See the GLORY PAGE for Most Recent Faculty/Student Activites

Dr. Tom Dietz photo by Kurt Stepnitz

(9/08) Sociology professor and crop and soil sciences and director of the university's Environmenetal Science and Policy Program, chaired the panel that discussed environmental issues.

Anything from cleaning up a polluted river to dealing with Superfund sites--public input, when handled correctly, can make the process smoother and lead to better outcomes, says a new report from a National Research Council panel that was chaired by Dr. Dietz.

But critics claim that including people with limited scientific knowledge can slow the process and lead to poor decisions. (read more)

More than 60 Funding Sources for International Dissertation Research and Writeups

***Deadlines for Important Awards***

RECENT PH.D.'S IN SOCIOLOGY

(August 11, 2008) The health of people who never marry is improving, narrowing the gap with their wedded counterparts, according to new research that suggests the practice of encouraging marriage to promote health may be misguided.

Hui Liu, assistant professor of sociology at Michigan State University and lead researcher on the project, said sociologists since the 1970s have emphasized that marriage benefits health more so for men than for women.

“Married people are still healthier than unmarried people,” Liu said, “but the gap between the married and never-married is closing, especially for men.” (continued)

TEAM AWARD...

Professor Jualynne Dodson, Sociology faculty and Director of the African Atlantic Research Team, received a Sustained Effort Toward Excellence in Diversity award.

The team's mission is to ensure African American students, other racial ethnic students and those engaged in studies of people of African descent will have the needed specialized mentoring, advising and career information to become strong graduate students in programs that lead to achieving a doctorate.

The team, a mentoring collective and research group made up of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and community members, strives to help increase the number of American Indians, Chicanos and Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans who have successful academic careers.

NEW SOCIOLOGY MINOR EFFECTIVE FALL 2008 - This Fall 2008 the department will launch a new academic minor in Sociology.

The Academic Minor, which is administered by the Department of Sociology, provides a fundamental understanding of the linkages between agency and structure in society. Students obtain knowledge of the principles of sociology, sociological inquiry, diversity in society, and, the ways in which global forces are transforming modern society.

This academic minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology.

With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

News Archive

Brownbag: In the Name of Conservation: CAFE Practices in Chiapas Marie Christine Renard has been a colleague in agrifood studies in Europe and Mexico for many years . . . she is currently visiting MSU for a couple opf weeks. This Friday, September 26th, she will give a brownbag presentation of her work in room 466 Berkey Hall at Noon.

Sociology's Professor David Wiley will give a lunchtime presentation on his research on the Militarization of Africa Thursday, October 2nd in 466 Berkey Hall.

(9/08) All had a great time at the FALL WELCOME PICNIC...welcoming all new professors and students...on Friday, September 12th at Patriarch Park. The weather was a little "iffy" but the food, fun and friends made it perfect! (see pics)

SOC AND THE CITY! The Deparment held the second annual SOC and the City MSU reception during the ASA annual meeting in BOSTON on Saturday, August 2nd in the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, Grand Salon A, from 8pm to 10 pm.

Current and former graduate students and faculty attended the second annual SOC and the City event.  Despite the rain, many people showed up.  Stephanie Nawyn brought her baby girl. Jan Bokemeier gave away door prizes. (see photos of the event!)

HONORS/AWARDS BANQUET...to be held on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 4-6 p.m., Lake Superior Room, Union Building. The banquet recognizes the accomplishments of fellow professors, students and staff of the Department of Sociology. (list of honorees)

Undergraduate Lydia Weiss accepting a certificate of achievement from Dr. Nan Johnson

Events Archive

FIRST CLASS GETS TO WORK AT MSU DUBAI

(9/08) Less than a year ago university officials announced that MSU would establish a presence in Dubai, under the executive directorship of Sociology Professor, Dr. Brendan Mullan.

"Dubai is one of the leading economic centers of the world, located in the middel of one of the most important regions in the world," Provost Kim Wilcox said. "Why wouldn't we want Michigan State, our university to be a part of that enterprise?"

(read more)

Brendan Mullan, Executive Director of the Dubai Program said he is proud to see the first class begin.

New Graduate Specialization in Animal Studies: Social Science and Humanities Perspectives (click here for details...)

Faculty/Staff Recognized for Excellence at Sociology Honors/Awards Banquet...On April 23, 2008, the department held its annual Honors/Awards Program in the Lake Superior Room at the Union Bldg. on campus.

Drs. Maryhelen MacInnes was the recipient for the Excellent Teaching Award for the undergraduate program and Alesia Montgomery was the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award for the graduate program. Tammy Spangler and Sheryl Genawese were honored with Sociology Employee Excellence Awards, on April 23, 2008. (see more photos)

~ ~ ~

Spotlight Archive