Beth A. Latshaw, PhD
- Co-Chair of Department of Sociology
- Professor
Affiliated Programs
Education
- PhD, Sociology (2010)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (NC)
About Me
I teach courses on family, gender, medical sociology, and research methods. My primary pedagogical goal is to transition students from expecting a passive, lecture-style classroom experience to one where active, student-centered, experiential learning is not only required, but becomes the norm. In doing so, I encourage the students in my courses to read, think, interpret, reflect, ask questions, and effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas. My pedagogical techniques include classroom exercises and assignments that prompt students to engage the material presented to them. Through this practice, students develop a sense of ownership and value over their learning. I also strive to provide academic experiences that require students to rigorously examine, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize the logic, reasoning, and validity of evidence they derive from multiple perspectives and sources.
By investing in service-learning opportunities, internships, collaborative research projects, and experiential coursework, I offer students a chance to develop empathy and understand the value of community engagement. Moreover, as a faculty member, I feel it is not only my job to teach, but also to make each student at Widener University feel valuable and capable of success. To accomplish these goals, I offer students my respect, time, personal attention, and guidance both inside and outside of the classroom.
Research Interests
I primarily specialize in research related to gender, work, and family. The bulk of my research is on work-family conflict and the division of paid and unpaid labor in households. I am particularly interested in health outcomes associated with various aspects of work-family balance. A second area of research examines the effectiveness of high impact practices, such as experiential classroom simulations, in achieving student learning outcomes. While not a primary area of focus, I have also conducted research on how culture and identity shape food patterns and meanings.
Publications
- Yucel, Deniz and Beth A. Latshaw. 2020. “How Do Mothers’ and Fathers’ Work-Family Conflict Impact Children’s Problem Behaviors?” Journal of Family Issues, Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20926209
- Yucel, Deniz and Beth A. Latshaw. 2020. “Spillover and Crossover Effects of Work-Family Conflict among Married and Cohabiting Couples.” Society and Mental Health 10(1):35-60. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156869318813006
Awards
- The College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award, Widener University (2019)
- Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award, Widener University (2017)
- Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2009)
- Everett K. Wilson Teaching Award, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008)