Dr. William Swart
Department of Sociology
2001 South Summit Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57197
U.S.A.
Phone: (605) 274-5329
Fax: (605) 274-5229
Email: william.swart@augie.edu

Current Position:
Associate Professor
Department Chair

Credentials:
B.A., Northwestern College
M.A., Marquette University
Ph.D., University of Kansas

Research Interests:
Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism
Conflict Resolution
Social Movements/Social Change
Deviance, Social Control and Social Problems

Courses Taught at Augustana:
Sociology 110 Contemporary Society
Sociology 240 Deviance and Social Control
Sociology 250 Delinquency & Crime
Sociology 280 Race, Ethnicity, and Multicultural Society
Sociology 300 Social Psychology
Sociology 340 Wealth & Poverty
Sociology 360 Sociological Theory
Sociology 390 Applied Sociology
Native American Studies (NAST) 320 Native American Social Systems
UMAIE Course: Social Conflict & Reconciliation in Ireland (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002  January Interim)

Current Work:
Since completing my dissertation ("A Terrible Beauty is Born: The Framing of Nationalism in Irish Politics, 1790-1995), I have expanded my central research focus (the interface between localized nationalist movements and broad changes in international culture, politics, and economics) from the Irish case specifically to broader nationalist trends in Europe and North America. My recent work still includes the Irish case; for instance, a recent project of mine explored the connections between the civil rights movements in Northern Ireland and the United States. However, I have also broadened my focus to include research on the European Union and national identities. For interest, current work in progress on "gastronationalism" explores the current European conflict over food production and distribution legislation fostered under the EU. These "food fights," I argue, are a result the contentious interface between local identities (expressed through local foodways) and attempts by the EU to foster broad, regionalized food distribution and production standards and policies.

My work on Irish nationalism has also fostered a new research tangent - conflict resolution. Working with a number of colleagues, including Andy Eastwood and Dr. Margaret Preston, I was actively involved in taking students on intensive study-courses in Ireland between 1998-2002. Our course, entitled "Social Conflict and Reconciliation in Ireland," focused on the history of the Irish national question as well as contemporary measures to bring about a peaceful settlement to this protracted conflict. Our study of a variety of single- and cross-community conflict resolution organizations in Northern Ireland had fostered my burgeoning interest in conflict resolution. While family obligations will prevent me from studying in Ireland for the next few years, I will be spending the 2004-05 academic year studying the divorce mediation process.

Personal Statement:
The 2003-04 academic year was my seventh year on the faculty at Augustana, and I am very happy to be a part of this dynamic group of faculty members. The Augustana experience is one of academic excellence and high levels of professor-student contact, both of which I enjoy very much. If you are interested in knowing more about Sociology at Augustana, please contact me via telephone or email.

Link to Sociology Home Page| What is Sociology?| To Prospective Students| Sociology as a Major| Career Preparation with Sociology| Sociology Course Descriptions| Links of Interest| Schedule of Courses| Sociology Faculty| Gender Studies Minor at Augie| Gerontology Minor at Augie| Native American Studies at Augie| Sociology Graduates| Augustana Home Page