This is my 26th year on the faculty at MTSU.  I am grateful
to the colleagues and, especially, the students with whom I have
worked over the years for enriching my life, enlivening my mind
and energizing my spirit.
     During my career I have, perhaps accidentally, developed a
philosophy of teaching to which I am increasingly committed.  Our
mission here at MTSU, it seems to me, is not to "give" the
student an education; rather, it is to assist the student in
acquiring the critical thinking and methodological skills
necessary for a life-time of "getting an education."
     I am committed to the principle of "writing through the 
curriculum.  Accordingly, students will be asked to write.  All
examinations will contain an essay component.  Research papers will 
be assigned in all courses where such an assignment is appropriate.
While grammatical errors are not graded, they are duly noted and
corrected.
     In recent years, I have become increasingly impressed with
the work of the great German sociologist, Max Weber, who
suggested that the task of sociology is to examine contemporary
society in light of the historical processes which dropped us off
at any given moment in time.  C. Wright Mills' rejection both of
"grand theory" and "abstracted empiricism" draws the focus of
sociology to the crucial issues confronting modern society. 
Successfully addressing these issues requires what he described
as "the sociological imagination" -- the ability to look beyond
the obvious, to recognize that the whole is greater than the sum
of its parts, to see individual and psychological "facts" as
products of social/structural realities.
     In my own sociological thinking, I work within the framework 
of a macro/structural approach and proceed fairly consistently from 
a conflict theory approach to sociology.  Perhaps these preferences 
reflect theoretical, or (perish the thought!) ideological biases on 
my part.  Or, perhaps, they are merely a reflection of the kinds of 
subjects I prefer to teach: race and ethnic relations, social class 
and stratification, political sociology.  Predictably, I prefer the 
latter explanation!
     The other major focus of my teaching and writing is in the
area of Popular Culture -- specifically, the southern musical
tradition.  I believe that popular culture is a useful and reliable
reflection of the culture (i.e., beliefs, values, shared historical
experience) of the people who produce and consume it.  This allows me to 
combine two of my passions -- sociology and music.
     And, finally, as should be obvious from the existence of
this webpage, I am passionate about the intellectual and academic
possibilities in Cyberspace.  The world is at your fingertips. 
Happy Surfing!