I am an associate professor and chair of the department of sociology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I have taught since January 2005.

The spirit of this web page is taken from a particular response to the question Was ist Aufklarung? What is Enlightenment? In the eighteenth century, the philosopher Immanuel Kant answered this question by drawing on a phrase attributed to the first century B.C. Roman poet Horace: Sapere Aude. Dare to Know.

Although it does not always attain this ideal, and often falls well short, higher education should embody this ethos of enlightenment. All those involved in the higher learning should have the courage, even the audacity, to seek the truth.

This web page contains many artifacts from my pursuit of knowledge through research, teaching, and service. I hope visitors find these materials useful in stimulating and furthering their own efforts to meet Kant’s challenge: Dare to Know.

If you're interested, you can learn more about me.

WHAT'S NEW

• For fall 2009, I am looking for two interns to work with me on the journal I edit, Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review. Read the job description and email me if you're interested.
• In spring 2009, I am teaching introduction to sociology (soc 151)
• The Yamane Family Year in Review for 2008 is available.
• In December 2007, I was profiled in Wake Forest Magazine.
• In the spring of 2008, I was tenured and promoted to associate professor of sociology (effective July 1, 2008)!!!!
• On January 1, 2009, I took over as chair of the sociology department.

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