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Research

My current research focuses on the social construction of age. I have just completed an article (forthcoming in the Journal of Aging Studies) which examines how individuals make their own age --and age in general -- meaningful to the context of embodiment. I draw on interviews to understand how people's experiences of the body influence their experience of age, and vice versa. This is part of a larger project which will eventually result in a book that develops a sociology of age as distinct from the more usual focus in sociology on gerontology and old age. I draw on typically disparate literatures in sociology -- on children, adolescence, youth, and old age -- to conceptualize age more generally. In the book, I will be mining interviews to examine how age is understood and experienced not only in the context of embodiment, but also in the contexts of work, family and interpersonal relationships, and civic life.

Selected Publications

  • forthcoming. "Age Embodied." Journal of Aging Studies.

  • "Act your Age. 1998. Sociological Forum 13:85-114.

  • "Science Fiction and Introductory Sociology: The Handmaid in the Classroom." 1996. Teaching Sociology 24:53-64.


    • Selected Presentations

  • "Teaching Critical Thinking in the Sociology Curriculum" with Louis Anderson. American Sociological Association, 2002.

  • "Mentoring Faculty" with Carolyn Perucci. American Sociological Association, Chairs Conference, 2002.

  • "Teaching Through Crisis" with Susan McWilliams. Eastern Sociological Society, 2002.

  • "Teaching Writing in the Sociology Curriculum" with Mark Ellis. Eastern Sociological Society, 1999.

  • "Integrating Active Learning into Sociology Classes," 2-day workshop Designed for Faculty and graduate students at Emory University, 1998.


    • Selected Service

  • Chair, Sociology Department 1997-present

  • CAS Dean's Search Committee, 2000-01, 2001-02

  • Associate Editor, Teaching Sociology (1997-2000)

  • Undergraduate Education Committee, Eastern Sociological Society (1998-2000)

  • USM Women's Studies Council (1992-present)

  • USM Writing Assessment Committee (2001-present)


    		•  OFFICE:
    120 Bedford Street
    Portland
    (207) 780-4101
    (207) 780-5698 (fax)
    cherlaz@usm.maine.edu (office)
    claz1@maine.rr.com (home)

    MAILING:
    Deparment of Sociology
    University of Southern Maine
    96 Falmouth Street
    P.O. Box 9300
    Portland ME 04104-9300

    Cheryl's Links:
    LAZ HOME
     About Me
    Teaching
     Research

    A member of the University of Maine System USM: University of Southern Maine [home page]