Shows
The Social Breakdown(Re-release) SOC409 - The PhD's Guide to Getting a Non-Academic JobAre you a newly minted or almost PhD graduate? Have academic job prospects been stressing you out? Look no further - we may have the solution for you! The academic job market isn't looking too hot right now, so here we are with a PhD's Guide to getting a non-academic job! We draw from our personal experiences of navigating the non-academic job market and give you all the practical deets on what search terms to use, what job sites to scour, how to revamp your CV into a resume that's not 15 pages long, and much more!! Tune in to...
2023-04-2648 min
The Social Breakdown(Re-release) Breakaway Episode 4: Context CollapseWith all this talk about Tik Tok, we wanted to bring you an oldie-but-goodie from 2018 about Context Collapse, an interesting phenomenon that occurs often on social media when various segments of your social network (friends, family, acquaintances, employers, and complete strangers) are muddled together into one big audience. How does a social media user as yourself negotiate the multiple imagined audiences of the social network? From self-presentation tactics such as censorship and compartmentalization, we discuss the complex ways we navigate the online social life.
2023-04-1228 min
The Social Breakdown(Re-release) SOC506 - Rolling with the Queen: Patricia Hill Collins & Black Feminist ThoughtWe're honoring the queen of sociology, Dr. Patricia Hill Collins, on this last week of Women's History Month by going deep into higher level theory via Black Feminist Thought (BFT as we like to call it). We discuss the history of the Frankfurt school of thought and the genesis of Dr. Collins' own 'critical social theory.' Her theory is steeped in American culture, history, and law, as she works to understand the experiences of Black American women. From standpoint epistemology to matrix of domination, we'll break it all down for you so you'll be ready to learn more!
2023-03-2933 min
The Social Breakdown(Rerelease) SOC211 – “It Ain’t a Rug!”: Edward Said’s OrientalismWe’re getting theoretical this week and tackling Orientalism, a concept and book by the fantastic Dr. Edward Said. If you’re taking a higher-level sociology, anthropology, history, or poli sci class, chances are you’re gonna hear “orientalism” thrown around! What is heck is it? (Hint: It ain’t a rug, a fast-food take out place, or the way to describe how someone looks!) What is its connection to imperialism and colonialism? And how has it influenced scholarship and research in the past and present? Tune in to learn more and be sure to give us a rating!
2023-03-1543 min
The Social Breakdown(Rerelease) SOC109 – Illness & Morality: A Look at Medical SociologyIs health a privilege or a right? As a society, how do we come to understand health and its social origins and outcomes? Though medicine has been understood as a social science that dates back to Hippocrates–the Hippocratic Oath–medical sociology is not even 70 years old yet! The climb to intellectual legitimacy and sound research is recent. When it comes to matters of stress, food, doctor-patient interactions, racism and sexism, medical sociologists have a lot to say and a lot to do…come join us as The Social Breakdown begins its journey in everything health!
2023-03-0150 min
The Social Breakdown(Rerelease) SOC118 - Love Struck or Love Sick?Since it's V-day, we wanted to rerelease one of our first episodes from 2018 about LOVE. In this episode we explore what happens in our brains when we are struck with love, how sociologists like Charles Cooley and Theodore Kemper see love, and how love can be used as a tool of social control. To better understand this intense emotion, we also discuss Georg Simmel’s important concept of the Dyad. Do you agree with sociology’s view of love? Tune in to hear our discussion! P.S. Happy consumerist Valentine’s Day, everyone! Xoxo– The Social Breakdown Crew
2023-02-1437 min
The Social Breakdown(Rerelease) SOC119 - Mom is the Panopticon: Modern Day SurveillanceTriggered by "China Balloon Incident" of Feb 2023, we wanted rerelease this episode to consider the questions... with the internet, social media, and all of our new technology, do we have privacy anymore? We start the episode off talking about the classic sociological concept of Jeremy Bentham’s ‘Panopticon’. We also discuss the various ways (and reasons why) our government surveils us, how we tie morality in with privacy, and the consequences of doxxing and revenge porn. Tune in to hear how everyone is watching you!
2023-02-0847 min
The Social BreakdownSOC606 - Culture and Systems: An Intro to Food StudiesIf you're like us, you're probably snacking on something right now trying to get through your day. It goes without saying how important food is to our survival, but beyond the biological needs, there is a whole system surrounding food. This episode is an introduction to food studies from a sociological perspective. We look at the intermingling of culture and food, the stories and legends we pass down about food, as well as the system of food, including production, processing, and distribution. We hope you're hungry to learn!
2023-01-2530 min
The Social BreakdownSOC605 - Comedy, Humor, and 'The Souls of White Jokes' (Guest Edition)What is “humor” and what is “comedy”? Do these terms mean the same thing? Today we answer these questions with the help of Dr. Raul Perez, author of ‘The Souls of White Jokes’ and scholar of what exactly “funny” is and “funny” does. Tune in to learn about the purposes that humor serves in society, stretching back to feudal times to the current Cancel Culture era. And don’t forget to grab a copy of his book!
2022-12-1441 min
The Social BreakdownSOC604 - The Functions of Workplace ViolenceItʻs strange to say that workplace violence has any place in society. It doesnʻt. But workplace violence does exist, and so today we are going to take a functionalist approach to talk about the functions of workplace violence, particularly in academia. Workplace violence can serve as a tool for those in power to reinforce hierarchies in the workplace, advance their own careers, increase work productivity, and more. Donʻt listen to this episode if it will be triggering or uncomfortable for you!
2022-11-3030 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway Episode 5 – Black Friday and Holiday Shopping (Rerelease)Are you Black Friday shopper, like Penn? Or are you ambivalent, like Ellen? This week, the ladies of the Social Breakdown get together for a breakaway episode on the history of Black Friday and the many sociological purposes of holiday shopping. What does seasonal overconsumption do to our emotions, pocketbooks, and the environment? How are sales used to shame shoppers and bury environmental reports? Tune in here to learn more!
2022-11-2534 min
The Social BreakdownSOC603 - The Peaks and Valleys of Service Learning (Guest Edition)More and more today’s educators are encouraged to set up service learning and community-based projects for their students. These are projects that take students out of the traditional classroom, and into the community to ideally be helpful. But, are these efforts as positive as we imagine they are? We are joined this week by our friend and wonderful guest, Dr. Colleen Rost-Banik, to discuss the pros and pitfalls of service-learning, how to do it well, and how to reimagine what some of the education buzzwords, like “civic engagement” really are. Tune in here to learn more!
