SOCIOLOGY FACULTY

RICK ANDERSON

Let me take a minute to introduce myself professionally and personally.  Since arriving at Loras College in 1995, I have continued to shape my philosophy of education.  I firmly believe that college should be a time of exploration and growth.  I believe that an excellent college professor is a learner, a facilitator, a mentor, a motivator, a leader, and a friend.  An excellent teacher must introduce perspectives and create environments in which students can explore ideas, articulate opinions, defend positions, understand complex material, and interact with others who do not share the same value system.  Educators should be instrumental in shaping students, as they become well-rounded, liberally educated college graduates.  I strive to become an excellent college professor. 

It is an exciting time to be at Loras College.  I have been extensively engaged in Loras initiatives during the past several years and I am truly energized by our dialogue about general education, improved student learning, pedagogical issues, and the overall well-being of students at Loras College. New Loras College students can anticipate a strong, student centered academic career as well as a healthy and safe campus environment.

Outside of the classroom my most interesting and rewarding experiences are with my family.  Donna and I have been married for twelve years and we have two exceptional children.  Having kids in first and third grade keeps me hopping most of the time.  I enjoy almost all sports and have been heavily involved in vocal music. I grew up in central Minnesota and truly enjoy the outdoors.  I love to camp and bike.  As a thirty something year old I try to participate regularly in basketball, golf, and running (maybe it’s jogging these days).  My guitar skills impress my kids when we have camp fires but aren’t polished enough for a tougher crowd.  

PRIMARY AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
    Sociology of Families 
    Gender Studies
    Race and Ethnicity
    Sociology of Education
    Social Psychology

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
    Modes of Inquiry: The Wonderful World of Disney
    Modes of Inquiry: Hoop Dreams
    Sociology of Families
    Race and Ethnicity
    Introduction to Sociology
    Senior Seminar
    Gender and Society
    Social Psychology
 

CURRENT AND FUTURE RESEARCH AREAS

• Both during and since my doctoral studies my interests have really been focused on teaching.  I am primarily concerned with issues of community and working to promote a positive campus culture.  I am also very interested in improving teaching and learning at Loras College.
• I continue to consider class, gender, race, and ethnicity as they interact in the institutions of family, religion, education, and the economy.  For example, I am interested in the impact of social class on parent-teacher interaction, student-parent interaction, and teacher-student interaction.
• Racial and ethnic diversity in higher education, particularly issues surrounding the racial climate and political attitudes of students, faculty, and administrators as they relate to policy on college and university campuses.
• The development and modification of the self-concept as it relates to socially constructed realities.  Families as agents of socialization and the long-term consequences of parenting.

EDUCATION
    Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Sociology, 1995
    M.S. Mankato State University; Sociology, 1991
    B.A. Luther College; Sociology, 1989

Contact me at:
(563) 588-7177
e-mail: rick.anderson@loras.edu
fax: (563) 588-4907 


JILL STEPHENS FLEISHER

My social and cultural roots are in Cleveland, Ohio where I went to a small liberal arts school that was very similar to Loras.  As a student, I learned that a strong liberal arts education is one of the best preparations for a meaningful and successful life.  In many ways, I still consider myself to be a student because learning is a life-long pursuit.

In the classroom…
Rather than just learning ABOUT sociology, students in my classes learn by DOING sociology.  From the introduction course to upper-division courses, students learn how to investigate and understand their social world.  Classes incorporate computer exercises, small observation projects, student debates, interviews, service learning, and/or group discussions.  I strongly encourage students to contribute and participate by responding to interesting questions and critically analyzing ideas and data.

After class…
My partner Evan and I have two children who provide me with lots of material to use in class.  We spend our free time playing, reading, camping, taking walks, and traveling around the country visiting friends and family.  Evan would like to say that we enjoy golfing, but I need a few more lessons before I can agree.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
    Social Movements
    Environmental Sociology 
    Social Problems
    Social Psychology
    Communities
    Research Methods

TEACHING AREAS
    Introduction to Sociology
    Social Problems
    Self and Society
    Empowering Women
    Environment & Society
    Social Movements 
    Research Methods
    Statistical Analyses
    Applied Sociology 

RESEARCH AREAS
My "pure" research has focused on how people mobilize, and fail to mobilize, around various environmental issues.  My dissertation data contains rich information from environmental activists about their concerns, experiences, organizations, networks and strategies.  Findings reveal increasing diversity amongst activists who work on issues, particularly at the grassroots level.  My next project is to further investigate gender in the environmental movement.

In recent years, I have involved students in applied sociological research.  In the methods courses, we conduct qualitative research projects.  In the methods-statistics sequence, we collect and analyze quantitative data from the Loras Student Survey.  The scientific data we collect has been used by the college to improve programming, apply for grants, and has been used in presentations at regional and national conferences. 

EDUCATION
    Ph.D. Purdue University; Sociology, 1997
    M.S.  Purdue University; Sociology, 1992    
    B.A.  Baldwin-Wallace College; Sociology, 1990 

CONTACT
(563) 588-7022
jill.fleisher@loras.edu
fax (563) 588-4907

 

CALVIN ODHIAMBO

If you visit the Sociology program, you will probably not miss me. I represent cultural diversity in the program. Having been born and raised in Kenya (East Africa), I completed my earlier education (including my Masters) at various institutions in Kenya. I spent a number of years between my studies teaching high school and at the University of Nairobi before proceeding to Indiana University, Bloomington, for my doctoral studies. Since I joined the faculty at Loras College in the fall of 2001 I have seen myself grow professionally in ways that I would not have imagined as a graduate student. With each semester I find myself growing in my understanding of myself (from student’s comments), and becoming more aware of where I still need to go in my pursuit of professional excellence.

In the classroom…
Out of the conviction that people learn better by actively participating in the learning process, I put a lot of emphasis on active learning. We learn sociology through playing games, including crossword puzzles and Candy Land (just to mention a few); simulating different living conditions around the world; and researching real life situations, such as the world of children’s toys and clothing department at the Mall, etc. Students learn to use their sociological imagination to see structures and forces in society that are not readily apparent to a casual looker.

After class…
Every day at 3:30 p.m., I take off my professorial garb and put on my Mr. Mom hat as I spend the rest of the day caring for our two children. This involves picking up Adrian (our 8 year-old son) and Lila (our 3 year-old daughter) from school/day care;  helping Adrian with his piano lessons and homework; becoming playmate; feeding the children,...and putting the children to bed by 8 p.m. Because Eva, my wife, is a nurse and works in the evening, we parcel out Friday afternoon and the entire day on Saturday (our Sabbath day) to enjoy our family time.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION 
    Sociological Theory
    Sociology of Aging
    Global Inequality
    HIV/AIDS

TEACHING AREAS
    Introduction to Sociology
    Sociological Theory
    Sociology of Health, Healing, and Illness 
    Sociology of Aging 
    Cultural Anthropology
    Social Change and Inequality in Global Perspective

RESEARCH AREAS
My research interests are mainly in the area of HIV/AIDS and Aging. I am currently trying to find time between teaching and family to produce some journals from my most recent research on HIV/AIDS.

EDUCATION
    Ph.D. Indiana University; Sociology, 2003
    M.A. University of Nairobi; Sociology, 1994 
    B.A. University of Nairobi; Sociology, 1990 

CONTACT
(563) 588-7819
calvin.odhiambo@loras.edu
fax (563) 588-4907