Books by Joan Ferrante

Joan Ferrante is a professor of sociology at Northern Kentucky University. She received her PhD in Sociology at University of Cincinnati in 1984. After receiving her doctorate she worked as managing editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior when Dr. Eugene Gallagher (University of Kentucky) was editor. Since that time, she has spent more than 30 years working to find examples and ways of teaching sociology that engage students and this book reflects her most recent effort. Over the course of her teaching career, Joan has tried to present sociology as a tool for making a difference in the world. In this vein she have worked to make a difference in a couple of concrete ways. With the support of the Mayerson Family Foundations, she designed the curriculum for a student philanthropy project at NKU in which students, as part of their course work, must decide how to use $4,000 in a way that addresses some community need. That program is now managed by others at NKU and has been adopted by dozens of universities across the United States. For the past twenty years Joan has supported a study abroad scholarship called "Beyond the Classroom" for which any NKU student who has uses one her textbooks, Seeing Sociology or Sociology: A Global Perspective (new or used) can apply. Each year about 10 to 15 students are awarded scholarships (up to $1,000). There is no GPA restriction on that scholarship because it is her hope that someone struggling with college and its purpose in their lives might apply for the scholarship and be personally transformed by the experience. In addition, for the past seven years Joan has used proceeds from her royalties to support the position of academic advisor to NKU sociology majors. This person provides extra coaching to majors who seek extra support in choosing classes, evaluating opportunities related to such things financial aid and co-ops.