The second edition of this best-selling textbook provides students and practitioners with a broad introduction to, and critical analysis of, the main theories and issues within the field of early childhood studies. The book adopts a multi-disciplinary approach and pulls together all the key themes involved in the study of young children and…

Maintains that because introductory sociology courses are broad surveys of the field, they often lack an integrative perspective which would allow students to better grasp the importance and use of sociology. Shows how modernization can be used as a theme which unites the introductory course. (JDH)

This monograph examines sociological perspectives and their applications. It is intended to help the college student coming to sociology for the first time to recognize that there are several perspectives within sociology and to disentangle the mass of terms associated with each. The first distinctive sociological perspective came from the work of…

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst department of sociology offers a unique graduate program with faculty and students working together to produce mutually-authored articles, monographs, and books. Many doctoral dissertations are on applied topics in social policy and evaluation research. Graduates have been well placed in academia and other…

This article presents an original drama depicting the Lenin-Hobson theory of imperialism. Students participate in the drama and critically analyze its contents in order to better understand the Marxist point of view toward capitalism. (JDH)

Explains the history and orientation of Berkeley's graduate program in sociology which leans more toward the European than the U.S. tradition of postgraduate education. The doctoral student is most likely the principal architect of the research design and sole collector of primary data for the dissertation. The program emphasizes negotiation and a…

The University of California at Los Angeles sociology department stands out as a pluralistic community that fosters interaction, communication, and mutual understanding. Leading ethnographers and survey researchers work side by side; noted Marxists, functionalists, and phenomenologists participate in the same colloquia. The department has strong…

Addresses how the ambivalence of sociology affects students' understanding of it. Contends that this ambivalence affects the usefulness of sociology as a discipline and sociologists' attitudes towards their profession in addition to creating problems in applying a sociological perspective to everyday life. Concludes that one possible solution is…

Explores graduate students' sociological perspective, explains barriers encountered in developing that perspective, and describes strategies employed to create a participatory educational environment. Concludes that students' alienation decreased as participation increased in sociological community. (Author/DH)

Maintains that applied and academic orientations are not antithetical but rather complimentary components of a realistic and integrated view of society. Advocates that students take a pro-active position in seeking a broad range of opportunities which will provide skills and insights necessary to contribute to sociology's future. (Author/DH)

Describes one high school social studies teacher's success in having students construct their own educational games to illustrate concepts from sociology and anthropology. (JDH)

Claims that a process of intellectual growth is necessary in redefining one's identity to become a sociological community member. Suggests that faculty members can aid in this process by sharing their own transformational experiences and transcend the structural barriers to enhance the quality of graduate education. (Author/DH)

Examines history and development of the graduate program in sociology at Kent State University. The character of the program was historically influenced by interests of the chairperson and the discipline's traditional expectations. Currently, the program is more responsive to political, economic, and demographic factors, which may produce…

Northwestern University strives to balance quantitative and qualitative approaches in its graduate sociology program. The program is student-centered and emphasizes student participation in the definition of intellectual and career objectives. The program's core is concentrated in the first year to enable development of student research interests…

Describes four simple learning games, providing a brief rationale, educational goals, implementation procedures, and tips for facilitating students' learning. The four games described are the Gender Reversal Game, the Humor Game, the Stratification Game, and the World System Game. (Author/JDH)