March 20, 2011 - 4:37pm
Professor Profile: Terence McGinn
BY RACHEL BRUSSTAR
Sociology lecturer Terence McGinn thinks of himself as somewhat of a storyteller, though not in the traditional sense of the word.
“It is important to make sure that each lecture tells a story, in order to make students active participants rather than passive listeners,” he said.
In his courses, McGinn said he focuses heavily on religion and sociology. But he also spends time working with students individually, both on their coursework and in writing their honor’s theses.
McGinn teaches three introductory courses on the cultural and organizational aspects of sociology and said one of his favorite things about his job is introducing students to the field of sociology.
“The thing that I enjoy about teaching most is when students who haven’t experienced sociological perspective before, experience it,” he said.
In his classes, McGinn emphasizes that the most important thing about sociology is to understand the individual by looking at the way people are organized in groups and systems rather than their personal psychology.
In addition to introductory courses, McGinn specializes in religion, education and music from a sociological view. His course, The Sociology of Music, focuses on how social environments shape the ways in which individuals interpret and create music, whether it is classical music or contemporary rap.
Having dedicated much time to his own education, McGinn said he now makes it a priority to impart his knowledge and passion for sociology to his students.
Prior to coming to the University in 1993, McGinn earned undergraduate degrees in English and French literature. He later went on to get his Masters in Business Administration from the Ross School of Business in addition to going on later to earn a Masters of Divinity and a Ph.D.
After his schooling, McGinn pursued a career as a Baptist minister for 25 years and then later worked as a business consultant for about 25 years.
McGinn, who’s favorite spot in Ann Arbor is the view from the parking structure located at the intersection of Ann and Ashley Streets overlooking the Huron River, said he’s pleased that he finally got the chance to teach at the University.
“I am incredibly fortunate to be teaching at Michigan,” he said.