2022-11-1640 min
The Social BreakdownSOC602 - The War on Drugs (Guest Edition)Drugs. Alotta us do them and alotta us are scared of them! There are a ton of topics to cover within the world of sociology, and we have yet to talk about how the discipline discusses drugs, as well as the pivotal event, the War on Drugs. So, tune in to listen to our conversation with Dr. Kevin Revier, where we chat about his research on the social impact of the War on Drugs, perceptions of drugs, drug addiction, and more!
2022-11-0237 min
The Social Breakdown[PILOT] SOCIOLOGY MASTERCLASSDo you want to be a better Public Scientist? Do you want to enhance your skills in sociological analysis within and outside the academy? Do you want a place to discuss, vent, study, and analyze “graduate school stress” and what to do about it? Do you want high level research engagement and turning your wonderful ideas into digestible content for the public? Do you need professional development skills or just someone/group of people to just help you THINK?! Join the Social Breakdowns first ever SOCIOLOGY MASTER CLASS hosted by Omar Bird. Please see the Google Form link...
2022-10-1901 min
The Social BreakdownCheck your boobs: it’s breast cancer awareness monthOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the time when everything turns pink! We here at The Social Breakdown wanted to remind everyone with breasts (pssst– we ALL have ‘em!) to do all the needed check ups: self-exams, ultrasounds, and mammograms! So, here is a re-released episode from last year (2021), where we discussed how our team was especially hit hard by breast cancer. (Ellen is still in remission! Yay!) So, for us and for you, please get yourself checked out and remind your loved ones to do so, too!
2022-10-1210 min
The Social BreakdownSOC601 - The Looking Glass Self and CooleyWhat makes you, “you”? Well, sociologists love to answer this question by saying that you are a social object– a combination of the environments, people, cultures, social experiences, and structures around you. And no one is more prolific than theorist Charles Cooley in establishing this! So, this week, we’re exploring the work of Cooley and his concept of The Looking Glass Self. Tune in to learn more about how you are who you think others think you are.
2022-10-0527 min
The Social BreakdownSOC600 - Agents of SocializationWhat is socialization? And why do we sociologists *love* using the term? This week we're diving into both of these questions, and then exploring how families, educational institutions, peers, and the media act as key agents of socialization. We're guilty of taking this term for granted, so join us as we give socialization the attention it deserves!
2022-09-2119 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway Episode 11: the Symbolic Meanings of 2022We’re baaaaacck! Welcome to the start of our 5th school year together. (Yep, you read that right: *fifth* year!) We’re getting things going with a quick talk story session between Omar and Ellen about the symbolic meanings of life in 2022. Vaccines, Manti Te’o, masks, Liz Cheney, Britney Spears, Joe Biden– each of these things and people hold a plethora of meanings to each of us, and shape how we interact with them. Tune in to catch up with us, and see if you share the same meanings as us!
2022-09-0723 min
The Social BreakdownSOC514 - The Senses of Stuffs: Introduction to Material CultureThis week, we’re exploring how sociology makes sense of our material culture. What is the relationship people hold with the tangible objects we collect? What meaning do we attach to these items? And why is it that Penn cares so much about her Washi Tape collection and Omar licks his shoes?! Tune in here to learn more about stuffs and where the state of stuffs is going as the world becomes digitalized and we begin to interact with virtual objects more and more.
2022-04-2742 min
The Social Breakdown(Don't) Ask a Sociologist Episode 3: What are norms?Why can't we pick our nose in public? We're back this week with our series-not-a-series "Don't Ask a Sociologist!" We talk about what norms are - it's a word you hear a lot but Sociology has a specific definition. What purposes do norms serve in our society? Where do we learn norms from? Join our gang for your dosage of Sociology!
2022-04-1315 min
The Social BreakdownSOC513 - Visual Sociology (Guest Edition)In a world with rapid changes to technology from the advent of photography to camera phones to social media and the Mark Zuckerberg’s “metaverse,” there has also been an emergence of other ways of revealing aspects of our world. One is Visual Sociology. Please join us for our conversation with the media scholar and sociologist Dr. Patricia Prieto-Blanco, whose work uses photography and visual analysis to find meaning among diasporas and migrant communities and families. How can sociologists use images they find and create to learn more about our social world? Tune in for this fun conversation!
2022-03-3037 min
The Social BreakdownSOC512 - Ministry, Religion, and the Sociological Imagination (Guest Edition)We’re continuing our trek through religion this week with the help of Carly, a trained theologist with a keen sociological imagination. Carly helps us understand how religion can be applied in our everyday lives, particularly within the realm of higher education, through a sociological lens. How is sociology used by ministries to understand how private troubles are evidence of public issues? And, we understand how sociologists make sense of religion, but how do those within religious institutions make sense of it? Tune in here to learn more!
2022-03-1647 min
The Social BreakdownSOC511 - Intro to Religion: Blame Durkheim!The gang finally tackles a topic we've been nervous about - religion! We rely on Emile Durkheim's seminal book The Elementary Forms of Religious Life to guide us through this complex but fundamental aspect of human society. We discuss concepts related to religions from Durkheim's perspective from social fact, rituals and symbols, the sacred and the profane, collective effervescence and more. What functions does religion serve in society? Why and how is it necessary for collective identity and social life? Tune in to learn more! And if you get upset, just blame Durkheim and not us!
2022-03-0430 min
The Social BreakdownSOC510 - Mail Order Brides and Romance Tourism (Guest Edition)Hooked on shows like TLC’s “90 Day Fiance” or “90 Days the Other Way”? Well, this episode is for you! Dr. Julia Meszaros from Texas A&M Commerce joins us to discuss her research on the romance tourism business, more commonly known as the “mail order bride” industry. She describes the social, economic, and class-based forces that push women and men to engage in this industry. Tune in to learn more!
2022-02-1629 min
The Social Breakdown(Don’t) Ask a Sociologist Episode 2: What is Agency?We’re back with our (Don’t) Ask a Sociologist series, where we try to answer seemingly simple questions from listeners! This week’s question is: What is “agency,” and how is it different from “structures”? These are two words we tend to throw around willy-nilly, so let’s break both down together! If you have your own question to ask, don’t be shy and send it to us. We’d love to try to answer it!
2022-02-0215 min
The Social BreakdownSOC509 -LGBTQ Caregiving (Guest Edition)On today’s episode, Ellen and Omar speak with G.J. Hodson M.A. (he/they/she) on LGBTQ caregiving. Those who identify as LGBTQ are a growing segment within the caregiving population, and unsurprisingly little research has been done on them. As GJ takes us through their personal journey and research, we see how this new world within sociology can help us make sense of how the United States’ population grows older, and the impact of the pandemic on caregiving. Join us to hear more!
