April 2019 Issue

Welcome to the April 2019 Issue of Sociology News!

This is an exciting time for sociology at WSU.

In this issue of Sociology News, we introduce two new faculty members, Mariana Amorim and Dylan Bugden, who are transitioning this summer to WSU from Cornell University, and who will strengthen our department’s teaching abilities and research expertise in the areas of life course analyses and environmental sociology.

Several members of the sociology department sitting and watching a departmental seminar presented by Seth M. Holmes, The Martin Sisters Endowed Chair Associate Professor of Medical Anthropology and Public Health at the University of California Berkeley, on his book, “Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States.
A departmental seminar presented by Seth M. Holmes, Martin Sisters endowed chair and associate professor of medical anthropology and public health at University of California Berkeley, on his book, Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States.

In addition, we describe significant changes in undergraduate learning opportunities that are contributing to increases in our undergraduate enrollment. A related article explains how three undergraduate students with varied backgrounds each decided to major in sociology.

Also, a part of this issue is the review of a new book, In the Weeds, by Professor Clay Mosher and Scott Akins (PhD, 2003) that puts social context around the nationwide efforts to legalize the use of marijuana in the United States.

We also hear from Indeira Persaud (PhD, 2012), who describes her newly published book, The Nuts and Bolts of Research Methodology, and comments on her graduate school experiences at WSU.

Sarah Morton (PhD, 2019), who this semester completed both her doctorate in sociology and master of science degree in statistics, describes her dissertation writing experience. She also discusses the beginning of her career in the new field of data science.

The lives and contributions of two greatly respected professional colleagues, retired faculty member Lew Carter and former WSU student Dusten Hollist (PhD, 2003), both of whom passed away in early 2019, are remembered with deep respect.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that, beginning with the Fall 2019 issue of Sociology News, Professor Tom Rotolo will serve as faculty co-editor, succeeding Don Dillman, who comments on the transition in the final article of this issue.

 

Don Dillman and Alana Inlow, co-editors

A photo of Sociology News co-author and faculty member, Don Dillman.
Don Dillman, dillman@wsu.edu
A photo of Sociology News co-author and PhD candidate, Alana Inlow.
Alana Inlow, alana.inlow@wsu.edu