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About Us

Patrick J. Ashton, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Sociology

Research Interests

Community and Urban Development,Teaching and Learning Strategies, Applied Research, Diversity, and Conflict Resolution.

Courses Taught

  • Principles of Sociology (every term)
  • Conflict Resolution and Mediation (Spring and Summer terms)
  • Sociological Pedagogy (graduate)
  • Program Evaluation (graduate)
  • Multiculturalism and Diversity (graduate)
  • Sociology of Community

I regularly teach in a variety of First Year Experience learning communities. Many of my courses are cross-listed with Peace and Conflict Studies or Liberal Studies. I have also taught in the Women's Studies and Labor Studies programs.

Education

  • Ph.D. 1981, Michigan State University, Sociology. Dissertation: Race, Class, and Black Politics: The Implications of the Election of a Black Mayor for the Police and Policing in Detroit.
  • M.A. 1975, Michigan State University, Sociology. Thesis: toward a Political Economy of Metropolitan Areas
  • B.A. 1972, Oakland University, Sociology, With Distinction.

Certifications

  • Practitioner/Educator certification, Association for Conflict Resolution (2001).
  • Certificates in community mediation (1994) and mediation training (1995).
  • Certification in College Teaching, Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, 1977.

Honors Received:

  • IPFW Student Government Association Award, 2003.
  • IPFW Friends of the University Teaching Award, 2001.
  • Indiana University President’s Award, 2001
    • Honoree, Great Men and Women . . . They Made a Difference, IPFW Office of Multicultural Services, 2000.
  • John P. Ulmer Outstanding Service to Minority and Disabled Students Award, IPFW, 1999.
  • North Central Sociological Association Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award, 1999.
  • Indiana University FACET (Faculty Colloquium for Excellence in Teaching) Award, 1998.
  • Michigan State University Excellence-In-Teaching Awards, 1975.

Like many of my generation, I got into sociology because I wanted to change the world, and I thought sociology could help me. And I still do. More than anything else, I define myself as a sociological practitioner—one who uses sociological investigation and sociological understanding to make effective changes in groups, organizations, and communities.

In addition to original research on diversity, urban and community development, plant closings, social theory, and student use of textbooks, I consult with a number of local community groups, and I design and conduct workshops on teaching, curriculum development, and conflict resolution. These workshops have been delivered locally, regionally, and nationally.

For me, teaching is a form of sociological practice. In each of the courses I teach I strive to help students acquire the skills that will enable them to be effective social actors and informed citizens in a democratic society. My teaching style is informal and interactive. I particularly enjoy teaching a an urban university like IPFW (I’ve been here since 1979) because of the mix of traditional and nontraditional college students and their diversity in terms of age, gender, race and ethnicity, and social class.

I have certificates in community mediation and mediation training. I am a founding member of Common Ground, Inc., Fort Wayne’s volunteer community dispute resolution service. I have participated in mediations in schools, organizations, and among neighbors. I have taught mediation and conflict resolution techniques to elementary and middle schoolers, college students, neighborhood leaders, human service providers, and professional sociologists.

Download a copy of my current Curriculum Vitae (pdf)