In this episode, Elizabeth Fisher introduces environmental law, a wide-ranging area of law that can operate at both a local and global level and is an area of complexity and hard-fought cases. Learn more about “Environmental Law: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/environmental-law-a-very-short-introduction-9780198794189 Elizabeth Fisher is Professor of Environmental Law in the Faculty of Law … Continue reading Environmental Law – The Very Short Introduction...
May 19, 2022•9 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Catherine Wilson introduces Epicureanism, a school of thought based on the teachings of Epicurus, that promotes modest pleasure and a simple life—ideals that still hold relevance today. Learn more about “Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/epicureanism-a-very-short-introduction-9780199688326 Catherine Wilson is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at York University and a member of the … Continue reading Epicureanism – The Very Shor...
May 12, 2022•14 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Philip Dwyer introduces the difficult but important topic of violence and addresses the truth behind the claims that society is becoming less violent. Learn more about “Violence: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/violence-a-very-short-introduction-9780198831730 Philip Dwyer is Professor of History and the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence at … Continue reading Violence – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode...
May 05, 2022•11 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Charlotte Gordon introduces Mary Shelley, an author known for the seminal Frankenstein but whose body of work extends beyond one novel. Learn more about “Mary Shelley: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/mary-shelley-a-very-short-introduction-9780198869191 Charlotte Gordon is the Distinguished Professor of English at Endicott College. An award-winning author, her work has appeared in the … Continue reading Mary Shelley – The Very Short Introd...
Apr 28, 2022•7 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Rana Mitter introduces modern China, a country full of contradictions that continues to make global headlines as it balances its past with its future. Learn more about “Modern China: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/modern-china-a-very-short-introduction-9780198753704 Rana Mitter is Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China and Director of the University China … Continue reading Modern China – The Very Short Introductions Podca...
Apr 21, 2022•12 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Patricia Aufderheide introduces documentary film, a diverse genre that encompasses films from March of the Penguins to Fahrenheit 9/11 but is always rooted in the desire to represent reality. Learn more about “Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/documentary-film-a-very-short-introduction-9780195182705 Patricia Aufderheide is a professor in the School of Communication at American … Continue reading Documentary Film – The Very...
Apr 14, 2022•12 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Nancy A. Pachana introduces ageing, an activity with which we are familiar from childhood, and the lifelong dynamic changes in biological, psychological, and social functioning associated with it. Learn more about “Ageing: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ageing-a-very-short-introduction-9780198725329 Nancy A. Pachana is a Professor of Geropsychology at the University of Queensland, Australia. … Continue reading Ageing – The Very Short Int...
Dec 09, 2021•7 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Pippa Virdee introduces Pakistan, one of the two nation-states of the Indian sub-continent that emerged in 1947 but has a deep past covering 4,000 years. Learn more about “Pakistan: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/pakistan-a-very-short-introduction-9780198847076 Pippa Virdee is a reader in Modern South Asian History at De Montfort University. Virdee is the … Continue reading Pakistan – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 42 →...
Dec 02, 2021•8 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Susan Mizruchi introduces American author Henry James, who created a unique body of fiction that includes Daisy Miller, The Portrait of a Lady, and The Turn of the Screw. Learn more about “Henry James: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/henry-james-a-very-short-introduction-9780190944384 Susan L. Mizruchi is William Arrowsmith Professor in the Humanities, Boston University … Continue reading Henry James – The Very Short Introductions Podcast...
Nov 18, 2021•13 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Andrew Copson introduces secularism, an increasingly hot topic in public, political, and religious debate across the globe that is more complex than simply ‘state versus religion.’ Learn more about “Secularism: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/secularism-a-very-short-introduction-9780198747222 Andrew Copson is the Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, where he was previously Director … Continue reading Secularism – The Very ...
Nov 11, 2021•12 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Sarah Harper introduces demography, the study of people, which addresses the size, distribution, composition, and density of populations, and considers the impact certain factors will have on both individual lives and the changing structure of human populations. Learn more about “Demography: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/demography-a-very-short-introduction-9780198725732 Sarah Harper is Professor of … Continue reading Demography – The V...
Nov 04, 2021•13 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Essi Viding introduces psychopathy, a personality disorder that has long captured the public imagination. Despite the public fascination with psychopathy, there is often a very limited understanding of the condition, and several myths about psychopathy abound. Learn more about “Psychopathy: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/psychopathy-a-very-short-introduction-9780198802266 Essi Viding is Professor of Developmental … Continue reading Psych...
Oct 28, 2021•10 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kirsten Shepherd-Barr introduce modern drama, the tale of which is a story of extremes, testing both audiences and actors to their limits through hostility and contrarianism. Learn more about “Modern Drama: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/modern-drama-a-very-short-introduction-9780199658770 Kirsten E. Shepherd-Barr is Professor of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Oxford … Continue reading Modern Drama – The Very Short Intr...
Oct 21, 2021•11 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Jonathon Green introduces slang. Slang has been recorded since at least 1500 AD, and today’s vocabulary, taken from every major English-speaking country, runs to over 125,000 slang words and phrases. Please note that this episode contains a few instances of explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. Learn more about “Slang: A Very … Continue reading Slang – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 36 →...
Oct 14, 2021•10 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Vlad Glăveanu introduces creativity, a term that emerged in the 19th century but only became popular around the mid-20th century despite creative expression existing for thousands of years. Learn more about “Creativity: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/creativity-a-very-short-introduction-9780198842996 Vlad Glăveanu is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology and Counselling … Continue reading Creativity – The Very Shor...
