The Department of Sociology is prides itself on research accomplishments, but we embrace our teaching mission with equal energy.
Each academic year at it’s last faculty meeting in May, the Department recognizes the contributions of faculty, teaching assistants, and lecturers who demonstrate a deep and abiding commitment to excellent classroom instruction.
This year's recipeints are Christine Schwartz, Peter Hart Brinson and Nicole Breazeale.
Christine SchwartzChristine Schwartz was awarded the Departmental Citation for Excellence in Teaching by a member of the faculty. Students in Schwartz’s courses are often surprised by their engagement with material—such as statistics—they were dreading. Typical remarks: “Great professor!”“I love Christine Schwartz!”
- Peter Hart Brinson was the 2008-09 recipient of the Departmental Citation for Excellence in Teaching by a Lecturer. As a graduate student, Peter consistently received admirable remarks from his students. A typical remark: "You've inspired me so much, and I've discovered a love for methods because of you." Unfortunately, one recommendation is hard for us to follow—“he deserves a huge raise!”
- Nicole Breazeale received the Departmental Citation for Excellence in Teaching by a Teaching Assistant. She has taught Survey of Sociology, Statistics, Marriage and Family, and Rural Sociology and Development. In every course, Nicole's student evaluations contained impressive numerical ratings and passionate written comments about her performance. In the words of one student, Nicole was “the definition of what a TA should be."