News
Graduate Student Spotlight
March 29, 2013
Dilshani Sarathchandra is a PhD candidate whose research focuses on Science and Technology Studies and Risk Communication. Currently Dilshani is working on her dissertation titled "University Bio-Scientists Risk Epistemologies and Research Choices."
The Graduate Collective
March 29, 2013
The Sociology Collective’s main focus this year is to engage with the Department as it prepares for it’s upcoming External Review. This includes integrating graduate student perspectives into the department self-study and conducting the second annual sociology graduate student survey.
Elyse Packard is our new Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor
March 28, 2013
Elyse studied Sociology as an undergrad at Central Michigan University and finished her Masters Degree at CMU in Professional Counseling in May 2012. Elyse helps our undergraduate students plan their courses, explore minors, specializations, internships and post-graduate plans. Elyse is also the faculty advisor to the Undergraduate Sociology Association, which has participated in multiple volunteer events this year. Elyse (packard@msu.edu) would love to hear from alumni regarding suggestions for improving the undergraduate program, including internship and other opportunities for students.
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Faculty Retirements
March 28, 2013
A major change took place in the Department of Sociology with the retirement of four of its most eminent faculty. At the end of the spring 2012, a grand retirement reception was held for Drs. Janet Bokemeier, Stan Kaplowitz, Thomas Conner and Harry Perlstadt, who together contributed more than 150 years of service to MSU and the Department of Sociology.
Gelbard Wins TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Fellowship
March 28, 2013
The Ruth Simms Hamilton Fellowship honors the memory and work of former Sociology Professor Ruth Hamilton and supports cutting-edge, graduate-level research that futhers the study of African Diaspora. The Sociology Department is honored to announce that one of this year’s recipients is Alexandra P. Gelbard. Ms. Gelbard is a Ph.D. candidate who is examining the social function of music within African Diaspora communities.
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First John and Ruth Useem Endowment Awarded
March 28, 2013
One of the most exciting Departmental accomplishments in 2012 was the successful establishment of an endowment that recognizes the contributions and legacy of former department faculty John and Ruth Useem. More than fifty former students, colleagues and family members made contributions to the endowment. Dr. Ann Cottrell, who received her Ph.D. from MSU in 1970 and who is a Professor Emerita at San Diego State University, played a crucial leadership role in moving the endowment forward by giving her own gift and encouraging others to do so. The Department was pleased to host Dr. Cottrell last year when she gave an outstanding presentation on “John and Ruth Hill Useem: The Sociologists and their Third Culture Legacy.”
Dr. Hui Liu’s study on same-sex cohabitation and health receives media attention
March 4, 2013
Same-sex cohabitors report poorer health than their different-sex married counterparts at the same levels of socioeconomic status—according to a new national study led by Dr. Hui Liu.
Professor Yu Xie talked about his new book “Is American Science in Decline?”
February 4, 2013
Professor Yu Xie from University of Michigan gave a talk on his new book “Is American Science in Decline?” on February 1, 2013 to faculty and students at MSU. Professor Xie is Otis Dudley Duncan Distinguished University Professor of Sociology, Statistics, and Public Policy, at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Academia Sinica, and the National Academy of Sciences. The event is sponsored by the Department of Sociology.
Dr. Soma Chaudhuri interviewed on Indian witch hunts
January 31, 2013
Aljazeera English, 25 January 2013, features a documentary on Indian witch hunts. Dr. Chaudhuri was interviewed to make sense of the incidents as well as comment on some of the rationalist approaches toward eradicating hunts. View the documentary here.
“Organizing in a Precarious World of Work: The Self Employed Women’s Association of India”
January 28, 2013
Our Daily Work/Our Daily Lives is proud to present Dr. Soma Chaudhuri, Department of Sociology, MSU, Friday, February 8, 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. in the MSU Museum Auditorium. Co-sponsored by the MSU Asian Studies Center, MSU Center for Gender in Global Context and the MSU Women's Resource Center.
