Welcome to my web pages. I must admit, that at this juncture I don't know if it is a web site or a blog. I suppose time will tell.

I'm Eric Strayer, and I teach sociology. Currently I am teaching three courses at Hartnell College: two Introduction to Sociology courses and one Social Problems course.

This site is designed primarily with my Hartnell and Chapman students in mind, but may be used as a segue to others in the academic and political community.

I will state here that Hartnell College in no way is responsible for this site's content, and that this site is my way of creating added value to an already functioning curriculum.

It is my intent to become a link in the chain of social knowledge so that I may in some way contribute to betterment of the human condition--a condition that is in great need of betterment.

As a teacher (and a perennial student) of sociology, I believe that it is important to look at the ugly underside of our (and other society's) social fabric and remain, in the words of Marx, ruthlessly critical of all that exists. It is imperative that we learn how to look at the horrors around us and neither turn away in shame and revulsion or to become so acclimated that we become indifferent.

Read about the "broken windows" theory and graffiti at Hartnell.

Soc 1 page is for soc 1 notes, links, test prep, etc.
Soc 5 is for social problem's notes, links, writing topic ideas, etc.
Chapman University is where my Chapman students may find information relevant to the current class.
Opinion and Discussion: an area where I have notes about issues, links to areas of interest, and express my general outlook on things.
Archive is where I put dated material that I feel still retains relevance.
Theory is where I want you to live. But barring that, just make it a visit. It has slides and links to other cites. It is also where you should look and think before writing about social issues and problems.
Writing Center is where you will find some of my suggestions and cautions. If you are new to academic writing you should check this section out. This, or a printed version if necessary, is required for all of my new students.
Writing for the Classroom will clarify my rules for writing journals and term papers. It is an addendum to the Writing Center.
Film: A list of films I have watched and some I have shown in class. Need some extra credit?