I just arrived home, 6:30 from my High School teaching joys, to find the list of exchanges concerning the e-mail. I also teach sociology and will definitely use this one in my high school class.
However, after reading the comments, I am so grateful to those who saw the moment as a teachable time, and not to allow the norms of the student to power over the norms of the dominant culture. I am sorry, but yes, this is about power, and yes it is about norms and values. But at the risk of sounding ignorant, is that not what we want to teach in sociology? Not that one value or norm is right or wrong, but that one should understand why they exist and what values and norms can do if you do not understand them. ( I imagine more than one head has gotten cut off for the misunderstanding of a norm), I also wonder why (at least most of my students) do not have to be taught about what language is appropriate in the classroom and what is not. Why than, would I have to explain to a college student the proper form of communciation to a professor, a boss, or any formal communication that is on the internet? I am inclined to give this student much more credit than others, if he is smart enough to know the difference, than he is smart enough to know that he was not using proper culture. I am afraid this goes much deeper into our society and our norms than the mere acceptable forms of communication on the internet. I am afraid it is the decline of our public institutions and the power shift from the academia world to the public. I was informed that I must give a final..on the appropriate day....allowing only 50 minutes, and needs to be scored and final grades delivered 1 1/2 hours after the final is given. I will give 2 finals on the first day and 3 finals on the last day for a total of 120. No problem, no essay, no skill development for preparation of critical thinking and writing, but they will have a final. Yes, my school is being held to the state standards, just the outcome, not the structure that is required to make it there. Sorry guys, I am trying, but the shift to parent and administration power and the lack of the people in the profession having a say is killing the system. Hope you don't find this too blah blah,,but it was great to vent. Thanks for all you do for the high schools. I so appreciate your wisdom and support. Excuse the grammer or lack of, your thoughts are always welcome.
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Teaching Sociology" group.
To post to this group, send email to teachsoc@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/teachsoc
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
