SUNY Oneonta

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Department of Sociology
108 Ravine Pkwy.
Oneonta, NY, 13820

Phone: 607-436-3512
Fax: 607-436-3525

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Faculty and Staff

Sociology Faculty and Staff

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	Lisa Curch Department Chair & Associate Professor 10-B Schumacher Hall Oneonta, NY 13820 607-436-3380 Lisa.Curch@oneonta.edu	Lisa Curch received her M.A. in 1997 from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL and her Ph.D. in 2002 from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. Dr. Curch teaches courses in aging, medical sociology, social policy, social psychology, and sociology of food and eating. She is also the coordinator for the Gerontology Studies major. Her research interests involve social aspects of aging and health (particularly related to food and eating), residential/spatial issues of aging, and media and aging. She currently is working on research in representations of aging and older adults in television animation. Dr. Curch is the author of Food and Eating Experiences of Older Women in a Retirement Community: A Sociological Analysis (2006), in addition to several articles and presentations.

	Ho Hon Leung Associate Professor and Chair of the Department Office: 14-A Schumacher Email: leungh@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-2239	Ho Hon Leung received his Ph.D. in Sociology from McGill University, Canada. His main research areas include ethnic studies, immigration and immigrants, comparative ethnic aging. He recently develops a research interest in ethnic identity and architecture. Collaborated with Raymond Lau, an architect in London, UK, he has research projects in Canada, US, Hong Kong, Greece, China, and Macau. He is the co-editor of a book entitled Investigating Diversity: Race, Ethnicity, and Beyond (Linton Atlantic Books, Ltd, 2008) He is also the chair of steering committee of Center for Social Science Research, which encourages multi- and inter- disciplinary studies on a wide range of topics.

	Nancy Kleniewski Professor President of the College Office: 301 Netzer Email: klenien@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-2500	Nancy Kleniewski received her master’s and doctoral degrees from Temple University. Her areas of specialization are urban sociology, social policy, and social inequality. She has written or edited five books; the most recent are Cities, Change, and Conflict: A Political Economy of Urban Life, 3rd edition (Wadsworth) and Cities and Society (Blackwell).

	Brian Lowe Associate Professor Office:14-E Schumacher Email: lowebm@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3046	Brian M. Lowe received his BAH and Master’s in Sociology from Queen’s University at Kingston , Ontario and his PhD in Sociology from the University of Virginia . Dr. Lowe’s research and teaching interests include sociological theories, animal and society, cultural and comparative-historical sociology and spectacular conflicts. He is the author of Emerging Moral Vocabularies: The Creation and Establishment of New Forms of Moral and Ethical Meanings ( Lexington books, 2006) and several articles. In 2008 Lowe became Chair of the Animals and Society section of the American Sociological Association.

	Fida Mohammad Professor Website Office: 14-G Schumacher Email: mohammf@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-2166	Dr. Fida Mohammad received his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Dr. Mohammad was born in Hangu KPK Pakistan, and is ethnically Pashtun from Shinwari tribe, and came to the United States in 1986. Hangu hosts the headquarters of the Orakzai agency of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area). He teaches courses in Criminal Justice and Sociology, such as Societal Deviance, Criminology, Terrorism, Risk & Society, Sociology of Knowledge, Disaster, Risk & Society and Sociology of Islam. He has given lectures to professional and public audiences, as well written for professional and popular media outlets, about the dynamics of Afghan and Pakistan crises; topics include terrorism, suicide bombing, corruption and martyrdom.

	Robert Moschgat Lecturer Office: 14P Schumacher Email: Robert.Moschgat@oneonta.edu Phone:436-3527	Forthcoming

	Alexander R. Thomas Associate Professor Interim Dean of Behavioral and Applied Science Website Office: 334 Netzer Email: thomasa@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-2520	Alex Thomas received his Ph.D. in 1998 from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Thomas has interests in historical-comparative sociology, particularly related to urban-rural relations, and deviant behavior. His current research focuses on the development of cities and their relationship to the hinterland in the Ancient Near East and the lessons to be learned for modern cities. He is the author of In Gotham's Shadow (2003) and Gilboa (2005) and the co-author of Spotlight on Social Research (2003) and Upstate Down (2009); as well as several articles and presentations. Dr. Thomas is currently serving as interim dean of Behavioral and Applied Science.

