Theories of Celebrity In this course we will explore the cultural significance of the concept "celebrity" from a variety of theoretical perspectives. We will draw from a range of examples, including the history of Hollywood, the branding of sport stars, the rise of reality television, YouTube fame, and celebrity gossip, to examine the structures of power and inequality the celebrity phenomenon and its commodification embody. We will use theoretical concepts such as hegemony, the spectacle, mechanical reproduction, the panopticon, hyperreality, microcelebrity, postmodernity, and neoliberalism to analyze the extraordinary rise of a visual culture based on the production and consumption of celebrity.

Introduction to Sociology: The Sociological Imagination In this course, we will study social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior on American society. Specifically, we will examine the ways that individuals interact in social groups, organizations, and the larger society and the ways that the larger society both influences and is influenced by various social actors. Specific topics may range from crime, education, health, the economy, wealth, income, families, religion, race, gender, sexuality, class, among others with the goal of examining how individuals come together to construct society. In addition, we will explore the ways that social inequalities are created and maintained, examining many different perspectives and research techniques that sociologists use to answer some of society’s most important questions.

Writing the Family Family brings us the full range of emotions, from joy to suffering. In this course, we will look at various attempts to define “the family.” We will read sociological accounts of the family, memoirs that grapple with this topic, and do our own writing. This is a workshop-based class: we will read, discuss, write, share our stories, and offer constructive and supportive feedback, paying attention to the variety of ways to write about this complicated topic. This class will culminate in a public reading for the campus community, where students will share portions of their final project: a written story that links our biographies with history to creatively examine one of the most fundamental yet contested social institutions in the 21st century. (SOCI majors only and others by permission)

Deviance and Social Control  This course will introduce students to sociological perspectives on the nature, causes and control of deviant behavior and populations. We will consider, historically and theoretically, the construction of deviance, the social purpose it serves, and the societal response deviance engenders. We will pay special attention to the ways in which the deviant body is constructed and managed through a variety of frameworks – including medical, punitive and therapeutic - and reflect critically on the social and political ramifications of the categorizations “deviant” and “normal”.

Writing the Sociological Imagination In this writing course, students will create flash non-fiction that engages with sociology’s core focus: placing the personal in its social context. We will read texts that explore a variety of approaches to creatively explore the interplay of biography and history and focus on the range of craft elements these authors use. Students will write short (300-800 word) pieces that we will workshop together in class. The final product will be a portfolio of revised pieces from which students will select 2-3 pieces to share, if they choose, in a public reading for the Middlebury community.

The Idea of Drugs and Addiction Drugs cause panic and social hysteria.  We spend time talking about them and expend energy distinguishing between good and bad drugs and users.  Movies, documentaries, literature, art, and television shows reflect this preoccupation with the use and misuse of drugs. In this course we will  investigate the social significance of “drugs” as a cultural, rather than pharmacological, category. We will consider drugs and addiction as ideas that reflect concerns about the “self” in modernity. We will examine the panic surrounding drug use and addiction, our preoccupation with treatment, and our emphasis on sobriety.  Overall, we will engage with the larger themes the idea of drugs and addiction raises: harm, exclusion, inequality, pleasure, freedom, desire, perfection, enlightenment, and control. 3hrs. lect./disc.

Documentary Sociology In this course we will consider how documentaries can bring the “sociological imagination” to life by using video and audio to link individual troubles with social issues and personal biography with historical context. Through readings and viewings, we will spend the first third of the class discussing the potential of the short documentary form to illustrate sociological concepts. Students will develop a proposal for their own short video documentary that they will then work on throughout the semester. Students must be willing to spend significant time outside of class on their documentary and to provide constructive feedback on each other’s developing projects in class. No prior experience or coursework in video or audio production is required. (SOCI 0105; open to SOCI majors or by instructor approval) (formerly SOCI 0364).

The Logic of Sociological Inquiry In this course students will be introduced to the basic tools of sociological research including problem formulation, strategies of design and data collection, and analysis and presentation of results. This class will help students formulate a research question and develop a research strategy to best explore that question. Those strategies may include interviews, structured observation, participant observation, content analysis, and surveys. This class, strongly recommended for juniors, will culminate in the submission of a senior project proposal.

Rebecca Tiger

Reviews and ratings for Rebecca Tiger at Middlebury College.Rebecca Tiger teaches Theories of Celebrity, Introduction to Sociology, Writing the Family and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Rebecca Tiger good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Tiger was incredibly passionate about this course. Unfortunately a lot of people took advantage of her teaching style  so she didn't allow computers towards the end of the year. But it was a very chill class where we had a lot of great class discussions. There was reading homework each night which we discussed but the discussions were very relaxed and fun. Not much homework at all and papers were very managable. Professor Tiger also made sure to help people a lot with their papers. It wasn't as much grading as just trying to make our work as good as possible.

Amazing class with Tiger. She was a great teacher and gave small amounts of reading and a few papers. She was an easy grader, but expected you to put good effort into your work. I would most definitely take this course again!

I really enjoyed this course. Definitely made me think outside the box. No electronics allowed in class so you had nothing to do but pay attention. Not a lot of work but there was a big final presentation and some small writing assignments along the way. Honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this course. 