Understanding and communicating sociology through children’s picture books: An adaptation of Maples and Taylor (2013)

Abstract

This resource outlines a final project option for an introductory undergraduate sociology course: writing and illustrating a children’s picture book that explores a sociological topic of choice. Students are reminded that children’s books contain stories that are often both entertaining and informative, allowing parents and teachers to share important...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Socialization

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

College 100, College 200, High School

Class Size(s):

Medium, Small

Usage Notes

See attached usage notes. 

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Explore/ discuss how children’s books can function as agents of socialization
2. Be able to find and summarize relevant peer-reviewed, empirical sociological research articles on a topic of choice
3. Be able to simplify complex sociological concepts for a children's book audience (approx. 6 to 10 years old)
4. Be able to communicate sociological concepts through a creative and imaginative medium

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Project proposal (completion)
2. Mini annotated bibliography of two peer-reviewed journal articles from within the field of sociology (checklist)
3. Draft of story text (completion)
4. Picture book text and illustrations (checklist)
5. Narrative statement describing inspiration and intent as the author and providing empirically grounded sociological context for story (rubric)
6. Informal presentation in class or through video recording (completion)