Biography
Originally from Norway and married to a Russian, Dr. Hansen brings an international perspective to the study of American culture and institutions. His main interest is in professions as they confront cultural and ethical challenges within larger organizations. He has published on the military chaplaincy and pluralism as well as on physicians' roles in medicalized killing.
He has offered innovative classes in response to current events, including courses about the Black Lives Matter Movement and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outside the classroom, he advises the Sociology honors society, Alpha Kappa Delta, and took the initiative in reestablishing a minor in African and African American Studies on campus. He serves on the advisory committees for the America in the World core requirement and the Conflict, Peace, and Social Justice major.
An avid soccer fan, Hansen resides in Frederick, MD, with his spouse and two young sons.
Education
Sociology Ph.D. University of California, San Diego
Sociology M.A. University of California, San Diego
Psychology B.S. University of North Dakota
Sociology B.A. University of North Dakota
Areas of Study
Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Medicine, Sociology of Race, Military Sociology, 20th Century United States.
Publications
Hansen, Kim P. Military Chaplains and Religious Diversity, Palgrave Macmillan (2012)
In addition to work on military chaplaincy, he has an interest in the medicalization of death and dying, with publications on Physician-Assisted Suicide and on Lethal Injection.
His book about military chaplains has been reviewed in Commonweal Magazine, Armed Forces & Society and Journal of Church & State. He has been invited to speak about chaplaincy at the University of Oslo, at Brite Divinity School in Texas, and on Capitol Hill.
