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Philosophy

I believe that the sociological study of the human life course is vital to developing solid practical application methods that lend alternative disciplinary insight to research projects in a wide variety of fields. I conduct research ranging from thoughts on increasing diversity in K-12 classrooms (early childhood education) to an analysis of public benefits enrollment among the elderly in America. I also study principles of non-profit management that allow me provide consultant services to the non-profit sector including maintaining active involvement as President of the OMIA Foundation, an organization that “enhances the lives of students by expanding the scope of education” through outside movement inside academics. It is my pleasure to provide you with access to a solid foundation of research. I encourage you to continue your chosen disciplinary studies and consider further opportunities for progress especially those areas relating to Sociology. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of further service to you.

 

 

 

Support

“Thank you for your intelligent and respectful teaching style this semester.” – 2011 Fall

“Enjoyed your class this semester, and hope I can eventually take another one of your classes if the possibility comes up.” – Student in SOC 111, Fall 2011

“Thanks for all the lectures you gave us. I found sociology as an interesting subject with lots of things related to a real life. I also recommended my friends to take this class with you next semester because I think the class is helpful.” – International Student

“Thank you very much Prof. Girdwood for your help. Yes, you’ve answered all my questions and I quite enjoyed your example.” – Student in SOC 111, Fall 2011

“I have never had a professor that was so active and caring in my learning experience.” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“Your (constructive) criticism keeps me grounded and looking for ways to sound better on paper.” – Student in SOC 111, Fall 2011

“Thank you so much Mr. Girdwood. I have enjoyed your class and feel like I’m learning so much!” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“I know my initial outlook on the class was negative, but since then my idea of sociology has changed and I am enjoying the class more than I expected I could.” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“Thank you for the quick response. I am dealing with all the [research] results now and actually enjoying it and would not have guessed that would be the case on any final… ever. Pretty sweet.” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“Thanks again for all your help! Great class!” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the class this summer. It is definitely a new experience in using the writing format that we are required to use. But, I have surprisingly enjoyed the process of using the format because it lays out what I need to write before I start. I appreciate your enthusiasm as an instructor and your communication to the class (via email) has been very helpful. I have been very busy traveling and working this summer and it has been extremely helpful with your reminders and insight to useful links! Anyways, I thought I would share that with you, as I have never had an instructor so willing to help students and so concerned on how we are performing.” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“Thanks again. This class was really of great benefit to me in terms of improving my writing skills and learning to do an online class.” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

“I enjoyed the class; for it being online it was surprisingly interactive. I thought you taught it well.” – Student in SOC 315, Summer 2011

* These are actual unsolicited quotes from students that I received, occurring during a semester that I taught.

 

Areas of Expertise:

  • organizational development
  • cultural change – norms, values, and goals
  • pure and applied research – data collection and analysis
  • race relations
  • conflict resolution
  • social problems
  • medical sociology
  • marriage and the family
  • childhood development in the community
  • sports sociology