Describes a technique for the first class session of a course in Race and Nationality that uses a staged confrontation between a White professor and a Black student over a racial joke. Shows how the technique, in combination with student field research projects, provides an important link between common student experiences and abstract issues in…

In this paper I present a pedagogical method called Writing Answers to Learn (WAL) which combines Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Exploratory Writing to address the interrelated pedagogical problems of misconceptions, resistance, retention, and transfer. I analyze the use of this combined method in a course on racial and ethnic relations and…

Recounts a classroom exercise in which students examine archaic ethnic slurs aimed at white Europeans (biddy, Dutch bargain). They then consider why these are no longer in use. This leads to a comparison between U.S. immigrant groups of the past and the situation of current minorities. (MJP)

Examines 25 introductory sociology textbooks to ascertain patterns of race-ethnic coverage. Discovers coverage to be fairly extensive but focused around a limited set of sociological topics (stratification, education, health). Coverage in other areas (age, politics, religion) was significantly lower. Discusses implications for course development…

Argues that research and teaching in sociology should reflect increased commitment achievements and contributions of culturally diverse groups. Discusses content analysis of 30 introductory sociology texts to determine quantity and quality of their coverage of U.S. ethnic and racial groups. Concludes that, although substantial progress has been…

Presents a student activity designed to reduce ethnocentrism and promote cross-cultural understanding. Describes two stages of the project: (1) individually attending a church of the student's own religion or denomination but of a different race; and (2) attending an African American fundamentalist Baptist service as a group. (CFR)

Asserts that students familiarity with African American athletes and sports make it an effective lens to examine the nature versus nurture debate. Includes salient discussion questions and relevant examples drawn from articles and books illustrating opposing points of view. Concludes with a brief discussion of student response. (MJP)

Recommends a combination of video and lecture material for an undergraduate unit on antisemitism. Divides the unit into three topics: (1) "Jews as the Other"; (2)"Stereotypes and Conspiracy Theories"; and (3) "Jewish Identity." Includes a pretest and posttest questionnaire on students' attitudes and knowledge regarding Jews and Judaism. (MJP)

Updates and extends a previous study of the portrayal of the black family in collegiate marriage and family textbooks. Examines 20 of the best-selling textbooks published between 1986 and 1980 for their portrayal of family life among four minority groups. Finds little attention paid to minority families and evidence of cultural bias. (CFR)

Maintains that, during the 1980s, it was difficult to find classroom approaches that effectively challenged racial and class stereotypes. Describes a college community service project designed to teach students about racial, social, and gender discrimination. (CFR)