Charles Brown, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Sociology, Sociology and Anthropology at Albright College
From Reading, Pa.

I thought it might be nice to provide a small introduction to myself since we will be spending the interim together. A certain amount of mystique is always good, so I won't tell you everything (besides, I'm sure that you wouldn't be interested anyway). For starters, I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington). I received my Bachelors degree in sociology from Oregon State University, my Masters degree from the University of South Florida, and my Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. I also spent two years as a visiting assistant professor at Ohio University before accepting a full-time tenure track position here at Albright College. My major research interests in sociology include culture, religion, and popular culture. My master's thesis was a formulaic analysis of the lyrics and major themes of Conservative Christian speed/thrash metal music. My dissertation (the book that is written for the Ph.D.) incorporates interviews, participant observation, and secondary literature to analyze the production of contemporary evangelical Christian culture, especially popular culture, and how various tensions within the industry are recognized and mediated. Im currently working on two new projects: one in the sociology of the paranormal, the other in the sociology of extreme sport. I enjoy snow skiing & boarding, mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and rock climbing.

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Interests + Expertise

Religion Cultural sociology, mass media and popular culture Social theory Social movements

Education

University of South Florida
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Oregon State University

Work Experience

Associate Professor at Albright College

COURSES TAUGHT:

Soc 101: Introduction to Sociology

Soc 201: Social Problems

Soc 230: Cultural Sociology

Soc 231: Cults and New Religious Movements

Soc 240: Research Methods

Soc 241: Social Theory

Soc 331: Mass Media & Popular Culture

Soc 333: Sociology of Religion

Soc 334: Religion and Popular Culture

Soc 335: Collective Behavior and Social Movements

Soc 481: Advanced Social Theory

Soc 490: Senior Seminar

Soc J-14: Sport & Leisure

Gateway: (Required course for all incoming freshman 2 sections)

COMMITTEE & COLLEGE SERVICE:

Departmental Chair, Sociology (2005-2009/ 2017-2021)

Professional Council Committee (2008-2010)

Alpha Advising Committee (2002-2010)

Information Development Committee (2003-2014 Chair of Committee 2011-2014/ 2020-Present)

College Honors Subcommittee (2003-2009)

Gateway Committee (2002-2004)

Education Policy Committee (2004-2008; 2011-2014)

Orientation Program Committee (2003-2005)

Faculty Executive Committee (2014-2020)

SERVICE TO THE DISCIPLINE:

Book Review Co-Editor, Journal of Religion and Popular Culture 1/2010-Present

Reviewer, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

Reviewer, Review of Religious Research

Reviewer, Journal of Contemporary Ethnography

August 2001 - Present

Visiting Assistant Professor at Ohio University

COURSES TAUGHT:
Soc 101: Introduction to Sociology
Soc 351: Research Methods
Soc 403/503: Development of Sociological Thought
Soc 413/513: Mass Communication
Soc 428: Sociology of Religion
Soc 298T: Honors Tutorial in Popular Culture & Mass Media

August 1999 - June 2001

Projects + Publications

Faith as a Cultural Resource: Minimizing Uncertainty in the Christian Retailing and Entertainment Industry

Unpublished paper at the Association for the Sociology of Religion Annual Meetings, Las Vegas, NV.

August 2011 - Others

Selling Faith: Marketing Christian Popular Culture to Christian and Non-Christian Audiences

Published in Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, 2012 | ABSTRACT: Scholars of Christian popular culture generally focus upon the messages communicated by the objects produced, or the way objects reinforce an evangelical collective identity. This paper focuses on the members of the Christian popular culture industry rather than the objects produced. Specifically, I explore how industry members address the tension that occurs when industry members must decide whether to target their marketing efforts toward fellow Christians, or toward those outside the subculture in an attempt to evangelize non-Christians. Data are comprised of interviews with employees at Christian record labels, publishing houses, and so on along with secondary sources devoted to the industry.

Publications

Apocalyptic Unbound: An Interpretation of Christian Speed/Thrash Metal Music

Published in Religious Innovation in a Global Age: Essays On The Construction of Spirituality, 2004 | edited by George N. Lundskow.

Publications

Musical Responses to Oppression and Alienation: Blues, Spirituals, Secular Thrash, and Christian Thrash Metal Music

Published in International Journal of Politics, Culture and Society, 1995.

Publications

Achievements Added by Charles

Charles Brown, Ph.D. was recognized for graduating

Added by Charles

Charles Brown, Ph.D. was recognized for graduating

Added by Charles

Charles Brown, Ph.D. was recognized for graduating

Added by Charles