Office: DERR M21 
Phone: 245-8905
E-Mail: sm09@txstate.edu

Hello and welcome to my webpage! To give you a few laughs to start with, I'll share some of my history with you!

Back in the 70s, I was a sociology major (psychology minor) at Southwest Texas State University . I lived in a 12 X 50 trailer along the Blanco River on River Road (the trailer park is gone now. . . SO MUCH has changed in San Marcos !)



Although I didn't know I'd wind up teaching at Texas State , I guess The Sociology of Pop Music was already an idea in my head. Two VERY important items in my trailer were my piano. . . and my guitar!

I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1979, and my Master of Arts at Teaching Sociology in 1980 from Southwest Texas . When I graduated with my B.A., graduation ceremonies were held in the middle of our old, tiny football field, across from married housing and now under that huge Strahan parking lot!

One of my first jobs (and one of my most beloved!) was working as counselor, sociology teacher, and bus driver for severely physically disabled young adults working on their college degrees through The Jaycee Campus of the Victoria College , located on the grounds of Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital. We had a blast! I'd take these students all over the state to check out colleges, and we'd go out to eat and/or dancing, or have parties at the center. Sometimes, we'd dress up in the 60's and 70's outfits, put on the oldies but goldies and party most of the night!

After the Jaycee Campus, I went to Navarro College for a year as the sociology instructor, but Corsicana just wasn't for me. I came back to Southwest Texas State and did some work on disability services, and I also taught Effective Learning (EDP 1300) for the College of Education . I really enjoyed seeing students change from failing grades to “A” grades by the end of the semester!

Next, I went to Texas A&M and was in administration (Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs) for five years, and then, yep, you guessed it, I came back to Southwest Texas . I began teaching half-time in the Sociology Department, and the other half-time I was Assistant to the Dean of Liberal Arts. In 1996, I came back to the Sociology Department full-time, and I'm hoping to be here as long as they'll have me!

It is hard for me to believe that I have been attached to this campus and the town of San Marcos for over 30 years, but I guess it is obvious that I LOVE Texas State and San Marcos. I was born and raised in Waco , but San Marcos has been HOME to me for most of my life!

Another love of my life has been teaching! My areas of interest are Multicultural Relations, Social Stratification and Inequality, and the Sociology of Popular Music. I also teach Introduction to Sociology, but I am best known on campus, probably, for the Pop Music course. This course was truly a labor of love, several years in the making, and a course I am constantly updating since the time period ranges from the late 1800's through today! Check out the website if you think you might be interested in taking the course as an elective or as credit toward the sociology major or pop culture minor.

You are welcome to call me at 512-245-8905 or e-mail me at sm09@txstate.edu or come by my office (ELA 246) if you have questions for me or about my courses. If you have the chance, and the time, I'd welcome you into any or all of my classes. Take care!

-- Sharon Miley

During Summer Session II, Lecturer Sharon Miley teaches two courses with complementary subject matter that are completed in less than three weeks. These courses were first offered SSII 2005, and the student response was very positive! Students may take one (3 semester credit hours) or both (6 semester credit hours) courses. The time frame is short and intense! SOCI 3324 Social Stratification (formerly Lifestyles) meets from 8 – 4:30 Mondays and Tuesdays for three weeks. SOCI 3327 Multicultural Relations meets from 8 – 4:30 Wednesdays and Thursdays for three weeks. Each class breaks for lunch from 11:45-12:45 , and there are two 15-minute breaks each morning and each afternoon. Given the focused, intense nature of the course offerings, students must be sure they can attend class 100% of the time to successfully complete the course(s). Both courses are virtually the same as those offered during the long semesters, and both require textbook reading. Class time includes lecture as well as individual, group, and class exercises and activities. A few activities and exercises are completed outside of class. Each class has two tests and a final exam. No term papers are required, per se, but as a part of the final exam, students will complete and out-of-class reflection essay detailing what they have learned in the course. Click on the link(s) below to get sample syllabi of the courses for your information. Should you have additional questions, please e-mail Sharon Miley at sm09@txstate.edu or call her at 512-245-8905.