My research spans the areas of sexualities, gender, geography, and rural studies. More specifically, my research is motivated by my understanding of the urban/rural divide that is often present in current scholarship on queer communities. Rural spaces have often been considered less welcoming locales for queer individuals, while urban spaces are often lauded as ideal locations for building queer communities. The goal of my research is to challenge dichotomous understandings of how geography shapes queer and trans experiences, and to improve our overall understanding of queer and trans lives in rural spaces. I find that while there are many challenges for rural queer women, including struggles relating to poverty, addiction, relationships, and families, these women are often able to overcome these, and other, difficulties and find ways to not only survive, but also, in many cases, to thrive in these spaces.
SOCY 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
Examines basic sociological ideas including social relations, social interaction, social structure, and social change. Examples are drawn from societies around the world.
SOCY 1006 - The Social Construction of Sexuality
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Discusses the social determinants of sexuality. Analyzes the economic, psychological, and cultural influences on human sexuality. Interactional perspective of human sexuality is presented. Same as WGST 1006.
SOCY 1016 - Sex, Gender, and Society 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
Examines status and power differences between the sexes at individual and societal levels. Emphasizes historical context of gender roles and status, reviews major theories of gender stratification. Same as WGST 1016.
SOCY 2031 - Social Problems
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Examines various social problems in the U.S. through a traditional sociological framework focused on race, class, and gender. Considers such problems as economic, racial, and gender inequality as manifestations of broader structural dynamics rooted in unequal relations of power. Addresses topics such as mass incarceration, poverty, segregation, drug use, immigration, and war and terrorism.
SOCY 3016 - Marriage and the Family in the United States
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Comparative and historical examination of marriage and the family within the U.S. Emphasizes changing family roles and family structures. Also considers alternatives to the nuclear family and traditional marriage exploring new definitions of family. Same as WGST 3016.
SOCY 3141 - Social Movements and the Politics of Protest
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020
Considers theory and research about social movements and other forms of protest within and beyond the United States. Examines their impacts as well as factors shaping their success and failure, including leadership, ideology, recruitment, strategy, organizational dynamics, and broader social context.
SOCY 4071 - Social Inequalities and Social Change
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020
Provides a sociological perspective on social inequalities in the United States, such as those pertaining to social class, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexuality, and age. Examines current data of patterns and trends of such inequalities, reviews scholarship on their roots, and critically evaluates social change efforts to redress them. Same as SOCY 5071.
SOCY 4441 - Senior Honors Seminar 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Helps students design and initiate an honors thesis based on original sociological research.
SOCY 4451 - Senior Honors Seminar 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Helps students complete an honors thesis based on original sociological research. Emphasizes analyzing data, writing research reports, and presenting results.
WGST 1006 - The Social Construction of Sexuality
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021
Discusses the social determinants of sexuality. Analyzes the economic, psychological and cultural influences on human sexuality. Interactional perspective of human sexuality is presented. Same as SOCY 1006.
WGST 1016 - Sex, Gender, and Society 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Examines status and power differences between the sexes at individual and societal levels. Emphasizes historical context of gender roles and status, reviews major theories of gender stratification. Same as SOCY 1016.
