Dr. Marion Willetts
Professor of Sociology
Sociology and Anthropology
Office
SCH Schroeder Hall 358
Office Hours
Mondays and Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:30 and by appointment.
Office Phone
Email
- About
- Education
- Awards & Honors
- Research
Current Courses
499.001Independent Research For The Master's Thesis
271.001Introduction To Sociological Research
271.002Introduction To Sociological Research
493.001Pro-Seminar In Sociology
498.003Professional Practice:In Sociology
471.001Quantitative Research Design & Analysis
112.001American Family: Change & Diversity
499.001Independent Research For The Master's Thesis
400.006Independent Study
498.001Professional Practice:In Sociology
461.001Readings In Sociology
Teaching Interests & Areas
I teach courses primarily in stratification and in Animals and Society, as well as in research methods (both graduate and undergraduate). I also teach on occasion courses in family history.
Research Interests & Areas
My research focuses on animal shelters and sanctuaries. Most recently, my research has focused on animal hoarding among animal rescue workers, and capture-neuter-vaccinate-release programs for street dogs in Bhutan.
Ph D Sociology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
MA Sociology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
BA Sociology
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
RISE to the COVID Challenge Recognition
Illinois State University
2021
Outstanding University Teaching Award - Category I Nominee
Illinois State University
2018
CAS Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2016-2017
College of Arts and Sciences
2016
CAS Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2015-2016 Nomination
CAS
2015
CAS Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2014-2015 Nomination
CAS
2014
Book, Chapter
Willetts, M., & Nock, S. The effects of childhood family structure and perceptions of parents' marital happiness on familial aspirations. Effects on young adults patterns of intimacy and expectations for marriage. Routledge (2014): 3-23.
Willetts, M., Sprecher, S., & Beck, F. Overview of sexual practices and attitudes within relational contexts. The Handbook of Sexuality in Close Relationships (2004): 57-85.
Sprecher, S., Felmlee, D., Orbuch, T., & Willetts, M. Social networks and intimate relationships: Their mutual influences and changes over time. H.T. Reis & M.A. Fitzpatrick (EDs). Stability and Change in Relationships (2002): 257-284.
Creative Works/Broadcast Media
Willetts, M. The Involvement of Animal Advocates in the Prosecution of an Alleged Animal Hoarder. American Sociological Association (2020)
Encyclopedia
Willetts, M.C. (2016). Domestic partnerships in the United States. In C.L. Shehan (Ed.)., Encyclopedia of Family Studies.
Willetts, M. Intercourse, frequency. Patricia Whelan and Anne Bolin (EDs), The International Encylopedia of Human Sexuality. Wiley-Blackwell Reference (2015)
Willetts, M.C. (2010). Domestic partnerships. In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues, pp. 891-899. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC.
Willetts, M. Coupling policies. Encyclopedia of Human Relationships (2009): 351-355.
Willetts, M. Domestic partnerships. Vincent Parillo (EDs). Encyclopedia of Social Problems (2008)
Journal Article
Sprecher, S., O'Sullivan, L., Drouin, M., Verette-Lindenbaum, J., & Willetts, M. Perhaps It Was Too Soon: College Students' Reflections on the Timing of Their Sexual Debut. Journal of Sex Research 59.1 (2022): 39-52.
Willetts, M.C. (2022). Convictions and penalties among rescue and non-rescue non-human animal hoarders. Society & Animals. doi:10.1163/15685306-bja10070
Warner, C., & Willetts, M.C. (2021). Protecting companion animals from domestic
abuse: A comparative analysis of legal developments in the U.S. and the U.K. Global Journal of Animal Law 9. http://ojs.abo.fi/ojs/index.php/gjal/article/view/1724
abuse: A comparative analysis of legal developments in the U.S. and the U.K. Global Journal of Animal Law 9. http://ojs.abo.fi/ojs/index.php/gjal/article/view/1724
Willetts, M.C. (2020). An exploratory investigation of companion animal custody disputes following divorce. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage. DOI: 10.1080/10502556.2020.1830258
Willetts, M.C. , & Beck, F.D. (2020). The influences of Buddhism and development on the well-being of Bhutan's street dogs. Animal Studies Journal 9 (2), 56-86. https://ro.uow.edu.au/asj/vol9/iss2/4
Newsletter
Willetts, M. Family innovation: Heterosexual licensed domestic partners. The Report: National Council on Family Relations (2005): F26-F27.
Presentations
The participation of animal advocates in the prosecution of an animal hoarder. Annual Meeting. American Sociological Association. (2023)
The Participation of Animal Advocates in the Investigation of a Non-human Animal Hoarder. Annual Meeting. American Sociological Association. (2020)
Convictions and Penalties Among Rescue and Non-Rescue Non-Human Animal Hoarders. Annual Meetings. American Sociological Association. (2019)
Gross National Happiness and the Well-Being of Bhutan's Street Dogs. American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. American Sociological Association. (2018)
Gross National Happiness in Promoting the Well-Being of Bhutan's Street Dogs. University Club. Illinois State University. (2018)
The influences of Buddhism and Gross National Happiness on the well-being of Bhutan's street dogs. Department of Sociology & Anthropology Brown Bag Series. Department of Sociology & Anthropology. (2017)
When rescue is not rescue: Hoarding among animal welfare workers. American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. American Sociological Association. (2017)