My name is Jon Witt. I was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I went to college and graduate school in the Chicago area and received my Ph.D. in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago. I am married to Lori and we have two unbelievably great kids. Emily is 14 and in 9th grade, and Eleanor is 12 and is in 7th grade. I teach at Central College in Pella, Iowa where we live. We have been in Pella and at Central since moving from Chicago in 1993. Lori teaches U.S. History at Central College and received her Ph.D. in history (also from Loyola).
I wanted an Internet presence not because I want to sell books, but because I believe there’s a need for a site that can provide links that encourage the practice of both personal and public sociology. My goal for this site is to provide a place for ideas, observations, and links of sociological interest. I think sociology should inform our personal and public understanding, so we should be able to find those connections all around us. I plan to post comments based on what I observe around me, as well as suggestions for books, articles, and links. I hope others will feel free to share their comments and suggestions as well.
My current book is titled “SOC” (McGraw-Hill) and it provides a visually engaging introduction to sociology. McGraw-Hill conducted extensive ethnographic research to better understand factors that shape student learning and willingness to read and the results of this research shaped the format and content of SOC. SOC is part of their M-series of books, all of which provide students with accessible content that will facilitate learning and retention. I really do think everyone needs sociology, so this book represents my attempt to provide the essential insights of the discipline in a way that is accessible and interesting.
My first book was titled “The Big Picture: A Sociology Primer” (McGraw-Hill). My goal for the book was to provide an accessible and interesting introduction to what it means to look at the world sociologically. The sociological perspective can provide us with insight that we can use both individually and collectively. As individuals it can help us to better understand our selves and to shape how we act (what I call “personal sociology”). It also provides us with tools necessary to do a better job in making collective decisions in the workplace or in politics (what I and others call “public sociology“). The book came out in the summer of 2006.
December 4, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Dr. Witt,
Just stumbled across this nifty little site. Bearing down for the end of the semester right now. I have two 20 page proposals due and a take home essay final. It’s like Central all over again!
I miss sociology at Central. It’s not the same here. Too many jaded people. But perhaps I’m just being gloomy. Hope all is well!
-mat w.
January 20, 2007 at 8:00 am
Professer Witt,
Love your book.I don’t know if you know me.I had
you for a teacher a few years ago.Your the best
teacher I’ve ever had.I miss Central a lot but
life does have to go on doesn’t it?Again, I love
your book.
-Jennie E.
February 28, 2007 at 1:53 am
Hello Jon Witt,
I came across your site while following up on the McClatchey newspapers report on growing poverty.
Your blog is the most interesting and valuable I have ever seen. I will be back daily. And I will contact you soon re some ongoing projects that will coalesce some meaningful online audiences. Today you have brought your view of sociology to my view of meaningful. I hope you may become an engaged colleague in good company.
I cannot write more at the moment. Back soon. The beauty and value of your online communication is astonishing.
Edith Wiethorn
September 30, 2007 at 7:13 am
Hi Jon,
I love your book. I am a soc teacher at another school and I wish I could use your book in my classes. Unfortunately my school won’t let me use it. This is a very good soc book.
A Fellow Soc Teacher
October 22, 2007 at 3:48 am
I admire the way your post categories are the chapters from your book, and then more — so that varied-seeming topics find their inherent relationship to the whole.
A few words of experience with WordPress from you would be critically helpful at this time when I want to launch a project presence on WordPress by Monday.
I have been writing a summary of a complex civil rights and land rights case which has gone completely awry to date because — it has not yet had the attention of someone who knows how to marshall the available facts so that they add up to create some legal leverage.
Tomorrow my summary will be reviewed by the Governor of the state where these blatant injustices have been taking place. And of course there is much more.
Also by Monday I would like to launch the content of this case summary as a weblog on WordPress. And, following your unique weblog example, I want to make the subject posting categories the sections of the summary, which has been written with this organizational strategy as a helpful aid — and with the weblog in mind.
I’ve read just about every word on WordPress’s website and I do not see any provision for using categories other than their arbitrary selections. My timeline is critical. I can forge ahead with setting up the weblog tonight and I will find out, one way or another. Or, any cue from you would be a real helping hand in time of need — not only for myself.
You have my email address in the site records. I will be checking or sending email every few hours.
Thank you if you can help.
Best regards,
Edie Frederick
December 23, 2007 at 5:26 am
Hi!
I’m a college student at TN Technological University, and I decided to take a Sociology class as an elective in Spring. I recently started reading your book to prepare for next semester. Days later, I finished the book because it was so interesting.
-I like how you made an outline of each chapter.
-I also love the conversational tone.
-I also like how you sited each reference within the reading and added recommended resources.
-I like how you showed that every theory is supported by research.
There are so many great aspects of this book! I appreciate your work!
Thanks,
Azurae Johnson
October 10, 2008 at 1:38 am
Hello Jon,
I would like to revisit and cite a study you posted about some time ago on your weblog — regarding the differences in middle class incomes under Republican and Democratic Presidents.
Today I can’t find it under the categories Income or Politics.
Could you send me a link? or even repost it since it is a timely thought.
Thank you and best wishes,
EF
February 17, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I just received an exam. copy of this text. This text is downright insulting to any serious sociologist. It looks like a cheap glossy magazine filled with cutesy pictures I have never seen such a clear case of pandering to the shallowness and idiocy of students. This text should have never been published and the school that awarded the author his Ph.D should retract it immediately. Shallow teachers make even shallower students.
September 19, 2009 at 11:13 am
you are making an extremely large judgement not only about a professor you don’t know but about thousands of students who are learning and excelling from this book. your comment was extremely inappropriate and down right rude. And for someone who studies sociology, you really should know better.
September 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Dear Insurgent Sociologist:
You might consider coming down off your high horse. The book is pedagogically, factually, and theoretically sound. And, by the way, it speaks to students. What else do you want?
If I might kindly suggest, you could do well to listen to Sarah et al.
Sincerely,
A teacher
April 15, 2009 at 9:54 am
I read your posts for quite a long time and should tell that your articles are always valuable to readers.
August 26, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Hello Professor Witt,
I was so impressed with your work and the backstory of McGraw-Hill’s student ethnography that I convinced my entire department to adopt your book. It is now in the hands of 1,000+ K-State students. We also worked with the publisher to customize the book, including some activities that are aimed to fulfill our mission towards active and experiential learning. Congrats on a remarkable product!
You’ll probably be glad to meet me.
Susan Williams, Associate Professor, Kansas State University
September 19, 2009 at 11:12 am
Dear Prof Witt,
I’m taking a soc 101 class now as a psych major and i love it! you’re book has been so helpful. I’m reading chapter 12 about gender and age right now and noticed that you put more about boys being picked on when not masculine traits are shown than girls, and i think it is important to include both because girls are treated equally as poorly by their peers (reference…mean girls)
thanks for listening
sarah
ps…whoever “insurgent sociologist” is, you are making an extremely large judgement not only about a professor you don’t know but about thousands of students who are learning and excelling from this book. your comment was extremely inappropriate and down right rude. And for someone who studies sociology, you really should know better.
October 26, 2009 at 10:29 am
Hello Jon Witt- I am a returning student at age 48 to Soc class. My teacher is using this book. I am getting an A so far. I really like this book and the relevant images and style of this book. It is culturally relevant. Television, our news broadcast presentations, are all fast and furious. All culture seems to be at lighting speed. having a text book like this makes me a believer that I can still stay engaged in these techno-modern times. I am riveted by sociology. The book is great. My young adult children think it’s the bomb!