OCTC Offering Inequality Course

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (07/20/2020) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) is offering SOC 235 Inequality in Society for the fall semester. The three credit hour course will explore various aspects of inequality and discrimination and include current local issues as well as scenarios from around the country.

The course is taught by Chad Gesser, Associate Professor of Sociology, who attended OCTC, earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from KWC, and a Master's degree in Sociology from Western Kentucky University. Gesser has taught at OCTC full-time since 2006. He plans to coordinate a series of virtual community conversations in conjunction with course topics and host guest panels discussions with relevant and disparate viewpoints. Some of these options may be available in-person dependent on current health and safety guidelines.

"This course is relevant always, but even more so today and it can help spur on the discussion and dialogue in our community" added Dr. Veena Sallan, Chief Academic Officer.

Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President added, "As an educational institution it is important to encourage dialogue between viewpoints, only then can our community continue to change, grow, and understand one another more fully. This not only benefits our students, it can benefit the greater community if we can encourage broad participation."

Gesser is active on campus and in the community. His interests range from sociology, music and photography, to civic and community health issues.

OCTC is currently enrolling for the fall semester, which begins on August 17. Healthy At OCTC plans are being implemented in preparation for courses that are in-person, online, and classes that are a combination of both. Daily healthy check-ins, masks, and social distancing are mandatory on campus. Other areas being addressed include a limited number of students per classroom session, designated entries, exits, and pathways in buildings, and staggered start and end times to limit unintentional contact in buildings.

For more information about the Inequality in Society or the planned community conversations please contact chad.gesser@kctcs.edu. To learn more about OCTC"s Healthy At Work Welcome Back plan visit owensboro.kctcs.edu/healthy-at-octc.