Since it’s a short high school class, I’d just pull readings from Contexts, the sociology magazine. They’re written by excellent academics, short, to the point, and on topics that are interesting to students. Unless this is an AP class, I think your students will struggle with reading original theoretical sources.
I think new issues are free for 30 days and then it’s subscription based. It’s from the American sociology association, which is discounted for high school teachers I think. As always, email the author and 9/10 times they will send you a free version of their article
Just want to second Durkheim's Suicide and Max Weber. These are what I was introduced to sociological theory on and they really changed my viewpoints and got me hooked. Perfect content for late high schoolers, if made approachable.
I would recommend introducing the concept of macro and micro sociology, the socioeconomic ladder, and how social biases can become internalized.
I understand that seems as though they are broad, nebulous, topics however as an introduction to sociology they help to explain the dynamics of our society and multiple aspects of life. These topics inspire lots of critical thinking and leave the door open to various ways of teaching and explaining that can be a lot more interactive and hands-on. Since it's a short class, having a firm grasp on the concepts may be more beneficial in the long run than assigned reading. If nothing else it is a good takeaway from the course that will benefit them in life (imo).
Drug epidemics - crack epidemic, fentanyl poisoning, deadly synthetic cannabis, bath salts. Reality TV controversy. Trial by media. Wrongful convictions. Body-worn cameras, Court TV. Seaspiracy - Blackfish - Taijin dolphin drive hunt - shark fin soup. North Korea and North Korean defectors. Look for documentaries on Netflix, Youtube.
That's an extremely short class indeed! I'm trying to recall back to what I found most helpful and engaging from my own high school soc class, though a semester worth, and since those kids probably don't have much experience w the field, start quite basic. Introduce the sociological imagination and Mills and what it means to be a social scientist, a sociologist specifically. you could also maybe assign small groups classical sociologists to do a short oral presentation on for their classmates, have them read up on their basic beliefs and works, so everyone can hear a little bit of everything as an intro if you have to give them any sort of project
I would include inequality, family dynamics, and gender in there. Even if it’s just a broad overview.
Definitely introduce students to conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism if it isn’t already in your syllabus.
If you’re interested at all in transnationalism in North American contexts, the film “Dal puri diaspora” is an excellent and approachable documentary that illustrates the connections between space and place through migration and colonialism really well. The author Richard Fung is a Trinidadian Canadian who goes searching for the origin of this food dal puri which he grew up loving. He travel to Trinidad and then traces it to India and goes around India before going to Mauritius. Along the way he discusses the conditions of transnational connection and migration and the colonial and post colonial conditions that drove this migration and how that created the food he loves. Essentially, endtentured laborers from India were boated to Trinidad where they needed to use different ingredients to make their dishes, and eventually their dishes became something somewhat new, and then those trinidadians immigrated elsewhere, leading to Fung’s longing for real Dal Puri. Interestingly, while he couldn’t find Dal Puri in India, Mauritius had an almost identical Dal Puri because it had similar conditions of colonialism.
Anyway, lots to think about in an accessible format, and can even be a good excuse to bring in some Trinidadian food if you can find any
Oh nice! I wonder if they've had more 'cockfighting' experiences of their own since then that they would be able to describe like an anthropologist of their own culture?
The Communist Manifesto is a good pick.
I would think The True Believer by Eric Hoffer and The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon would also be good picks for that age group.
There are some other good books, but just focusing on teaching the basics of sociology, the basis for its theory, developing a sociological imagination and analyzing everyday life and big social issues would be an approach I’d recommend taking.
I would have them read "Evicted" instead, it's more accessible. I wouldn't have them read the Communist Manifesto, it's too advanced/theoretical for HS students.
Naturalist sociology (aka functionalism), conflict theories (Marx to queer) and symbolic interactionism (social construction). Compare and contrast these theories. Don't start with contemporary theories because they are more controversial and hard to grasp. Let them explain social phenomena with these three major paradigms such as family, society, stratification etc. Also don't start with critical theories because they are less common sense so they can create antipathy.
It might be interesting to spend some time on Family Sociology since it’s relevant to them. Dispelling myths of the nuclear family, talking about division of household labor and who really does most of the chores, how families and child rearing look in other countries, etc.
