Teaching
Through my teaching practices, I strive to equip students with a toolkit that allows them to view the workings of the world through a sociological lens. In doing so, students are allowed a greater sense of control over their often unpredictable and precarious futures. I start from the assumption that students enroll in the course with minimal understanding of the topic at hand. Through an introductory video posted on Blackboard well in advance of the first day of class, I encourage students to share more about their undergraduate majors/minors, year, motivation for taking the class, and what I can do to help them get the most out of the course. Although I make no assumptions about students’ familiarity with sociology, I do not shy away from assigning readings and coursework that challenge students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Assigning readings from a wide variety of scholars allows students to be acquainted with different ways of writing and thinking. Just as I spend time getting to know how my students think, I encourage students to get to know the assigned authors through Ted Talks, short interviews, or clips from podcasts that feature them verbally relaying the findings from their research. Witnessing students from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities embrace learning about sociology is an immense privilege. I take seriously the commitment and responsibility of teaching and strive to make sure that every student is provided with the tools to foster their critical thinking and navigate their world. Read my full teaching philosophy here.
Teaching Interests
The courses I am prepared to teach include:
Work and Labor: Sociology of Work and Labor, Race, Gender, and Class at Work, Labor in the Food System
Urban Sociology: Urban Sociology, Sociology of Urban Poverty, Social Inequality, Nonprofits, Foundations, and Charities, Sociology of Housing & Homelessness
Food Studies: Sociology of Food, The Political Economy of Food, Urban Food Systems, Global Agrifood Systems, The History of Healthy Eating in America
Foundational Courses: Classical Sociological Theory, Contemporary Sociological Theory, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods, Interviewing, Ethnography
“Katie Mott has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, intellectual curiosity, and passion for the study of sociology. In Sociology of Work and Labour, she consistently showed up to class and made herself available for students. She gave me helpful feedback on class assignments so I could improve on my papers. Her feedback paid off and I finished the course with an A. During lectures when students were not participating, she spoke up and contributed to the class discussion, which in turn encouraged the class to participate as well. This is a testament to her ability to engage a class, synthesize complex sociological concepts with a depth and nuance that sets her apart from her other peers, and relay the information in simple terms for students. Katie is determined to make learning interactive and impactful for students. Furthermore, Katie’s flexibility and “can do” attitude makes her an incredible teacher. She is passionate about the topics being taught and is ready to share her knowledge with the world. She was also the first TA to pronounce my name correctly and that made me admire her. Her vibes are immaculate.”
“The pacing of lectures was very easy to comprehend. Discussions were open and comfortable. You learn to think about problems in a subjective and critical way from the beginning of the class, and it’s almost impossible not to form your own supported opinions. Learning about original sociologists and their concepts as the foundation of the course was extremely interesting to me.”
“Katie Mott has been an outstanding TA in Professor Purser’s SOC 406 Fall 2021 class. Katie was well-versed in sociological theory, and it was clear from her enthusiasm during syllabus week that she would be an engaged and thoughtful TA for the rest of the semester. Katie was constantly checking on students to see if they understood the material, and if they were confused, she would gladly reexplain it in simpler terms. She was always quick to return papers and left thoughtful comments, indicating that she thoroughly read each one. She even went so far as to organize an entire review session for any student just before the midterm. Katie was a very personable TA who always made sure the students were engaged in class and that we all knew she was there to help us when we needed it. ”
“In fall 2021, Katie served as the TA for my course, Sociological Theory (SOC 406), which is a requirement for all sociology majors. Katie immediately proved herself to be a phenomenally competent teaching assistant, executing each and every task asked of her with grace, punctuality, and skill. Of the more than a dozen TAs with whom I have had the opportunity to work over the years, none have gained my confidence as quickly and unreservedly as did Katie.”