Spring 2017
JESSE M. SMITH
Curriculum Vitae
Department of Sociology
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
3311 Sangren Hall, 5257
Kalamazoo MI 49008
Phone (269) 387-3600
Fax (269) 387-2882
Contact Email: [email protected]
Academic Positions
2013 – present. Assistant Professor of Sociology, Western Michigan University
Education
2013 - Ph.D. Sociology, University of Colorado, Boulder
2009 - M.A. Sociology, University of Colorado, Boulder
2005 - B.S. Behavioral Science, Utah Valley University
Professional Interests
Social Psychology; Sociology of Religion and Secularity; Self and Identity; Social Theory;
Crime and Deviant Behavior; Social Movements/Collective Action; Qualitative/Ethnographic
Methods and Interpretive Sociology
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
Smith, Jesse M. 2017. “Can the Secular be the Object of Belief and Belonging? The Sunday
Assembly.” Qualitative Sociology 40(1): 83-109.
Zimmerman, Kevin J., Smith, Jesse M., Simonson, Kevin, and Benjamin W. Myers. 2015.
“Familial Relationship Outcomes of Coming out as an Atheist.” Secularism and Nonreligion
4(4): 1-13.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2013. “Conceptualizing Atheist Identity: Expanding Questions, Constructing
Models, and Moving Forward” Sociology of Religion 74(4): 454-463.
Spring 2017
Smith, Jesse M. 2013. “Creating a Godless Community: The Collective Identity Work of
Contemporary American Atheists.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 52(1): 80-99.
Hammer, Joseph H., Cragun, Ryan T., Smith, Jesse M., and Karen Hwang. 2012. “Forms,
Frequency, and Correlates of Perceived Anti-Atheist Discrimination.” Secularism and
Nonreligion 1: 43-67.
Irvine, Leslie., Kahl, Kristina N., and Jesse M. Smith. 2012. “Confrontations and Donations:
Encounters between Homeless Pet Owners and the Public.” (equal co-authorship) The
Sociological Quarterly 53(1): 25-43.
Smith, Jesse M. 2011. “Becoming an Atheist in America: Constructing Identity and Meaning
from the Rejection of Theism.” Sociology of Religion 72(2): 215-237.
Book Chapters:
Smith, Jesse M. (forthcoming). “Communal Secularity: Congregational Work at the Sunday
Assembly.” In Organized Secularism, edited by Cragun, Ryan, Manning, Christal, and Lori
Fazzino. De Gruyter Press.
Smith, Jesse M. 2016. “Secular Living: Many Paths, Many Meanings.” Pp. 515-532 in The
Oxford Handbook of Secularism, edited by Phil Zuckerman and John Shook. Oxford University
Press.
Smith, Jesse M. 2016. “Apostasy.” Pp. 71-91 in Beyond Religion, edited by Phil Zuckerman. Part
of Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Religion series. Farmington Hills, MI: Macmillan
Reference USA.
Smith, Jesse M. 2016. “Expressive Nontheism: Moral Communities and Promoting the Social
Good.” Pp. 98-117 in Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion, edited by Franco Garelli and
Roberto Cipriani. Brill Publications.
Smith, Jesse M. 2015. “Atheism.” Pp. 17-45 in World Religions and their Missions, edited by
Aaron J. Ghiloni. New York. Peter Lang Publishing.
Cragun, Ryan T., Hammer, Joseph H., and Jesse M. Smith. 2013. “Atheists in North America.”
Pp. 601-621 in The Oxford Handbook of Atheism, edited by Stephan Bullivant and Michael
Ruse. Oxford University Press.
Smith, Jesse M. 2012. “Rejecting God, Adopting Atheism.” Pp. 341-351 in Sociological
Odyssey: Contemporary Readings in Introductory Sociology, 4th ed., edited by Patricia. A. Adler
and Peter Adler. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
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Spring 2017
Book Review Articles:
Smith, Jesse M. 2017. Review of Recognizing the Non-Religious: Re-Imagining the Secular, by
Lois Lee. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. (DOI
10.1080/10508619.2017.1266876).
Smith, Jesse M. 2017. Review of Losing Our Religion: How Unaffiliated Parents are Raising
their Children, by Christel Manning. Sociology of Religion 78(1):109-110.
Smith, Jesse M. 2016. Review of American Secularism: Cultural Contours of Nonreligious
Belief Systems, by Joseph O. Baker and Buster G. Smith. American Journal of Sociology 122(1):
320-322.
