Making the Case for the Core Curriculum: Introductory Sociology and Life After College

• In Event: 20461 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 6: Teaching Ideas

Abstract

In response to national, state-level, and campus-level discussions of the role of sociology in undergraduate education, I developed a program to gather information from former students about the value of their sociology education in their post-college life. As part of a high-impact practices program on campus, I have integrated this information into my introductory course throughout the semester, across different substantive topics. The program includes slides and short videos from students who majored, minored, or took only one course in sociology and is a course-level effort to replicate the work of the ASA in sharing the value of undergraduate exposure to the sociological perspective. As noted by the ASA, former students report a positive impact on their data and research skills, their critical thinking, their cultural competence, their ability to understand their organizations and to communicate effectively with team members. Enrolled students in the course were asked to share their feedback on the value of these components as part of the overall course curriculum. I'll share the project and student feedback with the audience and consider how this project might be improved to make a broader impact.

Author

• Stephanie M. McClure, Georgia College and State University