TEACHSOC: Re: SOTL on ideal class sizes?

[Nijole Benokraitis]

What about asking your administrators to justify class sizes over 40 students?!? I remember seeing some articles in Teaching Sociology  about a class size that is conducive for learning (and it certainly wasn't over 40 students!) but don't have the cites.   On the one hand, I think it's appropriate for sociologists to support their arguments with data. On the other hand, administrators (including Boards) are constantly putting faculty on the defensive and then ignore whatever data we present because they've already decided what they're going to do.   Is there any evidence that the administrators will take your presentation of research results seriously? And, if they don't (as I'm predicting), will the Soc faculty do anything about it?   niki __________________________________________ Nijole (Niki) Benokraitis, Ph.D.,  Professor of Sociology University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201 Fax: 410-837-6051; Voicemail: 410-837-5294 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: Susan Webb To: teachsoc@googlegroups.com Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 11:14 AM Subject: TEACHSOC: SOTL on ideal class sizes? The Dean, prodded by the Provost, President, and Board, has asked departments to justify class sizes, especially those under 40 students or so.  Is anyone aware of literature on ideal class size for learning?  Specifically we were asked to address the question with regard to sociology, but I’m hopeful there’s general literature on class size issues.  Please send citations to me directly or to the list.   Thanks.   Susan Webb Professor of Sociology Coastal Carolina University (843) 349-2933