Do Goffman Studies Exist?

The Routledge International Handbook of Goffman Studies Edited by Michael Hviid Jacobsen and Greg Smith (Routledge, 2022) year 2022 commemorates two special events in Erving Goffman's life trajectory: his 100th birthday the 40th anniversary death. Such momentous occasions usually are cause for increased publications academic book market, especially books that expected to find high resonance. Thus, have published a on renowned series, which currently comprises almost 500 volumes extend far beyond sociology. Both editors an international reputation as excellent scholars many years. Greg—his full first name is Gregory W.H.—Smith, has taught at University Salford (UK) until recent retirement. Already 1989 dissertation considered Simmelian Reading Goffman. Out numerous essays Goffman, I will only mention here four-volume collection work, co-edited with Gary Alan Fine series Sage Masters Modern Social Thought 2000. Although decades passed since then, this compilation 91 essays, dating primarily from 1980s 1990s, continues provide foundation understanding work. Jacobsen, who teaches Aalborg (Denmark), also been studying beginnings career. As representative would like introduction together Søren Kristiansen 2015, impressively provides comprehensive approach acknowledge term “Goffman Studies” title may sound “presumptuous” some. In doing so, they take into account own reaction such designation. For editors, studies simply descriptive cover range careful analysis critical commentary amassed around extraordinary sociological studies. It standing writings occasioned field we naming Studies,” no more less. (…) studies, envisage it, not cosy or closed-off scholarly enclave but locale engagement, principally concepts ideas introduced their development through application new spheres social (p. 8). addition preface introduction, contains 35 chapters. Five articles were written themselves. other articles, enlisted cooperation authors verified well-known experts. probably inevitable some, albeit few, contributions be dominated author's rather than providing systematic overview subject. information structure Handbook, includes some basic facts about work Because extensive research biography Yves Winkin, contributes personal memoirs Dmitri Shalin, made available online Archives (EGA), longer maintained, there considerably available. theorist self-presentation, was notoriously reticent sharing documents life. estate still accessible; date recording one lecture (On Fieldwork 1989) posthumously. Parallel publication Winkin (2022) summarized particular focus lectures French entitled D'Erving à Also worth mentioning much-cited Communication Conduct Island Community (1953), long time hectographed version EGA, now mediastudies.press, non-profit publisher open access books. This begins Cradle, introduces contextualizes it biographically academically. fits perfectly, widespread consensus being outlines theory program already present dissertation. arranged three sections. section “Concepts Themes” 12 Most these selected key Goffman's, relate single second group Strategic Interaction D. Jaworski Order M. Rosenberg. Using reviews starting point, describes central book, 1969, reception game theory, Thomas Schelling, emphasizes continuity Rosenberg takes up essay, 2020 Journal Classical Sociology criticizes failing adequately deliver main features sociology presidential address. author suggests surrendered pressures mainstream Neither arguments convinced me. They disregard wrote text knowing he had life-threatening illness. missing clearly recognizable controversy Randall Collins proposal radical micro-sociology. Charles Edgley's contribution, strong reference Presentation Self Everyday Life. His thesis “dramaturgy”—which contribution—is appropriate characterize distinctiveness sociology, even though dramaturgical thinking precedes limited chapters concerned concepts. Given enormous productivity respect creating concepts, selection most relevant challenging. I, Robert Hettlage, confronted task similarly designed German publication, can attest difficulty first-hand.1 Central “ritual” Anders Persson “frame” reconstructing usage reconstruction, Jim O′Driscoll's contribution “face” “face-work” clarification further devote less space reconstruction Mikaela Sundberg interested how concept “total institution” applied, criticized, advanced. She attests clear potential organizational research. Two composition principles distinguished articles. Some show could used David Shulman shows conceptualization self-presentation applied address digitalization everyday Susie Scott James Hardie-Bick revisit moral career total institutions situations. demonstrated stages acquiring membership skydiving community. principle involves examination deficits pointed out named. From ethnomethodological perspective, Robin analyses “interaction public places” neglecting classification practices continuously world strangers. Jack Sidnell's view “footing” critical; fundamental weaknesses, cultural differences out. her “stigma,” Stacey Hannem points neglect result interaction order. argues current “structural stigma” “stigma-powe” dynamics power integrated thus, conceptual weaknesses overcome. “Fields 14 outline taken advanced different fields sub-disciplines. Knowing large influence, reflect number sub-disciplines expected. However, surprises, introduce beginning. largest surprises mobilities death dying. Ole B. Jensen, holds professorship Urban Theory Design (Denmark) reports According Jensen 287), mobility turn questions “how change way see ourselves, our others, physical world” created openness agenda. topic dying associated Much obvious Barney G. Glaser Anselm L. Strauss 1960s (Awareness Dying Time Dying). article, confirms addressed very peripheral way. Nevertheless, great related performative perspective frame concept. Expected emotion (by Jacobsen), medical (Lee F. Monaghan), body (Nick Crossley), visual (Michael Schwalbe), sociolinguistics (Csilla Weninger J. Patrick Williams), gender (Chris Brickell), disability (Devon Healey Tanya Titchkosky), media (Peter Lunt), gambling (Søren Kristiansen). inclusion seem surprising glance, if considers important personally work—not plans, realized due early death—then indispensable part listing. individual varies. showing what pronounced Crossley, Titchkosky, Schwalbe Kristiansen. Titchkosky complete describing experiences disabilities contributions, contrast, inspiration provided. Three remain section. With police Peter K. Manning chosen narrowly defined Drawing addresses trust, commitment, engrossment A broader desirable Handbook; choice expand organization previously published. Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz pursues twofold task: hand, use communication described, impact shown. such, article concern links shows, conceived concept, later refrained applying it. without using themes continued strongly influence stated much name. By taking topics section, danger overlap, avoided contributions. case chapter “About ‘Face,’” Walsh, placement surprising, because article—quite similar Shulman—traces dealing interaction. Possibly decisive fact face-work. Face face-work therefore given high—for me too high—attention Handbook. third final (“Comparisons, Interpretations Asides”) four major authors. Norbert Elias, Michel Foucault, Harold Garfinkel, Anthony Giddens chosen. comparisons, must always made. point liked include authors, planned realized. selection, included connections Garfinkel close intellectual exchange, evident joint Stigma study Agnes (Garfinkel 1967). Even that, contact had—as Andrew P. Carlin out—a common thematic focus. identifies “information;” both its right, labels—in order—as “information order.” deal theme all known, exchange Elias Foucault. did banished Nazi Germany living Great Britain time, 156), citing German-language Über den Prozess der Zivilisation Process Civilization). similarities Helmut Kuzmics sees deception embarrassment. S. Leib recognizes interface Foucault called “micro-physics power.” discuss detail. makes effort make between terminology focuses John demonstrates detail changed; minor figure tradition symbolic interactionism recognition theorist. general, quite influential ensuring widely recognized classic. remaining five cannot grouped together, except, “asides.” This, turn, does do justice richness. unique pieces independence reading. sets search system. suggestions ordering, including dissertation, uses Google Ngram Viewer letter Allen Grimshaw, offered regular undergraduate course engine determine frequently “Goffman” order” occur printed sources included. aforementioned letter, recommended readings works mid-1970s, subject complexes. Clearly discernible skepticism whether actual concerns strengths. fieldwork Sam Hillyard's article. To fieldwork, she subtitle “Mottke, thief,” old nickname Saul Mendlovitz, friend years, remembered interview. thief” character novel Jewish writer Sholem Asch (1880–1957), originally 1916 outsider European picaresque novel. moniker relation yet freely here. “The captures rampant opportunism towards data: anything fair game” 388). Hillyard “was vital enterprise underpinned theory-method dialectic. Hence, separate unwise” That agree wholeheartedly. doubts theft metaphor this. expresses orthodox right results. ethnography, research, end itself, should serve exclusively gain insights, then forms processing permissible. path generates knowledge proven Nor empiricism Like hardly anyone else, contributed broadening horizon. Not methodological reflection, practice, expanded materials Ryan Mack examine humor interactions stylistic device texts. failure omnipresent risk embarrassment, comical situations often arise - vividly shown Frame Analysis, same him. question function Born Israel, Eviatar Zerubavel is—as Jörg R. Bergmann Anssi Peräkylä elsewhere—one students. He last which, device, must-read. 1972 moved Pennsylvania, where teaching after become acquainted Tel Aviv. author, exerted “tremendous influence” 410) inspired him develop attention life's “theoretico-methodological impact” 415; 2021). traditional approaches conducting research—the data-driven theory-driven approaches, respectively—Goffman advocated concept-driven approach, generally create school, school might looked like, based creative potential. concludes co-editor explores footnotes. footnotes appear marginal importance, definitely Rather, witty stimulating covers presenting quantitative analysis, develops typology Jacobson raises analyses, brief note appropriate, seems necessary language barriers English languages. anthology second-generation classicist (Hettlage Lenz, 1991), examined enumerated occurring Jacobson's sophisticated. abundance richness claim handbook fully Moreover, (largely) complete. respect, Studies—to category suggested editors—prove difficult area. There agreed nor any authorized guardians “correct” interpretation Instead, vary according theoretical positions preferences writings. Scholars, those disagree questions, micro-sociological orientation strength weakness. Inevitably, therefore, assessment diversity possibly comprehensively represented treated handbook. precisely reason my reluctance gives false impression uniformity face unmistakable heterogeneity approaches. statements against talk pale comparison. regarded merely techniques prevent engage content consideration honors divine commandments. While level secondary literature pose intractable problem challenge engages offer hymn praising collective Smith's undoubtedly constitutes milestone Anyone depth needs know book. Its thorough reading promises wealth impulses exploration hopefully continue arena controversial views meet. learn lot process, engagement emphasized editors—indispensable. Open Access funding enabled organized Projekt DEAL. Karl Lenz Emeritus Professor Micro-Sociology Institute Sociology, Faculty Arts, Humanities Science, TU Dresden, Germany. books: Ein soziologischer Klassiker 2. Generation (1991; 2nd Sociological Classic) Handbuch: Leben—Werk—Wirkung (2022: Handbook: Life—Work—Impact), Hettlage.