As an educator, my goal is to cultivate a transformative classroom that both challenges and supports students in adopting an incisive sociological lens. Particularly, I aim to equip students with a global perspective, empower them with tools to change the world and combat the hidden curriculum through mentorship.
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Have you ever wondered why Europe is in the middle of the world map or why “the North” is up and “the South” is down even though the Earth is round? When we stop taking for granted the seemingly trivial dimensions of our everyday lives, they reveal violent global histories and entrenched social structures. Sociology allows you to see the world through a new lens; one that makes visible previously hidden patterns of power and social construction.
“I feel that, after taking this course, I understand different social issues in the world better, how to think about them, and what to do about them. I am more aware now of
the issues society faces and why. I also have become a better reader and more confident student because of the readings and discussions in this class.”
“I really appreciated how we confronted complicated theories and topics directly and took time to discuss and sit with them. I’ve known about many of them before but
never this deeply and in such a structured way. I definitely learned a lot from this course and I wish I can hold on to everything we’ve covered after this class.”
dilemmas of nonviolence in a violent worlD
Nonviolent civil resistance has long been celebrated by scholars and practitioners as the strategically and morally superior approach to overthrowing dictators, military regimes, and colonizers. Yet cutting-edge research shows that romanticizing “nonviolence” obscures the study of its tactical and ethical complexities. This course bridges the fields of sociology and peace studies to critically examine the historical roots and practices of nonviolence, with a focus on thorny questions about power and politics.
“Professor Mart is one of the best professors I’ve had in my four years of college, and this course has equipped me with lots of evidence to push back against black and white conversations on violent/nonviolent resistance.”
“My perspective on both violence and nonviolence has radically changed. This class has made me feel super empowered.”
How to Change the World? Collective Action in Europe for Social Justice
This advanced undergraduate elective compares social problems in Europe and the U.S. with an emphasis on their global historical underpinnings while demonstrating the toolkit that activists use to change the world.
“This class was such a fun way to dive into something that I am so passionate about and she is obviously so passionate about! I think her greatest strengths are her knowledge and stimulation of excitement about the content of the course!“
“The readings were all super interesting and it was really cool to be able to dive into topics from sociology and peace studies.”
“We covered a lot of material from many European countries and movements which was better than only focusing on one part of Europe.”
Şehrazat G. Mart, Ph.D. 