I'm not sure if this is what you want - Stratification Walk: I have been doing walks through a local community for the past 7 years with Intro to Sociology, Social Problems, and Family classes. I have assigned this as an out of class assignment when class time does not permit (best for 70-minute class or longer). Students are most enthusiastic about information gained.
I started collecting local information when I arrived at Corning Community College and realized that Vance Packard's The Status Seekers was based in part on this Northeast town (and students often add to this body of information as we walk). Students identify social classes and look at the opportunity structure (for example, they may calculate real estate investments that add to wealth - also, social networks, privacy) and their assumptions at each level. If students do the assignment on their own, they are required to design a walk that passes through at least 3 social classes. With digital cameras, students have even teamed up & prepared a Powerpoint presentation. Local folks have been eager to share their history - although, we have had some interesting experiences. We have had wheel-chair bound and blind students on Walks. Student tell me that this activity is a keeper - weeks later they write about it on many final exams. I am presenting this at ASA. While it is ideal for small towns such as Corning (in Upstate NY), I noticed that it can be done in larger towns with just a little planning. If you are not attending ASA this year, send me your e-mail address and I will send you a send of handouts (probably right after the conference) - I will have extra handouts. Second idea: I am also interested in developing an activity around the local cemetery - collecting demographic data. Caretakers can usually provide some information - I really haven't developed this yet. Is anyone doing that? Susan St. John, Assoc. Professor of Sociology Corning Community College 1 Academic Drive Corning, NY 14830 (607) 962-9526 or secretary 962-9239 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roberts, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2005 8:41 am Subject: TEACHSOC: RE: Out-of-class reading assignments and field trips > I also would like to put together a field-trip related to social class > and stratification. .... Does anyone do a similar field trip or > something better and if so, how does it actually work? > > > I have a colleague who takes a class to a homeless shelter. He > has them > line up three articulate people in advance who serve as a panel (I > believe he pays them an honorarium as consultants) and they talk > to the > students about life on the streets. > > Keith >
