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U. of I. history professor and chair Diane Koenker, a specialist on the Soviet Union, tells the story of more than six decades of vacationing there in her new book Club Red.

Vacations part of Soviet Union's 'good life,' with Sochi the dream resort

Author: Craig Chamberlain, Social Sciences Editor

Published Date:June 3, 2013

The Soviet Union had its Gulag. It also had its seaside resorts. The same government that threw its citizens into labor camps also gave them vacations and places to spend them, some of them lavish, University of Illinois history professor and chair Diane Koenker says in a new book.

Published Date: June 3, 2013


Once public officials realized that they couldnt eradicate the sport of mixed martial arts, they decided to regulate events instead, often citing the events revenue potential as the reason for their reversal, suggests a recent study by Carla Santos and Scott Tainsky, professors of recreation, sport and tourism in the College of Applied Health Sciences.

Scholars document media's role in evolution of 'ultimate fighting'

Author: Sharita Forrest, News Editor

Published Date:May 6, 2013

Once derided as barbaric and tantamount to human cockfighting by many lawmakers, the mixed martial arts industry was on the fringe of the sports landscape during its early years in the U.S. and was banned in 36 states. Over the past decade, however, MMA and its foremost promotional vehicle, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, have made a dramatic turnaround, winning mainstream acceptance and legalization in all but two states Connecticut and New York.

Published Date: May 6, 2013


Jonathan Inda, a professor of Latina/Latino studies at Illinois, says the reform legislation being proposed in Congress offers little change from current policies heavy on enforcement  policies that can be traced to the last major immigration reform act in 1986.

1986 law helped lay foundation for 'governing immigration through crime'

Author: Craig Chamberlain, Social Sciences Editor

Published Date:April 22, 2013

Three key issues were at the center of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act: money for border enforcement, a pathway to citizenship and making it illegal to hire undocumented workers. But another provision of the IRCA, often overlooked, has had far-reaching consequences.

Published Date: April 22, 2013


Courtney Flint, a professor of natural resources and environmental sciences, contributed an essay in the new book co-edited by William Stewart, a professor of sport, recreation and tourism, that explores the emotional and spiritual attachments that exist between people and physical places, which are transforming conservation practices.

Peoples' relationships with places focus of new book

Author: Sharita Forrest, News Editor

Published Date:April 8, 2013

The strong emotional and spiritual attachments that exist between people and physical spaces are transforming conservation practices, a trend explored in a new book, Place-Based Conservation: Perspectives From the Social Sciences, published by Springer.

Published Date: April 8, 2013


Really existing capitalism is turning the Internet against democracy, says communication professor Robert McChesney, in his new book Digital Disconnect.

Capitalism and democracy not compatible on the Internet, author says

Author: Craig Chamberlain, Social Sciences Editor

Published Date:March 14, 2013

Two decades into the digital age, the Internet is now enmeshed in the fabric of nearly every aspect of life, says University of Illinois communication professor Robert McChesney. In ongoing debates about its influence and future, there are, he says, celebrants and skeptics.

Published Date: March 14, 2013