Sharon Preves

I was first introduced to sociology as an eighteen-year-old Hamline undergraduate student. My plan at that time was to study psychology, become a therapist, and do a little singing on the side. Instead, I took Martin Markowitz's Introduction to Sociological Thinking course-a course I now teach. This sociology course, and many others I have taken since that time, challenged me to think in new and exciting ways. I learned to study not only individuals, but to pay attention to larger social structures and social contexts in my desire to understand and act against social inequality. Since that time, I have been fascinated by the sociological exploration of everyday life. From popular culture and human interaction, to identity negotiation and the structure and impact of social inequality, I can't help but see the world through a sociological lens. Over the years, I have developed an interest in the structure of social privilege based on gender, power, and normative position. I incorporate these interests in my teaching and research on medical ethics, gender, and sexuality. In additon to my academic pursuits, I continue to sing, take long walks, and travel to Minnesota's North Shore whenever I get the chance.