The Very Short Introductions Podcast

In this episode, Samir Okasha introduces the philosophy of science, a field that looks to address key questions such as the issue of scientific change and ethics in science. Learn more about “Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/philosophy-of-science-very-short-introduction-9780198745587 Samir Okasha is Professor of Philosophy...

Welcome back to The Very Short Introductions Podcast, now in its fifth season. In this episode, Carrie Menkel-Meadow introduces negotiation, a tool essential for international relations, trade, business, and for problem-solving skills in everyday life. Learn more about “Negotiation: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/negotiation-a-very-short-introd...

In this episode, Richard Newman introduces abolitionism, a global human rights movement during the 18th and 19th centuries aimed at ending slavery in the Atlantic world. Learn more about “Abolitionism: A Very Short Introduction” here:  https://global.oup.com/academic/product/abolitionism-a-very-short-introduction-9780190213220 Richard S. Newman is Professor of History at the Rochester...

In this episode, Jack A. Goldstone introduces revolutions, which, from 1789 in France to 2011 in Cairo, have shaken the world and dominate the popular imagination. Learn more about “Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/revolutions-a-very-short-introduction-9780199858507 Jack A. Goldstone is Virginia E. and John T. Hazel, Jr. Professor of...

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 K...

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 Profess...

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 Emeritu...

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...

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 Colleg...

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...

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 Aufd...

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 Profes...

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 Montfo...

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 P...

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 Chi...

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/demog...

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/psycho...

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...

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 Short Introduction” here...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Univer...

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 conscio...