economy
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Today in my Social Problems class I let students choose a topic for me to discuss. They chose drug abuse. Since drug abuse is not really an area I study, I was at a loss for a good hook that could get me interested in the topic. I found that hook when I caught the…
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Limitless opportunity creates incapacitating uncertainty. The academic job market has bottomed out due to the Great Recession, but it has been faltering for years as universities, like other industries, turn toward part-time contract workers. Recent PhDs, primed for a lifetime of learning and knowledge production within the institution of academia, have diminishing opportunities to put…
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The Secret We were driven back underground by the local economy. Or was it local politics? Organizers of noise shows have always had a hard time securing venue spaces, but recently in Richmond and Charlottesville, art galleries, particularly small non-profit or grassroots galleries have become reliable partners. Yet in this economy, such spaces are having…
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The annual meeting of sociologists offers both intellectual inspiration and anxiety as both new and established scholars try to connect with others in a sea of over 6,000 colleagues. I felt in the thick of it this year as a presenter, job seeker and attendee. My concerns about the grim job market were calmed by…