Invited Essays:
Smith, Jesse. M. 2016. “Whither American Freethinking? Recent Developments, Future
Possibilities.” Free Inquiry April/May Vol.36 No.2
Encyclopedia Entries:
Smith, Jesse M. 2016. “Deviance.” in The Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual
Differences, edited by Virgil Zeigler-Hill and Todd K. Shackelford. New York: Springer. (DOI:
10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1128-1)
Smith, Jesse M. 2014. “Atheism.” Pp. 41-43 in The Encyclopedia of Social Deviance, edited by
Heith Copes and Craig J. Forsyth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smith, Jesse M. 2012. “Sociology of Religion and Crime.” Pp. 1532-1536 in The Social History
of Crime and Punishment in America: An Encyclopedia edited by Wilbur Miller and Geoffrey J.
Golson. Sage Publications.
Manuscripts in Progress:
DeCamp, Whitney, and Jesse M. Smith. “Religion, Nonreligion, and Deviance: Comparing
Faith's Relative Strength in Promoting Social Conformity.” (Sociological Inquiry)
Smith, Jesse M. “The Rhetoric of Revelation: An Ethnographic Content Analysis of Mormon
Leadership Discourse.”
Smith, Jesse M. “Secularity, Prosociality, and Wellbeing”
Research Positions and Affiliations
Advisor – Secular Surveys Project (secularsurveys.org).
• Affiliated with Partners for Secular Activism. (Summer 2014 – present.)
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Spring 2017
Research Associate – Atheist Research Collaborative
• Iowa State University, Department of Psychology. (Summer 2011 – present).
Research Affiliate – Non-Religion and Secularity Research Network
• University of Cambridge, Interdisciplinary Research on Non-Religion and Secularity.
(Fall 2010 – present).
Research Assistant – University of Colorado at Boulder
• The Homeless and their Pets. Under the direction of Leslie Irvine, Fall 2010 Fall 2011.
Case Manager/Practicum – Wasatch Mental Health
• Specialty: J.O.S. State Program, Intensive Residential and Youth Outpatient Treatment
2004-2006
Courses Taught
Undergraduate
Introduction to Sociology
Principles of Sociology
Classical Sociological Theory
Deviance in United States Society
Sociology of Religion
Self in Modern Society
Social Psychology
Graduate
Qualitative Analysis and Writing
Social Psychology of Deviance
Qualitative Methods
Professional Association Memberships
American Sociological Association
Association for the Sociology of Religion
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction
American Academy of Religion
Nonreligion and Secularity Research Network
Manuscript and Expert Reviewer
American Journal of Sociology
Science, Religion, and Culture
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Spring 2017
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
The Sociological Quarterly
Sociology of Religion
Critical Research on Religion
Secularism and Nonreligion
Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Social Forces
Qualitative Sociology
Review of Religious Research
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion
Grant Proposal Baker Fund, Ohio University (external reviewer)
ASA Student Forum Advisory Session Papers
Teachers College, Columbia University, Survey scale development (external reviewer)
Editorial Positions
Editorial Board, Secularism and Nonreligion
Presentations at Professional Meetings
Smith, Jesse. M. 2017. “Qualitative Discourse Analysis and the Rhetoric of Revelation.”
Qualitative Analysis Conference annual meeting. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
Canada.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2017. “The Rhetoric of Revelation: An Ethnographic Content Analysis of
Mormon Leadership Discourse Over Time.” Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
annual conference. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2016. “Teaching the Sociological Imagination through Experiential Practice in
the Classroom and the Research Field.” Michigan Sociological Association annual meeting.
Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Smith, Jesse. M, and Whitney DeCamp. 2015. “Religion, Nonreligion, and Deviance: Comparing
Faith's Relative Strength in Promoting Social Conformity.” European Society for the Study of
Symbolic Interaction annual meeting. University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2015. “Into the Field. Teaching the Craft of Qualitative Inquiry through
Experiential Practice.” Qualitative Analysis Conference annual meeting. Brescia University,
London, Ontario Canada.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2014. “Mission: Atheist, Mormon, and Comparative Perspectives.” American
Academy of Religion annual meeting, San Diego, CA.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2014. “Atheist Churching: New Congregational Activity at the Sunday
Assembly.” Non-Religion and Secularity Research Network annual meeting. Pitzer College,
Claremont, CA.
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Spring 2017
Smith, Jesse. M. 2014. “Mission for Atheists? New Congregational Activity at an Atheist
Church.” Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction annual meeting. San Francisco, CA.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2013. “The Social Meaning of Atheism: Constructing Worldview and
Aesthetic.” Society for the Scientific Study of Religion annual meeting. Boston, MA.
