ASU faculty member lands book deal on intersectionality

“Intersectionality: A Foundations and Frontiers Reader” is the title of a book under development by Patrick Grzanka, honors faculty fellow at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University.

Grzanka recently entered into an agreement with Westview Press, a division of Perseus Books, to develop the book, which will be an edited anthology of writings by experts and emerging scholars in the field of “intersectionality.” Intersectionality has become an important paradigm in the social sciences and humanities over the past 30 years because it offers insight into how systems of oppression – such as racism and sexism – are connected to one another in complex and intricate ways.

Grzanka will organize key writings encompassing the broad scope of intersectionality into thematic units, each of which will begin with an original, contextualizing introduction. Individual readings will be enhanced by an author biography, explanation of the work’s major contributions, and suggestions for further reading. Grzanka also will open the book with a critical essay introducing intersectionality and the guiding questions that informed the organization of the anthology.

Sociologist Bonnie Thornton Dill, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland, professor of women’s studies, and founding intersectional theorist, will contribute the book's epilogue.

The approximately 320-page book, including more than 80 pages of original writing by Grzanka, is scheduled for publication in 2014. Grzanka said the book is unique in that it tells a story of the origins of intersectional theory and methods while looking ahead to the new frontlines of the field.

“Overall, this book will serve as an accessible, primary source-driven introduction to intersectionality in sociology and related disciplines, including women’s and gender studies, cultural studies, African American studies, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer studies, social work, education, and psychology, at both the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels,” Grzanka said.