Tess Starman, PhD

The Board of Governors decided, unilaterally, that no published textbook in the field of sociology could be used in compliance with the law for an Intro to Sociology class. None. Victor: There's not a single existing textbook on the market that could be used that would qualify under state law? Zachary: Correct. Victor: I'm sorry, that's kind of funny. Like, the absurdity of not a single sociology textbook getting past the censors. I mean, it makes me kind of proud of our colleagues, but...

I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.

Great work everyone.

The Lion Women of Tehran was one of my favorite books last year! Happy reading!!

Winter break: cozy coffee shops, snowy views from windows, and reenergizing projects that have been back-burnered for far too long. ✨

Perhaps a bit sacrelig at times but the laughter, engaged questions, and applied learning this project were bar none.

Another detailed the collective effervescence of gathering for a Taylor Swift concert if one is a follower of “Swiftianity.”

Another student discussed the symbolism that identifies one as a true “Legoholic”

One student, who created “Followers of Caleb Williams” discussed how debriefs of Williams’ games each week would happen at nail salons given the player’s habit to paint his nails.

For my Sociology of Religion final I had students create a fake and fun religion applying our learning. I was so impressed with their creativity and application of our course learning.

It gives me some hope that young people are asking for conversations around what is happening sociopolitically. Grateful to be a part of this conversation on political violence and extremism.

"highly transferable skills—relevant not only to academia or nonprofit work, but to ... finance, marketing, business, and more. And yet, when students express interest in these broader arenas, they’re often met with hesitation, if not outright silence, from faculty." 👏👏👏
contexts.org/blog/dream-b...

Colonial powers have always portrayed anti-colonial resistance as savagery, barbarism, and terrorism.

2 years of genocide. I mourn the dead, and I mourn the living. None of us will ever be the same, none of us should ever be the same.

When Christian Nationalism Makes Violence Holy Sanctifying violence in the name of faith and nation

In today’s EKSB, @tessstarman.bsky.social and Ron Hopson explore how Christian nationalism frames violence as sanctified, creating a theological and political barrier to reform in America’s gun crisis. Read it here:

This Friday! Episode 3. You can listen on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. You can also follow along on IG @butisitfeminist 💅🏼

"If you're afraid that books might change someone's thinking, you're not afraid of books, you're afraid of thinking." ~Andrea Junker

The campus is looking beautiful for the first day of the semester at Simpson College! Grateful to meet some students during Professor Meet & Greet. Looking forward to all the learning this year will bring.

🎥 Film Review Alert🚨
Tess Starman’s review of the film Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy examines how faith is used to influence societal norms and community values.
doi.org/10.1177/0092...
www.badfaithdocumentary.com
#TeachSoc #filmreview
@asanews.bsky.social

Ep 328: Dr. Tess Starman joins me to discuss “A Corrupted Faith” — exploring Christian disaffiliation, power, and the rise of #ReligiousNones.

Listen: linktr.ee/classicalideas
@sacredwrites.bsky.social @tessstarman.bsky.social

Happy Earth Day! Our planet is precious and as a pastor, I believe we are all called to be good stewards of our earth. So let’s reaffirm our commitment to protect this gift and continue working towards a clean and sustainable future.

Wow, this title for coverage on our recent publication about religious change is pretty humorous: "Holy shift: More Americans finding faith outside church"

www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

Tomorrow! Workshop for anyone wanting tips on navigating the ASA 2025 Annual Meeting in Chicago!

a picture of a white person's hand holding a zine that reads "Do Something for Science: 20 things you (yes, you) can do to support science and research in the United States"

Some friends and I made a zine of things you (and anyone) can do to support science right now.

Print a few and put them in little free libraries or local coffee shops, maybe?

Printable: tinyurl.com/doforscience...

Digitally Readable: tinyurl.com/doforscience...

#scicomm #science #research #zine

Dear Dr. Abdelhadi, The Keough School of Global Affairs, which houses the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, recently learned of your keynote speech at their student conference next weekend. The University of Notre Dame requires that all events or lectures related to Israel/Palestine have ND Police security and planning. We were unaware of your planned lecture, and since this conference overlaps with two other annual events on campus, we cannot provide security at short notice. For this reason, we respectfully request that you do not participate in the conference. The Kroc Institute will honor any honorarium that was awarded for this event. We apologize for any inconvenience. Sincerely, Mary Gallagher -- Mary E. Gallagher Marilyn Keough Dean Keough School of Global Affairs University of Notre Dame

I was scheduled to give a talk on Palestine at a student conference at @notredame.bsky.social. The University rescinded my talk a week in advance citing an extremely flimsy excuse. It is truly disgusting. Attached is the letter I received and my reply, link below...

Flyer for the ASA SFAB Spring Workshop titled “Making the Most out of the ASA Annual Meeting.” It includes date and time (April 10, 2025, 7–8 PM ET), notes it’s a virtual Zoom webinar, and provides a registration link. Text highlights that the event is for first-time ASA attendees, grad students, and anyone seeking tips on navigating ASA. The flyer features a purple and white color scheme with an image of a classroom-style audience listening to a speaker.

1 week away!
Join us for the SFAB Spring Workshop: Making the Most out of the ASA Annual Meeting
📅 Thursday, April 10
🕖 7–8 PM ET (4 PT / 5 MT / 6 CT)
💻 Register: tinyurl.com/SFAB-Webinar

🧵For someone who isn't religious, I think about religion a LOT...specifically, the U.S. flavors of Christianity. And if you're paying attention to any number of the horrifying things happening, you should be thinking about the Christians, too. 1/7