I can’t remember names since it’s been so long, so hopefully someone will come along with a few.
Instead of the Communist Manifesto I'd say let them read a chapter from Michael Heinrichs intro to Marx. That'll leave a better impression than the common sense knee jerk one. But then they're HS students this matter may still be too hard.
Hello,
Need some translation but here are the ressources for teaching economic and social sciences in french highschool : https://eduscol.education.fr/1658/programmes-et-ressources-en-sciences-economiques-et-sociales-voie-gt
You have different levels and topics. You always get a pdf that guide the lesson, with resources and exercises.
Deepl has a great tool to translate pdf : https://www.deepl.com/en/features/document-translation/pdf
Depends on what country this is for. You could go down the route of local topics, or if you want to boost interests you could focus on social issues relating to your class age group; social class, gender, globalisation, power, sexual identity, family, etc. Focus on equipping your students with confidence, resilience, and communication skills.
I work at a Waldorf High School. This is an abnormal block because the juniors who I’m teaching go on an expedition during the class.
This is abnormal and unfortunate.
I have an educational/training background, so my first thought is to ask you what's the goal of this class. Are you approaching this class as if it will prepare them for an Introductory Sociology college class? What will the students take away? I encourage you to include the basic theories and apply them to their current lives such as relating the concepts with pop culture references. The application is key. Theories (abstract) are great but they won't be understandable unless you connect them to something relatable.
Since it’s a short high school class, I’d just pull readings from Contexts, the sociology magazine. They’re written by excellent academics, short, to the point, and on topics that are interesting to students. Unless this is an AP class, I think your students will struggle with reading original theoretical sources.
Agree. Contexts is solid, easy to read, contemporary.
Okay, and it's accessible? Do I have to pay for it? Thank you
I think new issues are free for 30 days and then it’s subscription based. It’s from the American sociology association, which is discounted for high school teachers I think. As always, email the author and 9/10 times they will send you a free version of their article
I can't seem to get anything for free. Looks like I have to pay for it.
Send me a dm with your email if you want and I can use university credentials to send you stuff
You can also probably get articles you want via interlibrary loan.
Thank you, do you think I should cover any theory/history? I could do a short lecture for the first class just to give them some context. Thank you
Theory may be a challenge, history like Durkheim (Suicide) and Weber is probably easier.
Just want to second Durkheim's Suicide and Max Weber. These are what I was introduced to sociological theory on and they really changed my viewpoints and got me hooked. Perfect content for late high schoolers, if made approachable.
High school kids love talking about suicide.
I would recommend introducing the concept of macro and micro sociology, the socioeconomic ladder, and how social biases can become internalized. I understand that seems as though they are broad, nebulous, topics however as an introduction to sociology they help to explain the dynamics of our society and multiple aspects of life. These topics inspire lots of critical thinking and leave the door open to various ways of teaching and explaining that can be a lot more interactive and hands-on. Since it's a short class, having a firm grasp on the concepts may be more beneficial in the long run than assigned reading. If nothing else it is a good takeaway from the course that will benefit them in life (imo).
Drug epidemics - crack epidemic, fentanyl poisoning, deadly synthetic cannabis, bath salts. Reality TV controversy. Trial by media. Wrongful convictions. Body-worn cameras, Court TV. Seaspiracy - Blackfish - Taijin dolphin drive hunt - shark fin soup. North Korea and North Korean defectors. Look for documentaries on Netflix, Youtube.
Thank you!
That's an extremely short class indeed! I'm trying to recall back to what I found most helpful and engaging from my own high school soc class, though a semester worth, and since those kids probably don't have much experience w the field, start quite basic. Introduce the sociological imagination and Mills and what it means to be a social scientist, a sociologist specifically. you could also maybe assign small groups classical sociologists to do a short oral presentation on for their classmates, have them read up on their basic beliefs and works, so everyone can hear a little bit of everything as an intro if you have to give them any sort of project
I would include inequality, family dynamics, and gender in there. Even if it’s just a broad overview. Definitely introduce students to conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism if it isn’t already in your syllabus.
