William J. Swart, Ph.D., M.A.
William J. Swart, Ph.D., M.A.
Professor of Sociology; Program Director of Civitas Honors
Sociology Department
Education
Ph.D. in Sociology, 1997, University of Kansas; M.A. in Sociology, 1990, Marquette University; B.A. in Sociology, 1988, Northwestern College
Biography
Dr. William Swart teaches courses in Ethnicity, Native American Studies, Sociological Theory, Criminology & Deviance, in addition to a wide range of global education courses in countries including Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Germany, Australia and Spain. His teaching has been recognized by the Augustana Student Association's Excellence in Teaching Award. Swart's research considers the broad influence of globalization on local politics, economics and identities. His recent book, NASCAR, Sturgis and the New Economy of Spectacle (2017, Brill) explores the economic structure of motorsports spectacles as a facet of the contemporary American economy of spectatorship. He earned a master's degree in sociology from Marquette University and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Kansas. Swart is a member of the Augustana chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society, and is the director of the Augustana Civitas Honors Program.