Final Project

Teaching about Current Issues in Sociology

image from http://www.sbu.ac.uk/~stafflag/index.html

To finish off the year, you'll have the opportunity to explore some of the many topics in Sociology that we haven't directly addressed.

 

The class will divide itself into 5 equal-sized groups, and each will be required to teach one (1) entire class period of 52 minutes. 

During that time you must:
  • Teach about your issue (from the list below)
  • Display a "graphical artifact" relating to your subject (eg - a poster, powerpoint, overhead, etc)
  • Include an assessment (test, worksheet, quiz, etc) including at least 15 questions
Your completed lesson will include: 
  • A written lesson plan (2 copies) that clearly explains
    • WHAT will take place during the lesson (each activity)
    • WHO is responsible for that segment
    • HOW LONG you estimate the activity will take
  • At least 1 visual aid in your lesson (overhead, PowerPoint, poster, etc)
  • A written assessment of your classmates' learning (quiz, worksheet, etc) which you will grade and return to me along with the grading scale
Things to keep in mind:
  • You will be graded on
    • Your group use of time (for preparation and in class) 20 pts
    • The information presented (accuracy, validity, etc) 20 pts
    • The assessment and grading of it  20 pts
    • The visual aid 10 pts
    • Your personal contributions to the teaching effort and professionalism 10 pts
    • Your scores on other groups’ assessments 10 pts
    • Your behavior during other groups’ presentations 10 pts

Your final exam will include information presented during these lessons. It is imperative that you take notes during them

Timeline:
  • Presentations will promptly begin on January 13 and end on January 17.
  • I will set up the order of the presentations at the time the groups are chosen. It is, as always, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY as an individual AND as a group to ensure that all necessary materials are in class and ready to go at that time
  • No make ups will take place!


Possible Topics

 
Abortion 
Alcoholism and Drug abuse
Assisted suicide
Cloning
Child abuse
Cosmetic surgery
Crime
Death penalty
Divorce
Drugs
Dying and Death
Education
Energy use/"alternative energy"
Environment
Euthanasia
Evolution vs Creation
- evolution
- creation
Family
Gangs
Growing Old, Aging (Gerontology)
Guns and Gun Control 
Health
Illegitimacy/Teen pregnancy
Justice System
Healthcare
Home vs. Hospital birth
Homosexuality (link, link)
Money
Murder
Organized Crime
Population growth
Pornography
Promiscuity 
Prostitution
Race relations
Recycling
School violence
Smoking laws
Spouse abuse
Stress
Teen pregnancy
Terrorism
Truancy
Urban Development
"Victimless" Crime 
Violence 
White-Collar Crime
Women in the Work Force