SOC 418 – We Watch the Watchmen: Are We Superheroed Out?

Abstract

‘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!

Keywords

Pop culture, Watchmen, Capitalism, Superheroes, Anti-Heroes

Sources

Follow Brian and check out his podcast!

  1. Watchmen the Comic Book
  2. Watchmen movie official trailer
  3. Watchmen TV Show (HBO) official tease
  4. Ready Player One (novel)
  5. Before Watchmen comic book series
  6. Doomsday Clock the comic book limited series
  7. The History Of Silver Age Comic Books
  8. What’s The Deal With Comic Book Age Ratings?
  9. Kick-Ass, the comic book series
  10. The Boys season 1 trailer
  11. HBO’s “Watchmen” is great. Its comic creator Alan Moore wants nothing to do with it
  12. Biden White House Sandbags Staffers, Sidelines Dozens for Pot Use
  13. Joe Biden trips three times while boarding Air Force One

SOC 417 Sports, Violence Against Women, and Celebrity (Guest Edition)

Abstract

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”!

Keywords

Sports, violence, capitalism, masculinity, celebrity status

Check out Daniel’s work!

  1. Follow Daniel on twitter!
  2. Daniel’s co-authored article: “It Will Ruin His Career”: Does Violence Against Women Really Damage the Careers of NBA Players?

Sources

  1. Everything You Need To Know About the Ray Rice Case
  2. Moneyball trailer
  3. MLB pitcher Sam Dyson suspended entire 2021 season for domestic violence
  4. MLB, MLBPA reveal domestic violence policy
  5. National Football League player conduct policy
  6. Joint NBA/NBPA policy on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse
  7. Visuals sealed Adrian Peterson’s fate
  8. Revisiting Ben Roethlisberger’s Sexual Assault Allegations in the #MeToo Era
  9. The Last Dance | Netflix
  10. Friday Night Lights trailer
  11. Pause, rewind, play: The most epic outbursts of ‘Superbrat’ John McEnroe’s career
  12. O.J. Simpson trial
  13. Public Heroes, Private Felons: Athletes and Crimes Against Women by Benedict
  14. Michael Messner’s articles related to sociology of sports and masculinity
  15. The Rites of Men: Manhood, Politics, and the Culture of Sport by Burstyn
  16. Kristy McCray’s profile and publications
  17. Nicole Bedera’s twitter
  18. Free With Your Covid Shot: Beer, Arcade Tokens and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

SOC215 – Social Stratification, Capitalism, and Inequality: All the Sad Things

Abstract

This 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!


Keywords

Social stratification, wealth, income, inequality, capitalism, Karl Marx, Max Weber

Sources


  1. What is social stratification? Social Stratification involves hierarchical differences associated with economic positions, social status and political power. How people are sorted into different groups based on class, race, gender, wealth, etc. Social stratification has a significant effect on how valuable resources (and by extension, class status and power) are allocated in society (adapted from Ritzer’s Introduction to Sociology)
  2. Karl Marx’s Das Kapital and the Communist Manifesto can be accessed for free here
  3. Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism and Economy and Society excerpts here
  4. Guess how much money Jeff Bezos makes? Too much.
  5. Amazon employee Vickie Shannon Allen who hurt her back while working in an Amazon factory that did not meet safety standards.
  6. Zuckerberg San Francisco General hospital overcharging their patients for care and medicine
  7. Of course, Ellen brought up Rachel Dolezal again… Wonder what she’s up to?
  8. Free online copy of The Great Gatsby. If you haven’t read it before, you should go back to your 6th grade teacher and ask him/her what in the heck they were teaching that year that they didn’t make you read The Great Gatsby.
  9. After the recent HBO documentary, “Leaving Neverland” about Michael Jackson, The Simpsons pulled an episode featuring the pop star
  10. Stem cell treatment curing HIV/AIDS in the UK– Hooray!
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