The Socjournal » Columnists

Jun 23rd, 2010 | By Timothy McGettigan

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial meltdown, Ben Bernanke, America’s leading scholar of the Great Depression, has been credited with saving the nation’s economy. As a reward for his sterling work, on August 25, 2009, President Obama appointed Ben Bernanke to a second term as the Chair of the Federal Reserve. Three cheers for
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Jun 22nd, 2010 | By Dr. Michael Sosteric

You think we live in a functioning democracy? You think you’re a powerful actor in a sea of democratic choice? Think again. According to this psychologist we are nations of people broken by a socialization process that teaches passivity, fear of authority, and a-social competition, a medical process that applies chemical straitjackets to the emotional sequelea of oppression, and a psychological establishment that pathologizes children who refuse to conform.

Jun 10th, 2010 | By Dr. Michael Sosteric

This article originally appeared in Volume Three of The Electronic Journal of Sociology. It is reproduced here as part of the debate on the challenges of higher education.

Jun 7th, 2010 | By Timothy McGettigan

Sociology studies power, and one of the places that power is exercised in our society is in the boardroom. Is it any wonder then that a sociologist, looking at a boardroom in a university, questions the use and application of power? Secret meetings, legislating autonomy, million dollar payouts, these are all aspects of the use, or should I say misuse, of power. It just goes to show that not even the hallowed halls of higher education are immune from the negative sequelea of uneven power distribution.

Jun 7th, 2010 | By Timothy McGettigan

Higher education faces challenges. From the competitive ethic of commercialism to the increasing demands for accessible and flexible education, colleges and universities face pressure to change. But is the solution to our educational woes to be found in even stronger alignment of business models with educational models?

Feb 26th, 2010 | By Dr. Michael Sosteric

As sociologists, one of our (my wife and I) biggest pet peaves is gendered activities. These are activities where an individual is excluded from participation
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Feb 19th, 2010 | By Dr. Michael Sosteric

[amazonify]0976247909:right[/amazonify]Two books that I have recently read deserve attention today. One is My Way Out and the other is The Cure for Alcoholism. Both are
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Feb 6th, 2010 | By Dr. Michael Sosteric

[amazonify]0745326889:right[/amazonify] A Century of Spin: How Public Relations Became the Cutting Edge of Corporate Power . There are now a range of academic disciplines which
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