This episode we talk with Monte Bute, a backstage sociologist at Metropolitan State University. Last year, Monte was diagnosed with stage three pulmonary lymphoma. Rather than retreating quietly, however, Monte has turned his illness into a learning experience for students (he’s continued to teach) and into an opportunity to revisit some of the core questions of the human experience. We talk about the effect of Durkheim on sociology’s impoverished understanding of dying, and the ways in which literature and the humanities do a better job of grasping the existential realities of dying. Other topics include Monte’s Facebook page, his take on the Minnesota state shutdown, and why Monte has changed his opinion on Tuesdays with Morrie (following up on his discussion with John Hines).
Linda J. Waite on Sexuality and Aging
Linda J. Waite, author of Sexuality Has No Expiration Date from the Summer 2010 issue of Contexts, separates the facts from the myths and stereotypes about sexuality and aging.
Also: Jesse picks the first Society Page of the Week: A Tale of Two Simulacra: Market Meets Jersey Shore by Brooke Harrington on Economic Sociology.
Children and Reality TV
Hilary Levey talks to Jesse and Arturo about her Spring 2010 Contexts feature, Balloon Boy Plus Ei8ht? Children and Reality Television.
Also: check out Levey’s editorial in USA Today on the topic of Reality TV kids.
And if you don’t watch as much television as you know you should (it’s ok—we don’t judge), here are a few clips referenced in the interview:
Jon & Kate Plus 8
Cute Kids. (TLC disabled embedding).
The Breakup:
Kid Nation
NYC Prep
Carr Talk
This week’s guest is Deborah Carr, Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, and the Trends Editor for Contexts. First, Jesse and Sarah talk with Dr. Carr about how she identifies and writes about social trends, then we broadcast part of a recent lecture Dr. Carr gave on end of life decision making.
But before this double feature, Arturo shares a discovery about healthcare! One correction: Arturo forgets to identify the article by name (and Jon forgets to ask him)! The article is called Similar Pressures, Different Contexts: Public Attitudes toward Government Intervention in Health Care for 21 Nations, by Saeko Kikuzawa, Sigrun Olafsdottir, and Bernice A. Pescosolido. Sorry about that!
(Apologies also for the humming sound in the background during Carr’s talk. We couldn’t remove it without also making Professor Carr sound like an alien, which we decided was a bad idea.)
Self-Efficacy, Discrimination, and the Myths of Aging
This episode features not one, but two special guests. First, Sarah visits with Vincent J. Roscigno about his Winter 2010 feature Ageism in the American Workplace. Second, Sarah talks with John Rowe, chair of the MacArthur Research Network on Aging. The MacArthur Network has authored two recent articles in Contexts: Facts and Fictions about an Aging America and the followup, Policy and Politics for an Aging America.
Be sure to check out both of these features in Aging in Contexts, a collection of Contexts features on aging. From now until March 15, the full collection will be available for free to read online and to download as a free ebook. Check it out & spread the word!
Also in this episode: Arturo shares an article about cities and self-efficacy.
© 2012 Office Hours