	Gregory Fulkerson Assistant Professor Office: 14-B Schumacher Email: fulkergm@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-2834	Gregory Fulkerson received his M.A in Sociology from Western Michigan University in 2000, taught 2 years at Lansing Community College, and earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from North Carolina State University in 2006. He is interested in issues related to globalization, rurality, community, agriculture, and the environment. His current research investigates the local and global processes leading to environmental degradation and the social response to these problems. He is author of several conference presentations, journal articles, a recent book, Critical Rural Theory (co-authored), and a forthcoming book. He is currently the program chair for the Rural Sociological Society.

	Elizabeth Seale Assistant Professor Office: 14-I Schumacher Email: sealeek@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3560	Elizabeth Seale received her PhD from North Carolina State University in 2010. Her interests include race, class, and gender; health and the human body; poverty and social welfare; and global inequality. Download her CV

	Breea Willingham Dissertation Fellow Office: 14-L Schumacher Email: Breea.Willingham@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3564	Forthcoming

	Melissa Lavin Assistant Professor Office: TBD Email: TBD Phone: TBD	Forthcoming

	Mike King Assistant Professor Office: TBD Email: TBD Phone: TBD	Forthcoming

	Pavel Vasiliev Assistant Professor Office: TBD Email: TBD Phone: TBD	Forthcoming

Adjunct Faculty

	Chris Curch Lecturer of Sociology Office: 14-O Schumacher Email: curchcf@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3512	Chris Curch teaches introduction to sociology and political sociology.

	Stephen Koonz Lecturer of Sociology Office: 14-N Schumacher Email: koonzsj@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3512	Stephen Koonz teaches sociology and criminal justice courses

	Cameron Allison Lecturer of Sociology Office: 14-N Schumacher Email: allisonc@otsegocounty.com Phone: 436-3512	Cameron Allison teaches courses in the sociology department.

	Alex Gedmintas Lecturer of Sociology Office: 14-O Schumacher Email: gedminal@delhi.com Phone: 436-3512	Alex Gedmintas teaches courses in the sociology department.

	AnnMarie Mills Lecturer of Sociology and Internship Coordinator Office: N/A Email: millsam@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3512	AnnMarie Mills teaches courses in the sociology department and coordinates internships for the Human Sercices Pre-Professional Track of the Sociology Major.

	James Small Internship Coordinator Office: 14-O Schumacher Email:smalljh@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3512	James Small coordinates internships for the Criminal Justice Major.

	Polly Smith-Thomas Lecturer of Sociology Office: 14-C Schumacher Email:smithtp@oneonta.edu Phone: 436-3512	Polly Smith-Thomas teaches courses in the sociology department.

Faculty Emeriti

	Marilyn Helterline	Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, Professor Emeritus of Sociology .

	Donald Nielsen	Ph.D., University of New School for Social Research, Professor Emeritus of Sociology .

	Eugene Obindinski	Ph.D., SUNY Buffalo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology .

	Martin Spencer	Ph.D., University of New School for Social Research, Professor Emeritus of Sociology .

	Edward Wesnofske	MA., University of New School for Social

Staff

Michele Myers-Platt

Department Secretary

Office: Main Office Schumacher

Email: myersmf@oneonta.edu

Phone: 436-3512

Michele Myers-Platt serves as the sociology department secretary.

Faculty Activity

The faculty of the Sociology department is comprised of active scholars, producing cutting edge research and active in engaging students in the teaching and learning process that accompanies our ongoing and vibrant research agendas. Here are some showcased and/or recent activities of our faculty (note: this list is not meant to be all-inclusive--please contact faculty for more information).

Recent Books:

Critical Rural Theory

Critical Rural Theory: Structure, Space, Culture (2011)

by Alex Thomas, Brian Lowe, Greg Fulkerson, and Polly Smith

Cities, Change, and Conflict: A Political Economy of Urban Life (2010)

by Nancy Kleniewski and Alex Thomas

Evolution of the Ancient City

Evolution of the Ancient City: Urban Theory and the Archaeology of the Fertile Crescent (2010)

by Alex Thomas

Imagining Globalization

Imagining Globalization: Language, Identities, and Boundaries (2009)

by Ho Hon Leung, Matthew Hendley, Robert W. Compton and Brian D. Haley

Investigating Diversity

Investigating Diversity: Race, Ethnicity, and Beyond (2008)

by Ho Hon Leung, Raymond Lau and Sharon Shaw-McEwen

Emerging Moral Vocabularies

Emerging Moral Vocabularies: The Creation and Establishment of New Moral and Ethical Meanings (2006)

by Brian Lowe

Food and Eating Experiences of Older Women Living in a Retirement Community: A Sociological Study (2006)

by Lisa Curch

Articles and Other Publications:

Seale, Elizabeth. Forthcoming. “Coping Strategies of Rural and Urban Welfare Agencies and the Regulation of the Poor.” New Political Economy.

