Dr. McCorkle

William McCorkle

Assistant Professor

Education

  • M.A.-Clemson University-History (2015)  
  • Ph.D.-Clemson University-Curriculum and Instruction (2018) 

Research Interests

Will McCorkle is an assistant professor of educational foundations and social studies education. He was formerly a high school and middle school social studies teacher in Greenville, South Carolina and San Jose, Costa Rica. His research focuses on the intersection of nationalism, immigration, and education with a particular focus on more marginalized migrant communities. He is currently the program director of the Master’s of Teaching, Learning, and Advocacy at College of Charleston. 

Selected Publications

McCorkle, W. It’s dehumanizing on purpose: Educators’ experiences at an immigration detention center. Education and Urban Society 55 (4), 263-287 


McCorkle, W. (2022) Teacher educator as journalist: My experiences at the Mexican-American border and in Washington on January 6th. Journal of Social Studies and History Education, 6(1), 1-13. 


McCorkle, W., & Montezuma, J. (2022) The relationship between beliefs in free markets, nationalism, and immigration in the United States: Implications for social studies educators. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 13(3), 1-30. 


McCorkle, W., & Rodriguez, S. (2022) Levels of nationalism among middle and high school social studies teachers: Implications for promoting equity for immigrant students and with educators. Journal of Social Studies Research. 


McCorkle, W. (2022). Teachers’ views on deportations, DACA, and a pathway to citizenship. Critical Questions in Education, 13(1), 1-19. 


McCorkle, W. (2021). DACA and educational restrictions in South Carolina: A continuation of white supremacy. Journal of Latinos and Education. 1-18.  


McCorkle, W. (2021). Expanding beyond World War II to encourage peace education and deconstruct militarism. Journal of Peace Education, 1-21. 


McCorkle, W. (2021). Exploring the Christian teachings on immigration in the social studies classroom. The Social Studies, 1-10. 


Rodriguez, S., & McCorkle, W. (2020) On the educational rights of undocumented students: A call to expand teacher awareness and empathy. Teachers College Record. 123(5).  


Monreal, T., & McCorkle, W. (2020). Social studies teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about immigration and the formal curriculum in the United States South: A multi-methods study. The Urban Review, 1-42. 

Honors & Awards

  • Public Religion Research Insitute Migration Fellow- 2023-2024 
  • Center for Public Choice and Market Process Fellow-2021-2024