WHAT AREA DO YOU TEACH?

Introduction to Sociology; Sociological Social Psychology; Sociology of Religion; Statistics; Research Methods

EDUCATION/DEGREE(S)

Ph.D. Bowling Green State University, August 2004
Field: Sociology
Major Area: Social Psychology
Minor Area: Statistics and Research Methods

M.A. Bowling Green State University, May 2000
Specialization in Social Psychology

B.S. Northern Arizona University, May 1997
Major Area: Sociology
Minor Area: Social Work

YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING:

I seek to instill an understanding of both critical thought and lateral thought within my students. I feel that it is the responsibility of a teacher to encourage students to critically question not only the ideas and concepts that are presented in class, but also the knowledge that they have accrued throughout their lives. I further believe that lateral thought is a necessary element in the effective exchange of knowledge and ideas. It is just as important to think about the nature of the questions that are being asked as it is to think about the process in which answers to questions are achieved. Encouraging my students to utilize both critical and lateral thought not only helps them to better understand the material that is covered in class, it also allows them to develop into mature adults who are ready to excel in both their careers and their lives.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TEACH?

I decided to teach because I have always had, and still do have, a strong desire to share knowledge. My job is to help students better understand research findings, statistical concepts, and sociological information. In a sense, I act as a bridge whereby the world of a student can connect with the vast amount of knowledge that is present in higher education. By doing this, I not only help to prepare the next generation of scholars, but I also help to prepare my students for any endeavor they wish to undertake outside of higher education.

CREDENTIALS/CAREER PATH

I have served as the Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology at Southeast Missouri State University, as the Associate Chair of the Division of Social Sciences at Troy University, as President and CEO of Three Rivers Social Research, as Director of the Center for Social Research at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne, and as Director of Undergraduate Programming in the Department of Sociology at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne. I have also taught sociology courses at Troy University, Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne, Bowling Green State University, Tiffin University, and Owens Community College.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHT

Becoming Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology here at Southeast Missouri State University

AWARD/HONOR/RECOGNITION

Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne Students’ Choice Award for Teaching Excellence, 2009
Inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences, 2015
Inducted into the Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, 2010
Inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociological Honor Society, 1997
Inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society, 1996
Southeast Missouri State University, Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology TEAM award, 2023.
Southeast Missouri State University, Student Life and Leadership Awards, Civic and Global Engagement Award, 2024.

ORGANIZATION WITH WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED

None at this time

BEST ADVICE FOR STUDENTS

Always pay attention to detail.
Remember that all problems have solutions.
Keep in mind that it's nice to be nice.
Remember that if it ain’t fun, why do it?
Always be early, and always come prepared.

MOST RECENT/NOTABLE PUBLISHED WORK

• Branson, Dana C., Elizabeth D. Arlington, and Christopher Bradley. 2023. “The Importance of Rest in Trauma Services: Perhaps We Should Consider Naps!” Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 43(3):278-295.
• Branson, Dana C., Jocelyn S. Martin, Olivia E. Westbrook, River J. Ketcherside, and Christopher Bradley. 2022. “Why People Gotta Be So Judgy?”: The Importance of Agency-Wide, Non-Judgmental Approach to Care.” Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 40(1):65-82.
• Bradley, Christopher. 2020. “Zen Buddhism.” Pp. 929-930 in The SAGE Encyclopedia of the Sociology of Religion, edited by Adam Possamai and Anthony J. Blasi. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Bradley, Christopher, Terrence D. Hill, Amy M. Burdette, Krysia N. Mossakowski, and Robert J. Johnson. 2020. “Religious Attendance and Social Support: Integration or Selection?” Review of Religious Research 62:83-99.
• Hill, Terrence D., Christopher S. Bradley, Benjamin Dowd-Arrow, and Amy M. Burdette. 2019. “Religious Attendance and the Social Support Trajectories of older Mexican Americans.” Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 34(4):403-416.
• Everhardt, Sharon Lindhorst, Christopher Bradley, Jonathan Cellon, and Samantha Earnest. 2019. “Food Insecurity Among Older, Female African-Americans: A Pilot Project.” Activities, Adaptation & Aging 43(1):51-64.
• Cavallo, Francis and Christopher Bradley. 2018. “Examining the Therapeutic Processes Associated with Conservative Christian Parental Acceptance of their Son or Daughter’s Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual Orientation.” The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 26(3): 315-323.