Stranger Danger: Everyday Life in Public Space

Abstract

This class activity helps students think sociologically about interacting with strangers in public. Students work collaboratively to identify taken-for-granted behaviors and share breaches of Civil Inattention during informal class presentations. This activity works best in courses on urban life, social problems, or introductory courses addressing...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Community, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Urban Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

See Usage Notes

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. 1. Identify taken-for-granted behaviors used when interacting with strangers in public.
2. 2. Apply the concept of breaches of civil inattention to different situations in city life.
3. 3. Evaluate how well their example of civil inattention reflects Goffman’s concept of breaches of civil inattention.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. 1. Informal group presentations