2014 Faculty in Residence

Kandi Stinson, Ph.D.

SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology (honors)

Dr. Stinson's description of her focus for this course and the pedagogical innovations she showcased as the CTE Faculty-in-Residence:

Like other sections of Introduction to Sociology, this course was intended to provide students with an overview of sociological theories and research methods as they are applied to specific topics of interest to sociologists. However, rather than taking the traditional survey approach to an introductory course, in which students learn a little about a lot of different topics, I have moved to a more thematic approach. The theme for the course in Fall 2014 is "Food, Hunger, and Culture." This theme will provide focus for the readings, discussions, assignments, and activities. Students learned how the major sociological theories are applied to issues of food, hunger, and culture and how sociologists go about conducting research on these issues. Substantive topics that are often covered in an introductory course, such as stratification, culture and norms, or societal institutions such as religion or economy, will be directly related to the course theme.

This course was well-suited to exploring the use of space and a "de-centered" classroom. Increasingly I have used in-class time to focus on developing students' abilities to think critically and creatively, that is, the higher levels of learning in Bloom's Taxonomy, Reading and homework assignments due in every class meeting address knowledge and comprehension, with the expectation that students come to class prepared to apply, evaluate, analyze, synthesize, etc. Time was spent in class on hands-on, active learning experiences that are highly interactive.

This section of SOCI 101 was restricted to students in the University Scholars program and first-year and sophomore students intending to go to medical school.

Dr. Stinson also offered several lectures intended for Xavier Staff members.