Faculty Profile

Dr. Scott Henson

Name: Scott Henson
Title: Assistant Professor of Political Science Courses Taught: International Politics, Contemporary Global Issues, East Asian Studies. This year Henson began teaching a special topics class, International Organizations and Law.
Education: B.A., Gardner-Webb University; M.F.A., Queens University; M.B.A., The Fuqua School of Business, Duke; M.A., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University.
At Maryville College since: 2006

When it came time to begin his academic career, Dr. Scott Henson chose Maryville College because “my vision of academic life was a small, liberal arts college where relationships run deep, mentoring is possible, and interdisciplinary work is encouraged.”

He himself brings a significant background in many disciplines, with interests ranging from philosophy of religion (his undergraduate major) to videography and journalism to political science with a particular interest in international issues and globalization.

Of the courses he is teaching, he has this to say: “International Politics is a core component of the Political Science major and is in the center of my research. I really enjoy the class; it is a headline a minute. I also appreciate the opportunity to teach the Contemporary Global Issues class. It doesn’t have a home in a major, but is very interdisciplinary. I get to bring in so many interesting things from international climate change to the International Monetary Fund. I also teach East Asia World Cultures, which is a favorite of mine because we delve into so many facets of culture and how this impacts areas such as politics and views of globalization. This year I am teaching a new special topics class, International Organizations and Law. This draws on my research in international law, concerns about justice, and human rights projects. I am really excited about this class. It meshes so well with Maryville College’s purpose: to create leaders who will make a difference in the world.”

This summer Dr. Henson and five MC students will spend time in two rural villages in China, doing research under the auspices of an Asian Network/Freeman Foundation grant. They’ll be studying the impact of globalization on rural areas.

In his work with these students and others, Dr. Henson hopes to empower students for their future, and expects them to change the world.

Experiential Learning Opportunities:

As part of the Leadership in Action class of the Model United Nations, students have an opportunity to visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and learn first-hand about U.N. activities. This year five students accompanied Dr. Scott Brunger on a U.N. visit, March 15-19, 2008. Social Sciences students Robbie Champion, ’08 and Joshua Florea, ’08, were joined by other MC students, Andi Morrow '09, Nina Verevkina '09, and Shokrieh Rezabaksh (CELL).

Students in Dr. Mark O'Gorman's Spring, 2008, ENV/PLS 345: Environmental Politics class are working on campus greening activities called the Environmental Service Projects. Identifying uses for debris fields near the restored Alumni Gym; identifiying energy saving items to have contractors install before they complete; and planting native shrubbery and chestnut trees near the Crawford House parking lot are among the projects the students will undertake.

All Environmental Studies students do an internship or practicum related to their field. Recent practica have included: Meredith Maynard ‘05 working with a backcountry fire-fighting team in the Western US; Ralph Anderson ‘07 in a summer practicum in Acadia National Park, Maine; Matt Frease ‘05 working on “leave no trace” back packing protocols in Powderhorn, CO.

Students are encouraged to do an internship prior to graduation. Examples of some internships undertaken during 2007-08 include: Scott Stevens ’08, Ruby Tuesday; Matt Moody ’09, law firm of Logan, Thompson, Miller, Bilbo and Thompson; Cory Everett ‘09, Blount Memorial Hospital.

Opportunities abound for debate and discussion, both in and out of class. For example, Economics students participate in formal debates on current economic issues and students in First-Year January term seminar, Perspectives on the Environment, role-play the concerns of various constituents involved in environmental disputes.

Sociology students interested in the Sociology of Appalachia are compiling oral histories of African Americans in Appalachia and former residents of Cades Cove, and are conducting research on the culture of food in the area in conjunction with a Smithsonian Institute exhibit.

In the capstone BUS 401 course, Business and International Business students present their analyses of companies to executives of regional organizations and field questions as part of the Executive Panel Presentations.