2022-01-1232 min
The Social BreakdownSOC508 - Changing the Narrative for Native Hawaiian WellbeingAloha mai kākou, we take a local perspective today with special guests, Brandon from Kamehameha Schools and Lisa from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, who walk us through a new radical study aiming to change the traditionally deficits-based narrative about the Native Hawaiian people to one of strength and resiliency. Drawing from the Kūkulu Kumuhana dimensions of Native Hawaiian wellbeing, we discuss the ʻImi Pono Hawaiʻi Wellbeing Survey 2021, from which a number of local organizations have analyzed and published numerous briefs, including ones on COVID-19 impacts in Hawaiʻi and more. Be sure to check out our w...
2021-12-2241 min
The Social BreakdownSOC507 - Princess Performers (Guest Edition)Are you a Disney fan? Have you ever seen a princess in the flesh? Well, this week we are joined by Kristen Newvine of the Social Science Princess Project, who talks with us about this world of character performance. We use Goffman to understand how adopting the identities of Disney princesses can actually influence performers’ everyday non-princess lives-- from how they talk to how they greet children at grocery stores to how they sing when they’re encountering setbacks. Tune in and have a magical day!
2021-12-0832 min
The Social BreakdownSOC506 - Black Feminist ThoughtWe go deep into higher level theory with Black Feminist Thought (BFT as we like to call it) as presented by the one and only Dr. Patricia Hill Collins. We discuss the history of the Frankfurt school of thought and the genesis of Dr. Collins' own 'critical social theory.' Her theory is steeped in American culture, history, and law, as she works to understand the experiences of Black American women. From standpoint epistemology to matrix of domination, we'll break it all down for you so you'll be ready to learn more!
2021-11-2433 min
The Social BreakdownSOC505 - Caste, Class and Masculinities: Exploring the Jatt Community (Guest Edition)The Indian caste system is regularly brought up in sociology courses as an example of a social structure that prevents mobility. But what if that’s not always the case? We are joined by the soon-to-be-Dr. Navjotpal Kaur to discuss how class, land ownership, and masculinity influence which castes are dominant, specifically in the northern State of Punjab. Tune in to learn about how men in the Jatt caste perform their social identities, and how these performances impact communities in Punjab and Canada!
2021-11-1030 min
The Social BreakdownCheck Your Boobs: it's Breast Cancer Awareness month! (Mini-episode)October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the time when everything turns pink! We here at The Social Breakdown wanted to remind everyone with breasts (pssst-- we ALL have ‘em!) to do all the needed check ups: self-exams, ultrasounds, and mammograms! Our team has been especially hit hard by breast cancer. So, for us and for you, please get yourself checked out and remind your loved ones to do so, too!
2021-10-2009 min
The Social BreakdownSOC504 - Money and Morals: Judging Creativity in Art (Guest Edition)Did you know that contemporary and modern art aren't the same thing? Come learn with us about the contemporary art world, how artists judge and value their own art and creative journey, and how artists represent or negotiate their creative vision. We invited Dr. Hannah Wohl, who recently published Bound by Creativity: How Contemporary Art is Created and Judged with University of Chicago Press to talk about her ethnographic work with contemporary artists. Dive with us into the art world and maybe spark that creativity to become an artist yourself!
2021-10-1337 min
The Social BreakdownSOC503 - Social ProblemsThe gang is back! We tackle a foundational topic in sociology: social problems! Social problems relate to numerous other concepts that we've discussed - inequality, stratification, the social construction of reality, and all the "-isms." Social problems are social in their causes, consequences, and solutions and though, social problems are often discussed at the macro societal level, its symptoms often manifest in everyday micro life. Join us as we talk through some big hit social problems - COVID-19, unemployment, crime and deviance, education, racism, ageism, and more!
2021-09-2936 min
The Social BreakdownSOC502 - Gentrification: Movement in Neighborhoods (Guest Edition)Our first guest of the season is one we’re all fans of: Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza!! Tanya joins us to talk about a new project that explores the gentrification of her hometown located in the outskirts of Washington D.C. How do we measure gentrification? And what markers do local residents perceive as signs of gentrification? (Expensive ramen shops, we’re looking at you!) Join us as we make sense of how structures promote “killing a neighborhood [to] make a profit.”
2021-09-1532 min
The Social BreakdownSOC 501 - "You're a donkey!": Food Media and Violence in KitchensFood media is relatively new, but you can’t deny its popularity. Hit food shows such as Hell's Kitchen have propelled chefs to fame, but at what cost? In this episode, Ellen and Penn discuss their recent viral (can we use that word?!) article on how food media normalizes violent behavior in commercial kitchens. Food media that glorifies violence-- from psychological to sexual-- influences on how violence is perceived in the workspace of the cooks, ultimately making it seem 'normal' and at times, and even a necessary tool to manage stress and ensuring productivity. Tune in to learn more!
2021-09-0237 min
The Social BreakdownSOC419 - A Better Life: Higher Education and Anti-Black Racism (Guest Edition)The pursuit of a college education is often seen as a surefire path to a better life and social mobility. Yet for black families the story is not so straightforward. When selecting a college, black families utilize a number of strategies such as self-censorship while contending with how minority scholarships or enrollment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are perceived. We sit with Dr. Deborwah Faulk, a race scholar, to learn more about the impact of anti-black racism on college selection for black families.
2021-06-3035 min
The Social Breakdown(Rerelease) SOC216 – Feminist & Critical Criminology (Guest Edition)We've got a throwback for you from our second season! Dr. Nicholas Chagnon joins us to get into the nitty gritty of critical feminism and feminist criminology. We untangle the many aspects of feminism, and learn how these perspectives analyze women’s reproductive rights, as well as how they approach criminology from a female-centered perspective. This episode continues to be one of our most downloaded, so take a listen if you haven't already!
2021-06-1638 min
The Social Breakdown(Rerelease) SOC121 – ‘X’ Number of Asians: The Model Minority MythWith the #StopAsianHate movement, we wanted to bring back an episode from our first season about the Model Minority Myth. It’s important to break down this myth, because we live in a world of identity politics where we fight over who gets to speak for whom and how we represent ourselves within institutions. Who is the model minority, and how did this term come to be? What social pressures defy or reproduce stereotypes? And what problems does this myth create for other people of color? Join us in our conversation on the model minority and the taken-for-granted notions of...
