The Center for Social Science Scholarship hosts “Tea & Theory,” a monthly seminar-style workshop where we discuss social science theory. All faculty and advanced graduate students are welcome!

The purpose of the workshop is to promote intellectual exchange among the social science community at UMBC. This interdisciplinary workshop is designed to encourage reading across disciplines as well as provide an opportunity to practice debate & critique skills.

Fall workshops are dedicated to reading and discussing the “Classics” of social science theory, while Spring workshops focus on “New Takes on Classics” (works generally published in the last 5 years).

Workshops will be held on the first Wednesday of the month in PUP 451 from 2-3:30pm, unless otherwise noted. No need to sign up, just show up! Tea will be provided but please BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug).

Fall 2019

*Participants are responsible for acquiring their own copies of the readings. Please read the following works by the time we meet:

September 11th: Durkheim, Suicide: A Study in Sociology

October 2nd: Weber, Economy & Society 

November 6th: Foucault, Discipline & Punish 

December 4th: Becker, The Economic Approach to Human Behavior 

To submit a reading suggestion or any other question/concern, please email welborn@umbc.edu.

The result is a work of panoramic scope that touches an array of perspectives, from that of an unidentified soldier present at her burning all the way up to Shakespeare. Predecessors attempted to paint an evolving English opinion, one that started out harsh but progressed over time. This book presents the messy collage of misogyny, nationalism, guilt, justification, inquisition, and awe surrounding Joan of Arc’s legacy across all periods.

In May, our esteemed program manager, Liz Steenrod, received the UMBC Presidential Distinguished Staff Award. Her nomination letter written by Drs. Bickel and Moffitt acknowledged, “Ms. Steenrod has been an engine of innovation and process improvements, the communications and team building hub for students and faculty, and the stabilizing force through sometimes difficult transitions for the program as it has grown to 75 doctoral students and expanded its affiliate faculty and interdisciplinary reach.” I do not think there is a single individual that would counter these observations of Liz and her role in the program. 

And in October, we will have two additional members of our community honored by the UMBC Alumni Association. Dr. Bev Bickel, who was nominated by LLC alum, will be recognized for the Outstanding Faculty Award. In their letters of support, Drs. David Hoffman and Romy Hubler stated that, “[Dr. Bickel] was unfailingly patient and creative, and above all responsive to me: truly hearing my hopes, amplifying my curiosity, and helping me to believe in myself as a researcher.” Also, [her] “attention to fostering students’ scholarly and personal growth not only results in individual benefits but models how supportive relationships and strong communities should look and feel.” That sounds about right! 

Dr. La Jerne Cornish, a member of the first cohort of the LLC program, will receive the Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award in the Humanities. Dr. Cornish who currently serves as provost at Ithaca College “exemplifies what an Outstanding Alumnae at UMBC looks like. She exhibits commitment and determination; and we…. recognize her grit and greatness in the academic world that she has traversed so gracefully,” according to Dr. Moffitt who enthusiastically nominated her for this award. 

We have much to celebrate and there is certainly more to come as each member of our community shines their excellence and brilliance. Please join me in congratulating our honorees and their well-deserved achievements!...Kimberly Moffitt