JILLET SARAH SAM
1104 Arts-Sociology Building (Bldg. 146)
University of Maryland, College Park
MD 20742
Phone: 240-274-4764
email: samjs@umd.edu
EDUCATION
PhD, Sociology
University of Maryland, College Park, Expected May 2014
Dissertation Title:
Place and Caste Identification: Distanciation and Spatial Imaginaries on a caste-based social
network
Dissertation Advisor: Prof George Ritzer
Dissertation Committee: Dr Patricia Hill Collins, Dr Roberto Patricio Korzeniewicz, Dr Ashwini
Tambe, Dr Sahar Khamis
Qualifying Exam 1 - Sociological Theory (Globalization, Consumption and Social Geography),
Fall 2011
Qualifying Exam 2 - Caste Inequality, Spring 2011
MA, Sociology
University of Hyderabad, May 2007
Masters in Business Economics
University of Delhi, May 2004
BA (Honours), Economics
University of Delhi, May 2004
RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS
Globalization, New Media and Society, Social Geography, Consumption, Social Inequality,
Sociological Theory, Postcolonial Theory, Cultural Studies, South Asia Studies
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Teaching
Sole Instructor, University of Maryland College Park, Fall 2010-Present
Fully Responsible for all aspects of the course: syllabus design, lesson delivery, and assessment
 Introduction to Sociology, 7 semesters, 60 undergraduate students per semester
Page 1 of 5

Introduction to Social Problems (Young Scholars Program), 1 semester, 10 high
school students
Teaching Assistant, University of Maryland College Park, Fall 2009
Responsible for teaching discussion sections and assessment
 Introduction to Sociology, 1 semester, 180 undergraduate students
Grader, University of Maryland College Park, Fall 2013
Responsible for assessment
 Sociological Social Psychology, 1 semester, 180 undergraduate students
Graduate Teaching
Grader, University of Maryland College Park, Fall 2013
Responsible for assessment
Development of European and American Sociological Theory, 1 semester, 20 graduate students
TEACHING-RELATED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITES
2013- 2014: Mentor. Graduate School International Teaching Fellows program. Centre for
Teaching Excellence. University of Maryland College Park.
2010-Present: Enrolled in University Teaching and Learning Program. Centre for Teaching
Excellence. University of Maryland College Park.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles
Sam, Jillet. Dec 2012. “Globalization and Layered Spaces: The Case of Hitec City in India.”
Perspectives on Global Development and Technology. 11(4)
Encyclopedia Articles
Sam, Jillet. 2012. “Non-Place” in The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization, edited by
George Ritzer. Oxford: Blackwell.
Sam, Jillet. 2012. “Space of Place, Space of Flows” in The Blackwell Encyclopedia of
Globalization, edited by George Ritzer. Oxford: Blackwell.
Page 2 of 5
Sam, Jillet. 2011. “Bollywood” in Encyclopedia of Consumer Culture, edited by Dale
Southerton. Sage Publications
Papers in Progress
Sam, Jillet. “I don’t need a website for an arranged marriage!’ Using matrimonial websites as
extended (social spaces) for caste endogamy.”
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Regular Paper Sessions
Sam, Jillet. 2013 “Spatial Imaginaries of Caste: Re-embedding Thiyya identity on Cyber
Thiyyers of Malabar.” Eastern Sociological Society Annual Conference. Session: Social Change
in India.
Sam, Jillet. 2012 “Using Matrimonial Websites as Extended (Social) Space: Embeddedness,
Emplacement and Reterritorialization.” Eastern Sociological Society Annual Conference.
Session: Community, Collaboration and the Internet.
Sam, Jillet. 2010 “Globalization and Layered Spaces: The Case of Hitec City in India.” August.
American Sociological Association Annual Conference. Community & Urban Sociology Session:
"Transformative Developments in 21st Century Cities and Suburbs."
