John J. Macionis is a professor of sociology and Prentice Hall Distinguished Scholar. His areas of interest include social stratification, social change, social problems, politics, policy, deviance and conformity and urban sociology. Since coming to Kenyon in 1978, Professor Macionis has taught courses in all these areas. He has also taught in Kenyon's Integrated Program in Humane Studies (IPHS) and served as the program's director.
Professor Macionis has expanded his learning about U.S. society by participating in programs of academic study abroad. In 1981, he directed the GLCA European Term, traveling with students to Yugoslavia, Holland and England. In 1988, he joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea, keying his courses to the ship's visits to a dozen Asian and African countries as it circled the globe. In 1994, Professor Macionis completed a second round-the-world voyage, visiting half a dozen new countries and directing the program's global education course required of all students. In 2005 and 2009, he traveled to Ecuador and Peru, exploring both large cities and remote Inca settlements.
Macionis is the author of the most widely used textbooks in sociology, which are published by Pearson/Prentice Hall. In recent years, he has undertaken the study of spiritual shamanism as part of both his academic and personal journey. Macionis is also an active environmentalist, who currently serves as the president of the board of directors of the Lake George Land Conservancy in New York's Adirondack Mountains. His personal interests include hiking, swimming and tennis. Music has been a lifelong passion: Macionis has played in a number of pop bands since his college days and he still enjoys playing oldies rock and roll. He recently released his fourth CD of oldies music.
Education
1975 — Doctor of Philosophy from University of Pennsylvania
1971 — Master of Arts from University of Pennsylvania
1970 — Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University