University of Nebraska Kearney

Sociology
Office: COPH 120F
Phone: 308-865-8761
borchardk@unk.edu

Education Background
PhD University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1998
MA University of Colorado, 1993
BA University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 1990

Teaching Philosophy

I believe:

• in setting high academic standards that encourage advanced learning.
• in being clear about my expectations. When students know exactly what they need to accomplish, they are more likely to be successful.
• that class lectures should be organized and purposeful. To this end, I use overheads to outline my lectures and to clarify key ideas.
• that classroom material should be relevant to the students' life experience. Whenever possible I try to use personalized, modern examples.
• that the classroom should involve a variety of educational tools including, but not limited to , projects presentations, in-class discussions, and videos.
• that social policy discussions should be a part of every sociology class. Such discussions help students to recognize and appreciate the practical application, and immediate relevance, of sociological knowledge.
• in being flexible in my approach. I recognize that every class has its own personality and therefore is unique.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Sociology

Social Problems

Social Psychology

Criminology

Juvenile Delinquency

Senior Seminar

Sociology of the Holocaust

Recent Publications

Kurt Borchard. 2005. The Word on the Street: Homeless Men in Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NV: University of Nevada Press.

Kurt Borchard. 2003. "From Flanerie to Psuedo-Flanerie: The Postmodern Tourist in Las Vegas." Studies in Symbolic Interaction 26:191-213.

Other

See Dr. Borchard's book at Nevada Press.