Topic: Sociology

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Carlos Fuentes: 5 best novels

Throughout his decades-long literary career, Carlos Fuentes produced more than 20 books. Here are five of his best.
10 best books of March, 2012, according to Amazon's editors

The editors at Amazon pick their 10 favorite titles for March, 2012.
Rick Santorum: Top 7 culture war moments

As a senator, Rick Santorum was one of the Republican Party's best-known culture warriors. Now, as a surging presidential contender, Mr. Santorum is still leading the charge, and facing questions about some of his old, and not so old, comments. Here is a sample.
Black History Month: Five major events and figures

Black History Month is the annual celebration of the struggles, achievements and overall contribution African-Americans have made to the US.
Sue Monk Kidd's 10 favorite books

Sue Monk Kidd, author of "The Secret Life of Bees," shares her favorite reads.

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The unusual confessor who broke the Etan Patz cold case

Killing Etan Patz in 1979 may have been the only time alleged killer Pedro Hernandez hurt someone. While he avoided detection for 33 years, the secret took enough of a toll that Hernandez broke down in tears as he confessed, appearing remorseful and ‘relieved.’
Egypt elections: Sharia can support democracy

In Egypt elections for president today, the role of Islam in government is a big question. But a freedom-based interpretation of sharia can support democracy in the Arab world. Such a form of sharia in the early stages of the Iran Revolution set a precedent – before it was snuffed out.
Carlos Fuentes: 5 best novels

Throughout his decades-long literary career, Carlos Fuentes produced more than 20 books. Here are five of his best.
Man aims shoe at Breivik, marking first outburst in surprisingly calm trial (+video)

The brother of one of Anders Behring Breivik's victims launched a shoe at the confessed killer on a day that was already tense because of a controversial legal proposal.
Russia protests are overblown by West. Putin is here to stay.

Mesmerized by Moscow protests, Western observers predict President-elect Vladimir Putin’s demise. But the politically active middle class is small and limited. US policy must be based on a realistic analysis of Putin’s support, not unfounded assessments that he's on his last legs.
Modesto cop killing highlights spike in violence against police

The number of cops killed on the beat had been declining since the 1970s and was bound to end, say experts. But the killing of cops in Modesto, Calif., and Greenland, N.H., Thursday could point to other trends.
Stressed-out monkeys show it in their genes (+video)

A new study demonstrates a link between social class and genetics in non-human primates.
In Sweden, a debate over whether gender equality has gone too far

As gender-neutral policies are promoted more broadly in Sweden's schools – including the use of a neutral pronoun to refer to boys and girls – some Swedes are pushing back.
Study: Psychic ability doesn't hold up (+video)

A new study supports skeptics of psychic abilities. Researchers failed to find evidence to support claims that extrasensory perception is real.
10 best books of March, 2012, according to Amazon's editors

The editors at Amazon pick their 10 favorite titles for March, 2012.
Rick Santorum: Top 7 culture war moments

As a senator, Rick Santorum was one of the Republican Party's best-known culture warriors. Now, as a surging presidential contender, Mr. Santorum is still leading the charge, and facing questions about some of his old, and not so old, comments. Here is a sample.
Black History Month: Five major events and figures

Black History Month is the annual celebration of the struggles, achievements and overall contribution African-Americans have made to the US.
Sue Monk Kidd's 10 favorite books

Sue Monk Kidd, author of "The Secret Life of Bees," shares her favorite reads.
'Barefoot Bandit' says broken home sparked international crime spree

It's a sensational story with a Hollywood deal, but the adventures of Colton Harris-Moore, aka 'The Barefoot Bandit,' is really a tragedy, his attorneys tell a judge at a hearing Friday.
10 best books of October, according to Amazon's editors

Amazon editors pick their ten best books for the month
Did Berkeley's 'racist' bake sale go too far?

College Republicans at the University of California in Berkeley held a bake sale that priced baked goods at different prices for different ethnicities. Was it effective satire or over the top?
Violent crime falls again: why some experts are 'stumped'

An FBI report released Monday shows a persistent decline in violent crime. Amid a stuttering economy, the trend defies many expectations and could take years to be fully understood.
Police investigate Australia 'collar bomb' suspect's links to teenage girl's family [VIDEO]

According to court documents, Australia 'collar bomb' suspect Paul Peters – arrested in Kentucky Monday – once worked for a company with links to the father of Madeleine Pulver.
Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place: movie review

A hippie trip pieced together from rough footage, 'Magic Trip' may have limited appeal for the general public.
Top 5 books about Los Angeles

Talk about literary America and Los Angeles is not exactly the first locale that comes to mind. However, the truth is that the City of Angels has a deep and enduring place in the history of American letters. Here are just five of the many fiction and nonfiction books that attempt to unravel the mystery that is L.A.
In Pictures: Key players in the Casey Anthony trial
Wal-Mart v. Dukes ruling actually protects women – and all Americans

The Supreme Court ruling in Wal-Mart v. Dukes upheld key legal standards. Loosening the rules for bringing a class action sex discrimination suit could jeopardize the legal system that holds everyone equal in the eyes of the law.
Supreme Court rules in Wal-Mart's favor: How the sides are reacting

A split Supreme Court ruled against 1.5 million women employees who brought a massive class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart. After the ruling, both sides weighed in.
Jared Loughner: How to tell if shooting suspect is fit to stand trial?

The accused gunman in January's Tucson rampage showed signs of mental instability before the shooting. But his competence to stand trial is a different matter than whether he is mentally ill.
Surging BRIC middle classes are eclipsing global poverty

By 2022, those living in poverty will be a minority for the first time, as the global middle class – particularly from BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) nations – surges. Does new affluence signal shifting global power?