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 and Drug Policy
Hockey Violence and Masculinity
Sociology of Public Intellectuals
Music Scenes and Community Building
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 2022 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 2022Interactionist analysis of processes accompanying the definition of deviance, subculture formation, careers of involvement in deviant activities, and the formal and informal regulation of deviance. Prerequisite: One of AUCRI 160, AUIDS 160 (2020), AUSOC 101, 103, 105. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCRI 224 and AUSOC 224 (2020).
Winter Term 2022Examination of anthropological and sociological explanations of crime and criminality, including a cross-cultural analysis of the social processes accompanying criminal activities. The course focuses on criminality as defined under Canadian criminal law and the traditional legal systems of Canada's aboriginal peoples. Prerequisite: One of AUCRI 160, AUIDS 160 (2020), AUSOC 101, 103, 105. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCRI 225 and AUSOC 225 (2020).
Fall Term 2021Why is it that so much attention is paid to street crime while the crimes of the powerful go virtually unpunished and sometimes unnoticed? A comprehensive examination of the prevalence and impact of crime committed by the powerful, including white collar occupational crime, corporate crimes, and crimes committed by the state. Prerequisite: One of AUCRI 160, 224, 225, 353, AUIDS 160 (2020), AUPOL 353 (2020), AUSOC 224 (2020), 225 (2020), and 3rd year standing or consent of the instructor. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCRI 327, 427, AUSOC 327 (2020), 427 (2020).
Fall Term 2021Selected topics that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. This seminar-style class is a key aspect of the Augustana First Year Experience. The focus and content of each course are determined by faculty interests, and vary from year to year.
Fall Term 2021 Fall Term 2022Introduction to sociology focusing on understanding the relation between the individual and society using concepts like social control, class, role, self, reference group, ideology, and world view. Through the use of some popular films, specific attention is paid to understanding the way we (as particular individuals) are, in taken-for-granted ways, shaped by our membership in large and small groupings. The implications of this shaping for our ideas of freedom, individuality, and morality are debated and examined.
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 2022 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