"The standard approach in economics is to assume that everyone's preference is independent-that I'm not affected by seeing you drive up in a Lexus," she explains. "That, to me, is a fundamental misunderstanding of what people are doing when they consume."

A Personal Approach

Schor's women's studies students, many of whom have attended the signings for her new book as a sign of support, say she takes time to get to know undergraduates personally.

James C. Augustine '01 recalls attending a meeting for prospective concentrators in women's studies.

"I was running late, and I was wandering around Barker Center looking for the meeting", he says. "I came into this room full of women, who all turned around and looked at me. [Schor] immediately said, 'Jim! Come in and have some pizza."'

"She turned a situation which could have been awkward [into something] really exciting," Augustine says.

Other students say that sort of personal contact extends into the classroom.

"Her class is enjoyable, and she really tries to make contact with her students," says Tanya N. Melillo '01. "She'll take questions in a50-person class."

Outside of Harvard, Schor and her husband arebusy raising two small children. She also worksclosely with various political action groups--TheCenter For a New American Dream, an education andoutreach group trying to reform the way peoplethink about the economy and the environment, and athird party effort called The New Party.

In her own life, Schor tries to practice theprinciples she teaches.

She drives a 1989 Acura, takes her lunch towork, uses coupons at the supermarket andcomposts.

"I am trying hard to be an ecologicallyresponsible individual," she says