Introduces an innovative approach to teaching a sociology of education course. Suggests the various approaches to sociology have distracted professionals from its central relevance. Critiques present orientations to a sociology of education course and recommends placing emphasis on the logic or theoretical/conceptual framework for organizing key…

Asserts that community service-learning holds the potential to enhance the sociology curriculum. Contends that the programs are not implemented easily and difficulties arise trying to integrate academic content with the community experience. Describes a community service-learning course, discusses typical problems, and suggests solutions. (CFR)

Describes a final assignment in an introductory sociology course that helps students apply their sociological knowledge. Students choose a book or movie, provide a plot summary, analyze it using a minimum number of sociological terms gathered from different chapters or topic areas, and provide a brief conclusion. (MJP)

Reports on a comparative study of the undergraduate sociology curriculum in 36 U.S. and 38 English Canadian institutions. Finds that Canadian schools more closely resemble the European sociology curriculum by emphasizing sociological theory. Contends that U.S. schools emphasize research methods in the context of a liberal arts program. (CFR)

Recounts a series of teaching exercises designed to develop a critical awareness of attitudes toward gays and lesbians. The first set consists of short, active-listening exercises between students. The second involves observation and comparison of public displays of affection between heterosexual couples and gay couples. (MJP)

Recounts a university's attempt to create a more rigorous and rewarding sociology program. Utilizing recommendations from the American Sociological Association the university introduced four levels of sequencing consisting of introductory courses, skills courses, advanced substantive courses, and capstone courses. Concludes that this was a…

Reports on a statistics course designed to emphasize real-world applications. The course is primarily lab-based and provides students with numerous opportunities to demonstrate mastery of their skills. The instruction is tightly focused on achievable goals and utilizes hands-on experience and computer tutorials. (MJP)

Asserts that diversity breadth requirements, also known as multicultural requirements, have become an integral part of undergraduate education in U.S. universities. Reports on a study of 32 institutions on their undergraduate multicultural course requirements. (CFR)

Asserts that song lyrics illustrate important sociological concepts. Reports on a study using song-lyric packets with 23 students in an introductory college sociological course. Finds that students were very supportive of the strategy and includes an appendix illustrating the approach by presenting one song-lyric packet. (CFR)

Discusses efforts to bring a multicultural perspective to a 200-level course on the sociology of health and aging as a means of addressing broader multicultural curriculum transformation issues. The course is constructed around students' examination of four basic questions concerning their own experiences with exclusion and entitlement. (MJP)

Outlines and describes examples of student resistance to a feminist perspective in a sociology of the family course. The examples were: characterizing information as "male-bashing," ignoring structural forces, and blaming the victim. Notes the almost passive acceptance of feminist perspectives when articulated by a guest male professor. (MJP)

Describes an undergraduate sociology course where college students helped develop and teach multicultural lesson plans to high school students in a multiethnic district of Los Angeles (California). Discusses the origin and organization of the project and addresses some of its inherent structural and substantive challenges. (MJP)

Summarizes a recent study concerning the impact of age on students' verbal participation in the college classroom. Discovered that age, gender, attendance, week in semester, and time of day were significant determinants. Examines students' reasons for their lack of participation and offers suggestions to increase it. (MJP)

Investigates how classroom traits (interaction norms, emotional climate) and students' traits (comprehension, confidence) impact on students' participation in class. Multiple regression analysis of survey data suggests that faculty members may play a much less direct role than previously assumed. (MJP)

Discovers a very stereotypical representation of the elderly in marriage and family textbooks. Reveals that the aged receive limited amounts of coverage, often are often separated from other family issues and events, and generally are associated with specific "elderly" topics in these texts. (MJP)