4109 - Using the Curriculum Mapping Tool for Sociology to Assess Program Strengths Within the ASA’s Recommendations for the Undergraduate Major

Session Submission Type: Workshop

Description

The American Sociological Association’s report The Sociology Major in the Changing Landscape of Higher Education (Pike et al. 2017) articulates 12 recommendations for the undergraduate sociology major, including the application of learning objectives from the Sociological Literacy Framework (Ferguson and Carbonaro 2016). When parsed out, recommendations actually require departments to consider and evaluate 70 program design facets. To assist program evaluation and refinement, Ferguson and Sweet developed the Curriculum Mapping Tool for Sociology (CMTS), an instrument that can provide an effective summary of curricular strengths and weaknesses. The need for the application of the CMTS is evidenced by not only the complexity of reviewing program offerings, but also by the observation that many existing programs do not fully conform to the ASA’s recommendations for the undergraduate major (Sweet, McElrath and Kain 2014). This workshop demonstrates how the CMTS operates and makes the service available to all participants, including the receipt of customized reports that they can share with colleagues. In addition, presenters from different departments will discuss how they used the customized CMTS reports to engage their colleagues in reflections on the need for, and strategies of, revising the sociology major.

Sub Unit

• Workshops / Teaching Workshop

Session Organizer

• Stephen A. Sweet, Ithaca College

Co-Leader

• Susan J. Ferguson, Grinnell College

Panelists

• Kieran Bezila, Beloit College

• David Boden

• Charlotte A. Kunkel, Luther College

• Erik W. Larson, Macalester College

• Wade Roberts, Colorado College

• Tori Barnes-Brus, Cornell College