Series: Introduction to Sociology

Over the 2023-2024 academic year, we’ll be publishing a series on teaching Introduction to Sociology as a form of public sociology. Intro to Sociology is often the first contact students have with the discipline of sociology, but Intro students are also “first publics” for instructors who want to teach public sociology engagement and reflection.

In this series, we ask contributors to think of their own experiences in Intro to Sociology courses as teachers and students and invite them to reflect on how public sociology can be imagined and fostered in this early stage of sociological study. We invite Class Notes and Reflections on teaching Intro as public sociology, following our submissions guidelines here.

Intro Textbooks as Public Sociology: A Conversation with Lisa Wade

First Publics on December 4, 2023

Intro to Sociology classes are frequently the first and only contact many students will have with sociology, which also makes … Read More

Intro Textbooks as Public Sociology: A Conversation with Shamus Khan

First Publics on November 20, 2023

Intro to Sociology classes are frequently the first and only contact many students will have with sociology, which also makes … Read More

Intro Textbooks as Public Sociology: A Conversation with Dalton Conley

First Publics on November 8, 2023

Intro to Sociology classes are frequently the first and only contact many students will have with the discipline, which also … Read More

Amy Traver (2016) re-emphasizes the link between college and career as she assesses and makes suggestions for integrating vocational skills into introduction to sociology courses at a community college.

Public Sociology’s Expression

Michael Kennedy on November 1, 2023

I can still recall that 2016 election night gathering filled with sociology faculty and graduate students from across Rhode Island. Read More