Stephanie Takaragawa (Sociology) builds her classes around the world students already inhabit — the food they eat, the neighborhoods they wander, the pop culture they consume — and then teaches them to read that world like a text. In past years, the cultural anthropologist led students through the ethnic enclaves of Little Tokyo and Olvera
This edition of From Our Eyes spotlights Coco Ridge (’26, Sociology, Leadership and Philosophy Minors), one of ten student fellows selected for the 2026 Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE). This immersive program equips students with the skills and hands-on experience needed to excel in academic research. Ridge’s project explored the developmental experiences of left-wing student
Robert Guyker (Sociology) co-edited Greek Mythology: From Creation to First Humans, a book written by Professor Carolina López-Ruiz from the University of Chicago, Divinity School. This is the latest publication in the book series World Mythology in Theory and Everyday Life, from Oxford University Press. Greek Mythology: From Creation to First Humans provides a unique
Over the January Interterm, Dr. Stephanie Takaragawa (Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Associate Dean for Academic Programs; Sociology) taught Anthro-Space/Place: Disneyland, a 4-week-long class where students conducted empirical research at Disneyland in Anaheim to examine different theories of social behavior. Students explored articles written about Disneyland and visited the park once a
“We get to choose what kind of men to be in life. The question is, ‘what kind of man will you be?’” It has been 6 years since Richie Reseda was released from prison and 6 years since the documentary The Feminist on Cellblock Y was released on CNN. On October 3, 2024, Wilkinson College,
Students enrolled in the SOC 231 Foundations of Criminal Justice course last spring had the opportunity to visit the Orange Police Department (OPD). The experiential trip was a highlight of Dr. Nancy Rios-Contreras’ (Sociology) course, which covered topics relevant to police, courts, and corrections. Students learned criminology theories and contemporary social issues impacting the criminal justice system.
Dr. Chris Bader (Sociology) received two grants totaling $945,515 from the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust for “Using the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) to Strengthen the Religion Research Community.” These awards are part of larger $1,601,031 John Templeton Foundation and $782,086 Templeton Religion Trust awards to Dr. Andrew Whitehead at Indiana
Dr. Pete Simi (Sociology) was awarded a $74,999 grant from the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska Omaha for work on “International Academic Partnerships for Science and Security.” The International Academic Partnerships for Science and Security (IAPSS) is an international research consortium that brings together academics, government, and
Dr. Pete Simi (Sociology) is known for his expertise in political extremism and his research focuses on both violence and extremist groups in the United States and around the world. His previous book, American Swastika: Inside the White Power Movement’s Hidden Spaces of Hate, explores the difference between movements such as the Ku Klux Klan,
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout the month, Creating a Rape-free Environment for Students (C.A.R.E.S.) hosted events for students to learn about issues surrounding sexual violence, as well as create a space for students to share their story. C.A.R.E.S. created the “What Were You Wearing Exhibit” in collaboration with the Argyros Forum Student Union,