Social Sciences professors are involved in offering January term trips for academic credit. For example, January, 2008, Dr. Scott Brunger, along with Dr. Mardi Craig, took 16 students to South Africa; Dr. Scott Henson (with Dr. Agnes Wan and Dr. Sam Overstreet) led a study trip to China; and emeritus professor Dean Boldon with Dr. Margaret Cowan, traveled to Malta and Sicily. Social Sciences students also s

Quick fact:

Quick fact: Four Social Sciences students--Brian Wilder '08, Taylor Bates-Rogers ‘09, Travis Sibley '09, and Wesley Love ‘09--represented Maryville College at The Thirtieth Annual College Symposium on Ethical Issues and Decision-Making held in Hilton Head, SC, November 1-3, 2007. Dr. Jenifer Greene, Assistant Professor of Management, was the faculty member in charge.

Social Sciences at MC

Social Sciences Faculty

	Dr. Susan Ambler Associate Professor of Sociology Education: B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., PH.D., The Ohio State University Thaw Hall 203C (865) 981-8232 susan.ambler@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Tricia Bruce Assistant Professor of Sociology Education: B.A., Southwestern University M.A., Ph.D., University of California Santa Barbara Thaw Hall 203A (865) 981-8129 tricia.bruce@maryvillecollege.edu My Website
	Dr. Scott Brunger Professor of Economics Education: B.A., Yale University Ph.D., New School for Social Research Thaw Hall 203B (865) 981-8262 scott.brunger@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. John Gallagher Professor of Management Education: B.A., Boston College; M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Tennessee Thaw Hall 213D (865) 981-8235 john.gallagher@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Jenifer Greene Interim Division Chair and Associate Professor of Management Education: B.S,. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; M.B.A., M.S., Ph.D., Clemson University Thaw Hall 213C (865) 981-8047 jenifer.greene@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Frances Henderson Assistant Professor of Political Science Education: B.A., Syracuse University; M.A., Cornell University; Ph.D., Washington University Thaw Hall 213B (865) 981-8219 frances.henderson@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Scott Henson Assistant Professor of Political Science Education: B.A., Gardner-Webb University; M.F.A., Queens University; M.B.A., The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University; M.A., M.L.A.S., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Thaw Hall 213 A (865) 981-8260 scott.henson@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Sherry Kasper Professor of Economics Education: B.A., DePauw University; M.P.A., University of Colorado; M.A., Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville Thaw Hall 212 (865) 981-8231 sherry.kasper@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Sharon May Assistant Professor of Economics Education: B.A., Wilson College; M.A., Maxwell School, Syracuse University; M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University Thaw Hall 211 (865) 981-8343 sharon.may@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Victoria Messman Assistant Professor of Management Education: B.S., M.B.A., University of Southern Mississippi; Ph.D., University of Tennessee Thaw Hall 204B (865) 981-8234 victoria.messman@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Mark O'Gorman Associate Professor of Political Science, Coordinator of Environmental Studies Program Education: B.A., Lawrence University M.A., Ph.D., Syracuse University Thaw Hall 203D (865) 981-8048 mark.ogorman@maryvillecollege.edu
	Mr. Clay Shwab Visiting Instructor of Management Education: M.S., B.A., University of Tennessee Thaw Hall 204A (865) 981-8261 clay.shwab@maryvillecollege.edu
	Dr. Mary Kay Sullivan Professor Emeritus Education: B.A., University of Arkansas; M.A., Bryn Mawr College; M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville Thaw Hall 218 (865) 273-8872 marykay.sullivan@maryvillecollege.edu
	Ms. Rebecca Treadway Associate Professor of Management Education: B.S., University of Tennessee; M.B.A., Middle Tennessee State University; Certification in Internal Accounting; Certification in Public Accounting, TN Thaw Hall 218B (865) 981-8341 rebecca.treadway@maryvillecollege.edu

Social Sciences Extended Staff

	Mr. Zachary McKenney Administrative Assistant, Part Time Thaw Hall zack.mckenney@maryvillecollege.edu
	Ms. Paula Orr Administrative Assistant Thaw Hall 205 (865) 981-8236 paula.orr@maryvillecollege.edu