Sociology - Faculty Profile - Dwight Roth

Dwight Roth
Social Science Department Chair
620-327-8326
dwightr@hesston.edu

How did you choose to study sociology?
I am interested in all aspects of human activity ranging from family life to religion. I am fascinated how societies are constructed and how societies and individuals influence each other. I am especially interested in intergenerational relationships. Over the last century, our society has tended to separate people by generations. In response to this in my teaching, I give my students opportunities to connect with young children and older adults. These connections are facilitated by our college campus being located right beside the Hesston Intergenrational Child Care Center and the Schowalter Villa Retirement Community.

What are your favorite courses to teach? What do you like about them?
I enjoy all of the classes that I teach – Cultural Anthropology, Marriage and the Family, Religions of the World, and Introduction to Sociology. I especially enjoy the last two courses.
      I enjoy Introduction to Sociology because it looks at the revolutionary world in which we live. Sometimes this revolutionary era is referred to as Postmodern society or the Age of Information. Whatever its name, this is one of the most change-oriented times in world history. The postmodern world has many advantages. One advantage is seen in the vast amount of information we have easy access to via electronic communication. A major disadvantage is its impersonal communication. These are major points of study in this course.
      Related to this, in Introduction to Sociology we examine different aspects of society in the United States and study how these parts fit together. For example, the postmodern world is a fast-paced society. In this course, we look at how this is reflected in fast food; microwave ovens; speed-oriented sports such as soccer, football, and basketball; and expectations regarding high-speed computer and Internet access.
       In Introduction to Sociology I also enjoy working with students to understand how any society is socially constructed--it is built of different parts and put together just like a house is made of different parts and is constructed materially. I want students to understand how society influences them and how much choice they have regarding this influence.
       I am interested in Religions of the World course for various reasons. I am fascinated by the way different people worship God and seek to deepen their spiritual life. While there are vast differences between and among the world religions, they have a basic similarity at their core. That is, these religions teach that individuals need to go beyond their selfish desires and to love and live for others. We often hear of the many differences in world religions. Seldom do we hear of this basic common point. Most people in the world religions want to live their lives in a peaceful manner. In this course I want students to understand world religions and thereby grow in their own spiritual lives.
       Linked to this, I am also interested in the world religions because there is hate produced in the name of all the religions. For our world to have a long term sense of peace, I believe there has to be constructive dialogue between these diverse systems of faith. In my Religions of the World class we visit worship places of different religions in Wichita, Kansas. Students are surprised to find the similarities between their own Christian faith and the faith of the people we visit.

How does your background and educational experience shape your teaching at Hesston?
Throughout my life I have been influenced by Mennonite / Anabaptist / Christian theology. This theology suggests that following Christ occurs best when done in the context of Christ-based community. This influences my teaching at Hesston in my seeing students, staff, and faculty at Hesston as being part of learning-based, spiritual community. Rather than seeing students, staff, and faculty as separate, I see us being together in an educational community based in Christ's teachings
      In preparation for my teaching at Hesston, I received a bachelor's degree in education focusing on the social sciences and a master's degree in social work from Temple University in Philadelphia. After I started teaching at Hesston College I received a master's degree in cultural anthropology from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kan.

What do you most want to know about prospective students?
I want to know what students are interested in. Why do they seek to major in social work, sociology, or related fields of study? I want to know what gifts and interests students have so I might help them develop these qualities.

How do you connect with students in your courses?
I seek to connect with students by the assignments I give, visiting with them in my office, or having lunch with them in the cafeteria. It is very important to me that I get to know students as individuals. The more I get to know students, the more I realize their gifts, their potentials, their dreams and goals. To me, this is one of the most important parts of my teaching at Hesston College.

What do prospective students need to know about Hesston's learning environment?
Students need to know that Hesston is learning focused. We believe that learning happens anywhere, anyplace, anytime. While the classroom is important, it is just one way and place in which we learn. I believe that students are often teachers and, in my role as teacher, I am also a student. I learn from students as they learn from me.

Where do alumni go and what do they do after Hesston?
Many of my students graduate from Hesston and go on to receive bachelor's degrees and graduate degrees – especially in the social work profession. These alumni work with people in all manner of settings from child care centers to nursing homes, from classrooms to hospital social workers. Many of these Hesston graduates are leaders at the local, state, and national levels.

What surprises you about your experiences at Hesston College?
After many years of teaching at Hesston College I continue to be surprised by the many gifts that young adults bring to our campus. It is wonderful to see these gifts developed as students learn and grow at Hesston in a Christ-centered learning environment.