Phone Number: (605) 626-2355
Email: donelanb@northern.edu
Office: Seymour #230
Office Hours: M: 12:00-2:30, T: none, W: 12:00-2:30, Th: 9:30-10:30, F: none, and other times by appointment
Background Information:
Did you ever notice you can think of plenty of things to
say about yourself until you have to write an introduction? Well, here’s a
brief history of my existence (the PG-13 version, that is). I was born in South
Dakota and have lived and worked in the state all my life. My early educational
experience is a bit unique, in that I attended country school (grades K-8 in one
room) until I finished 8th grade. Most country schools have closed,
but the one I attended is still operating. My college years were spent at SDSU
in Brookings. After receiving my M.S. in Sociology, I worked as a Social Worker,
Probation Officer, and Federal Investigator. After working in the Criminal
Justice field for 10 years I finally decided what I wanted to do when I grew
up….teach! I was lucky enough to be hired here at NSU to teach Sociology and
Criminal Justice in 2002.
Courses Taught:
Intro to Sociology, Criminology, Prisons, Social Problems, Policing, Child Abuse and Neglect, Deviance, Traveling Classroom, Crime Scene Investigation, and Juvenile Delinquency
Educational Background:
Ph.D. SDSU ; Sociology, Social Deviance and Social
Stratification emphases; 2000
MS; SDSU; Sociology, Social Deviance emphasis; 1991
BS; South Dakota State University; Sociology and Psychology, Criminal Justice minor; 1989
Professional Experience:
Assistant Professor (NSU); 2002 - present
Adjunct Professor in Pierre, SD; 2002
Federal Investigator in Pierre, SD; 2000-2002
Federal Probation in Aberdeen, SD; 1993-2000
Court Services Officer in Winner, SD; 1992-1993
Social Worker in Eagle Butte, SD; 1992
Recent Publications:
Donelan, Brenda. Under review. "Teaching Through Tours: The Traveling Classroom,: Teaching Sociology. Submitted September 2005.
Donelan, Brenda. Under review. "Crime and Deviance Project" American Sociological Association Teaching Criminology: Resources and Issues. Submitted June 2005.
Donelan, Brenda. 2004. “Extremist Groups of the Midwest: A Content Analysis of Internet Websites.” The Great Plains Sociologist 16(1):1-27.
Donelan, Brenda. 1999. “The Unique Experiences of Native American Juveniles Under Federal Supervision.” Federal Probation 63(2): 68-71.
Book Reviews:
Victims of Crime, 2nd Edition by Robert A. Jerin and Laura J. Moriarty; Roxbury Publishing. 2005. Reviewed the draft of the new edition at the request of the publisher.
Forgotten Offenders: Voices of Incarcerated Women by Roslyn Muraskin. Roxbury Publishing. 2005. Reviewed the draft of the new edition at the request of the publisher.
Presentation and Conferences:
Donelan, Brenda. "Tours as a Teaching Tool: The Traveling Classroom." Paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Midwest Sociological Society; Omaha, NE (April, 2006).
Donelan, Brenda. "The Traveling Classroom." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Great Plains Sociological Association; Sioux Falls, SD (October, 2005).
Donelan, Brenda. "Hate Groups of the Midwest: A Content Analysis." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Sociological Society; Chicago, IL (April, 2003).
Grants Awarded:
Brown County Weed and Seed; $1,886; October 2003
OIS Peer Evaluation; $400; May 2003
Research Interests:
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Web pages maintained by hate groups and militias
Women in prison
Urban legends
Professional and Academic Association Memberships:
Great Plains Sociological Association
Midwest Sociological Society
American Sociological Association
South Dakota Corrections Association
American Correctional Association
Personal Interests/Hobbies:
Reading, bicycling, traveling, and gardening
Links:
American Sociological Association
Great Plains Sociological Association
South Dakota Dept of Corrections
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