Dr. Scott Monsma Professor of Sociology

ScottMonsma

Education:
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., University of Pittsburgh
B.A., Geneva College

712-707-7088
monsma@nwciowa.edu
VPH 210

A champion of social justice, Dr. Monsma is a frequent presenter at Association of Christians Teaching in Sociology conferences and has served as the organization’s president. He also has led students on study abroad trips to Taiwan and three times to the Sultanate of Oman. He was awarded Northwestern's Teaching Excellence Award in 2014.

SOC202 - Social Problems

(4 credits) This course is about learning to critically think about society and various problems in society. This course will examine a number of social issues as we wrestle with how we can decide if an issue is a social problem, decide which social problems might be more significant than others, and evaluate potential solutions for social problems. We are going to wrestle with some challenging questions with the goal of helping us to think deeply about how we might seek justice on an individual level and within society. Cross-Referenced: Cross-referenced in criminal justice.

SOC218 - Deviance and Social Control

This class focuses on a sociological understanding of deviance. We will explore how both culture and structure may shape the prevalence, definition and reaction to deviance. Various theoretical perspectives will be examined and discussed to see how deviance may be both understood and even perhaps predicted. Finally, a number of more "concrete" areas will be examined, to both see how the theory holds up in real life, and to deepen the understanding of deviance and attempts at social control of deviance. (4 credits)

SOC290CC - Cultural Anthropology

(4 credits) (NWCore option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This course is about learning a way of seeing and understanding other cultures and our own culture(s) - introducing and drawing on ideas and insights from the field of Cultural Anthropology. In a globalizing and increasingly interconnected world these ideas and insights can serve a critical need in helping us understand and learn how to live in with cultural diversity and complexity. Thus the value of this course is in learning a new way of seeing and understanding, a way that helps us think about what it means to be human, a way that helps us understand and live with our neighbors -- locally and globally.

2012: Bulletin Boards and Focused Reading Groups (a presentation on pedagogy) . Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, annual summer conference, Covenant College, Lookout Mountain GA, June 9, 2012.

2011: (Re)reading the text: (Re)telling the fragmented story of Michal. Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, annual summer conference, St. Olaf College, June 11, 2011.

2011: Dialog with people of other faiths, Moberg Conference on sociological perspectives on reconciliation: Experiential learning and strategic approaches to reconciliation, Bethel University, February 19, 2011

2010: Interfaith dialogue: ideas drawn from experience, Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, Annual Summer Conference, Eastern University, June 4, 2010

2009: Defining Marriage: Changes and Challenges. Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, Annual Summer Conference, Northwestern College. Teaching Sociology: Ideas & Resources. Panel Participant.

2005: Critical Integration: Christianity and Sociology. Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, Annual Summer Conference, Wheaton College, Wheaton IL.

2004: Fragmented Women, Destined for Equality. Fern Cliff Gathering, Geneva College (November 16), Guest lectures at Geneva College (November 16 & 17): Max Weber and Islam; Critical Integration: Faith and Sociology; Wealth and Poverty

2003: Teaching with my mouth half shut. Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, Annual Summer Conference, Dallas, TX

American Sociological Association

Association of Christians Teaching Sociology

Society for the Study of Linguistic Subversion

Teaching Excellence Award, Northwestern College, 2014

Finalist for Teaching Excellence Award, Northwestern College, 2004, 2008, 2009

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