Anthropology/Sociology & Criminology Archives

By Henry Miller

Aaron Weiss

My previous career was as vocalist for the indie/punk me with out You. Over two decades and 1,400+ shows, I made my living flailing around shouting about things I found important. It was an extremely cool job, but I traded it for the only cooler job I can imagine: teaching anthropology. In that role I continue–a bit more quietly–doing what I did as a lyricist, i.e., to explore big questions in small ways: What has it meant, across time and space, to be human? Where does nature end and culture begin? What is ‘the self,’ and how does it shape our view of reality? What for our species makes life worth living? What sets us apart from the non-human world, from each other? What binds us together? In my classes (e.g., Religion, Magic[k] & Witchcraft; Mythology and Folklore; Modern Indigenous Cultures; Madness and Civilization; Anthropology of Science Fiction), I hope to foster curiosity, humility, and respect for our breath taking range of cultural diversity as we endeavor–in the words of King Lear–to “take upon [us] the mystery of things.” I currently live in Nampa with my wife, two children, a densely planted garden and an increasing array of non-human animals. We hold a monthly potluck dinner and a capella singing at our home, to which all are welcome. EDUCATION Ph.D., Temple University, 2016 M.S. Ed. University of Pennsylvania, 2010 B.S. Ed., Temple University, 2001 SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH Weiss, A. (2025). The Creed of a Muslim: Boundaries of Orthodoxy at a U.S. Islamic School. (Under Review). Weiss, A. (2025). Cracks in the Dam: The Quiet Faith of a [CENSORED] Schoolteacher. (Under Review). Weiss, A. (2024). Pant Leg Pedagogy: Context and Conflict at Tafsīr Islamic Academy. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 32(2), 303-321. Weiss, A., Mazzotta, R., Mazzotta, R., Beaver, B., Angelella, D. (2018). [UNTITLED] LP. Run for Cover Records, BMI Publishing. Weiss, A. (2017). Lead vocals/lyrics on Paramore’s “No Friend,” from After Laughter, Fueled by Ramen, Warner Brothers. Weiss, A., Mazzotta, R., Weiss, M., Jehanian, G., Beaver, B. (2015). Pale Horses. Run for Cover Records, BMI Publishing. Weiss, A. (2014). Guest vocals/lyrics on Say Anything’s “Push,” from Hebrews. Equal Vision Records. Weiss, A. Weiss, M. Mazzotta, R. Jehanian, G. Beaver, B. (2012). Ten Stories. Pine Street Records, BMI Publishing. Weiss, A., Mazzotta, R., Weiss, M., Jehanian, G. (2009). It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream! It’s Alright. Tooth & Nail Record Co., EMI/CMG Publishing. Weiss, A., Mazzotta, R., Weiss, M., Kleinberg, C., Jehanian, G. (2006). Brother, Sister. Tooth & Nail Record Co., EMI/CMG Publishing. Weiss, A., Mazzotta, R., Weiss, M., Kleinberg, C., Pishock, D. (2004) Catch For Us the Foxes. Tooth & Nail Record Co., EMI/CMG Publishing. Weiss, A. (2002). Guest vocals/lyrics on Norma Jean’s “Memphis Will be Laid to Waste,” from Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child. Solid State Records, EMI/CMG Publishing. Weiss, A., Mazzotta, R., Weiss, M., Kleinberg, C., Pishock, D. (2002). [A –> B] LIFE. Tooth & Nail Record Co., EMI/CMG Publishing.

