Dr. Susan L. Schrader
Department of Sociology
2001 South Summit Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57197
U.S.A.
Phone: (605) 274-5212
Fax: (605) 274-5229
Email: susan.schrader@augie.edu
Current Position:
Professor
Coordinator, Gerontology Minor
Credentials:
B.A., St. Olaf College
M.S., Indiana University
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Research Interests:
Gerontology, Family, Research Methodology, End-of-Life Care, Organizational Stigma, Nursing Homes, Religiosity
Courses Taught at Augustana:
Sociology 110 Contemporary Society
Gerontology 120 Aging & Society
Sociology 210 Sociology of Families
Sociology 220 Social Gerontology
Sociology 230 Medical Sociology
Sociology 350 Social Science Research Methods
Sociology 397 Applied Sociology
Gerontology 395 Internship in Gerontology I
Gerontology 385 Issues in Gerontology
Gerontology 396 Internship in Gerontology II
General 223 Aging and the Arts
General 097 New Student Seminar
Current Work:
My research interests focus in the area of gerontology. Recently, I have engaged in two studies focused on the oldest old -- South Dakota's centenarians (or those over age 100). It has been fascinating work! I had the privilege to interview 35 South Dakotans over age 100 in 2001, and that continues to be a rich data set to explore. I also completed work for the South Dakota Health Care Association on their Century Club data (over 400 centenarians enrolled in this group provided data in an "application").
Another current interest is in the area of end-of-life issues. I currently am serving as Chair of LifeCircle South Dakota. In that capacity, I am orchestrating a five-week seminar (offered three times per year) to students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, chaplaincy, social work (and sociology/gerontology)). Additionally, LifeCircle SD was funded in 2005 to do a random survey of 10,000 South Dakota households to better understand knowledge about and attitudes toward end-of-life. As you can see, my research interests are rich and varied, and I am eager to translate some of these experiences into classroom learning and participation!
I will be on sabbatical during 2008-2009. During that time, I plan to publish findings from "South Dakota's Dying to Know" (the end of life research mentioned above) and launch new studies on (a) the role of chronic sorrow in the lives of persons with Multiple Sclerosis, (b) the experience of being without grandchildren, and (c) "Letters from Grandma" (a study of the relationship between adult grandchildren/grandmother as depicted in letters written by my grandmother to me).
Personal Statement:
I am very pleased to be a part of this fine department and have the opportunity to teach at a place like Augustana. I find that the rigor of the classroom and the possibilities of personal interaction with students has been a welcome and revitalizing experience. I am enjoying my research pursuits and feel that there is plenty of room for student investment in these and other research endeavors.
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Last updated: April 10, 2008