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    • About Michelle Napierski-Prancl

    Professor of Sociology Michelle Napierski-Prancl, Ph.D., teaches sociology and women’s studies courses, directs the Sociology program and has served as director of the Helen M. Upton Center for Women’s Studies. Her research focuses on gender, work, family, media and popular culture. Her book, Mothers Work: Confronting the Mommy Wars, Raising Children and Working for Social Change was published in 2019 by Rowman & Littlefield.

    Recent Courses Taught

    SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
    SOC/WST 206: Sociology of Families
    SOC/WST 208: Race & Ethnic Relations
    SOC/WST 209: Gender & Sexuality
    SOC/WST 222: Women, Health & the Body
    SOC/ANT 248: Culture, Childhood & Sesame Street
    SOC/WST 248: Feminism and Childhood
    SOC 304: Sociology of the Media
    SOC/WST 318: Women & Work
    SOC 337: Research Methods for Sociology
    SOC 350: Research for the Professions
    SOC/CRJ 403: Senior Seminar
    WST 405: Women’s Studies Forum
    SOC 410: Honors Project in Sociology

    Research Interests

    Gender, work, family, media, and popular culture

    Selected Publications

    Mothers Work: Confronting the Mommy Wars, Raising Children and Working for Social Change was published in 2019 by Rowman & Littlefield.

    2016  “Brandy You’re a Fine Name: The Intersection of Popular Music and the Naming of Infant Girls from 1965-1985.” Studies in Popular Culture.

    2014 “Viewing 90210 from 12203: Affluent TV teens Inspire a Cohort of Middle Class Women.”  How Television Shapes Our World View: Media Representatives of Social Trends and Change,  edited by D. A. Macey,  K. M. Ryan & N. J. Springer. NY: Lexington Books, a division of Rowman and Littlefield.

    Educational Background

    Ph.D., University at Albany
    B.A., Siena College