Distant reading case study "race and diversity"

Why race and diversity matter in social sciences

Race and diversity are central themes in the social sciences because they shape individuals' experiences and (professional) opportunities. Understanding how race interacts with other social factors, such as gender, class, and nationality, is crucial for addressing inequality and promoting social justice. As the publishers summarised Michael Root's 2007 chapter Race in the social sciences for Philosophy of Anthropology and Sociology. A volume in Handbook of the Philosophy of Science:

Social scientists have a reason to use race as a descriptive or analytic category in their studies of individual differences in a social or economic trait even if they disapprove of racial classification or dream of a day when people are not classified by race or when a person's race makes no difference to her social or economic status.

Social sciences research focussing on race and related aspects can, ideally, help us overcome persisting discriminations against certain groups and contribute to more inclusive public and private institutions.

Code Switch podcast example

Code Switch, a podcast produced by NPR, has sparked many online discussions on race, culture, and identity. Hosted by a diverse team of journalists, Code Switch presents the realities of race in America and beyond. The podcast offers listeners a wide range of perspectives on racial issues, including deeply personal stories. Code Switch also stands out for its commitment to intersectionality — considering that race is always intertwined with other forms of identity. For your data analysis, Monika has scraped several hundred reviews for the podcast from the Apple Store.

Discussion questions

Here are some questions you may want to discuss with your fellow students:

• What aspects of race and identity more generally do listeners comment upon and why?
• How does Code Switch, according to the listeners, challenge traditional narratives around race and cultural identity?
• In what ways does personal storytelling in Code Switch help listeners empathize with experiences of racial discrimination?
• What are recommendations for podcast improvement made by the listeners?
• Do listeners comment on political developments and changes they would still like to see in society?

Use different tools in Voyant Tools for the analysis and consult the advice for distant reading in the ==Skills== menu of this repository!