Courses I Teach

• SOC 3111 - Research Methods
  This course introduces students to systematic methods that organize the research process and the multiple forms of research that it includes. The course explains the logic of research design, explores some common forms of data-gathering (such as interviews, surveys, observation, etc.), and links them to issues of data reporting. The course provides basic research skills for use to students as either original producers or critical consumers of social research.
• SOC 3112 - Social Statistics
  The goal of this course is to enable students to both calculate and interpret statistical analyses within the context of social science research. The course introduces basic concepts of statistical analysis, both in theory (lectures) and practice (labs). The course begins with a discussion of descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions, graphs, and measures of central tendency and variability. Next, the course examines relationships between variables and measures of association, including bivariate regression and correlations. The course concludes with an introduction to inferential statistics, including t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square.
• SOC 3435 - Sociology of Economic Development
  This course addresses economic growth and development by looking into the causes and processes behind the development and underdevelopment of "newly industrialized countries" and "less-developed countries." Social and economic factors associated with growth and their effects on society are discussed.
• SOC 3436 - Global Social Structure
  Globalization plays a leading role in shaping the ever-changing global social structure. Global institutions are expanding (both in number and size) and growing increasingly complex. In this class we explore the process of globalization in order to better understand its meaning, temporality, and impacts on development, human wellbeing, and the environment and modern society in general.