High school experiences follow you long after you’ve graduated, shaping your professional success and even your health. Now, researchers are investigating how it could contribute to your future brain health and maybe even impact your likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s Disease. University of Texas at Austin sociologist Chandra Muller researches how educational experiences shape life course […]
sociology
For Women, Job Authority Adds to Depression Symptoms
Job authority increases symptoms of depression among women, but decreases them among men, according to a new study from University of Texas at Austin sociologist Tetyana Pudrovska. “Women with job authority — the ability to hire, fire and influence pay — have significantly more symptoms of depression than women without this power,” said Pudrovska, the […]
The Politics of Immigration Puts Our Elders at Risk
Most Americans are aware of the heated political debate about the influx of unaccompanied migrant children caught at the southwest border. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called this an “urgent humanitarian situation.” But, there is another pressing crisis related to immigration policy: the undermining of the nation’s elder-care systems. It’s surprising that the […]
Awards & Honors: Spring 2010
The Silver Spurs, the student service organization that cares for Bevo, gave out its 21st annual Endowed Teaching Fellowship awards to four liberal arts professors, who each receive a $6,000 prize. The group surprises each recipient with an unannounced presentation. They are: Kirsten Belgum (Germanic Studies) Robert Moser (Government) Elizabeth Engelhardt (American Studies) Lisa Moore […]
Research Briefs: Spring 2010
The Not so Missing Link Scientists have discovered the key to understanding human evolution,” booms a typical movie-trailer voice in a History Channel documentary. “The chain is no longer missing a link.” Unfortunately, the scientists behind this documentary ignored 20 years of research, according to University of Texas anthropologist Chris Kirk. Last year, an article […]
In Memoriam: Spring 2010
Shearer Davis Bowman, professor emeritus of history, died Dec. 4 at age 60. In 1986 Bowman began his career at The University of Texas at Austin, where he taught American history for 15 years. He wrote “Masters and Lords” and “At the Precipice,” which will be published this spring, as well as numerous articles and reviews. […]
News & Notes: Fall 2009
Debate and Individual Event alumni looking to reconnect The university’s debate and individual events (IE) teams have an illustrious history on campus. Both groups have won numerous championships and both feature outstanding alumni. Still, there has not been an alumni association for these successful teams… until now. Are you a former debate team member? Did […]
Crime on the Rise?
Public perception of crime remains out of sync with reality, criminologist contends A jarring statistic you’re not likely to hear on the evening news: the homicide rate has been declining since the 1300s. Sociology professor Mark Warr, who has studied social reaction to crime for three decades, offers that up as a reality that doesn’t […]
Research Briefs: Fall 2008
Why Pregnant Women Waddle The human spine evolved differently in males and females in order to alleviate back pressure from the weight of carrying a baby, according to anthropologist Liza Shapiro whose findings were first documented in Nature. The researcher believes the adaptation first appeared at least two million years ago, in the early human […]
The Aging of America
Sociologists examine population’s challenges In 2011, the first Baby Boomers will reach age 65, and the population aged 65 and older will grow rapidly during the next two decades. How the country responds to this new demographic reality will shape the fabric of American life and culture for years to come, says Robert Hummer, chair […]
‘Til Death Do Us Part?
Researchers diagnose health consequences of marriage, divorce So, why aren’t you married? It’s an age-old question dreaded by singletons. The underlying assumption of the awkward inquiry: there is something wrong with being single and one’s life is somehow incomplete without a partner. But does marriage mean you will live happily, and healthfully, ever after? Research […]