Teaching Introduction to Sociology

Teaching Introduction to Sociology

Teaching Introduction to Sociology is an edited volume tailored specifically for instructors teaching introduction to sociology for the first time, for experienced instructors looking to update their course, and for sociology programs who need to update their curriculum for contemporary society.

This comprehensive text offers a robust framework for enhancing sociological literacy, fostering critical thinking, and honing essential sociological skills and concepts. Through a series of engaging chapters authored by leading scholars in the field, this volume delves into the sociological literacy framework, challenges instructors’ experience when teaching the course, and opportunities for programs to grow their enrollment. As educators navigate the evolving landscape of higher education in general and sociology specifically, Teaching Introduction to Sociology serves as a valuable resource, offering pedagogical strategies, questions for assessing the curriculum, and thought-provoking insight from leading international experts on teaching the course. 

The approach is to provide an edited guide that integrates contemporary understandings of what should be covered in an introduction to sociology course, alongside contemporary issues to consider when teaching the course, and challenges to the course in the United States and abroad. 

The book is organized into three parts:

Part 1: The Sociological Literacy Framework

Part 1 focuses on the sociological literacy framework (SLF) (Ferguson and Carbonaro 2016; Ferguson 2016), which is endorsed by the American Sociological Association. Instructors need help adapting the course to this framework as textbooks have not yet adopted the framework. The SLF includes five concepts and six skills. There will be a chapter for each of the concepts and authors are asked to connect the concept to each of the six skills. 

Part 2: The Roles of the Introduction to Sociology Course

Part 2 focuses on the role of the course in the sociology curriculum, and serving other constituents (pre-medicine students, general education, other programs). Instructors need to be aware of all the constituents the course may be serving, which may influence their approach to the course.

Further, these chapters also offer strategies for programs that need to grow and show their relevance to diverse stakeholders: parents, administrators, students, and (increasingly) politicians.

Part 3: Challenges in the United States and Abroad

Part 3 focuses on challenges teaching introduction to sociology both in the United States and abroad. The challenges to teaching sociology vary cross-culturally, but we should be able to learn from each other’s experiences navigating challenging social and political environments and increasingly diverse student populations. 

Summary

To my knowledge, there is no other book quite like this one. Teaching Introduction to Sociology will be a useful guide for strengthening the Introduction to Sociology course, which is the primary way that people learn about the discipline.