2021-06-0940 min
The Social BreakdownSOC418 - We Watch the Watchmen: Are We Superheroed Out? (Guest Episode)‘Watchmen,’ the 1980s comic, has been adapted into a television series on HBO and a film. Which one is better? Brian Brutlag, from the Sociologist’s Dojo, joins our debate and explains how the comic has shaped the imagery and storylines of those that followed. We also discuss how capitalism recycles profitable plotlines and characters and how that cycle influences audiences’ interest. Tune in here and be sure to follow the Sociologist’s Dojo!
2021-05-1243 min
The Social BreakdownSOC311 - Intro to Popular Culture: "It's all about popular"We’re getting light-hearted in these crazy times and introducing you to the sociology of pop culture! In this episode, we use Dr. David Grazian’s work to explore what popular culture is and how it’s different from high culture. Then we make sense of culture’s role in globalization, and show how pop cultural products-- like sitcoms, Taylor Swift songs, and anime-- can act as forms of soft power. Tune in here to hear Penn and Omar nerd out on the intricacies of Naruto and Studio Ghibli, and to understand just how powerful and important pop culture is to ou...
2021-04-2853 min
The Social BreakdownSOC417 - Sports, Violence Against Women, and Celebrity (Guest Edition)Violence against women in sports is a common topic in the news nowadays, with allegations of abuse and misconduct coming to light. Criminal and deviant behaviors in sports, from basketball to the NFL, happens more often than you think but what are the consequences of such behaviors? How do the institutions and actors involved respond to allegations? Do allegations of violence against women impact the career trajectory of professional athletes at all? (spoiler: nope). Join us and our guest, Daniel Sailofsky, as we discuss sports and violence, and you can fill your Social Breakdown bingo card slot marked "Capitalism"!
2021-04-1441 min
The Social BreakdownSOC416 - Venice and The Venetian: A Sociology of Tourism (Guest Edition)Is the COVID-19 pandemic the death of tourism? Is the Venetian in Vegas authentic? We have a guest episode for you today with Marta Soligo, who will take us on a tour of the sociology of tourism, the creation of culture, celebrity deaths, dark tourism, and much more. Even though tourism may be for leisure and relaxation, it remains one of the largest money making industry for many economies and cultures that have had to turn to commercialization to survive. COVID-19 brings interesting implications with the sudden immobilization of people, but what does the future hold? Join us to...
2021-03-3145 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway Episode 10 - Girl Power and the Vampire SlayerWe're back with a fun breakaway episode talking about monster artists and girl power! In light of recent revelations about Joss Whedon, we breakdown classic feminist girl power TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Is it really about female empowerment? Or is it just a masculinized vision of femininity? Join us to learn more as we rethink our favorite girl power heroines.
2021-03-1733 min
The Social BreakdownSOC415 - 2020 LookBackStageWe're flashbacking to everyone's favorite year - 2020! The three of us get together to reflect on 2020, how it affected us, and discuss how we think it'll affect society moving forward. The pandemic that froze the world is one to remember, but how will it actually impact socialization, restaurant-going, movie-watching, and all that social stuff? We take a personal dive into 2020, so join us for the ride!
2021-03-0341 min
The Social BreakdownSOC117 - The Forgotten Founding Father: W.E.B. Du BoisEver wonder why sociology emphasizes fieldwork, quantitative research, and participant observation? Or who challenged the notion of the ‘armchair theorist’? In recognizing Black History Month, we pay homage to the often ignored, great modern sociologist, W.E.B. Du Bois. Using the book, The Scholar Denied: W.E.B. Du Bois and the Birth of Modern Sociology (2015) by Dr. Aldon D. Morris, we discuss the legacy and contribution of Du Bois and retell the story of the origins of modern sociology. While faculty and students are gradually incorporating the work of Du Bois in their research and syllabi, the over...
2021-02-2434 min
The Social BreakdownSOC414 - "I just see blue': What is art? (Guest episode)What is art? What is the value of fine art? In this week's episode, Anina Englehardt joins us to explore how sociology understands the world of contemporary fine art, from its hierarchical and exclusive nature to the meaning-making process of art. When judging and valuing art, what is more important - the intention of the artist, the story behind the art, or the whimsical, and sometimes random and irrelevant, interpretations of the everyday audience? We tour the world of fine art, its view of digital art, political art, and much more!
2021-02-1733 min
The Social BreakdownSOC116 - Constructing Race and Black History MonthFebruary is Black History Month (BHM), which means… we gotta talk about it! This week we dig into the history behind BHM, talk about the founder of the holiday (the fascinating Dr. Carter Woodson), and tackle the many critiques and debates surrounding the month. Like, why the heck is BHM on the shortest month of the year?! Why do we usually only celebrate a select few Black figures this month? Is BHM a productive event? Oh also, did you know that race is a social construct? That’s right! Join in to hear the conversation and let us know what...
2021-02-1035 min
The Social BreakdownSOC413 - Firearms in America (Guest episode)Guns are a hot button topic. They are imbued with politics, religion, masculinity, danger, safety, emotions, and more. Ellen was lucky enough to sit down with Dr. Benjamin Dowd-Arrow, Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Health at Florida State University, and talk about the role firearms play in American society today. A trained medical sociologist, Dr. Dowd-Arrow helps us break down why guns are seen as a public health concern, and explains how the values we attach to firearms have evolved over the past 50 years. Tune in here to learn more!
2021-02-0342 min
The Social BreakdownSOC412 - Student Loans (Guest Edition)Ahh, student loans… who doesn’t have ‘em nowadays? Today, we’re diving into the complex world of education-based debt with the help of our guest, Sam. How does student loan debt influence major life decisions, like starting a family or buying a house? What role does financial literacy play in all of this? And will president-elect Joe Biden really cancel student debt?! (Pretty please, Joe-- we could all use a little help right now.) Sam is here to break it down for us using findings from her own qualitative research. Tune in here!
2021-01-1657 min
The Social BreakdownSOC113 - Christmas Rituals & Traditions: Mariah Carey VS Chipmunks (re-release)We’re returning to our first Christmas with you all with this re-release! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s hard to avoid it. Not only is it a day of celebration for Christian religions, but it has become commercialized and commodified for the sake of consumption and capitalism. Christmas also has a strong culture associated with it, full of rituals and traditions--from decorating the tree to gift-giving to singing in groups in front of people’s houses. Join us this week as we discuss these rituals, and get some tips from our amazing sociology gift gui
2020-12-2338 min
The Social BreakdownSOC411 - Intro to Disability Studies: Who is deserving of a childhood? (Guest Edition)Me Before You? The Fault in Our Stars? Chicken Soup for the Soul? Popular culture representations of disability and the disabled community have shown us the dramatic sides of the disability status. How can we better understand disability? Guest star future-Dr. Hillary Steinberg joins us today to talk about the sociology of disability as well as her working in a children's hospital. We outline the three conceptual models of disability, critique the popular culture and disability porn representations, and untangle labels such as 'neurodivergent' and 'differently abled'. Join us to learn more about a field of sociology that isn't...