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By Henry Miller

Scott Draper

I’ve professed at The College of Idaho since 2012. My research in the sociology of religion examines topics such as religious diversity, social boundaries, belief in angels and the paranormal, art/media, and God concepts. My main interest is the microsociology of religious rituals, as seen in my book, Religious Interaction Ritual: The Microsociology of the Spirit (Lexington Press, 2019), as well as in articles in a variety of academic journals. EDUCATION Ph.D., Sociology, Baylor University, 2012 M.A., Sociology, Baylor University, 2009 M.F.A., Acting, Harvard University/Moscow Art Theatre School, 2001 B.A., English Literature, Wheaton College, 1998 SCHOLARSHIP & RESEARCH The following list contains select publications. Draper, Scott. 2026 (forthcoming). Temple University Press. “Does It Need to Be Loud? Religious Effervescence and Micro-Level Sound.” In Collective Effervescence in the 21st Century, edited by Sébastien Tutenges and Philip Smith. Draper, Scott. 2019. Religious Interaction Ritual: The Microsociology of the Spirit. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. Spencer, Anne Cottrell and Scott Draper. 2018. “Introducing the Sort-Of Buddhist; or, ‘If There is No “I” To Have a Religious Identity Then How Do I Fill Out This Survey?’” Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion 14(3). Draper, Scott. 2017. “The Preeminent Sacred Symbol: Theorizing Image of God Outcomes.” Sociology Compass 11(10). Draper, Scott. 2014. “Effervescence and Solidarity in Religious Organizations.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 53(2): 229-248. Stroope, Sam, Scott Draper, and Andrew Whitehead. 2013. “Images of a Loving God and Sense of Meaning in Life.” Social Indicators Research. 111(1): 25-44 Sherman, Martha and Scott Draper. 2012. “What Will the Neighbors Think? The Effect of Moral Communities on Cohabitation.” Review of Religious Research. Draper, Scott and Joseph Baker. 2011. “Angelic Belief as American Folk Religion.” Sociological Forum. 26(3): 623-643. Baker, Joseph and Scott Draper. 2010. “Diverse Supernatural Portfolios: Certitude Exclusivity, and the Curvilinear Relationship Between Religiosity and Paranormal Beliefs.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 49(3): 413-424. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Winner of the 2021 Distinguished Article Award from the Association for the Sociology of Religion for: “Effervescence Accelerators: Barriers to Outsiders in Christian Interaction Rituals.” 2021. Sociology of Religion 82(3): 357-379.

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By Henry Miller

Sean Blackwell

My academic journey began at Texas Christian University, where the professors taught criminal justice and criminology from interdisciplinary perspectives and encouraged us to b nce social scientific inquiry with humanistic appreciation. Two different opportunities to explore the UK made it clear that my next steps would lead there. At the London School of Economics & Political Science, I earned an M.Sc. in the Sociology of Crime, Control, and Globalisation and focused on the legal and sociological contours of the use of torture in the War on Terror. Instead of immediately moving forward into a Ph.D. program, I entered ‘real world’ employment and left the door cracked for future study. It is difficult to overestimate how much my positions as a community mental health specialist and a Senior Probation & Parole Officer helped prepare me for my dream job: teaching. These professional experiences also provided the focus and fuel I needed to mount a Ph.D. project, through the University of Leicester (UK), which explored how community corrections officer training and occupational culture influence criminal legal reforms. The College of Idaho’s liberal arts philosophy makes it the perfect home for interdisciplinary scholars who enjoy blending their research and teaching interests to craft innovative, impactful learning experiences. In addition to offering a wide range of criminology and sociology courses, I have had the opportunity to teach about housing issues, cultural criminology, and community corrections, (and more) all of which have intersected closely with my scholarly pursuits. While I continue my work on training and occupational culture, I am also collaborating with international, interdisciplinary partners on a multi-year wildlife trafficking project. My professional joy lies primarily in the classroom, where I aim to build communities rooted in mutual respect and appreciation as well as active dialogue and the humble exploration of ideas that may challenge one’s own beliefs. In the act of leading classes through difficult, contentious, value-laden topics, I learn much from students’ vast experience of worlds that have not always been kind to them or fulfilled their needs. This mutual learning experience continues outside the classroom, where our enviable student/faculty ratio facilitates the mentorships that make this field so rewarding. EDUCATION Ph.D., Criminology, University of Leicester, 2024 M.Sc., Sociology of Crime, Control, and Globalisation, The London School of Economics & Political Science, 2010 B.S., Criminal Justice, Texas Christian University, 2009

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Aaron Weiss

Scott Draper

Sean Blackwell