Invited Paper Sessions
Sam, Jillet. 2011 “Digitized Caste Endogamy: Spatial Considerations” April. Theorizing the Web
Conference. Session: Cyber Racism, Race and Social Media.
Roundtable Sessions
Sam. Jillet. 2011. “Caste Online: Social Geographies, Presence and Absence”. June 29.
Department of Communication, SN School of Arts and Communication. University of
Hyderabad. Roundtable: “New Media Studies.”
Sam, Jillet. 2010 “Global-as-spectacle: interaction between the Global and the Grocal in Hitec
City, India.” March 19. Eastern Sociological Society Meetings. Roundtable: “Globalization Cyberspace, Youth and Glocalization.”
RESEARCH AND EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE
Summer 2011. Research Assistant to Dr Patricia Hill Collins, University of Maryland, College
Park
Page 3 of 5

June 2011. Project Title: “New Politics of the Community”. Conducted a topical
literature review comparing international alliances between activists and scholars
addressing inequalities focusing on caste and race.
Summer 2010. Associate Managing Editor. Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization.
Fall 2008- Fall 2009. Research Assistant to Dr George Ritzer, University of Maryland, College
Park
Projects
 Spring 2009. Researching and editing of Enchanting a Disenchanted World:
Continuity and Change in the Cathedrals of Consumption (ed 3). George Ritzer.
Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.
 Fall 2008. Researching and editing of McDonaldization: The Reader (ed 3). George
Ritzer. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.
 Fall 2008. Researching and editing of Globalization: a Basic Text. George Ritzer.
Malden, MA : Wiley-Blackwell.
Spring 2008. Field Research, Centre for Study of Indian Diaspora, University of Hyderabad
Project
 January-March 2008. Project Title: “Familial Bonds of Indians in the United States:
A study of visiting parents”. Conducting In-depth interviews with parents of members
of US diaspora in Hyderabad.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITES
2014. Presider. Theorizing the Web 2014, Cyborgology, Brooklyn, New York. Session “Decentering the Western Web”. April 24-25.2014.
2013. Facilitator. Transnational South Asia Colloquium. University of Maryland College Park.
2013. Presider. Eastern Sociological Society Annual Conference. Sessions - “New Perspectives
on Community”, “Rebuilding and Reforming Communities”
2012. Presider. Theorizing the Web 2012, University of Maryland College Park. Session “Augmented Reality”. April 14.2012.
2012-2013. Organizing Committee. Theorizing the Web Conference 2012, University of
Maryland College Park.
2009-2010. Outreach Committee Member. Global and Trans-national Sociology Section.
American Sociological Association.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
2009-2014. Member. American Sociological Association.
Page 4 of 5
2012-2014: Member. Critical Race Initiative, University of Maryland, College Park.
2011-2012: Member. Prosumption Working Group.
2009-2013. Member. Eastern Sociological Society.
GRADUATE STUDENTS SERVICE
2011-2012.Co-Social Chair, Graduate Students Forum. University of Maryland College Park.
2010-2011. Graduate Student Mentor to Incoming International Student. University of Maryland
College Park.
2007-2008. Student Representative, Committee Against Sexual Harassment. University of
Hyderabad.
REFERENCES
Dr George Ritzer
3145 Art/Sociology Building, Department of Sociology,
University of Maryland, College Park, 20742
Phone: (301) 405-6418
Email: gritzer@umd.edu
Dr Roberto Patricio Korzeniewicz
3103 Art/Sociology Building, Department of Sociology,
University of Maryland, College Park 20742
Phone: 301-405-6398
Email: korzen@umd.edu
Dr Ashwini Tambe
2101F Woods Hall
Department of Women’s Studies
University of Maryland, College Park
Phone: 301-405-7209
Email: atambe@umd.edu
Dr Linda Moghadam
2108 Art/Sociology Building, Department of Sociology,
University of Maryland, College Park, 20742
Phone: (301) 405-6389
Email: moghadam@umd.edu
Page 5 of 5