Volker Frank, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology

Contact Information

  • vfrank@unca.edu
  • 251-6981
  • 212 Zageir Hall

 

Office Hours

By appointment only.

 

I came to UNC Asheville in 1996. Looking back, I can honestly say that this has been a most rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. One of the aspects that attracted me to UNC Asheville is its faculty. Over the years, I have met numerous colleagues and have a deep respect for what we do and try to accomplish here at this liberal arts university. Though small, we are quite a vibrant place, faculty are engaged in research, student projects, and we all are profoundly committed to teaching. Students are taken very seriously here, which allows us to produce a first rate education.

My research and teaching interest relate to processes of democratization, civil society, labor movements, comparative studies (Europe and Latin America). Courses I have taught include Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Social Movements, Social and Cultural Inquiry, Development in Latin America, Sociology through Film, and more. Whenever possible, I also teach courses in the Humanities (324, 414, LS 479).  Needless to say, Asheville is a great place to live in.

Education

  • BA 1983 University of Tuebingen, Germany, Political Science, American Studies
  • MA 1987 University of Florida, Masters of Arts in Latin American Studies
  • PhD 1995 University of Notre Dame, Sociology

This faculty member teaches in UNC Asheville's Humanities Program.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Sociology (Soc 100), Introductory Colloquium (LS 179), Social Problems (Soc 210), Classical Sociological Theory (Soc 225), Social and Cultural Inquiry (Soc/Ant 225), Social Movements (Soc 240), Sociology of Development (Soc 357), Labor Movement Formation in Comparative Perspective (Soc 446), Sociology and Modern Culture: Sociology through Film (Soc 410), Humanities The Individual in the Modern World (1945-) (Hum 414), Humanities The Modern World (1700s-1945) (Hum 324), Masters of Liberal Arts-Human Condition (MLA 500) Masters of Arts -Contemporary Issues (MLA 600), Introductory Colloquium (LS 379), Senior Colloquium- Cultivating Global Citizenship (LS 479), International Studies – Honduras Service Learning (INTS 365), Senior Symposium (Soc/Ant 465).

This faculty member teaches in UNC Asheville's Humanities Program.

Teaching and Research Interests

  • Latin American Studies
  • Theory
  • Labor Movements in Comparative Perspective
  • Democratization