Faculty Profile: Robert Johnston
Dr. Johnston can be seen walking on campus in jeans and a tie-dyed T-shirt, an homage to the style of the era that sparked many social movements. During the fall semester, he taught sociology of the 60s and really enjoyed the class. “For me, it was a chance to revisit the 60s, but I look at it in a different way than when I was actually living it,” he says. “Just going back and visiting has kind of rejuvenated me.” The students have given him positive feedback from the class, which looked at various movements through the decade. Dr. Johnston also teaches social research methods, the sociology of organizations, and the sociology of work and occupations courses. He is dedicated to working with students and the community. He says, “I like any class that I’m able to put together a program for the community. To me, that is very important.” Since 1996, he has been a member of the Mayor’s Brownfield Commission, which does site assessments on improving the living standards of the people in the Hyde Park Community. He develops class projects for students in his research courses to give students the chance to apply what they have learned. “It’s one thing to do it in class and another to go out in the field and apply it,” says Dr. Johnston. Throughout his teaching career at ASU, he has sent at least 100 of his students to professional meetings to participate. “I like to see them get involved in doing the research so that they see the fruits of their labor,” he says. “I think it’s a great way to learn.” This spring, he will teach a course on work to family conflict and would like for his students to make a presentation about their findings. The class will look at characteristics and factors that reduce and generate conflict, scheduling and time management, and factors that relieve stress. Dr. Johnston says that what happens at work often spills over to the family environment, whether it is positive or negative. However, his work environment at ASU has been a positive one now that he has moved to his office in Allgood Hall. “I spent nearly 17 years in Hardy Hall. I’m very impressed with the new buildings and the state-of-the-art classrooms,” says Dr. Johnston. “ASU has created a campus life that wasn’t here before.” He recalls that in 1986, it was as if the “campus closed at 1 p.m. and then reopened at 4 p.m. for the night students.” With his busy schedule of teaching and working with students on community, Dr. Johnston still finds time to do what he enjoys most. “I read so much academically that I often need ‘escape reading.’ I love crime and political novels,” he says. “I am usually reading two or three at a time, and when one gets boring, I read another for awhile.” Dr. Johnston received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both from the University of Louisville, and a doctoral degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Who: Robert Johnston Position: Professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work How long at ASU: 21 years Pets: a dog, Joy (half cocker spaniel and half golden retriever) Fun Fact: “I hate to dress up.” Favorite Book: Crime novels in the James Patterson and Michael Connelly series Recent Research: Work to Family Conflict Other News Stories:
January 2007 |
Woodstock, Civil Rights, and the Vietnam War—all are prominent events representative of the 1960s, a time that had a significant impact on the life of Robert Johnston, professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work.
