A colleague gave me an idea that worked very well with my Family class (2nd semester/2nd year sociology students). I use it the first day of class to introduce the idea that the course was based on research.
We got personal ads (online NY Times)- men seeking women and women seeking men - made copies from several days over the previous month. Breaking the class into groups, some groups came up with measurable variables & possible hypotheses (perhaps for future research) - some groups got "women seeking men" and others got "men seeking women." (about 15 minutes) At the end of class, we compared characteristics, dilemmas around arriving at measurable characteristics, and possible hypotheses. It was fun, generated lots of conversation, and served as a springboard for research material we got into with the next class. Susan Susan St. John, Assoc. Professor of Sociology Corning Community College 1 Academic Drive Corning, NY 14830 (607) 962-9526 or secretary 962-9239
