Degrees: Ph.D. McGill University; MA Queen's University, BA (Hons.) Queen's University.
Awards:
2015 Augustana Faculty Teaching Leadership Award
2012 Betty Ostenrud Award (Service Award)
Biography and Personal Interests: I am a somewhat reluctant academic who, between degrees, worked as a researcher for Environment Canada, Canada Post Corporation, Correctional Services Canada, and Heritage Canada. But the lure of ideas and thirst for knowledge always brought be back to the university. I enjoy running, soccer, canoeing, film, music, and chillin' at the cabin.
Research Areas:
Cannabis Use, Cannabis Normalization, and Drug Policy
Hockey Violence and Masculinity
Sociology of Public Intellectuals
Sociology of Community
Research Grants & Projects:
2020 VPRI Seed Funding, SSHRC Researchers, Cannabis Normalization Research ($6,666)
2017 Grant Assist Program Bridge Funding for Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council Insight Grant ($5000.00) Co-investigator: Hockey Violence.
2016 Office of the Vice President Research: Special Call for Funding ($5464.00) Co-investigator: Hockey Violence.
2013 Augustana Faculty Research Time Stipend ($7,200): Student Cannabis Use
2011 Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council Grant. ($103,500) Co-investigator. Student Use of Cannabis.
2009 Augustana Research Grant - Primary Investigator ($7,697.50). The Role of the Public Scholar in the Local Press.
2008 Government of Alberta, Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) Grant ($8,825.60). Teaching Empathy.
2005 Augustana University College Research Grant (with Student Research Grants ($7,400.00). Recreational Cannabis Use.
Teaching Areas:
Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
Political Sociology
Qualitative Methods
Specific Courses: AUSOC101: Introduction to Sociology;
AUIDS160: Crime, Community & Corrections;
AUSOC200: Young Offenders & the Law;
AUSOC224: Sociology of Deviant Behaviour;
AUSOC225: Criminology;
AUSOC236: Research Design & Qualitative Methods;
AUSOC327/427: Crimes of the Powerful;
AUSOC337: Political Sociology;
AUSOC339: Fieldwork;
AUSOC437: Symbolic Interactionism.
Introduction to crime and correction in Canada. The theory and practice accompanying law enforcement, trial, correctional intervention, and probation and parole are analyzed by drawing from a range of disciplinary traditions such as ethical reflection, psychological theory, social and political thought, and biological understandings of criminality. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCRI 160 and AUIDS 160 (2020).
Winter Term 2023Integrative examination of theories of delinquency, the relationship of the young offender to Canadian criminal law, family, drug abuse, child abuse, and recent developments in community-based treatment programs. Prerequisites: One of AUSOC 101, 103, 105, AUIDS 160 (2020) or AUCRI 160, or consent of the instructor. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCRI 200 and AUSOC 200 (2020).
Fall Term 2022Selected topics that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. This seminar-style class is the first course in Augustana's Core. The focus and content of each course are determined by faculty interests, and vary from year to year.
Fall Term 2022Examination of the relation between the method of inquiry and the problem which inquiry addresses. It is designed to acquaint students with numerous approaches to social research, covering all phases of the research process including formulation of a research problem, design of instruments, collection of data and analysis of results. Particular attention is given to qualitative methods, including interviewing, observation, focus groups, and unobtrusive measures. Students will be expected to conduct original research assignments. Prerequisite: One of AUSOC 101, 103, 105.
Winter Term 2023Examination of fieldwork as it pertains to a qualitative sociology. Topics include epistemology, participant observation, unstructured interviews, managing and interpreting data, and research ethics. Each student completes an original field research project. Prerequisite: AUSOC 236 or AUPOL 200 and 3rd year standing, or consent of the instructor.
Winter Term 2023