Contributing Writer
The Urban History Association (UHA) recently named F&M’s Jerome Hodos, department chair and associate professor of sociology, winner of the 2011 Kenneth Jackson Best Book Award. Hodos received the award for his analysis of industrial urban societies offered in his new book, Second Cities: Globalization and Local Politics in Manchester and Philadelphia.
In 2011 Hodos published his book to explain how urban areas not necessarily prominent on the world stage develop and are affected by globalization.
“Second Cities is an analysis of two places, Philadelphia and Manchester, and how they have engaged in the globalization process,” Hodos said.
Hodos and his publisher decided to nominate Second Cities for the Kenneth Jackson Award for Best Book in North American Urban History, a distinction presented by the UHA. The award is named for Kenneth Jackson, a former president of the UHA and sociologist who studied suburbanization in America. In late August, Hodos learned the nomination he submitted to the UHA had translated into a win for Second Cities.
As an urban sociologist, Hodos has long been intrigued by cities and their role in society.
“I’ve been interested in urban life for a long, long time,” Hodos said.
According to an article in F&M News by Chris Karlesky titled “Study of ‘Second Cities’ Lands F&M Professor Award from Urban History,” Hodos pursued related fields as a graduated student at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1990s, studying economics, history, and culture.
His passion led him to investigate the development and role of cities that were affected by globalization but did not exert influence globally; thus, Second Cities was born. The book, which originally was supposed to be Hodos’ dissertation, took years to write and research. Hodos relied heavily on census and business records for data collection and information on the populations, economies, and societies of Philadelphia and Manchester during the twentieth century.
Hodos will be presented the Kenneth Jackson Award at the UHA’s biennial conference in New York City this Oct. 27.
While proud to be recognized by his fellow sociologists, Hodos remains modest about his win.
“This is a humbling honor for me,” he said. “I’m so grateful.”
Questions? Email Steven at sviera@fandm.edu.