PODCAST

The Very Short Introductions Podcast

Oxford University Press

A concise and original introduction to a wide range of subjects — from Business to Sociology, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History – by the expert authors of the Very Short Introductions series. For wherever your curiosity may take you.
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Alexander the Great – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 50
Alexander the Great – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 50
2d ago
12 mins
Alexander the Great – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 50
Alexander the Great – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 50
In this episode, Hugh Bowden introduces Alexander the Great, a legendary figure whose legacy permeates modern culture but about whom we still have much to discover. Learn more about “Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/alexander-the-great-a-very-short-introduction-9780198706151 Hugh Bowden is is Professor of Ancient History at King’s College London. He is an internationally recognised … Continue reading Alexander the Great – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 50 →
2d ago
12 mins
Environmental Law – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 49
Environmental Law – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 49
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 Introductions Podcast – Episode 49 →
May 19 2022
9 mins
Epicureanism – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 48
Epicureanism – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 48
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 Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 48 →
May 12 2022
13 mins
Violence – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 47
Violence – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 47
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 47 →
May 5 2022
10 mins
Mary Shelley – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 46
Mary Shelley – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 46
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 Introductions Podcast – Episode 46 →
Apr 28 2022
6 mins
Modern China – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 45
Modern China – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 45
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 Podcast – Episode 45 →
Apr 21 2022
11 mins
Documentary Film – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 44
Documentary Film – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 44
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 Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 44 →
Apr 14 2022
11 mins
Ageing – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 43
Ageing – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 43
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. She … Continue reading Ageing – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 43 →
Dec 9 2021
7 mins
Pakistan – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 42
Pakistan – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 42
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 author … Continue reading Pakistan – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 42 →
Dec 2 2021
7 mins
Henry James – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 41
Henry James – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 41
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 and … Continue reading Henry James – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 41 →
Nov 18 2021
13 mins
Secularism – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 40
Secularism – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 40
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 of … Continue reading Secularism – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 40 →
Nov 11 2021
12 mins
Demography – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 39
Demography – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 39
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 Gerontology … Continue reading Demography – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 39 →
Nov 4 2021
13 mins
Psychopathy – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 38
Psychopathy – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 38
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 Psychopathology … Continue reading Psychopathy – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 38 →
Oct 28 2021
9 mins
Modern Drama – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 37
Modern Drama – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 37
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 and … Continue reading Modern Drama – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 37 →
Oct 21 2021
10 mins
Slang – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 36
Slang – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 36
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
9 mins
Creativity – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 35
Creativity – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 35
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 at … Continue reading Creativity – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 35 →
Oct 7 2021
9 mins
American Business History – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 34
American Business History – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 34
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 directs … Continue reading American Business History – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 34 →
Jun 10 2021
9 mins
The Animal Kingdom – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 33
The Animal Kingdom – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 33
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 and … Continue reading The Animal Kingdom – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 33 →
Jun 3 2021
11 mins
The Gothic – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 32
The Gothic – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 32
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 of … Continue reading The Gothic – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 32 →
May 27 2021
10 mins
Samurai – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 31
Samurai – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 31
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 is … Continue reading Samurai – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 31 →
May 20 2021
10 mins