Dr. Kurt Borchard's headshot

Dr. Kurt Borchard

Professor
borchardk@unk.edu
(308) 865-8761
COPH 120D
Department of Sociology
Research focus areas: Ethnography, Qualitative Research Methods, Homelessness, Experimental Writing, Contemporary Sociological Theory, Critical Media Studies, Holocaust Studies, Criminology

Areas of Expertise

  • Criminology
  • Sociology

Education Background

PhD., University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1998

MA, University of Colorado, 1993

BA, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 1990

Teaching Philosophy

“I love helping students see the world differently. In my classes I try to present information clearly and directly, and I’m always looking for examples so students can connect the more abstract material to their own lives. Our social world is increasingly complex and diverse. Sociology is all about going beyond our own individual perspectives. I think sociology is crucial for helping anyone make sense of present life.”

Recent Refereed Journal Articles:

Borchard, K. 2024. "The Plastic (Inside) Us." Knowledge Cultures 12(3):90-107. https://doi.org/10.22381/kc12320245 

Borchard, K. 2024. "The Criminal in the Prison-House of Language: Conceptual Writing to Re-present Havelock Ellis’ Use of 'The Criminal' in His Book, The Criminal." Rhizomes: Cultural Studies in Emerging Knowledge 30. http://rhizomes.net/issue40/borchard/borchard.html 

Borchard, K. 2024. “The Subjection of the Girl of the Period: Conceptual Writing in Response to Overturning Roe vs. Wade.” Departures in Critical Qualitative Research 13(1):77-97.  https://doi.org/10.1525/dcqr.2024.13.1.77  

Borchard, K. 2023. “2021: A Pandemic Odyssey.” Journal of Autoethnography. 4(4): 521–537. https://doi.org/10.1525/joae.2023.4.4.521 

Borchard, K. 2023. “Conceptual Autoethnography: Every Third Line from Work Emails I Sent in 2021.” Knowledge Cultures 11(2):124–149. https://doi.org/10.22381/kc11220238 

Borchard, K. 2023. “Global Trains of Thought: Coupling Derailment, Environment, Racism, Movement, Progress.”  Qualitative Inquiry. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778004231186570 

Borchard, K. 2023. “The Van Gogh Experience: Transgressions in Concept, Design, and Writing.” Departures in Critical Qualitative Research 12(1):50-68. https://doi.org/10.1525/dcqr.2023.12.1.50

Awards

Borchard has been a fellow of the:

  • Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies Curt C. and Else Silberman Summer Seminar, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C. (in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018)
  • Auschwitz Jewish Center A Bridge to History Holocaust Study Tour, Auschwitz Jewish Center, Oswiecim, Poland. (in 2017)
  • Memorial Library Olga Lengyel Institute Summer Seminar, New York, NY. (in 2016)
  • Schusterman Center for Israel Studies Summer Seminar, Brandeis University (in 2010)
  • Annual Summer Institute on the Holocaust and Jewish Civilization, Holocaust Educational Foundation, Northwestern University (in 2003)

He has twice won the UNK Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award (in 2009 and 2010)

Courses taught

  • SOC 100, Introduction to Sociology
  • SOC 275, Social Psychology
  • SOC 300, Sociological Theory
  • SOC 340, The Holocaust
  • SOC 360, Criminology 
  • SOC 461, Deviance and Social Control

Sociology Faculty Research Directory