Dr. Melissa Barfield-Works
Assistant Professor, Sociology
Office: Carnegie Hall 111a
Phone: (618) 537-6899
Education
Ph.D., Sociology, Mississippi State University (2002)
M.S., Sociology, Mississippi State University (1995)
B.A., Sociology/Anthropology and Philosophy/Religion, Northeast Missouri State University (1993)
About Melissa
Dr. Barfield-Works joined the faculty of McKendree College in 2006. Prior to joining
McKendree College, Barfield-Works served as an assistant professor of sociology at
California State University, San Bernardino. She currently teaches courses in the
Social Work concentration of the Sociology major.
Courses Taught
Principles of Sociology
Introduction to Social Work
Social Welfare Policy
Social Work Practicum
Community Action and Organization
Race and Ethnic Relations
Urban Sociology
Research Methods
Sociological Analysis
Research Interests, Publications, and Presentations
Her research interests include place-based issues influencing the poor: the implications
of welfare reform on employment, community-based organizations and welfare reform,
the spatial dimensions of poverty, labor markets and economic restructuring in rural
, and human capital endowments of rural welfare recipients. Her co-authored research
has been published in Rural America, Southern Rural Sociology, Research in Community Sociology, and Southern Perspectives. She recently presented research at the 2006 Hawaii International Conference on the
Social Sciences and the 2006 Pacific Sociological Association meeting.
