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Taking Harriet Martineau Seriously In The Classroom And Beyond, Michael R. Hill, Susan Hoecker-Drysdale

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The contributors to this book, sociologists all, take Harriet Martineau seriously as a major and consequential intellect within their chosen discipline and their classrooms. It has not always been so, at least in recent times, but Martineau has now been rediscovered by sociologists who are writing about Martineau in a growing series of books, essays, and scholarly editions. We do not all see Martineau through the same "author spectacles," as the following contributions make evident, but we do see her-she is no longer "invisible" to those of our students and colleagues who possess a modicum of bibliographic savvy. At several …

A Methodological Comparison Of Harriet Martineau’S Society In America (1837) And Alexis De Tocqueville’S Democracy In America (1835-1840), Michael R. Hill

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

It is commonplace in american intellectual circles to cite Alexis De Tocqueville's (1835-40) Democracy in America as an insightful work by an astute foreign observer who carefully assayed the character of American politics and social institutions. Year after year, Tocqueville's Democracy in America receives, by far, many more citations in Social Sciences Citation Index than does Harriet Martineau's (1837) Society in America. Few essays on "democracy" appear in popular outlets such as The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek without including an homage to Tocqueville and his presumably well-founded insights. At the same time, Harriet Martineau's …

Risk, Trust, And Technology In The Aftermath Of The Terrorist Attacks Of September 11, 2001., Michael R. Hill

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The fatal facts of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, are now well known to us, and they will undoubtedly form an indelible chapter in the national history of the United States .... During the past few days, each of us has tried to understand this heinous event, to come to grips with it emotionally, and each of us has responded in understandably human ways: with disbelief, despair, and great sadness. Collectively, we empathize with grieving families personally unknown to us, we offer prayers for our nation's leaders, and we watch with hope and admiration as the rescue and recovery teams continue …

Minnie F. Low, Mary Jo Deegan

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Minnie Low was a leader among the Chicago women who worked in social reform and social service between 1890 and 1920. Low was born in New York City, the second child of six in a Jewish family. Her parents' names, occupations, and country of birth are unknown. When she was ten years old, the family moved to Chicago, where she finished elementary school. She attended South Division High School for less than a year and left school because she was in poor health.

Low's first recorded job was as HANNAH SOLOMON's secretary, when Solomon was organizing the Jewish Women's Congress …

Of Time, Space, And The History Of Sociology: Methodological Rules In Archives And Archival Research, Michael R. Hill

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The "archival turn" that characterizes much new and recent work in the disciplinary history of sociology is institutionally situated and replete with professional obligations and scholarly expectations, some less visible than others. Unlike our colleagues in academic departments of history, we are relative newcomers to archives and their riches. Pandora-like, enough sociologists have now opened the archival door to make this a propitious moment to reflect methodologically on what we are doing when we ask archival questions and report archival discoveries. This essay invites our corporate consideration of three vital features of archival research into the history of sociology: (1) …

Martineauian Sociology And Our Disciplinary Future, Michael R. Hill

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

I argue above, in concert with my colleagues, that we must take Harriet Martineau seriously, and that there are sound reasons for so doing. The history, sophistication, innovativeness, and continuing resonance of her work and ideas are dramatic, engaging, and impressive by all of the yardsticks used to assess the merit and importance of our sociological founders. We are asked, on occasion, "Yes, but what possible difference does Martineau make to sociology today?" Sheer impudence aside, it is a question to answer carefully, with probity, and our answers must be convincing rather than contrived. The gravity of the question comes …