Seale, Elizabeth and Gregory Fulkerson. Forthcoming. “Critical Concepts in Studying Communities and the Built Environment.” Readings in Urbanormativity: Rural Community in Urban Society. Edited by G. Fulkerson and A. Thomas.

Seale, Elizabeth, Fida Mohammad and Gregory Fulkerson. Forthcoming. “Attracting Women to Police-Work in Pakistan.” Pakistan Journal of Criminology.

Taylor, Tiffany and Elizabeth Seale. Forthcoming. “Implementing Welfare-to-Work: Program Managers' Identities and Service Delivery in North Carolina.” Sociological Focus.

Fulkerson, Gregory and Elizabeth Seale. 2013. “The Case of Cooperstown, New York: The Makings of a Perfect Village in an Urbanising World.” Sociological Research Online 17(4).

Seale, Elizabeth, Alison Buck, and Kylie Parrotta. 2012. “Who’s to Blame? The Identity Talk of Welfare-to-Work Program Managers.” Sociological Perspectives 55(3).

Mohammad, F. (April, 2012). Suicide-Bombing: A Unique Threat to Security Agencies in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Criminology Vol. 3 (No. 4) 81-97.

Jicha, Karl, Gretchen Thompson, Gregory Fulkerson, Jonathon May. 2011. “Individual Participation in Collective Action in the Context of a Caribbean Island State: Testing the Effects of Multiple Dimensions of Social Capital.” Rural Sociology 76(2): 229-256.

Kick, Edward L., James Fraser, Gregory Fulkerson, Laura A. McKinney, and Daniel H. De Vries. 2011. “Repetitive flood victims and acceptance of FEMA mitigation offers: an analysis with community–system policy implications.” Disasters: The Journal of Disaster Studies, Policy and Management 35(3): 510-539.

Curch, Lisa, Schlosser, Jennifer A. and Seale, Elizabeth. (2011) Gerontology: Instructor’s Manual. National Social Science Press.

Fulkerson, Gregory and Fida Mohammad. (October, 2011). The Failure of the War on Drugs: A Comparative Perspective. Pakistan Journal of Criminology Vol. 3 (No. 2) 55-70.

Curch, L. M. (2010). Using prime time animation to engage students in courses on aging. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 31(4), 361-382.

Curch, L. M. (2010). Aging today. In Gerontology Examined: An Interactive Approach (pp. 1-33). El Cajon, CA: National Social Science Press.

Curch, L. M. (2010). Physical health & illness. In Gerontology Examined: An Interactive Approach (pp. 66-105). El Cajon, CA: National Social Science Press.

Curch, L. M. (2010). Long-term & end-of life-care. In Gerontology Examined: An Interactive Approach (pp. 134-198). El Cajon, CA: National Social Science Press.

Curch, L. M. (2010). Living environments & geography. In Gerontology Examined: An Interactive Approach (pp. 388-438). El Cajon, CA: National Social Science Press.

Invited and Conference Presentations:

Mohammad, Fida. Why Pakistan Cannot Fight Extremism? Eastern Sociological Society 83rd Annual Meeting, at Boston, Massachusetts on March 22, 2013.

Jicha, Karl, Gretchen Thompson, Gregory Fulkerson, and Kris Merschrod. 2011. “Placing the Community in Community Development: An Examination of Structural Social Capital on the Island of Carriacou, Grenada.” Rural Sociological Society, Boise, Idaho, July 27-August 1.

Mohammad, Fida. US-Pakistan Security Dilemma in Afghanistan, Eastern Sociological Society 82nd Annual Meeting, at New York, New York on February 24, 2012

Mohammad, Fida. DECENTERED POWER: Road to Anarchy in Pakistan, Eastern Sociological Society 82nd Annual Meeting, at New York, New York on February 25, 2012

Mohammad, Fida. Peace and Security, Round Table Discussant, Eastern Sociological Society 81th Annual Meeting, at Philadelphia on February 24, 2011

Mohammad, Fida. Heterogeneity within TalibanMovement , Eastern Sociological Society 81th Annual Meeting, at Philadelphia on February 25, 2011

Fulkerson, Gregory and Elizabeth Seale. 2011. “Cooperstown, New York:
America’s Perfect Simulation of Small Town Life?” Rural Sociological Society, Boise, Idaho, July 27-August 1.

