SOC306 – Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination (pt. 2): “I don’t see color”

Abstract

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 look at 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 podcasts!

Keywords

Prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, racism, institutions

Sources

  • During quick breaks, Omar was asked about Grammarly. FYI we’re not sponsored by them (or anyone for that matter).

SOC305 – Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination (pt. 1): “Can I call you ‘Mulan’?”

Abstract

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 get us a rating when you’ve got a little time on your hands. Mahalo!

Keywords

Bias, discrimination, prejudice, racism, stereotypes

Sources

  1. We used Elliot Aronson’s fantastic book The Social Animal this episode.
  2. Some quick definitions from Aronson’s book:
    1. Stereotypes: “To assign identical characteristics to any person in a group, regardless of the actual variation among members of that group.” (pg. 244)
    2. Prejudice:  “A hostile or negative attitude toward a distinguishable group based on generalizations derived from faulty or incomplete information.”
    3. Discrimination: Unfair treatment of members of a stigmatized group that denies a member their rights.
  3. Headsets used to speak to other players in the online gaming world is a portal to hell (at least according to Ellen)! Read about it here in this Washington Post article, “Racism, Misogyny, and Death Threats: Why Can’t the Booming Video Game-Industry Curb Toxicity?”
  4. Ahhh, so Awkwafina was in the second Jumanji installment. That explains things…
  5. Ellen said, “Chinese Expulsion Act” but she should’ve said, “Chinese Exclusion Act.” Whoopsie! 
  6. Math Looks The Same In The Brains Of Boys And Girls, Study Finds
  7. In case you were wondering, Bon Appetite Magazine is on the other side of the Goldfish vs. Cheez-Its debate!

SOC304 – PhD’s Guide to Money in Grad School

Abstract

If 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. Tune in here to learn more about the precariousness of being a grad student!

Keywords

academia, budgets, funding, grad, graduate, masters, money, phd, school

Sources

  1. GA is a Graduate Assistant who may help administratively in a department (i.e. organize a small sized conference, bring in speakers, run the social media account of the department, etc.) and take on light researching duties.
  2. RA is a Research Assistant who works on a specified research project for either a professor or a research institute that is housed within the university system.
  3. TA is a Teaching Assistant who helps a professor or lecturer teach large undergraduate courses. Most duties include holding office hours for students, grading, proctoring exams, etc.
  4. We cited a CNN report from 2018, “How Graduate Students Pay for School”
  5. Interested in how a university with a unionized graduate student body works? Check out Rutgers! Collective bargaining for the win, y’all!
  6. Kanye is thinking about legally becoming, “Kanye Christian Genius Billionaire West”
  7. Washington Post article, “What we know about the mysterious vaping-linked illness and deaths,” in case you haven’t read the 100,000 news reports about it yet!
  8. Omar mentioned how our response to vaping deaths are driven in part by moral panics. What is a moral panic?

SOC303 – The “Myth” of Mental Illness

Abstract

Join 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 the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as the gatekeeper.

Keywords

Mental illness, mental health, medical sociology, medicine, stigma, shame

Transcript

You can find the transcript for this episode here! Big mahalos to Dr. Stacye Blount for helping us transcribe this one!!

Sources

  1. Thomas Szasz the Psychiatrist.
  2. The Myth of Mental Illness: 50 years later by Thomas Szasz 
  3. Szasz Under Fire: The Psychiatrist Abolitionist Faces His Critics
  4. According to the American Psychiatric Association, Mental Illness is..
  5. Sociology, on the other hand…
  6. Changing brain chemistry after trauma
  7. Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
  8. What is Neurodiversity? 
  9. What is Neurodiversity from an Autistic perspective (Video)
  10. Halloween and that “special candy”
  11. The Illusionist Magic Show
  12. SOC126: Medicalizing Behavior–Normal or “Abnormal”
  13. The Life Course Perspective. Classic and contemporary medical sociological theory 
  14. History of DSM and the most current edition–DSM 5
  15. Suicide Prevention Hotline

Breakaway Episode 7 – Monster Artists: When something you love is created by a monster

Abstract

It’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 the episode so you can follow along!

Keywords

artists, art, consumerism, consumption, #metoo, social movements, social justice

Sources

  1. The Vox article that we base our episode on – What do we do when the art we love was created by a monster? By Constance Grady (2018)



SOC302 – Podcasting w/ The Annex (Guest Edition)

Abstract

There are 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.

Keywords

Sociology, podcasting, academic, annex, sociological

Sources

SOC301 – Intro to Sociology of Emotions: Did you cry at Avengers: Endgame?

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Emotions, feelings, microsociology, social psychology

Sources

  • Peggy Thoits is seen as one of the founding scholars of the Sociology of Emotions
    • She argues in her article, “The Sociology of Emotions” (1989) that emotions are comprised of 4 elements:
    • 1.     Appraisals of a situational stimulus or context
    • 2.     Changes in physiological or bodily sensations
    • 3.     The free or inhibited display of expressive gestures
    • 4.     A cultural label applied to specific constellations of one or more of the first three components
      •  ***All 4 components do not need to be present for an emotion to be expressed or recognized by others***
  • Arlie Hochschild (who we’ll be covering in the very near future) is also a huge scholar of emotions, so check her out.
  • Peter Burke and Jan Stets in Identity Theory (2009) define emotions as, “emotions generally refer to the feelings individuals experience in situations” (p. 155).
  • Avengers: Endgame trailer for all of you living under a rock who haven’t seen it (sry ‘bout the spoilers!)
  • Amazon rainforest is burning!
  • Alaska is burning!
  • Disneyland’s recent opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a) Phreaking phenomenal and b) Causing decreased attendance at the entire park