Dr. Lee Hamilton Sociology of Rural Communities, Sociology of Organizations, Sociology of Youth, Evaluation Research, Social Theory and Social Change
Education:
Ph.D., Rural Sociology, Pennsylvania State University
Minor: Social Psychology
M.Ed., Adult and Extension Education, Oregon State University
Minor: Resource Economics
B.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Idaho
A.A. Inter-American University of Puerto Rico
Areas of Interest:
Sociology of Rural Communities, Sociology of Organizations,
Sociology of Youth, Evaluation Research, Social Theory and Social Change
Background:
Previous experience includes five years with the United States Navy as an Operations
Specialist and over ten years experience designing and managing 4-H Youth Development Programs.
Academic Profile:
My current position is primarily a teaching position. In this position, I teach,
develop course curriculum, assist students in choosing an academic major and career, and I help students build competitive
resumes for their chosen career path. Since employers prefer graduates who can think critically, communicate effectively,
achieve results, and be a team player, my goal is to help students build a resume that reflects these skills.
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Teaching:
My teaching focuses on how to build and lead effective organizations and communities using social theory
to understand the structural and cultural elements necessary to acquire resources, achieve goals, and provide for member’s
welfare. In addition, the use of social theory to understand the causes and consequences of social change, including the
initiation and management of change processes, is an important aspect of my teaching. Particular emphasis is given to the
social costs of inequality, based on race, class, gender and spatial location, as a reason for initiating change processes.
Furthermore, my courses focus on the social costs of economic efficiency and increasing bureaucratization as factors that
can undermine organizational and community effectiveness.
Courses currently being taught include:
Soc 101G Introduction to Sociology
Soc 251 Sociological Imagination
Soc 351 Social Theory
Soc 361G Social Issues in the Rural Americas
Soc 376G Social Change
Soc 393 Youth and Society
Soc 474 Sociology of Organizations
Undergraduate Advising:
As undergraduate advisor, I focus on helping students identify a career goal
and develop a path to reach that goal. The subject matter of sociology allows students to prepare for a wide variety of
careers including government, business, education, healthcare and non-profit organizations to name just a few.
An initial interview usually takes one hour and we discuss potential careers consistent with a student’s interests,
courses that help meet academic requirements and career interests, and possible minors that would help a person meet their
career goal.
I also help students prepare for graduate school. Our graduates remain highly competitive and often receive full funding
for their graduate studies. Recent graduates are now attending University of Kansas, Purdue University and Indiana
University at Bloomington, all with highly rated Departments of Sociology.
Research:
While my job does not contain a formal research assignment, I do assist undergraduate and
graduate students with research projects. Recent research titles (by year) have included:
- “Homelessness and Poverty: A Cross Cultural Examination of Social policy in the United States and the Netherlands (2006) Alicia Lacher
- “Identity Formation in the Puerto Rican Community in El Paso Texas” (2006) Julio Capeles.
- “Making Ends Meet: Welfare Reforms Impact on Single Mothers” (2006) Melissa Fowler.
- “Research and Development of a Curriculum for the Childrens’ Program of La Casa” (2005) Marisa Ortman.
- “Perceptions of Place and Identity in the Community of Dona Ana” (2005) Nicole Martinez.
- “An In Depth View of New Mexico State University’s College Migrant Assistance Program” (2004) Anadelia Tovar.
- “Trust in the Institutions of Religion and Science Found in the 1996 General Social Survey” (2004) Kris Morgan.
- “A Qualitative Evaluation of La Casa’s Program for Children” (2004) Amanda Lain.
- “Testing the De-Identification Process with Hispanic sub Group students” (2003) Melissa Reyes.
- “How American Women Self Identify Their Social Class” (2003) Cecily Jeser.
- “Does HIV/AIDS Prevention education Work” (2003) Jennifer Felderman.