The Very Short Introductions Podcast

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...

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-int...

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...

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 Stud...

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 clas...

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 ha...

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...

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...

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 Founda...

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 Fell...

In this episode, Laura Marcus introduces one of the most popular written forms, the autobiography, form that offers understanding of the ways in which lives have been lived and fundamental accounts of what it means to be a self in the world. Learn more about Autobiography : A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/autobiography-a-very-short-introduction-9780199669240...

In this episode, Paul Klenerman introduces the immune system, central to all human health and area of continual focus in medical research. Learn more about The Immune System: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-immune-system-a-very-short-introduction-9780198753902 Paul Klenerman is Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Professor of Immunology at...

In this episode, Kimberly Reynolds introduces children’s literature, which not only encompasses picture books, pop-ups, and novels, but has modernised to also include online games and eBooks. Learn more about Children’s Literature: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/childrens-literature-a-very-short-introduction-9780199560240 Kimberley Reynolds is P...

In this episode, Catriona Kelly introduces Russian literature centred around the figure of Alexander Pushkin that permeates into national culture. Learn more about Russian Literature: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/russian-literature-a-very-short-introduction-9780192801449 Catriona Kelly is a Professor of Russian, University of Oxford and Fellow of New Coll...

In this episode, Joachim Whaley introduces the Holy Roman Empire, once described by Voltaire as ‘neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire’, as its history and significance is often misunderstood. Learn more about The Holy Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-holy-roman-empire-a-very-short-introduction-9780198748762 Joachim Whaley is Pr...

In this episode, Dana Arnold introduces art history, which encompasses the study of the history and development of painting, sculpture, and the other visual arts. Learn more about Art History: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/art-history-a-very-short-introduction-9780198831808 Dana Arnold is Professor in Art History at the University of East Anglia, UK. She h...

In this episode, Julian Baggini introduces atheism, wrongly considered to be a negative, dark, and pessimistic belief characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to religion. Learn more about Atheism: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/atheism-a-very-short-introduction-9780192804242 Julian Baggini is the editor of The Philosophers...

In this episode, Julia Simner introduces synaesthesia, a neurological condition that gives rise to a ‘merging of the senses’, in which words can be tasted and colours can be heard. Learn more about Synaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/synaesthesia-a-very-short-introduction-9780198749219 Julia Simner  is a neuropsychologist and researcher...

In this episode, Miri Rubin introduces the Middle Ages, a term coined around 1450 to describe a thousand years of European history. Learn more about The Middle Ages: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-middle-ages-a-very-short-introduction-9780199697298 Miri Rubin  is Professor of Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London and Head of the School of...

In this episode, Kathleen Taylor introduces dementia, the fifth-most common cause of death across the world which, despite recent advances in brain science, still has no effective treatment. Learn more about Dementia: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/dementia-a-very-short-introduction-9780198825784 Kathleen Taylor  studied physiology and philosophy at the Uni...

In this episode, Bryan Cheyette introduces the ghetto, a term which has been universalized as the incarnation of class difference, colonialism, and apartheid, and has been applied to segregated cities and countries throughout the world but is still an extraordinarily complex concept. Learn more about The Ghetto: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-ghetto-a-v...

In this episode, Robert Jones introduces possibly the most powerful commercial and culture force globally–branding–which, despite brand awareness and skepticism, holds an inescapable influence on our lives. Learn more about Branding: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/branding-a-very-short-introduction-9780198749912 Robert Jones  is a strategist at...

In this episode, Jennifer Gidley introduces the future, an area of fascination for humans from the beginning of time driven by both of our fear of the unknown and our curiosity to know. Learn more about The Future: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-future-a-very-short-introduction-9780198735281 Jennifer Gidley  has extensive experience in the futures studi...

In this episode, Anthony Arnull introduces European Union law, which will have a central role as the European Union deals with the consequences of Brexit and the eurozone crisis. Learn more about European Union Law: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/european-union-law-a-very-short-introduction-9780198749981 Anthony Arnull  holds the Barber Chair of Jurispruden...

In this episode, Rebecca Arnold introduces fashion, a gigantic global industry which generates some three hundred billion dollars in revenue every year yet is often denigrated as trivial and superficial. Learn more about Fashion: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/fashion-a-very-short-introduction-9780199547906 Rebecca Arnold  is a Research Fellow in the School...