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• Gender and Women's Studies is part of WMU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Ms. Angela Simon

Angela K. Simon was awarded her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, in Sociology, Psychology, and Women’s Studies. She was then later awarded her Master’s Degree in Sociology, also from Western Michigan University. She has gone on to pursue her Ph.D., and is currently working diligently to finish her doctoral work in the Department of Sociology here at WMU.

Angela’s current research interests are in the areas of gender and feminism, specifically ecofeminism; animals and society; victimology; green criminology; feminist epistemologies; and nature based religions. She is currently involved in two ongoing research projects. The first is a project which develops a new ecofeminist, eco-critical, eco-centric, green victimological theory- something that has yet to be done in the field of victimology and something she has long been passionate about. The other project is an eco-critical, green sociological, ecosophical and eco-feminist exploration of zoological park spectatorship. Here she attempts to explore the reasons why zoos exist, and more importantly, why individuals visit zoos. What purposes zoos serve to individuals. She hypothesizes that, while the marketing research suggests that there are a finite number of uses for zoos, that zoos are actually multi-functional and serving many more purposes for individuals’ natural needs. She also hypothesizes then, that zoos could be a even greater resource than they already are if we understood how they are being used by the general public more fully. In addition, she is incredibly interested in understanding how humans interact with the natural world, and how humans interact with non-human animals, and she suggests that the zoo is one of the most perfect places to observe these amalgamations more closely.

Below you will find a short list of some of the titles of papers that Angela has presented at conferences across the United States in the past few years to give you an idea of the other kinds of research she has done and continues to do.

In addition to being a doctoral student, and an enthusiastic researcher, Angela is a dedicated college instructor. She has been in the classroom leading or teaching in some capacity or another for a number of years here at WMU. She started off in the Department of Sociology where she was a teaching assistant for a few years before she began teaching her own courses. She now teaches here for the Gender and Women Studies Program. She also teaches Sociology and Holistic Health courses at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Angela feels like she’s “at home” when she’s teaching in the classroom and when she is asked why she is getting her Ph.D. she often will ask someone “haven’t you ever taught… felt the fire… LIT THE FIRE?—THAT is why I’m doing it, because I want to teach—for FOREVER!” Of course she knows that one day she’ll have to retire, but hopefully not until she’s taught many more generations to light fires!

When Angela is not working, teaching, researching, or feministing, she can often be found outside enjoying nature. She can also be found spending quality time with her “puppy” son, Marley, or her niece and nephews – all of whom she has a healthy addiction to. Angela also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen- especially with curry, cinnamon, or fish!

A short selection of papers presented by Angela at conferences in the past:

“A call for an Eco-critical Eco-feminist Victimology: Understanding the historical boundaries of the discipline and pushing forward for a new paradigm” Midwest Sociological Society, 2008.

“Camp songs, stickers, and games oh-my: Integrating elementary classroom and camp counselor techniques into the college classroom” (with Marie Shenaman). Midwest Sociological Society, 2008.

“The sociological classroom takes a fieldtrip to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:
Using Harry Potter to teach sociological concepts”. Midwest Sociological Society, March 2008.

“The Sociology of Neo-Paganism, Wicca, Occultism, and other alternative spiritual traditions and practices.” Midwest Sociological Society, 2007.

“An early analysis of alternative spiritual practitioners’ altars and worship space”. Midwest Sociological Society, 2007.

“The United States Military as the offender: The exploration of the relationships between sex trafficking, forced prostitution and the United States Military using legitimate violence and cultural spillover theories.” American Society of Criminology, 2006.

“For health, healing, and happiness: Journals of amateur American bellydancers” (with Dr. Angie Moe, Yaschica Williams, Rachel Schrein, and Rebecca Hayes). Midwest Sociological Society, 2006.

“The United States is guilty: Normative military culture and traditions as examples of war crimes.” American Society of Criminology, November 2005.

“Sex trafficking and forced prostitution: Advancements in an exploratory study examining the role of the United States Military in a global crisis”. Midwest Sociological Society, 2005.

Office: 3502 Sangren Hall
Email: angela.simon@wmich.edu
Phone: 387-5294