2020-12-1640 min
The Social BreakdownSOC410 - The Political Economy of the Music Industry (Guest Episode)The music industry is a fascinating setting to understand the power of pop culture AND political economy. (Yup, like that Karl Marx kinda of political economy!) So Dr. David Arditi joins us to explore how power and institutions influence the music we listen to, and the art that musicians create. We discuss self-censorship, Soundcloud, commercialization, Bhad Bhabie, and more! Tune in here, and go check out Dr. Arditi’s book ‘Getting Signed: Record Contracts, Musicians, and Power in Society’!
2020-12-0938 min
The Social BreakdownSOC409 - The PhD's Guide to Getting a Non-Academic JobAre you a newly minted or almost PhD graduate? Have academic job prospects been stressing you out? Look no further - we may have the solution for you! The academic job market isn't looking too hot right now, so here we are with a PhD's Guide to getting a non-academic job! We draw from our personal experiences of navigating the non-academic job market and give you all the practical deets on what search terms to use, what job sites to scour, how to revamp your CV into a resume that's not 15 pages long, and much more!! Tune in to...
2020-11-2547 min
The Social BreakdownSOC408 - Gentrification Through Food (Guest Episode)The way neighborhoods are transformed as investors, capital, and newcomers arrive cannot be understood without talking about cafes, lattes, food security, avocado toast, and race. Dr. Alison Alkon and Dr. Joshua Sbicca join us this week to discuss how food is both a gentrifying force and has been gentrified itself. The conversation was initiated by a new edited volume by our guests (and Dr. Yuki Kato who could not make it) titled, A Recipe for Gentrification! Tune in to learn more about how neighborhood foodscapes change, and how these changes warrant sociological analysis. All you food and environmental justice...
2020-11-1138 min
The Social BreakdownSOC407: Deinstitutionalization and Politics (Guest Edition with Jacquie Esser)The Social Breakdown Team has been busy the last several weeks and we were able to get a guest interview with Hawai’i Deputy Public Defender Jacquie Esser. Esser recently ran for State Prosecutor and continues to be a key player in the struggle to bring fundamental change to the criminal legal system in Hawai’i and throughout the nation. As we head into the final moments of one of the most important presidential elections in recent memory, the stakes could not be higher in understanding the future impacts of deinstitutionalization, police, and criminalization in U.S. society.
2020-11-0237 min
The Social BreakdownSOC406 - Pre-election Special: The Politics of Higher Education (Guest Edition)Over the past three years, those of us in higher education have become more and more aware of the role politics play in academia. And on July 6th 2020, things came to a head when the Department of Homeland Security announced that international students who take only online courses in Fall 2020 were required to transfer schools, find in-person classes to take, or leave the country. Roughly a week later, DHS rescinded the order. So, we have our friend and colleague, Nathalie Rita, with us to discuss the role of politics in the academy, the role of the academy in politics...
2020-11-0143 min
The Social BreakdownSOC405 - The Political Spectacle 2: GO VOTE!We’re continuing our trek into the world of politics and spectacles a la Murray Edelman this week in preparation for the upcoming election. We review what Edelman means when he says, “politics is a spectacle,” and how spectacles can lead us to vote against our own interests. Why is it that people targeted by Trump’s policies voted for him in 2016, and may still vote for him in 2020? How do politicians carefully craft (or impulsively create) spectacles that serve their own good? Tune in here to learn more, and be sure to go out and VOTE!
2020-10-2839 min
The Social BreakdownSOC315 - The Political Spectacle: Symbols in Politics (Rerelease)It's election season! So, we've got a rerelease for you all of an episode from May 2020 about politics, politics, politics! This week we’re going to explore politics using a Symbolic Interactionist lens and the fantastic work of Dr. Murray Edelman to make sense of what’s going on in our state and federal governments every day. Is politics an earnest attempt at changing our society for the good? Is it just a spectacle meant to distract us? Or maybe somewhere in between? Tune in here to learn more, VOTE, and stay healthy out there!
2020-10-2147 min
The Social BreakdownSOC404 - Manifesting Masculinities (Guest Edition)We’ve talked about femininity, feminism, and feminist criminology, but we have yet to tackle masculinity! So, we have a fabulous guest, Dr. Dan Cassino, a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, with us this episode to explain what hegemonic masculinity is, how there are masculinities (plural!), and how they manifest themselves in our society. Join us for a timely discussion about what it means to be a “man” today, and how masculinity has influenced and continues to influence our politics today.
2020-10-1439 min
The Social BreakdownSOC403 - Empathy: It's more than a feelingMany people have heard the phrase, “take a walk in my shoes,” but what does this really mean? Is it possible to understand what someone is going through without sharing the same experiences? The answers to these questions may seem obvious, but it’s more complicated than you think! So this week, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of distinguishing empathy from sympathy, and defining the two. As the world is facing unprecedented times and world leaders are contracting COVID-19, perhaps a little bit of empathy is important... or is it not? Join us for another fun dip in social p...
2020-10-0740 min
The Social BreakdownSOC402 - Intro to Sociology of Education (Guest Edition)This week we sat down with Dr. Mary Kate Blake, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology from Valparaiso University, for a rundown of sociology of education. What is the sociology of education? How is education a structural component of society? Why is it so important to the economy and the labor market? We discuss the impacts of high school counselors, the journey of going to college, and of course, what education is like during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-09-2336 min
The Social BreakdownSOC401 - "You're all sociologists!" Part 3: Don't get senioritis!Welcome to senior year! It's Fall 2020 and we are off to a great start with part 3 of our "You're all sociologists!" series. For this premiere episode, we catch up on what the gang has been up to after summer vacation and we discuss how to take sociology to the next level. What does being a sociologist mean during this time of social unrest and political turmoil? How can we use the sociological imagination to help us understand the current social issues? Grab your thinking hat and join us for a new semester of advanced sociology!
