Discusses teaching sociology with the concept of ritual. Explains that students write descriptions of a family ritual that may be discussed and compared in class. Suggests that studying ritual in everyday life may reduce ethnocentrism in viewing those of other cultures and can be a tool to support the importance of the family. (DK)

Analyzes the content of chapters on education in 22 introductory sociology textbooks. Argues that the texts focus on the northern industrialized nations to the exclusion of developing nations' educational issues. Suggests that textbook coverage of northern influence, cultural factors, alternative developing nations' educational models, inadequate…

Asserts that central goal of sociology is to provide students with sociological perspective or the ability to reflect on their own society from a distance. Argues that ethnocentricism can be affected by an "insider's bias" and an "outsider's bias." Describes the use of Horace Miner's "Body Ritual of the Nacirema" as a…

Argues that offering part of the sociology curriculum abroad enables an instructor to take advantage of the students' marginal position in foreign countries. States that the students' marginality helps achieve three goals: engaging students' interest, dealing with their ethnocentricity, and using experiential learning. Describes the State…

Teaches an introductory course on issues of prejudice and discrimination. Assigns a two-essay autobiography and analysis of other student biographies. Encourages students to use their life experiences to articulate sociology's theoretical, conceptual, and substantive materials. Finds course effective in reducing ethnocentrism. (NL)

Recounts a classroom exercise in which students examine archaic ethnic slurs aimed at white Europeans (biddy, Dutch bargain). They then consider why these are no longer in use. This leads to a comparison between U.S. immigrant groups of the past and the situation of current minorities. (MJP)

Tries to make explicit race/class/gender connections in an undergraduate seminar on stratification. Students learn about models of social class and mobility and ideas of inequality. Attempts to balance the syllabus by including material about different groups and a representative group of scholars. Describes classroom discussions and experiences.…

Presents a student activity designed to reduce ethnocentrism and promote cross-cultural understanding. Describes two stages of the project: (1) individually attending a church of the student's own religion or denomination but of a different race; and (2) attending an African American fundamentalist Baptist service as a group. (CFR)

Maintains that, in spite of its cosmopolitan origins, U.S. sociology is regarded widely as parochial in its outlook and concerns. Discusses factors contributing to the intellectual isolationism of U.S. sociological research and pedagogy. Provides suggestions for internationalizing the sociology curriculum. (CFR)