Studies in Symbolic Interaction, Volume 22 (Studies in Symbolic Interaction)

Studies in Symbolic Interaction is an influential academic annual series founded by Norman K. Denzin in 1978. Volume 22, published in 1999, emerged during a pivotal era when the field was expanding its methodology to embrace postmodern, feminist, and performance-based research. Denzin, a preeminent sociologist and scholar of interpretive inquiry, curated this volume to push the boundaries of qualitative research, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional social science and literary or artistic representation.

The design and editorial focus of this volume reflect the intellectual rigor of the JAI Press series, which was designed to provide a venue for research that often defied the conventions of mainstream sociological journals. By soliciting contributions that explored the lived experience and the construction of social meaning, Denzin sought to foster a rigorous yet creative dialogue among sociologists, psychologists, and cultural critics. The volume was well received within specialized academic circles as a vital resource for scholars navigating the shift toward interpretive and performative social inquiry.