2020-09-1145 min
The Social BreakdownSOC107 - Who You Gonna Call? The Crimebusters! (Rerelease)We have another throwback episode for you, and this time it's about crime! Sociologists are good at mythbusting-- social mythbusting that is! Our first topic to bust: Crime. Citizens of any society have preconceived notions of crime, and these ideas can tell us something about the dominant social order, morality, and normative behavior. So, let's discuss! Are we living in the most violent time? Trump wants to blame everything on “undocumented criminals,” but are undocumented immigrants accountable for a large portion of crime? Oh-- and prison/jail, that's the same thing, right?
2020-07-2944 min
The Social BreakdownSOC118 - Love Struck or Love Sick? (Rerelease)We have another rerelease for you this week! Love-- something we need more of nowadays-- is the topic of this week's episode! So let's explore what happens in our brains when we are struck with love, how sociologists like Charles Cooley and Theodore Kemper see love, and how love can be used as a tool of social control. To better understand this intense emotion, we also discuss Georg Simmel’s important concept of the Dyad. Do you agree with sociology’s view of love? Tune in to hear our discussion!
2020-07-2237 min
The Social BreakdownSOC112 - (Neo)liberalism and its Discontents (Rerelease)Since we're on summer vacay, we're releasing some of our favorite episodes. So, here's one of Ellen's faves: Looking back at its historical origins, the social breakdown crew talks about liberalism and its manifestations in our contemporary world. What is “new” about neoliberalism? John Locke--a British philosopher enshrined in American legal and political doctrine--talks a lot about freedom and liberty, but for whom? To what end? What can be said about conservatism and liberalism as it relates to our sense of self and political affiliations? Join our discussion on neoliberalism and its discontents--we’re not too happy about...
2020-07-1545 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway Episode 10 - Inequality at Bon AppétitPenn and Ellen are avid fans of Bon Appetit’s YouTube channel. ‘Gourmet Makes,’ ‘Back to Back Chef,’ that one where Chris recreates dishes blind-folded-- WE LOVE THEM ALL. But at the start of June, shocking inequality at Bon Appetit was revealed: white chefs appearing in videos were being paid for their time, while chefs of color were not, and leadership was engaging in other racist practices. So, we had to get together and talk about this drama, and how the culinary industry is rife with inequality. Tune in here!
2020-07-0133 min
The Social Breakdown#BlackLivesMatter Miniseries: Defunding the PoliceWe’re continuing our #BlackLivesMatter miniseries and exploring what it means when people demand that we defund the police. Annually the U.S. spends around $115 billion on police departments-- an amount that has tripled over the past 40 years. So supporters of #BLM are calling for divestment from police as one way to combat police violence and aggression. What does defunding look like? How would it happen? And wait, wait, wait, with less police won’t crime go up?! Tune in here to learn more.
2020-06-1929 min
The Social Breakdown#BlackLivesMatter Miniseries: Vive la Resistance!For our miniseries on #BlackLivesMatter we were planning on doing an episode on tools of resistance-- the ways organizers act to create social change. But then we were like, "Wait a minute! We already have an episode on that!" So, we are re-releasing our episode on resistance, where we ask, what exactly is resistance? What does it mean to resist and to struggle? How can we resist? What are some strategies or ways to resist? Many social issues are now at the forefront of the global conversation, especially with Trump’s presidency, from racism to sexual harassment, to basic hu...
2020-06-1744 min
The Social Breakdown#BlackLivesMatter Miniseries: What is #BLM?The #BlackLivesMatter social movement has been gaining momentum after the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota on May 25, and protests have been seen around the world and in every state in the U.S. We here at the Social Breakdown have been trying to figure out how we can do our part in the movement, and this miniseries is one of the results. So, the first episode of our #BlackLivesMatter miniseries is about the BLM movement itself. Who created it? How is it organized? What is BLM calling for? And why should you not say, “But, but, don’t All...
2020-06-1534 min
The Social BreakdownSOC316 - PhD's Guide to TeachingThere’s a lotta roles grad students play in the university, and one of them is being a teacher. So, we have a PhD’s Guide to Teaching today to help all of you newbies prepare for teaching in higher education. How do you format an in-person class vs. an online class? How long does a new course take to plan (HINT: A lot longer that you think!)? And why should you NOT friend your students on Pokemon Go? Tune in here to hear our 10 tips for teaching, and please stay safe and healthy out there!
2020-06-0350 min
The Social BreakdownSOC315 - The Political Spectacle: Symbols in PoliticsPolitics, politics, politics-- what a fascinating part of our society that feels all-consuming sometimes. This week we’re going to explore politics using a Symbolic Interactionist lens and the fantastic work of Dr. Murray Edelman to make sense of what’s going on in our state and federal governments every day. Is politics an earnest attempt at changing our society for the good? Is it just a spectacle meant to distract us? Or maybe somewhere in between...? Tune in here to learn more and stay healthy out there!
2020-05-2047 min
The Social BreakdownSOC314 - Family Demography and Intergenerational Solidarity Theory (Guest Edition)Sociology is obviously concerned about connecting private troubles to public issues, as C. Wright Mills once said. Sociologists are also deeply interested in the relationships between people, and the intimate relationships we have with family members. This week, we have a fantastic guest, Dr. Sarah Patterson, who is helping us make sense of these connections. Sarah will be talking with us about families, family demography, and Intergenerational Solidarity Theory. What makes families work or struggle through their interactions? And do families promote positive social solidarity among all its members? Come join us for the conversation!
2020-05-0643 min
The Social BreakdownSOC313 - To Err is Human: A Look at Medical ErrorMedical error-- defined as unintended or failed plan of actions related to treatments-- is an understudied in medical sociology. Patient harm from medical error can occur at the individual and systemic level however, and it might shock you to learn that it happens more often than not-- it's technically the third leading cause of death in the United States! Listen to our discussion on what societal factors contribute to medical error. Leave us a rating and review if you enjoy our podcast!
2020-04-2245 min
The Social Breakdown(Don't) Ask a Sociologist Episode 1: What is Society?We're starting a new mini-series on our podcast called "(Don't) Ask a Sociologist"! We'll be answering questions from our listeners in ways probably more complicated than necessary, because we're sociologists, after all. This week's question - what the heck is society? What do people mean when they say 'society'? While it's a word we like to throw around, we might actually be talking about something else! Tune in to learn more!
2020-04-1520 min
The Social BreakdownSOC312 - Zen and the White Male Savior in Film (Guest Edition)We’re building off of last week’s episode on pop culture today with a deep dive into film analysis with a special guest, Prof. Brian Brutlag from The Sociologist’s Dojo! Brian talks with us about two seemingly unconnected concepts-- Zen Buddhism and the White Male Savior Complex-- and how they’re now being used together in film narratives. Tune in here to learn more about how we can use sociology to make sense of film trends and stories, and also how we can use it to analyze cinematic flaws. You can check out Brian’s blog at thesociolo...
