Whitman College Sociology

Whitman College Sociology Welcome to the Whitman College Department of Sociology page! Learn about events, student an

Earlier today, students and faculty gathered to hear Amy Blau’s talk, “Where’s the Data? Finding Government Data in Inte...
09/26/2026

Earlier today, students and faculty gathered to hear Amy Blau’s talk, “Where’s the Data? Finding Government Data in Interesting Times.”

The talk explored the history of U.S. government information and Open Data, challenges to preserving and accessing this information, and organizations working to keep government data available to the public.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Last week, the Sociology Department welcomed two speakers to campus!Dr. Adina Nack presented Patient-Centered Postpartum...
09/26/2026

Last week, the Sociology Department welcomed two speakers to campus!

Dr. Adina Nack presented Patient-Centered Postpartum Care: Social Roles, Sexuality & Gender-Inclusive Support Following Childbearing Complications, while Jose Marichal presented Machine Liberalism:
Reconceptualizing Rights in the Age of Al.
Thank you to our speakers and everyone who joined us!

First student-led discussion of readings in soc senior seminar!
09/21/2026

First student-led discussion of readings in soc senior seminar!

Join us Friday, September 25 at 12 PM in Maxey 104 for a talk by Amy Blau on finding and preserving U.S. government data...
09/18/2026

Join us Friday, September 25 at 12 PM in Maxey 104 for a talk by Amy Blau on finding and preserving U.S. government data! Learn about government open data, challenges to preserving this information, and where to access these valuable resources. Pizza and cookies will be provided!

See you there!

Join us September 21 at noon in SCI 159 for a talk by Adina Nack exploring patient-centered postpartum care, social role...
09/14/2026

Join us September 21 at noon in SCI 159 for a talk by Adina Nack exploring patient-centered postpartum care, social roles, sexuality, and gender-inclusive support following childbirth complications. Lunch will be provided!

Scan the QR code to RSVP if you plan on attending.

See you there!

Join us September 21 at 7:30 PM in Maxey 104 for a talk by Jose Marichal exploring how algorithms and AI are reshaping l...
09/11/2026

Join us September 21 at 7:30 PM in Maxey 104 for a talk by Jose Marichal exploring how algorithms and AI are reshaping liberalism, rights, and democracy.

Drawing from his forthcoming book, Machine Liberalism: Reconceptualizing Rights in the Age of AI, Marichal will discuss the concept of “ontological enclosure” and how our worldviews are shaped and protected in the age of AI.

Sponsored by the Whitman College Sociology Department and the Robert and Mabel Groseclose Endowment.

See you there!

Our sociology seniors start their capstone project year playing sociology-based games. Go seniors! Go Sociology!
09/09/2026

Our sociology seniors start their capstone project year playing sociology-based games. Go seniors! Go Sociology!

Whitman Sociology student spotlight! This week, we’re featuring rising senior Lola Folk. “Hi everyone! My name is Lola F...
07/15/2026

Whitman Sociology student spotlight! This week, we’re featuring rising senior Lola Folk.

“Hi everyone! My name is Lola Folk and I am a rising senior majoring in Sociology-Environmental Studies! This summer I am staying in Walla Walla conducting research with Professor Alissa Cordner, working at Perca, and HOTWORX. As a quantitative research assistant for Professor Cordner, we are studying wildland firefighting risk, specifically looking into resource mobilization patterns and firefighter safety. We are building datasets and using quantitative methods of analysis. Alongside that, I'm interning as a lab assistant at Perca, a sustainable wastewater treatment company that uses vermifiltration (a process that uses earthworms and microorganisms to filter and break down organic waste). Currently I'm running experiments to test how well earthworms can process different types of wastewater. I'm grateful to have received the Whitman Internship Grant to make this opportunity possible! I also work as a sales associate at HOTWORX, which is an infrared sauna workout studio. I am really enjoying working in multiple fields and am learning a lot as I go!”

This summer, we’re checking in with Sociology faculty to see what they’re up to outside the classroom!This week, we’re f...
07/13/2026

This summer, we’re checking in with Sociology faculty to see what they’re up to outside the classroom!

This week, we’re featuring Professor Janning:

Michelle Janning is working on two research projects this summer: writing and content analysis related to “tidying up” and disposable culture as it relates to Japanese and Swedish influences on American conceptions of domesticity, and interview coding for a project on family experiences with ADHD. She is also taking a class that wrestles with ethics and AI use in qualitative research, which will inform her teaching and research in both sociology and human-centered design. Beyond her scholarly work, Michelle is also doing a lot of travel, including visiting her inspiring mom Yvonne in Minnesota! Additionally, rising senior soc major Lucia Hanscom will be working with her in July and August on the decluttering project.

Pictured: Michelle and her mom Yvonne Janning; books about decluttering and domestic style

This summer, we’re checking in with Sociology faculty to see what they’re up to outside the classroom!Starting off the s...
07/08/2026

This summer, we’re checking in with Sociology faculty to see what they’re up to outside the classroom!

Starting off the series is Professor Cordner:

Alissa Cordner will be in Walla Walla for most of the summer, working on her wildland firefighter research, volunteering as a wildland firefighter with the county fire department, weeding the garden, and camping and hiking with her family. Additionally, rising Sociology-Environmental Studies senior Lola Folk will work with her as a quantitative analysis research assistant.

Pictured: her garden!

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345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA
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