Sexual Assault on College Campuses: An Undergradaute Research Project

Abstract

Students move from passive memorization of course content to using empirical evidence to answer sociological questions. Students work cooperatively in research teams to analyze sexual assault on college campuses and make sense of this in their everyday lives. In this problem-based learning project, students conduct qualitative and quantitative data...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems

Resource Type(s):

Assessment, Assignment

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

The data analysis modules can be used as stand alone assignments or as a cumulative research project. Students should be made aware of the nature of this project on the first day of class. I included the following in my syllabi with a summary of each data analysis module: "This semester students will take part in a problem-based learning activity that...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students use a sociological imagination to differentiate between private troubles and public issues.
2. Students develop sociological critical thinking skills.
3. Students will apply critical thinking skills to ethical issues in sociological research.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students use quantitative data to analyze types and rates of sexual assaults on college campuses; develop hypotheses and draw conclusions from these data; and determine how these findings can be used to inform campus policies and prevention programs.
2. Students will do a content analysis of a sexual assault policy where they deconstruct the policy to determine what is means and what is included under the policy and evaluate whether campus policies encourage students’ reporting of sexual assaults.
3. Students will collect qualitative interview data; summarize and interpret their interviews using sociological concepts with an awareness of the ethical issues involved in interviewing; and reflect on how their findings could improve campus policies.