Explores new ways of stimulating critical thinking in teaching basic sociology courses and finds the use of paradoxes and dilemmas an effective teaching tool, as they reflect the dialectical nature of sociological analysis. Gives examples of paradoxes and dilemmas, and discusses basic strategies in recognizing and resolving dilemmas. (NL)

Six student projects which focus attention on the activities and processes through which conditions come to be defined as social problems are described. They demonstrate the relevance of the student's own values and life experiences in understanding social problems. (Author/DE)

Examines the hypotheses that students need to improve communication skills and that an innovative pedagogy is more effective than traditional methods for improving communication skills. Describes the teaching pedagogy and its implementation in an introductory sociology course. Results suggest that this pedagogy is more effective than conventional…

Four teaching devices designed to demonstrate the social process of labeling mental illness were used in different teaching settings. (Author/ND)

Tightening economic conditions have forced sociology instructors interested in using expensive visual materials in their classes to seek other sources of funding support. Discussed are innovative ways of funding and administering courses making use of commercial films. The team-taught course, "Images of Women in Film," is used as a case study.…

Outlines a model of instruction that uses Marvin Olsen's reconceptualization of sociology as "sociological practice" to integrate sociological practice into traditional courses. States that this approach helps students gain a critical perspective and overcome personal and cultural ideological constraints in dealing with real issues…

Discusses the problem of conceptual integration when preparing and teaching courses that combine two established subspecialty areas within a discipline. Provides an example of such a course that integrates medical sociology and the sociology of aging. Describes the major readings and course outline. (NL)

Describes the program Discovery located in western Massachusetts designed to incorporate experiential learning into the teaching of criminology, juvenile delinquency, social deviance, and related subjects. Reports that the program has proven to be useful in providing concrete experiences and has been widely praised by the host agencies. (KO)

Describes a system, Infracom, which enables students to influence content and structure in introductory college level sociology courses. Infracom involves writing evaluations of class meetings, making comments in class, and helping determine learning aids. (Author/DB)

Urges that students change from dualistic or relativistic thinking toward a sociological perspective on health, illness, and healing. Discusses feature films and how they can be used as case studies on mental illness, death-dying, and the political economy of illness. Appends an annotated list of films. (NL)

Reports on efforts of two professors to counter the adverse effects of large survey classes. Data are presented concerning their efforts to encourage students to formulate and hand in written spontaneous questions concerning material presented in the lectures. Suggests that this procedure stimulates critical thinking by both instructor and…

Discusses the development of a computer laboratory for sociology courses, as well as some advantages and disadvantages of incorporating computer technology into the classroom. Examines the proposal and proposal-review process. Provides tips for writing a successful proposal. (MJP)

Reviews the history, goals, achievements, and future of a graduate internship program sponsored by the Medical Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association. Students are placed in internships in a variety of clinical and research areas concerned with the development of health policy and careers in applied medical sociology. (NL)

Addresses nontraditional health care issues by placing internship students in different health care agencies such as (1) workplace wellness programs; (2) centers for independent living for the physically handicapped; and (3) an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) intervention program. Examines new problems in health care and the importance…

Presents reasons for introducing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) into a medical sociology course. States course objectives are to demonstrate relationship between the biological and the social in health and disease; describe crisis for the health system; discuss AIDS in a developing nations context; and demythologize AIDS and increase…