Smith, Jesse. M. 2013. “The Social Deviance of Atheism: Negotiating Cultural Membership with
a Stigmatized Identity.” Society for the Study of Social Problems annual meeting. New York,
NY.
Smith, Jesse M. 2013. “The Social and Interactional Constitution of ‘Private’ Non-Belief: The
Case of Organized Atheists in the United States.” Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction
annual meeting. New York, NY.
Smith, Jesse M. and Kevin Zimmerman 2012. “Familial Relationship Outcomes of Coming Out
Atheist.” National Council on Family Relations annual meeting. Phoenix, AZ.
Smith, Jesse M. 2011. “Organizing the Godless: The Collective Identity Work of Contemporary
Atheists.” Association for the Sociology of Religion annual meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
Smith, Jesse M. 2010. “Becoming an Atheist in America: Constructing Identity and Meaning
from the Rejection of Theism.” Society for the Scientific Study of Religion annual meeting.
Baltimore, MD.
Smith, Jesse M. 2009. “Atheist Self, American Context.” Society for the Study of Symbolic
Interaction annual meeting. San Francisco, CA.
Professional Meeting Participation
Invited Critic. 2015. “Atheist Awakening: Secular Activism and Community in America” by
Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith. Author-meets-Critics session of the Association for the
Sociology of Religion annual meeting. Chicago, IL.
Presider. 2012. “Ethnography and Microsociology across the Cultural Spectrum.” ASA Student
Forum Advisory Board. American Sociological Association annual meeting. Denver, CO
Session Organizer. 2012. (four different sessions for graduate student papers). ASA Student
Forum Advisory Board. American Sociological Association annual meeting. Denver, CO.
Manuscript Reviewer and Housing Coordinator. 2012. ASA Student Forum Advisory Board
Session(s). American Sociological Association annual meeting. Denver, CO.
Member/Panelist. 2011. ASA Student Forum Advisory Board. American Sociological
Association annual meeting. Las Vegas, NV.
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Spring 2017
Organizer/Convener. 2010. “Spirituality and Well-Being.” Society for the Scientific Study of
Religion annual meeting. Baltimore, MD.
Invited Talks and Classroom Lectures
Smith, Jesse M. Spring 2017. “Qualitative Discourse Analysis and the Rhetoric of Revelation.”
Evaluation Café talk series. Sponsored by Evaluation, Measurement and Research. Western
Michigan University.
Smith, Jesse M. Fall 2014. “Qualitative Research Methodology” in Quantitative and Qualitative
Research Methods. Sponsored by the Graduate Center for Research and Retention of The
Graduate College. Western Michigan University.
Smith, Jesse M. Spring 2012. “The Social Stigma of Atheism, and its Negotiation” in Social
Deviance. Johnson and Wales University.
Smith, Jesse M. Fall 2010. “Church, Sect, Cult: Weber’s Typology” in Sociology of Religion,
University of Colorado at Boulder.
Smith, Jesse M. Fall 2009. “Deviant Careers” in Deviance in U.S. Society, University of
Colorado at Boulder.
Grants and Funding
Support for Faculty Scholars Award (SFSA). “Self, Narrative, and Congregation: Worship
Services at the LDS Church.” Western Michigan University, Research and Sponsored Programs.
Spring 2016. $1952.50 (funding granted; project cancelled).
International Education Faculty Development Fund (IEFDF). “Religion, Deviance, Stigma, and
Risk-Taking.” Western Michigan University, Haenicke Institute for Global Education, Spring
2015. $1200.
College of Discovery and Dissemination Award (CDDA). “Religion, Deviance, Stigma, and
Risk-Taking.” Western Michigan University, College of Arts and Sciences. Spring 2015. $1200.
Support for Faculty Scholars Award (SFSA). “Social Dynamics of Nonreligion and Nonbelief.”
Western Michigan University, Research and Sponsored Programs. Spring 2014. $2000.
Online Form Inquiry (OFI). John Templeton Foundation Grant Competition. 2013. “Gods in
Minds: The Science of Religious Cognition. Requested $200,000 over 4 years. Full grant
proposal solicitation and possible funding denied.
Faculty Research and Travel Funding – Western Michigan University, Summer 2013 - Spring
2015. $3500
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Spring 2017
Elected Member, Student Forum Advisory Board – American Sociological Association. Travel
Grant. Summer 2011. $520
Co-Investigator, “Donations and Confrontations: Homeless Pet Owners’ Interactions with the
Public.” Faculty Collaboration Grant, University of Colorado at Boulder, Summer 2011. $1250
Sociology Department Out-of-Pocket Dissertation Expense Award – University of Colorado at
Boulder, Spring 2011. $1000
Sociology Department Dissertation Research Grant – University of Colorado at Boulder, Fall
2008, Spring 2011, Spring 2012. $1300 total.