2020-04-0146 min
The Social BreakdownSOC311 - Intro to Popular Culture: "It's all about popular"We’re getting light-hearted in these crazy times and introducing you to the sociology of pop culture! In this episode, we use Dr. David Grazian’s work to explore what popular culture is and how it’s different from high culture. Then we make sense of culture’s role in globalization, and show how pop cultural products-- like sitcoms, Taylor Swift songs, and anime-- can act as forms of soft power. Tune in here to hear Penn and Omar nerd out on the intricacies of Naruto and Studio Ghibli, and to understand just how powerful and important pop culture is to ou...
2020-03-2553 min
The Social Breakdown(out)Breakaway Episode 9 - "It's not just the 'flu'"COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is rapidly developing around the world and so are our thoughts, emotions, and of course, our sociological perspectives! We have an unplanned, talk story episode on this topic for you today. Join us as we try to put the hysteria and facts into sociological context as we discuss infectious diseases, quarantining, politics, stress, and public health. And share with us your thoughts, comments, and concerns. Be safe out there and wash your hands!
2020-03-2055 min
The Social BreakdownSOC310 - PhD's Guide to BOOK$Have you ever taken a class and been forced to buy a $100 textbook? Have you ever been a teacher and was forced to assign a $100 textbook? It’s difficult to manage for both sides but don’t sweat it - we have the perfect PhD’s Guide to BOOK$ for you. Here at The Social Breakdown, we are all about accessibility! In this episode, we discuss cost saving ways for both teachers and students to navigate textbook assignments in college. There are cheap and FREE ways you can get a lot of your textbooks. Listen to the episode and then g...
2020-03-1140 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway Episode 8 - Girl Power and the #Girlboss Movement“If you wanna be my lover, you have got to--” listen to this breakaway episode! Today, Penn and Ellen get together to talk about all things girl power, from the #Girlboss movement to feuds between celebrity women (which scream, “Georg Simmel’s concept of dyads!”) to how some women don’t want to be called “female.” Tune in here to learn more, and find out which Spice Girl Penn and Ellen wanted to be growing up. Also, send us a rating when you have time, and be sure to subscribe!
2020-02-2627 min
The Social BreakdownSOC309 - PhD's Guide to RelationshipsIt’s almost the most romantic day of the year - good ol’ V-Day. While the gang has looked at family and romantic relationships from a sociological perspective, we’re taking an inner deep dive into ourselves this week with a PhD’s Guide to Relationships! Graduate school is a weirdly autonomous yet lonely time, so this week we discuss our experiences with managing romantic and platonic relationships while balancing a full course load, TA/GAships, and of course, writing a dissertation. Tune in to see how we do it and remember, you're not alone!
2020-02-1239 min
The Social BreakdownSOC308 - Grounded Theory: It's Not A TheoryEver heard of a theory that wasn’t a theory? This week the gang tackles a difficult qualitative methodological approach called Grounded Theory, put forth by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. By doing a deep dive into textual and descriptive data, the goal of this approach is to analyze data without letting previous knowledge, biases, or assumptions cloud the analysis. If you ever wondered what it was like to do hands on sociological research, then this episode is for you!
2020-01-2934 min
The Social BreakdownSOC307 - The Social Construction of Rock n’ RollWe’ve got a special guest episode featuring Dr. Matthew Smith-Lahrman for you this week! Matt is a rock ‘n roll guru and professor at Dixie State University, and he joins us to talk about the sociology of rock music. Tune in to learn about how rock music has evolved, its role in the social construction of reality, and his favorite band, The Meat Puppets. Also, don’t forget to subscribe and give us a rating if you haven’t already. Mahalo!
2020-01-1538 min
The Social BreakdownSOC306 - Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination (pt. 2): "I don't see color"Andddd we’re back with part two of our series on stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination! In this episode we take a close look at institutional discrimination. First, we explore the sociological concept of the ‘institution’. Next, we dig into how discrimination can plague an institution, and why it is that sometimes we don’t even know that we’re participants in this type of biased behavior. We end the episode with some ways that we faulty human beings can reduce and prevent discrimination. Tune in here to learn more, and don’t forget to subscribe to us wherever you get your pod
2019-12-1837 min
The Social BreakdownSOC305 - Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination (pt. 1): "Can I call you 'Mulan'?"Stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination-- all words we use interchangeably, and consequently, words we sometimes use incorrectly! This week’s show is the first episode of a two-part series where we untangle these three concepts from each other, and get a better sense of when prejudice turns into discrimination. Tune in to learn more, and don’t forget to give us a rating when you’ve got a little time on your hands. Mahalo!
2019-12-0448 min
The Social BreakdownSOC304 - PhD's Guide to Money in Grad SchoolIf you hang around grad students, you’ll discover one of our favorite topics to discuss is money. We’re usually grumbling about funding, side gigs, constantly filling out applications for scholarships that we don’t get, and how we wiiiiiiish we had enough money to not have to live with roommates anymore. So in this PhD’s Guide, we’re gonna explore this topic by looking at the typical jobs available in grad school (including average stipend pay), what you should expect funding-wise from your department, and some academic job opportunities you can find to supplement your TA stipend. T...
2019-11-2041 min
The Social BreakdownSOC303 - The "Myth" of Mental IllnessJoin the SB team as we talk about the “myth of mental illness,” a phrase coined by psychiatrist and medical sociologist, Thomas Szasz. Today we will be comparing the ideas of mental health and illness as “problems with living” to the medical model. As sociologists we are not anti-medicine or anti-doctor, but we do feel it necessary to use our perspective breakdown the essence of psychological functioning and how the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a gatekeeper. Hope you enjoy this lively conversation, and please subscribe and give us a rating!
2019-11-0637 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway Episode 7 - Monster Artists: When something you love is created by a monsterIt’s just Omar and Penn this week but we tackle an interesting dilemma that has come into the spotlight in the wake of the #MeToo movement - what are we supposed to do when we find out that the art we love was created by monster artists? From Johnny Depp to Michael Jackson to Louis CK, we discuss the various ways in which we can deal with this dilemma. As consumers, what is our responsibility to deal with these monster artists, and is that even the right question to ask? Read the Vox article we discuss before listening to...
