A recipient of the Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility and founder of Elon’s Periclean Scholars program, Professor of Sociology Tom Arcaro has shared his dynamic approach to teaching and service with the university for the past 40 years.
What book is on your nightstand?
I’m currently reading “The Fall of Israel” by Dan Steinbock, which examines the geopolitical shifts in the region. For nearly two years, I’ve prioritized understanding the Middle East — especially the Israel-Palestine conflict and Gaza crisis. I intentionally seek books offering Jewish perspectives to broaden my insight, and Steinbock’s analysis has been particularly illuminating given current events.
What is your favorite phone app?
My perhaps unexpected favorite app is TikTok. Over the past four years, I’ve used it to create mini-lectures: first for online students in Bangladesh, and now as a platform for public scholarship. As a sociologist, I share my perspectives on current affairs. Its reach and engagement make it uniquely powerful for connecting with global audiences.
If you could invite someone from history to dinner, who would it be?
I’d choose Audre Lorde, the revolutionary poet and critical theorist. Though I’ve taught about many sociological thinkers, her work — especially “Sister Outsider” — resonates deeply with its intersectional focus on race, gender and power. Her wisdom on building solidarity across differences feels urgently relevant today, and I’d cherish the chance to discuss modern social movements with her.
What is your favorite place on campus?
Without question, McMichael 329: a tiered classroom with quirky technology and great sunlight. I’ve taught there twice recently, and both classes developed extraordinary energy. Something about the room’s layout — perhaps the steep tiers or tight space — fostered incredible discussion chemistry. Despite its flaws, it’s where my students and I felt most collaboratively engaged, or, as they would say, “it vibes.”
In your work, what’s one moment that reminded you we’re all connected?
Our annual year-end sociology/anthropology department meeting. We openly share struggles about closing the semester — grading marathons, family responsibilities or teaching frustrations. Hearing colleagues laugh over universal academic chaos (like frantic emails or spilled coffee during finals) creates profound camaraderie. It’s a raw, funny reminder that our challenges bind us more than our titles do.