white (PW) and predominantly global majority (PGM) educational institutions in order to examine the various accessibility, financial and academic hurdles which face Black girls and women.The book combines theoretical frameworks such as Critical Race Theory, Bourdieu's Theory of Practice and Black Feminist epistemology, alongside the personal accounts of the author and a range of Black British women graduates. Through analysis of the strategies, choices and decisions made by Black British women in their educational journeys, the book ultimately provides insights into how to navigate the education system effectively, and provides alternatives to normalised understandings of educational 'success'.Find out more about Dr. April-Louise Pennant on her website!This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose new book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Bureaucratic Archaeology: State, Science and Past in Postcolonial India (Cambridge UP, 2022) presents a novel ethnographic examination of archaeological practice within postcolonial India, focusing on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a site where scientific knowledge production intersects with state bureaucracy. Through granular analysis of ASI's quotidian operations, this monograph demonstrates how archaeological micro-practices materially influence the construction of political and religious identities, while simultaneously serving as empirical evidence in India's highest judicial proceedings.This unprecedented study illuminates the epistemological ecology of postcolonial knowledge production from within the bureaucratic apparatus itself. As the first book-length investigation of archaeological practice beyond the Euro-American tradition, it reveals how non-Western archaeological theory and methodology generate distinct forms of knowledge, thereby expanding our understanding of archaeology's role in postcolonial state formation.About the Author:Ashish Avikunthak is a distinguished scholar working at the intersection of archaeology, cultural anthropology, and avant-garde filmmaking. He is Professor of Film Media at the University of Rhode Island's Harrington School of Communication, where his research bridges theoretical and practical approaches to cultural production. His experimental films have been exhibited internationally at prestigious institutions including Tate Modern, Centre Georges Pompidou, and Pacific Film Archive, as well as major film festivals such as Rotterdam and Locarno.About the Host:Stuti Roy has recently completed her MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies at the University of Oxford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Why are women's friendships so deep yet so fragile? Friendship coach and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson unpacks the latest research about women's cooperation and communication, while sharing practical strategies to preserve and strengthen these relationships.Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships (Hachette, 2024) is one part textbook, one part handbook. Readers will not only learn what the latest research has to say about the mechanics of women's friendships, but they'll walk away with real-life solutions for the most common conflicts that arise in their platonic relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Following Overwhelmed, Brigid Schulte's groundbreaking examination of time management and stress, the prizewinning journalist now turns her attention to the greatest culprit in America's quality-of-life crisis: the way our economy and culture conceive of work. Americans across all demographics, industries, and socioeconomic levels report exhaustion, burnout, and the wish for more meaningful lives. This full-system failure in our structure of work affects everything from gender inequality to domestic stability, and it even shortens our lifespans.Drawing on years of research, Schulte traces the arc of our discontent from a time before the 1980s, when work was compatible with well-being and allowed a single earner to support a family, until today, with millions of people working multiple hourly jobs or in white-collar positions where no hours are ever off duty.She casts a wide net in search of solutions, exploring the movement to institute a four-day workweek, introducing Japan's Housewives Brigade--which demands legal protection for family time--and embedding with CEOs who are making the business case for humane conditions. And she demonstrates the power of a collective and creative demand for change, showing that work can be organized in an infinite number of ways that are good for humans and for business.Fiercely argued and vividly told, rich with stories and informed by deep investigation, Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life (Henry Holt, 2024) lays out a clear vision for ending our punishing grind and reclaiming leisure, joy, and meaning.Brigid Schulte is the author of the bestselling Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time and an award-winning journalist formerly for the Washington Post, where she was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize. She is also the director of the Better Life Lab, the work-family justice and gender equity program at New America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

In this engaging discussion, Amrita Narayanan, a practicing Clinical Psychologist and author, delves into the complexities of women's sexuality in modern India. She critiques the absence of a sexual revolution and emphasizes the need to recognize female agency alongside their struggles. Narayanan addresses the emotional landscape of grief and empowerment in women's sexual experiences, stressing the importance of mourning lost freedoms. She also explores the nuanced father-daughter dynamics during puberty, highlighting their influence on women's self-acceptance and identity.

Alva Gotby, a writer and tenant organizer from London, discusses her new book, "Feeling at Home: Transforming the Politics of Housing." She highlights the emotional and practical challenges of housing insecurity, emphasizing its impact on health and well-being. The conversation delves into the intersection of housing and gender, particularly how women are disproportionately affected. Gotby also addresses the upcoming abolition of Section 21 eviction laws and the importance of community organizing for housing justice. By rethinking housing policies, she advocates for a more dignified life for all.

Javaria Farooqui, Assistant Professor of English at COMSATS University, delves into the vibrant world of romance fandom in 21st-century Pakistan. She discusses how Regency themes resonate with readers and the unique perspective of this English-speaking community. The impact of language and socioeconomic factors on literary consumption is highlighted, alongside generational differences in romance preferences. Additionally, Farooqui shares insights from her focus group research, revealing the complex dynamics of reading habits among women and their connection to both local and global narratives.