Oct 07, 2021•10 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Walter A. Friedman introduces American business history and its evolution since the early 20th century when the United States was first described as a ‘business civilization’. Learn more about “American Business History: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/american-business-history-a-very-short-introduction-9780190622473 Walter A. Friedman is a historian and lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he … Continue reading American Business Hi...
Jun 10, 2021•10 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Peter Holland introduces the animal kingdom and explains how our understanding of the animal world has been vastly enhanced by analysis of DNA and the study of evolution and development in recent years. Learn more about The Animal Kingdom: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/american-business-history-a-very-short-introduction-9780190622473 Peter Holland is Linacre Professor of Zoology … Continue reading The Animal Kingdom – The Very Short Intr...
Jun 03, 2021•12 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode Nick Groom introduces the Gothic, a wildly diverse term which has a far-reaching influence across culture and society, from ecclesiastical architecture to cult horror films and political theorists to contemporary fashion. Learn more about The Gothic: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-gothic-a-very-short-introduction-9780199586790 Nick Groom is Professor of English Literature at the University … Continue reading The Gothic – The Very Short...
May 27, 2021•10 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Michael Wert introduces samurai, whose influence in society and presence during watershed moments in Japanese history are often overlooked by modern audiences. Learn more about Samurai: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/samurai-a-very-short-introduction-9780190685072 Michael Wert is Associate Professor of East Asian History at Marquette University. Specializing in early modern and modern Japan, he … Continue reading Samurai – The Very Short ...
May 20, 2021•10 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Susan Blackmore introduces the last ‘great mystery for science’ – consciousness and the questions it poses for free will, personal experience, and the link between our mind and body. Learn more about Consciousness: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/consciousness-a-very-short-introduction-9780198794738 Learn more about consciousness with Susan here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSNg6dNw_7U Susan Blackmore is a psychologist, … Continue read...
May 13, 2021•9 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, David Gerber introduces immigration, one of the most contentious issues in the United States today which has shaped contemporary American life and fuels strong, divisive debate. Learn more about American Immigration: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/american-immigration-a-very-short-introduction-9780195331783 David A. Gerber is Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus at the University at Buffalo. He is … Continue reading American Immigr...
May 06, 2021•12 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kathryn Kalinak introduces film music, which began as an accompaniment to moving pictures and is now its own industry, providing a platform for expressing creative visions and a commercial vehicle for growing musical stars of all varieties. Learn more about “Film Music: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/film-music-a-very-short-introduction-9780195370874 Kathryn Kalinak is Professor … Continue reading Film Music – The Very Short Introduction...
Apr 29, 2021•8 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Donald Wright introduces Canada, a country of complexity and diversity, which isn’t one single nation but three: English Canada, Quebec, and First Nations. Learn more about “Canada: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/canada-a-very-short-introduction-9780198755241 Donald Wright is a specialist in Canadian history and politics and is Professor of Political Science at the University … Continue reading Canada – The Very Short Introductions Podca...
Apr 22, 2021•8 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Jon Balserak introduces Calvinism, which has gone on to influence all aspects of contemporary thought, from theology to civil government, economics to the arts, and education to work. Learn more about Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/calvinism-a-very-short-introduction-9780198753711 Jon Balserak is Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Bristol. He … Continue reading Calvinism – The Very Short Introductions Pod...
Apr 15, 2021•7 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Barbara Graziosi introduces Homer, whose mythological tales of war and homecoming, The Iliad and The Odyssey, are widely considered to be two of the most influential works in the history of western literature. Learn more about Homer: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/homer-a-very-short-introduction-9780199589944 Barbara Graziosi teaches classics at Durham University. She is the … Continue reading Homer – The Very Short Introductions Podcast ...
Apr 08, 2021•8 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Jim Fraser introduces forensic science, a subject of wide fascination and importance, as a criminal case can often hinge on a piece of evidence like a hair, a blood trace, half a footprint, or a tyre mark. Learn more about Forensic Science: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/forensic-science-a-very-short-introduction-9780198834410 Jim Fraser has 40 … Continue reading Forensic Science – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 24 →...
Dec 31, 2020•6 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Anthony Pereira introduces modern Brazil, a country associated in many people’s minds with conviviality, sensuality, and natural beauty yet is still something of an enigma. Learn more about Modern Brazil: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/modern-brazil-a-very-short-introduction-9780198812081 Anthony W. Pereira is a Professor and Director of the Brazil Institute at King’s College London. … Continue reading Modern Brazil – The Very Short Intro...
Dec 28, 2020•13 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Andrew Davies introduces projects, a temporary organization and one-time process established to achieve a desired outcome which now shape the human-built world in which we live, work, and play. Learn more about Projects: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/projects-a-very-short-introduction-9780198727668 Andrew Davies is the RM Phillips Freeman Chair and Professor of Innovation Management … Continue reading Projects – The Very Short Introducti...
Dec 24, 2020•5 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Hermione Lee introduces biography, one of the most popular, best-selling, and widely-read literary genres. Learn more about Biography: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/biography-a-very-short-introduction-9780199533541 Dame Hermione Lee is the Director of the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing at Wolfson College and a trustee of the Wolfson Foundation. She is a Fellow of the … Continue reading Biography – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – E...
Dec 21, 2020•10 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Marina Warner introduces the fairy tale, a form of literature that has had the power to enchant us and spark our imaginations for hundreds of years. Learn more about Fairy Tale: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/fairy-tale-a-very-short-introduction-9780199532155 Marina Warner is a writer, historian, cultural critic, and novelist. She is a Fellow of … Continue reading Fairy Tale – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 20 →...
Dec 17, 2020•12 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast 