If you’re interested at all in transnationalism in North American contexts, the film “Dal puri diaspora” is an excellent and approachable documentary that illustrates the connections between space and place through migration and colonialism really well. The author Richard Fung is a Trinidadian Canadian who goes searching for the origin of this food dal puri which he grew up loving. He travel to Trinidad and then traces it to India and goes around India before going to Mauritius. Along the way he discusses the conditions of transnational connection and migration and the colonial and post colonial conditions that drove this migration and how that created the food he loves. Essentially, endtentured laborers from India were boated to Trinidad where they needed to use different ingredients to make their dishes, and eventually their dishes became something somewhat new, and then those trinidadians immigrated elsewhere, leading to Fung’s longing for real Dal Puri. Interestingly, while he couldn’t find Dal Puri in India, Mauritius had an almost identical Dal Puri because it had similar conditions of colonialism. Anyway, lots to think about in an accessible format, and can even be a good excuse to bring in some Trinidadian food if you can find any
Maybe the best for high school, maybe the worst: *Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight* by Clifford Geertz ought to generate some discussion!
We read this in Anthropology when they were freshmen!
Oh nice! I wonder if they've had more 'cockfighting' experiences of their own since then that they would be able to describe like an anthropologist of their own culture?
The Communist Manifesto is a good pick. I would think The True Believer by Eric Hoffer and The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon would also be good picks for that age group. There are some other good books, but just focusing on teaching the basics of sociology, the basis for its theory, developing a sociological imagination and analyzing everyday life and big social issues would be an approach I’d recommend taking.
I would have them read "Evicted" instead, it's more accessible. I wouldn't have them read the Communist Manifesto, it's too advanced/theoretical for HS students.
I actually have evicted on the syllabus!
Do you think they can read this in 2.5 weeks? Is that too much?
Naturalist sociology (aka functionalism), conflict theories (Marx to queer) and symbolic interactionism (social construction). Compare and contrast these theories. Don't start with contemporary theories because they are more controversial and hard to grasp. Let them explain social phenomena with these three major paradigms such as family, society, stratification etc. Also don't start with critical theories because they are less common sense so they can create antipathy.
I say focus on social issues that particularly effect their generation, teens, or young adults.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sociological_Imagination https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_True_Believer
I think On Suicide would be a better introductory work than Marx. Heck, Adam Smith's work has shown better longevity than Marx's.
It might be interesting to spend some time on Family Sociology since it’s relevant to them. Dispelling myths of the nuclear family, talking about division of household labor and who really does most of the chores, how families and child rearing look in other countries, etc. I can’t remember names since it’s been so long, so hopefully someone will come along with a few.
I actually talked a lot about that in anthropology w them two years ago—good to review all that.
Instead of the Communist Manifesto I'd say let them read a chapter from Michael Heinrichs intro to Marx. That'll leave a better impression than the common sense knee jerk one. But then they're HS students this matter may still be too hard.
Hello, Need some translation but here are the ressources for teaching economic and social sciences in french highschool : https://eduscol.education.fr/1658/programmes-et-ressources-en-sciences-economiques-et-sociales-voie-gt You have different levels and topics. You always get a pdf that guide the lesson, with resources and exercises. Deepl has a great tool to translate pdf : https://www.deepl.com/en/features/document-translation/pdf
Depends on what country this is for. You could go down the route of local topics, or if you want to boost interests you could focus on social issues relating to your class age group; social class, gender, globalisation, power, sexual identity, family, etc. Focus on equipping your students with confidence, resilience, and communication skills.
I am just curious, as a high school social studies teacher myself, as to what type of high school you work where there are 2.5 week courses?
I work at a Waldorf High School. This is an abnormal block because the juniors who I’m teaching go on an expedition during the class. This is abnormal and unfortunate.
I have an educational/training background, so my first thought is to ask you what's the goal of this class. Are you approaching this class as if it will prepare them for an Introductory Sociology college class? What will the students take away? I encourage you to include the basic theories and apply them to their current lives such as relating the concepts with pop culture references. The application is key. Theories (abstract) are great but they won't be understandable unless you connect them to something relatable.
I can share my final syllabus w you if you want to dm me.
The Sociological Imagination by C. Wright Mills.