My dad doesn't want to plant new grass in the yard since he thinks it will die. He "challenged" me to grow one piece of sod, and if that succeeds, then try planting seeds.
I think it would die regardless of what you do. Is there something you can do to make it grow?
Whether its one piece of sod or grass seed, it will grow the same and requires the same conditions. Which are
Plant it in spring, and water it every two days, daily in summer. Best to do it in the morning or evening.
It does not matter if it's one piece of sod or an entire yard of sod or seed - if conditions are suitable, it will grow, if not, it will die. So on that basis your dad's "test" is quite reasonable.
Of course, if you just plunk down a piece of sod and don't care for it, it may well die. And if the conditions are not suitable for it, it may well die. Whether it's reasonable to grow grass in your location and on the soils you have is unknown as you have not shared any details.