Sociology Department Travel Grant – University of Colorado at Boulder, Fall 2009, Spring
2010, Spring 2011. $1300 total.
United Government of Graduate Students Academic Travel Grant – University of Colorado at
Boulder, Fall 2010. $300.
Professional, University, and Community Service
2017. Committee Member. Charles Horton Cooley Book Award. Society for the Study of
Symbolic Interaction.
2016 – present. Graduate Student Teaching Intensive Faculty Mentor. Academic year-long
Competitive Program. $1500 stipend.
2015 – present. Faculty Senator for the Department of Sociology (elected to three-year term).
Faculty Senate, College of Arts and Sciences, Western Michigan University.
2014 – present. Paid Consultant and Committee Member. Derek Zuhlke. Clinical Psychology
Dissertation Committee. Michigan School of Professional Psychology.
2014 – present. Kercher Endowment Committee, Committee Member, Department of Sociology,
Western Michigan University.
2014 – present. Sabbatical Review Committee, Committee Member, Department of Sociology,
Western Michigan University.
2013 – present. Central Graduate Committee, Committee Member, Department of Sociology,
Western Michigan University.
2012 – 2013. Treasurer. Student Forum Advisory Board of the American Sociological
Association.
2012 – 2013. Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honors Society Beta Chapter Vice
President. University of Colorado at Boulder.
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Spring 2017
2011 – 2013. Student Forum Advisory Board of the American Sociological Association, Elected
Member.
2010 – 2012. United Government of Graduate Students Sociology Department Representative.
University of Colorado at Boulder.
2010 – 2012. Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honors Society Beta Chapter
President. University of Colorado at Boulder.
2009 – 2010. University of Colorado at Boulder Secular Alliance Student Group Co-President
and Organizer. University of Colorado at Boulder.
2008 – 2009. Sociology Subject Tutor for CU Athletics; Herbst Academic Center. University of
Colorado at Boulder.
2008. Graduate Student Dissertation Award Committee Member. University of Colorado at
Boulder.
2008. Graduate Student Panel Member for Incoming Sociology Students. University of Colorado
at Boulder.
Graduate Student Committees
Brundage, David (MA).
Fether, Alex (PhD).
----McLaughlin, Olivia (MA).
Nester, Kevin (MA).
Oaster, Zachary (MA).
O’Neil, Brooke (MA).
Purdy, Simon (PhD).
Reid, Matthew (PhD).
----Rossana, Brian (PhD).
Rosnowski, Robert (PhD).
Staros, Karolina. (PhD).
----Strayer, Christine (PhD).
2015-present. Thesis Committee Member
2015. Methods Area Exam Committee Chair
2015-present. Dissertation Committee Chair
2015-2016. Thesis Committee Chair (complete)
2015-present. Thesis Committee Member
2015-present. Thesis Committee Member
2015-2016. Thesis Committee Member (complete)
2015. Dissertation Committee Member (complete)
2015. Methods Area Exam Committee Member
2014-present. Dissertation Committee Member
2016-present. Methods Area Exam Committee Chair
2016. Methods Area Exam Committee Member
2014. Methods Area Exam Committee Member
2014-present. Dissertation Committee Member
2016. Gender/Feminism Area Exam Committee Member
Undergraduate Student Committees
McClain, Jordan Elizabeth. 2014. “Attitudes towards Latino Immigrants Expressed Online
Media.” Honors Thesis Committee Member
Marrow, Cesalee. 2015. Honor’s College Project Chair (incomplete)
Taylor, Desiree. 2016. Honor’s Thesis Committee Member
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Spring 2017
Honors and Awards
2011. Dissertation Expense Award. Department of Sociology, University of Colorado – Boulder.
Awarded by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in Recognition of Outstanding
Achievement.
2010 – 2013. Honorary Member and Chapter President of Alpha Kappa Delta International
Sociology Honors Society.
2005. Cum Laude – Utah Valley University, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
References
Dr. Leslie Irvine, Professor, [email protected] Department of Sociology
Ketchum Hall 223, 327 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309.
Dr. Patricia Adler, Professor, [email protected], Department of Sociology
Ketchum Hall 207, 327 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309.
Dr. Lori Peek, Professor, [email protected], Department of Sociology
Ketchum Hall 286, 327 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309.
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