Great idea. Any chance you'd share that PPT with us? (No pressure.)
Brian - We start on the 24th. Oy! I am totally revising my
courses...and still at it.
I greet students at the door with a handshake, introduction, and
welcome. Later, after going over the syllabus, they write about how it
made them feel. They also reflect on their goals, what they expect
from me/themselves/others.
Then, I have them share all of the above.
I amazed at how many say they felt humanized, excited, cared for, etc
by the handshake!
It's good for students to hear that others have expectations for them.
Normally, I go over the syllabus, but have groups of students
share "the bottom line" about different sections. So, it's not just me
saying things. Then, we go to the lab and spend half the class in
WebCT…doing posts and whatnot.
However, I've been thinking of scrapping all that--although it works
well. Last night I taped Tommy Lee goes to College. (Yes, good lord,
but maybe he can make it cool?) I thought about showing part of it
and talking about college…where our ideas come from about what college
is like, what feelings he has that they can relate to.
For those who didn't see it, Tommy tries out for the band and although
he's a "great rock drummer" can't keep up…he's lost in Chem, Hort,
etc. He feels like a loser, needs help, has to work and prioritize.
He seems to want to do well and learn but doesn't know how. He gets a
tutor, but struggles. She has faith in him. But then he throws a party
instead of studying. But, he does get up, on time, for band practice.
Those "lessons" (e.g., balance work/fun, faith in self, getting help,
staying focused) resonated with me as something useful. We have a lot
of music students so it's applicable, too!
Did anyone see it? Maybe you all can help me maximize using this
show? Ideas? Maybe I'd do a combo of Karen's PPT (maybe 2 cases)
mixed with Tommy Lee. Hmmm…
Another option is analyzing music…something that's always worked for
me. In small groups, then together. Pick anything with a sociological
theme.
I would add that student's have homework due the next class that
involves going over the syllabus and WebCT page and respond in writing
with questions. They also tell me about goals, interests, etc. It's
useful for getting questions out early and giving me a chance to give
quick, personalized feedback by week 2.
Good luck, All!
Andi
--------------
Every object, every being,
Is a jar of delight.
Be a connoisseur.
~Rumi~
Life is raw material. We are artisans. We can sculpt our existence into
something beautiful, or debase it into ugliness. It's in our hands.
~Cathy Better~
Things which matter most should never be at the mercy of things which
matter least.
~Johann von Goethe~
Dr. Andi Stepnick
Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology
300-C Wheeler Humanities Building
Belmont University
Nashville TN 37212-3757
Direct Line: (615) 460-6249
Office Manager: (615) 460-5505
Sociology Fax: (615) 460-6997
----- Original Message -----
From: Karen Loeb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 8:35 am
Subject: TEACHSOC: Re: That time of the year again ...
> Hi Brian,
>
> On the first day of class, I distribute the syllabus but I don't
> go over it until the second time the class meets. Instead, I tell
> students, since they probably don't have a good idea of what
> sociology is by way of introduction, I present (on a powerpoint)
> four individuals experiencing "personal troubles," i.e., a high
> school student starving herself in order to be thin and
> attractive; a person who loses their job and eventually becomes
> homeless; a man who commits suicide after losing a job and then I
> make the connection between these individuals' problems and
> "public issues." Last year one of my students brought up the
> phenomena of obesity being a problem in America (in contrast to
> the anorexic girl) and we had a wonderful discussion about how
> obesity is often a function of social class (NPR did a wonderful
> series on this last year). This introduction has worked really
> well for me.
>
> Karen
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brian Webb
> To: [email protected]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 8:06 AM
> Subject: TEACHSOC: That time of the year again ...
>
>
> Good Morning -
>
> Believe it or not, our term opens next Tuesday, August 23rd.
> And as usual, I am giving some thought to things I might do or say
> in those first couple of classes that will grab the students'
> attention and open their eyes to the facination of this "special
> kind of passion" known as sociology. One thing I have learned is
> that those first few classes are crucial and can and often do 'set
> the tone' for the rest of the semester. A word about my audience -
> I teach in a private Québec CEGEP with 1700 students. This is a
> level of education after the end of High School, but before
> university. All students go through the CEGEPs en route to
> university. Our students are 16 - 18 years old, highly motivated,
> middle to upper class, urban, well travelled, multilingual and
> multicultural. Any suggestions for things that you have found
> particularly effective for 'opening day'? And one more thing -
> are there any other folks out there who are starting before Labour
> Day? Misery likes company ...
>
> Brian Webb
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
