Seeing Sociology: An Introduction
Joan Ferrante, Ph.D. in Sociology from University of Cincinnati, is a professor of sociology at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). After receiving her doctorate she served as managing editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Since then, she has spent more than 30 years working to find examples and ways of teaching sociology that engage students. SOCIOLOGY: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE and SEEING SOCIOLOGY reflect her efforts. Joan has also focused on presenting sociology as a tool for making a difference in the world. With the support of the Mayerson Family Foundations, she designed the curriculum for a student philanthropy project at NKU in which students, as part of their course work, decide how to use $4,000 to address a community need. The program has been adopted by dozens of universities across the United States. Joan also supports a study abroad scholarship at NKU that awards each of 10 to 15 students up to $1,000 every year. Finally, for several years Joan has used proceeds from her royalties to support the position of academic advisor to NKU sociology majors.