Laura Patterson is trained as a sociologist and program evaluator and her interests include Research Methods (including evaluation methods) and Statistics, Environmental Sociology, and the Sociology of Horror. Laura also co-hosts a podcast examining the sociological implications of horror films called “Collective Nightmares.”
keywords
program evaluation, research methods, environmental sociology, sociology of horror
Teaching
courses taught
SOCY 2061 - Introduction to Social Statistics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
Introduces students to quantitative analysis of social phenomena. Emphasizes understanding and proper interpretation of graphs; measures of central tendency, dispersion, and association; and the concept of statistical significance. Assumes students have only limited mathematical background.
SOCY 2077 - Environment and Society
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Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
Examines interactions between societies and their natural and built environments through the lens of inequality. Describes how environmental problems vary along, are shaped by, and exacerbate disparities along lines of race, socioeconomic status, and other forms of social status. Also examines collective efforts to address social and environmental problems.
SOCY 2150 - Gender, Race, and Chainsaws
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Spring 2024 / Summer 2024
Practice fundamental skills of visual literacy with an emphasis on understanding the sociological importance of popular media�s representation of different groups of people and the implications of these representations for social justice. We will analyze how historical and current social conditions influence the creation, distribution, and interpretation of visual media in our culture, focusing on films in the horror genre. Formerly offered as a special topics course.
SOCY 3201 - Sociological Research Methods
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Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Introduces students to the logics and methods of sociological research. This requirement for majors teaches ways to answer sociological questions by collecting and analyzing different types of data. Students are trained in research ethics and learn how to collect their own data and conduct original sociological research. Collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data are included.
SOCY 4131 - Advanced Topics in Sociology
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Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Summer 2023
Variety of advanced specialty courses taught by visiting and regular faculty designed for upper division sociology majors. See current departmental announcement for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
