LEARNING IS FUN! Hello students and other interested parties. This webpage provides you with pertinent information about me, the courses I teach, and my research. At the core of my philosophy on teaching and learning is the belief that knowledge is acquired through active learning, whether in the classroom or through life experiences. Active learning can be characterized as anything from asking probing questions in the classroom to conducting research in the field. As a teacher, my main goal is to foster within my students a desire to learn by designing courses that stimulate students’ interest in the pursuit of criminal and social justice. I aspire to achieve this goal by synthesizing in-class discussion and lecture with independent activities and research. Most importantly, I want to assist students in their journey toward becoming scholars and knowledgeable citizens of the world!
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology/anthropology from Knox College (1997), a Master of Arts degree in sociology from Western Illinois University (2003), and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Sociology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2009). My primary areas of interest are: criminology, deviance, juvenile delinquency, and gender. In particular, much of my research centers on the politically and morally debated issue of prostitution.