2019-10-2344 min
The Social BreakdownSOC302 - Podcasting w/ The Annex (Guest Edition)There’s a few sociology podcasts out there and this week we’re lucky enough to have Dr. Joseph Cohen, host of one of our favorites, The Annex Sociology Podcast, on to talk shop! What inspired him to start The Annex? How has he incorporated podcasting into his research? And which episodes of The Annex should you check out? Tune in here to listen to our fun conversation and be sure to check out The Annex (and Joe’s other exciting shows) at www.sociocast.org.
2019-10-0924 min
The Social BreakdownSOC301 - Intro to Sociology of Emotions: Did you cry at Avengers: Endgame?We’re back y’all!! And we’re starting off our third season with a deep dive into the field of the Sociology of Emotions, a relatively young but uber fascinating subfield. What exactly are emotions? How are some emotions more social than others? And why is it that Ellen cried twice watching Avengers: Endgame, while Penn was frustrated and Omar was just a little sad? Tune in to learn more! And remember to give us a rating and subscribe if you haven’t already.
2019-09-2545 min
The Social BreakdownSOC216 - Feminist & Critical Criminology: Problematizing the State (Guest Edition)Feminism - it has a bad rep, but it’s actually an important social movement fighting for equality across sex, gender, race, and all the other categories of stratification in our society. Right on the heels of Alabama and Georgia passing some of the most restrictive abortion laws that criminalize mothers and doctors who perform abortions, this week’s episode features a guest expert, Dr. Nicholas Chagnon, who helps us untangle the perspectives of critical feminism and feminist criminology. Learn how these perspectives analyze women’s reproductive rights, as well as how they approach criminology from a female-centered perspective.
2019-05-1538 min
The Social BreakdownSOC215 - Social Stratification, Capitalism, and Inequality: All the Sad ThingsThis week we’re introducing the alliterative and uber important concept of social stratification: how people are sorted into different hierarchical groups based on the intersections of class, race, gender, wealth, etc. Using the perspectives of Karl Marx and Max Weber, we discuss capitalism’s role in this hot unequal mess. Take a listen to the episode, as we break it down the current state of inequality in the world. And don’t forget to give us a rating and review after you listen! Mahalooooo!
2019-05-0144 min
The Social BreakdownBreakaway 6 - "JPOP, KPOP, and Boy Bands" A Rant by Dr. PennWe do a quick breakaway this week on a fun topic - boybands! Why is J-Pop and K-Pop so globally popular? What’s the difference between American, Japanese, and Korean boybands anyway? K-Pop is known for their perfectly choreographed and intricate dancing with pitch perfect singing; while J-Pop aims to be your boyband next door. But you might be surprised to learn that they arose out of very different sociopolitical contexts! Each genre has quite an interesting history in relation to trade, economy, and globalization. We discuss the idea of soft power, and how various industries use their cultural pr...
2019-04-1725 min
The Social BreakdownSOC 214 - Reproductive Politics: The Body as a Site of Political StruggleIn this episode, the team tackles one of the most sensitive topics within current social discussions - reproductive politics. Using Rickie Solinger’s seminal book Reproductive Politics, we discuss how the women’s bodies have become a site of public political struggle, thereby, determining the level of personal autonomy and privacy available to women. We highlight an aspect of Solinger’s work on fetal personhood, and how the rights of the fetus have been constructed, in some ways, in conflict with the mother’s rights.
2019-04-0342 min
The Social BreakdownSOC213 - Doulas and Midwives and Women's Health, Oh My! (Guest Edition)The Social Breakdown Team is at it again with another really important topic--Women’s Health! On this week’s show Omar and Ellen will be having a discussion with Alexandra, a current University of Hawai’i at Manoa PhD Student, medical sociologist, and a practicing doula! What is a doula? What is midwifery? Join us for the conversation as Alex gives us a brief but important tour of women’s health, mythbusting the differences between being a doula and a midwife, and much more.
2019-03-2045 min
The Social BreakdownSOC 212 - Our Imagined Communities: Intro to Migration Studies (Guest Edition)This week, we have a guest speaker on to give an introduction to migration studies. This topic has a lot to do with current events such as DACA, The Wall, and various other immigration policies. Tune in to learn more about how Sociology approaches these issues, and how we are all living in an imagined community - a concept put forth by Benedict Anderson to highlight the ideological project of ‘culture.’
2019-03-0634 min
The Social BreakdownSOC211 - "It Ain't a Rug!": Edward Said's OrientalismWe’re getting theoretical this week and tackling Orientalism, a concept and book by the fantastic Dr. Edward Said. If you’re taking a higher-level sociology, anthropology, history, or poli sci class, chances are you’re gonna hear “orientalism” thrown around! What is heck is it? (Hint: It ain’t a rug, a fast-food take out place, or the way to describe how someone looks!) What is its connection to imperialism and colonialism? And how has it influenced scholarship and research in the past and present? Tune in to learn more and be sure to give us a rating!
2019-02-2042 min
The Social BreakdownSOC210 - PhD's Guide to Research EthicsThis week, we’re bringing the PhD’s Guide series back to cover research ethics! Nowadays, researchers must carefully balance the potential knowledge a study can collect with the potential harm it may cause to the people participating in studies. But that definitely hasn’t always been the case! The treatment of Henrietta Lacks and studies like The Tearoom Trade are perfect examples of research ethics gone wrong. Tune in to learn more, and check out our website (thesocialbreakdown.com) to read about the various studies we discussed in the episode.
2019-02-0639 min
The Social BreakdownIntro to Spring SemesterAloha! We’re coming back--we promise! This week we’ve a little update for you on our new set up for Spring semester. Take a quick listen and get your ears ready for next week’s new release.
2019-01-3004 min
The Social BreakdownSOC209 - Winter Mini-Ep: Gifts for Grad StudentsIt is that time of year! Time to wind down, take a break, and enjoy the holidays. It’s also time for the Social Breakdown Team to collect our thoughts so we can get ready for our return in January. We all hope you enjoyed the first half of Year 2. Join us for our mini episode where we discuss some good holiday gifts to give that grad student in your life. (Parents and friends, take a listen!) Have a wonderful end to 2018 everybody, and we’ll see you next year!
2018-12-1905 min
The Social BreakdownSOC208 - Left Handed Devils: The Social Construction of DevianceWe’re using our understanding of the three schools of sociological theory to breakdown deviance and crime this week. What is deviance? What is crime? How are they different? How does society create the definitions of what is a deviant behavior and what is a criminal act? We discuss power and inequality, as well as look at deviance and crime through the lens of the three schools of sociological thought - structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Check out our previous episode on the three schools of thought, SOC207, if you haven’t already so you understand our disc...
2018-12-1252 min