Theoretical Script Writing: A creative project for social theory courses

Abstract

“Theoretical Script Writing” is a final assignment for undergraduate sociological theory courses that encourages the application of concepts learned over the course of a semester to modern day social issues using students’ creativity. Upon learning about foundational theorists, students are asked to select four figures, then write a script where these...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Teaching and Learning in Sociology, Theory

Resource Type(s):

Assessment, Assignment, Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Advanced Graduate, Any Level, College 200, College 300, College 400, Graduate, High School

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

Context: This assignment was created and field-tested in a synchronous, online 300-level “Survey of Social Theory” course. The course is offered through the social sciences department, and is required for sociology and psychology undergraduates. Roughly two-thirds of the students who participated in the field-test were psychology majors; the remaining...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1: Reinforce students’ baseline understanding of sociological theories learned earlier in the course.
   
2. Goal 2: Stimulate critical thinking by analyzing general social issues through the individual perspectives of classical and contemporary theorists.
3. Goal 3: Apply social theory through a creative and imaginative framework.
4. Goal 4: Hone writing skills to develop a formal, logical, yet entertaining script that connects with an audience.
   

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Learning goals are evaluated through a written assignment, roughly the length of a typical undergraduate literature review, research paper, or other conventional final project. Typical grading rubrics for written papers can be applied to the grading of students’ work.