Christopher M. Whitsel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Sociology
Office: Minard 408E
Phone: 701.231.5846
Email: Christopher.Whitsel@ndsu.edu
Degrees
- Ph.D., Sociology, Indiana University, 2009
- M.A. Central Eurasian Studies, Indiana University, 2006
- M.A., Sociology, Indiana University, 2004
- B.A., Social Sciences, Bethel College, 1998
Dr. Christopher M. Whitsel joined the department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Emergency Management in fall of 2009.
His research interests stem from his life experiences in Russia as an exchange student and in Uzbekistan as a volunteer teaching English. He witnessed first-hand significant differences in family, government structure, economic circumstances, school organization and many other aspects of social life. The whole society was experiencing tremendous changes because of the collapse of the Soviet Union. His research is part of his continuing effort to understand the effects of post-Soviet transition on the society.
His research focus has been education and inequality of access in post-Soviet Tajikistan. More specifically, his work highlights barriers that families face in sending their children to school and the ways that community differences constrain their decisions. In addition to his academic endeavors, Dr. Whitsel has worked with international organizations like UNICEF-Tajikistan on projects about social aspects of poverty and the Soros Foundation on projects with early childhood education in Tajikistan.
Courses
- Sociology 340, Social Research Methods
- Sociology 341, Social Research Methods Lab
- Sociology 700: Qualitative Methods
