"Splitting the Bill": Informal Responses to Everyday Troubles

Abstract

This class activity helps students explore the norms, customs, and troubles that arise while
splitting a group restaurant bill. It’s well-suited for introductory sociology courses that
examine norms, or informal social control courses that analyze interpersonal conflict.
Working collaboratively in groups, students create informal...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Social Control

Resource Type(s):

Assignment, Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

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Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Identify the unspoken norms, customs, and expectations for splitting a restaurant bill.
2. Analyze the direct/indirect ways diners respond to troubles while splitting the bill.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Each group would give an informal verbal presentation of their findings to the class, providing an example of a pre-emptive strategy, a time they did nothing, or a direct confrontation. Students would be offered points for class participation.