Jiaming Sun, Ph.D.

Professor

Jiaming Sun's cross-cultural background provides a unique lens to life. Sun grew up in China where he was immersed in the academic lifestyle. Now, after living in the United States for over 20 years he continues to spend most of his time on campuses. That's because his primary research interest is in studying the significance of campus life within Western culture. As a sociologist, Sun feels he is good at looking at problems from a comparative perspective and finding unseen issues. Since 2005, Sun has been a part of the Commerce community where he claims to this day “there is never a dull moment.”

A Conversation with Dr. Sun

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending A&M-Commerce?

“Texas A&M University-Commerce is a multicultural campus. If you want to get a global view and have the opportunity to interact with professors and students from all over the world, join this campus.”

What draws you to your discipline?

“Sociology is a science that studies and provides solutions to social problems. It is also a science that studies and understands people’s basic needs and interpersonal communication. Learning sociology can foster better sentiment and cultivation.”

What has been your favorite course to teach?

“My favorite course to teach is advanced research methods in sociology. I have been teaching this course for more than 20 years. After completing this course, students can independently conduct sociological research and have sociological thinking on social issues.”

Tell us about a project you are currently working on or recently completed.

“I have published five books in both, English and Chinese. Currently, I am working on another book about the history of China’s Sociological Reconstruction, which is planned to be published next year or so.”

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2005
• M.A., Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2001
• B.A., Sociology, Shanghai University, China, 1985

Academic Positions

• Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, TAMUC, 2016-Present
• Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, TAMUC, 2008
• Research Assistant, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2004
• Teaching Assistant, Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2000-2004
• Visiting Scholar, Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1998-1999
• Visiting Scholar, Global Affairs Institute, Syracuse University, 1997-1998
• Associate Professor of Sociology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 1995-1997
• Vice-Secretary General, Social Development Research Center, Law School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,1995-1997
• Director of Undergraduate Students, International Politics Department, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 1985-1992

Awards and Honors

• Distinguished Global Fellow, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2017
• Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, Recognized By The Marquis Who's Who Publications Board, 2017
• Excellent Teaching Award, Recognized By Sigma Alpha Pi, National Society of Leadership and Success, 2017
• Global Fellow, President Award for Research and Creative Activities, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2015

Research Interests

• Globalization
• Modern China
• Urban Studies
• Civil Society

Professional Organizations

• American Sociological Association
• The Pacific Sociological Association
• North American Chinese Sociologists Association

Featured Courses

SOC 1301 Global and Introduction to Sociology
SOC 318 Urban Sociology and Anthropology
SOC 331 Introduction to Social Research
SOC 575 Advanced Research Methods

Selected Publications

• Jiaming Sun, “Cultural Gene of the Institution: Experiencing American Campus Life and Thoughts” (the title, contents, abstract, and chapter summaries in both English and Chinese). Hans Publishers, Inc. will be published in Aug. 2020.
• Jiaming Sun, & Dongmei Cheng. China's Generation Gap, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group Feb. 2018. ISBN: 978-1-138-64793-0.
• Jiaming Sun, & Lancaster Scott. Chinese Globalization (in Chinese).Wuhan ZhongTu Publishing Corporation in China, published in July 2017.
• Jiaming Sun, & Lancaster Scott. Chinese Globalization: A Profile of People-Based Global Connections in China. Published in Feb. 2013 in Routledge Taylor& Francis Group. ISBN-10: 0415673038 | ISBN-13: 978-0415673037.