Full-Time Faculty (Sociology)

Tara Hardinge is originally from Southern California where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Psychology & Social Behavior (PSB) from the University of California, Irvine.  With a desire to teach, she decided to continue her education at UCI and pursue her PhD in Sociology with an emphasis on feminist theory and a research focus on gender, family, and health.

Even though research was a large part of her graduate work, teaching has always been her passion.  While a graduate student, she was fortunate to be a part of the Pedagogical Fellowship program where she helped to develop her teaching philosophy with a focus on student centered and active learning.  

After receiving her Master’s degree in 2004, while still working on her PhD, she began teaching her own classes at a variety of colleges including UCI, Chapman University, California State University at Long Beach, Orange Coast College, and Irvine Valley College. 

After moving to Northern California she worked part time at Ohlone College and San Jose State before starting a full-time position at Mission College.  She always felt at home when teaching at the community college and enjoys working with a diverse group of motivated students.  

As a full-time faculty at Mission College, she has been a part of the Curriculum Committee, Faculty Professional Development Committee, and AANAPISI’s Teaching and Learning Institute where she is worked on a project to help increase student equity. 

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Education

• PhD, Sociology (Emphasis in Feminist Theory), UC Irvine
• MA, Sociology, UC, Irvine
• BA, Sociology (Minor in Women's Studies), UC Irvine
• BA, Psychology and Social Behavior, UC, Irvine

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Courses Taught

• Soc 1: Introduction to Sociology
• Soc 2: Social Problems
• Soc 16: Introduction to Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Soc 40: Marriage and Family

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Fast Facts

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, photography/scrapbooking, and traveling.