Teaching

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Harvard University; Brandeis University

This course explores conspiracy theories in (primarily U.S.) culture through the lens of the sociology of culture. Viewing conspiracy theories as sociocultural phenomena, this course takes a de-pathologized approach to an exploration of how conspiracy theories are created and disseminated through social interaction, the social motivations for conspiracy beliefs, and how conspiracy theories are used as interpretive frameworks to analyze power dynamics in society. 

Harvard University

This course applies a sociological perspective to the study of propaganda and persuasion in media. By examining real propaganda campaigns from the 20th and 21st centuries, students learn about what propaganda is and its connection to new and traditional media, as well as techniques that propagandists have used to persuade the public (for better and for worse). Students then apply this knowledge in the creation of their own original propaganda campaigns.

Harvard University

Online Communities is a Junior Tutorial offered for sociology concentrators at Harvard University. In it, we explore the qualities and functions of online communities and how to study them through digital ethnographic methods. Throughout the semester, students develop an original research project on an online community of their choosing. Students collect and analyze qualitative data from their online community, which gives them practical experience with empirical research. 

Brandeis University

This course explores social movements across the political spectrum. It introduces students to theories from social movement scholarship that help to explain different types of change, collective action frames, mobilization processes, recruitment, and collective identity, as well as the roles that culture, narrative, emotion, and digital media play in social movements contexts. Throughout the semester, we apply these theories and concepts to historical and contemporary cases of social movements in the U.S. and abroad.

Brandeis University

Order and Change in Society is Brandeis University's introduction to sociology course. In it, students learn about sociology as a social science that examines social phenomena through a variety of theories and methodologies. Students explore perspectives on social structure and individual agency, social change, group and individual identity, stratification, institutions and organizations, and social inequalities of all kinds.