Introductory Sociology through Literature

Using content analysis, this research examines the impact of the first 25 years of environmental sociology research on current introductory sociology textbooks. The investigators searched the texts for 40 key concepts in environmental sociology and for the inclusion of works by 20 award-winning environmental sociologists. On average, the texts cited 7 of the 40 key concepts. Eliminating multiple citations to a page, the total number of pages cited averaged just under three percent per book. On average, the texts cite four works by influential environmental sociologists. The texts, however, omitted some of the most central, unique concepts in the field. The texts typically treated environmental issues as social problems rather than as the by-products of institutionalized behaviors or practices. There tends to be a positive relationship between the sales of a text and the discussion of the environment.

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Critical Thinking in Introductory Sociology Classes: A Program of Implementation and Evaluation

Teaching Sociology ◽

10.2307/1318543 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 18 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Norma J. Shepelak ◽

Anita Curry-Jackson ◽

Vernon L. Moore

Keyword(s):

Critical Thinking ◽

Introductory Sociology

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Muntsch, Albert, S. J. und Spalding, Henry S., S. J.: Introductory sociology. Boston (1928). D. C. Heath and Co. 466 S., gr. 8º.

VIERTELJAHRSSCHRIFT FÜR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE PÄDAGOGIK ◽

10.30965/25890581-00502058 ◽

1929 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 295-296

Author(s):

L. H. Ad. Geck

Keyword(s):

Introductory Sociology

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Community Service-Learning in a Large Introductory Sociology Course: Reflections on the Instructional Experience

Engaged Scholar Journal Community-Engaged Research Teaching and Learning ◽

10.15402/esj.v4i1.308 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 61-78

Author(s):

Jana Grekul ◽

Wendy Aujla ◽

Greg Eklics ◽

Terra Manca ◽

Ashley Elaine York ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graduate Students ◽

Service Learning ◽

Community Service ◽

Graduate Student ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Teaching Experience ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Community Service Learning ◽

Introductory Sociology

This paper reports on a pilot project that involved the incorporation of Community Service-Learning (CSL) into a large Introductory Sociology class by drawing on the critical reflections of the six graduate student instructors and the primary instructor who taught the course. Graduate student instructors individually facilitated weekly seminars for about 30 undergraduate students, half of which participated in CSL, completing 20 hours of volunteer work with a local non-profit community organization. We discuss the benefits of incorporating CSL into a large Introductory Sociology class and speculate on the value of our particular course format for the professional development of graduate student instructors. A main finding was the critical importance to graduate students of formal and informal training and collaboration prior to and during the delivery of the course. Graduate students found useful exposure to CSL as pedagogical theory and practice, and appreciated the hands-on teaching experience. Challenges with this course structure include the difficulty of seamlessly incorporating CSL student experiences into the class, dealing with the “CSL”/ “non CSL” student division, and the nature of some of the CSL placements. We conclude by discussing possible methods for dealing with these challenges.

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