Fulkerson, Gregory and Gretchen Thompson. 2011. “Introducing Structural Social Capital in the Community Development Course” Rural Sociological Society, Boise, Idaho, July 27-August 1.

Fulkerson, Gregory, Laura McKinney, and John Shandra. 2011. “Explaining the Carbon Footprints of Nations: World System Position, Urbanization, and World Polity.” Rural Sociological Society, Boise, Idaho, July 27-August 1.

Curch, L.M., Gendron, T., Teaster, P. & Welleford, E.A. (2011, March). Surviving and thriving as a female gerontologist in an academic setting. Discussion session presented at the meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Cincinnati, OH.

Curch, L.M. (2011, March). Living and learning in a media-saturated society: Media literacy and implications for gerontology education. Discussion session presented at the meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Cincinnati, OH.

Mohammad, Fida. “Whither US Policy in Afghanistan”, public Lecture, sponsored by Center for Social Science Research, State University of New York College at Oneonta, February 12, 2013.

Mohammad, Fida. A Panelist on Domestic Violence sponsored by Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, SUNY, Oneonta Campus, April 16th, 2012

Mohammad, Fida.A Panelist on Race and Police sponsored by UUP United University Profession, Oneonta SUNY, Oneonta Campus, March 13, 2012

Mohammad, Fida.“Contemplative Practices in Islam,” Yoga & Meditation Society, SUNY

Student Collaborations:

Dr. Lisa Curch

Lilly Powers & Matthew Neill: "The Person in Dementia Care." In progress Fall 2011.
Cassandra Proper: "Social Aspects of Oral Health and Aging." In progress Fall 2011.

Dr. Ho Hon Leung

Eric Bedell: “New Globalization: Fair Trade or Reality.” Student Research Grant, College at Oneonta Foundation, SUNY College at Oneonta 2008.
Chun Kit Lo: “Hong Kong Ethnic and Cultural Identities: Perspectives from Young Adults.” Student Research Grant 2008.
Sheung Ying Lau: “Art and Artists in the Course of Social Changes: 20th Century and 21st Century.” Student-Initiated Research Grant, College at Oneonta Foundation, SUNY College at Oneonta 2006.
Yan Yin Ruan and Lee Lee Ng: “Chinese Immigrants in a Metropolitan City: Settling or Struggling?” Facility-Initiated Student Research Grant, College at Oneonta Foundation, SUNY College at Oneonta 2005.

Dr. Elizabeth Seale

Currently Dr. Seale is working with several students, including Laura Obernesser, Demi Malik, and Alyssa Moskal, on the reproductive and health autonomy study. She is also supervising Melissa Erickson’s project on Slut-Shaming among College Students. Both sets of students have presented recently at the March 2013 Eastern Sociological Society meetings in Boston, MA. She is also supervising Dominick DeNofio’s quantitative analyses of welfare-to-work cases across the United States.
There are opportunities for additional Research Assistants (paid, unpaid, course credit) and individual supervision of research—inquire at Schumacher 14-I.

Gregory Fulkerson:

Dr. Fulkerson has recently been engaged in research with David Lewis, presenting at the Eastern Sociological Society in 2012: "Explaining the Ecological Footprint." Prior to that he supervised research by Matthew Brandi in a presentation for the Student Research Show:. "Social Capital in Online Social Networks."
There are opportunities for additional Research Assistants (unpaid, course credit) and individual supervision of research—inquire at Schumacher 14-B.

Other Activity in Progress:

Dr. Seale's grants include an ASA grant of $5,760 from the Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline with Tiffany Taylor of Kent State University, and a New York Vibrant Grant from the Center for Economic & Community Development for $2,145.
Dr. Lowe and Dr. Fulkerson are collaborating with TLTC and faculty from other department on developing tools and analysis techniques related to "Big Data" and social media. This effort has resulted in a SUNY IITG grant, and the team is working to secure additional funding from SUNY as well as the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Thomas and Dr. Fulkerson are collaborating with faculty in other departments at SUNY Oneonta as well as at Utica College on a new project that examines the history and current state of millponds in upstate New York.

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