Ipsita Chatterjee, associate professor of geography, explores the effects of globalization in Spectacular Cities (Oxford University Press) by focusing on the gigantic temple complexes of the Akshardham sect in the U.S. and India.

While American temples feature meticulous landscaping and reflecting pools, the Indian temples borrow heavily from theme parks with laser shows and spiritual dioramas.

"I wanted to develop a methodology to understand the culture and economy of globalization in a more nuanced and material way that explored how ordinary people were materially transforming their urban lives," Chatterjee says.