Teaching about Inequalities: Using Public Transportation and Visual Sociology to Raise Students' Awareness

• In Event: 487 - Section on Teaching and Learning Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 05. Strategies in Active Learning

Abstract

In this paper, we describe an assignment that expands upon Nichols, et al.’s (2004) “Hop on the Bus,” which used public transportation systems to teach students about social inequalities. Students rode public transportation from the university to downtown, where they conducted a photographic scavenger hunt of sociological concepts related to social inequalities. The exercise was assessed using qualitative and quantitative methods in two courses (honors intro and social problems. Data suggest that students' awareness of inequalities and the challenges faced by the disadvantaged were enhanced. Limitations are also discussed.

Authors

• Elizabeth Grauerholz, University of Central Florida

• Marc R. Settembrino, Southeastern Louisiana University

• Lauren Gilmore, University of Central Florida