Seminar on Teaching: Pedagogical Theory and Practice

Abstract

This Seminar on Teaching is a graduate level course that emphasizes the connection between pedagogical theory and practice. After exploring a variety of theoretical approaches to teaching at the undergraduate level, including critical, feminist, and other pedagogical theories, much of the class involves the practical application of theory to teaching in...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Teaching and Learning in Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Syllabus

Class Level(s):

Graduate

Class Size(s):

Small

Usage Notes

The course objectives, assignments, and grading scale were originally designed by students enrolled in the class. On the first day of the semester, students discuss their best teachers and classes. Then they reflect individually in writing on their goals for the teaching seminar before working in small groups to determine the course requirements and...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Understand classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives on teaching and learning in sociology and how you might apply them to the classroom.
2. Read and discuss scholarship on teaching and learning (SoTL) and understand how to use research on teaching to improve their teaching, create assignments or activities, and enhance student learning.
3. Reduce anxiety and build confidence among novice and first time graduate student teachers.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Depth of understanding is demonstrated informally in reflection journals and class discussions and formally in tying theory to practice in the teaching demonstration, syllabus, teaching philosophy, and other assignments.
2. Students are expected to find and adapt peer reviewed activities or assignments from TRAILS or Teaching Sociology for their teaching portfolio and "toolkit" assignment (a collection of 10 activities, lessons, lectures, film/book reviews, assignments, etc)
3. A pre- and post-test questionnaire measuring levels of anxiety about teaching and confidence pertaining to important teaching related skills can be administered to assess changes in anxiety and confidence.