"When the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free."
-- Edward Gibbon
Office Hours
Mon, Tues, Wed - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Wed & Thurs, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Courses Taught
COM 100: Introduction to Human Communication
COM 110: Interpersonal Communication
COM 263: Elements of Intercultural Communication
COM 282: Volunteerism for Communication:
A Service Learning Experience
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
SOC 212: Gender in Society
SOC 282: Volunteerism for Sociology:
A Service Learning Experience
Professional Information
Education
Ph.D. 1994 Communication
Focus: Intercultural Communication
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Dissertation: "Performing the Intercultural Self: Culture as Intertext"
M.A. 1988 Sociology,
Sacramento State University, Sacramento, California
Thesis: "The Veil as an Item of Clothing: A Sociological Essay,"
B.A. 1980 Criminal Justice,
Sonoma State University, Rhonert Park, CA
A.A. 1974 General Studies (transfer),
San Joaquin Delta Community College, Stockton, California
Experience:
1998 - present GWCC Faculty in Communication and Sociology
1996 - 1998 Assistant Director, Service Learning Program,
Center for Public Policy and Service, Mesa Community College, Mesa Arizona
1997 - 1998 Adjunct Faculty, Communication/Sociology, Mesa Community College
1994 - 1996 Adjunct Faculty, Communication/Sociology, GWCC
Activities
Service-learning is an important aspect of my teaching. Enormous potential for developing the leadership of students lies in asking them to share their learning with others in the community. When students are present in the community with the knowledge they acquire, sharing their abilities and talents with others, relationships form that enhance not only their own lives, but the climate of the community as a whole.
Many GateWay students think they don't have time to serve the community. I encourage students to look at their lives and discover the many ways they already serve their community. Have they done volunteer work in the past? Do they take care of children? Do they look in on older people who need a helping hand? Do they offer a listening ear? Do they support clothing and food drives? Do they participate in a club service project? There are many exciting opportunities to bring the student to awareness of his or her relationship to the broader community, and to development of civic responsibility. Every class I teach offers the opportunity for students to integrate volunteer activities with their learning, and to have these efforts count toward their academic credit.
Community Partnerships
Below is an organization that I have worked with over a number of years. I encourage students to contact this organization, or any legitimate nonprofit agency, to explore career goals and engage in service while they learn.
Community Assets and Resource Enterprise (C.A.R.E.), in Mesa, Arizona.
C.A.R.E. is a grassroots community group that started as a block watch group. During the last five years C.A.R.E. has developed after school and job programs for youth, health programs, education programs, support for mothers and families, a community center and a neighborhood garden. It is built on the Settlement House model that Jane Adams helped to create in Chicago, where people work together to help themselves.
Wilson Coalition, 3025 East Fillmore Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
The Wilson Coalition is an extremely active partnership of businesses, other governmental agencies, community-based organizations and parents whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Wilson students and their families. The work of the Coalition supports Wilson's Project 2000, which is a guarantee to all Wilson Elementary enrollees beginning in grade three that resources will be found for
every student qualifying for college entry beginning in the year 2000.
Web Resources
Educators for Community Engagement
Wilson Coalition
Publications
“A Comparison of Two Models for Integrating Curriculum: The Academic Evergreen Model and the Problem Based Learning Model,” Peer Review: Association of American Colleges and Universities, Vol.3/4, No. 4/I, 2001. Bergin, Martha, Geri Rasmussen and Elizabeth Skinner.
"The Joys of Your Troubles: Using Service Learning and Reflection in the Sociology Classroom," with Sue McAleavey in Ostrow, James, Garry Hesser, and Sandra Enos.
Community Based Learning and the Sociological Imagination: Concepts and Models for Service Learning and Sociology. American Association for Higher Education, 1998.
"Constructing Culture," Arizona Communication Association Journal. 20(1994):48-67
"Kais and Laila: An Ethnographic Interweaving of Interpretation and Story in the American/Saudi Cultural Borderlands," paper presented at Western States Communication Association, Albuquerque, NM, February, 1993.