TY - JOUR AU - Scanlan, Stephen AU - Feinberg, Seth PY - 2010/04/26 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - The Cartoon Society: Using the Simpsons to Teach and Learn Sociology JF - TRAILS: Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology JA - TRAILS VL - IS - SE - DO - UR - https://trails.asanet.org/article/view/the-cartoon-society-using-the-simpsons-to-teach-and SP - AB - In this paper we introduce a wonderful video resource that can enhance the undergraduate learning experience. The animated television series, The Simpsons, can be particularly effective for illustrating sociological themes and encouraging critical thinking among today's undergraduates. Borrowing from Mills (1959), The Simpsons complements teaching philosophies that stress applying the sociological imagination to the observation of everyday life. Through the use of The Simpsons and related in-class exercises, we have found that The Simpsons is an effective pedagogical tool for demonstrating sociological concepts and fostering students' understanding of the course material ER -