Jerome Koch , Ph.D. Professor/Associate Chair - Sociology

Areas of Specialization

Medical sociology, deviance, sociology of religion

Current Research Interests

College students and body modification; religion, mental health, and normative behavior

Education

Ph.D., Purdue University, 1994

More Info

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Koch has been a faculty member in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work since 1994. He is also an ordained and rostered minister in the Presbyterian Church-USA. His primary research interests include Sociology of Religion, Medicine, Deviance, and Body Modification.  These interests come to focus on examining the relationships between religion, health, and well-being.

Dr. Koch actively mentors students working toward the Master of Arts in Sociology and is looking forward to taking that to the next level in our pending Ph.D. program. Former students have gone on to complete doctoral studies at, among other places, Purdue University, the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and the University of Washington. He regularly teaches Sociology of Religion for graduate students as well as an undergraduate class called “Alcohol, Drugs, and Society.”  He especially enjoys teaching Introduction to Sociology.  

Dr. Koch grew up in Wisconsin and is a sports enthusiast.  He is a fitness-power-walker and a long-time Lubbock Senior Softball player.  He believes in life-long learning and has recently taken up the guitar.  He also considers himself something of an amateur magician. (Few others agree).