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Information About Richie:

Personal Description:

I am a 30 year old academic sociologist with a PhD in social science. Having taught in universities in recent years, I am currently taking a year out of academic employment to pursue other projects and to focus on completing a book based on my research. I am therefore very keen to work as a tutor for sociology students during this year.

As a person I am friendly, approachable and quite down to earth. It has not been such a long time since I was a student myself and I remember that at times it can be a steep learning curve. I am passionate about sociology and I very much enjoy teaching it - I aim to make it equally enjoyable for my students as well.

Teaching Experience:

I have three years direct experience of teaching sociology: For two years I was a course tutor for undergraduate students, firstly at the University of Salford and then at the University of Manchester. These roles involved teaching sociology in small interactive groups through critical discussion and analysis of key readings, concepts, themes and perspectives. I then worked as a lecturer in sociology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. There I was responsible for preparing and delivering lectures to large groups of undergraduates and postgraduates, for the supervision of individual student research projects, and also for small group tutorial teaching.

In these roles I have gained experience of teaching students at different educational levels, from first year students in Aberdeen (who in the Scottish educational system are roughly equivalent to final year A-Level students in England), to second and third years, as well as postgraduate masters and research students. I have also taught students from very diverse backgrounds, including UK, EU, and non-EU students from all over the world, from Asia to the US. This experience has attuned me to the particular requirements of sociology students whose first language is not English. In addition I have enjoyed tutoring a number of mature students, with whom I have had some of my most rewarding teaching experiences.

In terms of topics covered, I have taught right across the sociological spectrum, from the sociology of housework to globalisation. I have particular expertise in sociological theory (classical and modern), philosophy of social science, research methods and methodologies, work and organisations, social class and social structure, historical sociology, and science, technology and society. These are my personal research interests and include some of the areas in which I have published articles, but I am very able and very happy to tutor in a wide range of sociological topics.

Tutoring Approach:

I have a flexible approach to tutoring in which I am guided by the needs of the student. This could mean for example giving very detailed feedback and suggestions on particular essays or pieces of coursework to ensure that a student attains the highest grade they can achieve, or it could mean providing more general support to a student throughout the duration of a course by explaining and clarifying key perspectives, concepts and arguments. I can also help students to prepare for examinations by supporting their revision of important or difficult topics and by suggesting the most effective strategies of exam preparation. I am happy to cater to students of all ability levels, from those who may be struggling with sociology and who wish to secure a pass mark, to those who already feel comfortable with the subject and want to take their achievement to the next level. I am particularly keen to provide online tutorial support, which in my experience can be very effective indeed, but I am also able to visit students' homes (or halls) if they prefer face-to-face tutoring.

I believe that effective teaching and learning in sociology should combine a structured approach to the material with an emphasis upon independent critical thinking. Sociology as a discipline is defined above all by its willingness to question and analyse taken for granted features of social organisation, institutions, relationships and norms. Effective learning in sociology therefore requires not just mastery of the course materials but also the ability to 'think sociologically' by asking fundamental questions about why people live the way they do. In my approach to tutoring I seek to foster this independent critical thinking, which is the key to sustained academic success in sociology.

Qualifications:

• BSocSc (Hons) Sociology: 1st Class Honours Degree from the University of Manchester (2002).
• MSc Sociological Research: Masters Degree with Distinction from the University of Manchester (2004).
• PhD in Social Science from the University of Manchester (2007).

Further Information:

Availability:	Weekends / Weekdays (all times)
Types of Tutoring:	Travels to you / Online
References Supplied?	Yes
Current DBS/CRB Check?	Yes