The Criminal Justice Studies Major is Coming Soon!

The newly proposed CJS major should obtain final approval during the 2008/09 academic year.  Click here for more information regarding this exciting & long awaited addition to our department.

New Faces in the Sociology Department

The department has changed a lot in the past year.  We have a new chair, Dr. Ronda Priest, a new administrative assistant, Pam Moore, and seven (yes 7!) new faculty:

Dr. Niharika Banerjea, Assistant Professor of Sociology specializing in Urban Sociology, Globalization, Identity Formation, History and Politics.

Dr. Andrew Buck, Assistant Professor of Sociology specializing in Politics, Economics, Social Movements and Social Networks.

Dr. Eun Jung Choi, Instructor (with Ph.D.) in Sociology specializing in Social Psychology and Gender.

Dr. Katherine Draughon, Associate Professor of Sociology and the Director of Institutional Research at USI.

Dr. Chris Rose, Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice specializing in Corrections, GIS, and Criminology.

Dr. Anne Statham, Associate Professor in Sociology and Director of Service Learning, specializing in Social Psychology and Gender.

Dr. Mike Strezewski, Assistant Professor in Anthropology specializing in Archeology.

Archeological Field School is a New Opportunity for Students

First summer session will be the first time that USI has offered an archaeological field school since the 1970s. The course is Anthropology 397, Field School in Archaeology. This is a hands-on course where students will learn how to do an archaeological excavation. This year’s excavation will take place behind Dormitory No 2 in New Harmony. The dormitory was built by the Harmonists and was completed in 1822 but was used as place of business through the 19th century. We will be doing excavations in the back yard of the dormitory and will be uncovering and documenting a number of features, including a Harmonist-era well, a horse stable, and a privy (i.e., pit toilet).

The class carries six credits will meet Monday thru Friday – 8 am to 4:30 pm. USI will provide daily transportation from the campus to the New Harmony dig site (in a USI van). Absolutely no experience in anthropology or archaeology is needed to take this course.
Interested students need to fill out an application and return it to Dr. Mike Strezewski in order to sign up for the course. More information about field schools is available here [link to flier] and the application is available here [link to application].

Feel free to email Dr. Mike Strezewski for more information (mstrezewsk@usi.edu).

Majors’ Field Test on April 7th & 9th

Each spring, we assess how well we are doing in the department by having students complete a Major’s Field Test.  This year, the test will be administered during SOC392 (statistics) on April 7th & 9th at 1 & 2pm respectively.  If you have received a letter regarding the field test, you are required to show up during those dates & times in room LA1010.  The department will provide snacks to keep your energy up during the test and as a way of saying thank you.  If you have any questions regarding
the field test, contact the chair, Dr. Ronda Priest (rpriest@usi.edu) immediately.

S.A.C. Club????

Did you know that the department has an undergraduate student club?  It used to be called just the “sociology club,” but has recently changed its name to represent all of our students (Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice = S.A.C.).

The SAC Club is a student-run organization which sets goals each year depending on the club members’ preferences.  Typically, the club is involved in raising money for non-profit organizations in the tri-state area.  However, the members usually plan a trip or two each year as well.  A popular destination is the Eddyville State Penitentiary.  Hopefully, none of our students aspire to end up as permanent residents of the facility.

If you would like to join the SAC Club or just need more information, contact the faculty sponsors: Dr. Mike Strezewski (mstrezewsk@usi.edu) and/or Dr. Andy Buck (adbuck@usi.edu).