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TRAILS Featured Resources
TRAILS Featured Resources
February 23, 2023

TRAILS, the Teaching Resources and Innovation Library for Sociology, provides a way for you to easily locate peer-reviewed teaching materials, showcase your teaching ideas, develop professionally, and join a community of scholarly teachers. You will find great assignments, syllabi, lectures, and other teaching ideas at TRAILS. Please also consider submitting your great ideas for teaching. The Featured Resources include some of the newest additions to our collection.

-Stephanie Medley-Rath
TRAILS Lead Editor

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Victoria Kurdyla
Using film analysis to apply and evaluate criminological theory
July 8, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Criminology/Delinquency
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
While research papers have been an invaluable assignment in sociology and criminology courses, this assignment combines sociological research with film and television analysis to apply criminological theories and concepts. Pelton (2013) argued for using film analysis...
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Jamie Oslawski-Lopez
Analyzing Social Stratification and Inequality in The Hunger Games (2012) Film: Presentation and Reflection Assignment
July 1, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Stratification/Mobility
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
I utilize the film The Hunger Games (2012) in my upper-level, Social Stratification course to engage students, help students understand course material, provide an opportunity for students to practice using their sociological imaginations, and develop students'...
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Danielle MacCartney
Global Social Problems
June 25, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 200
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
This social problems syllabus includes readings and film suggestions for a global, cross-cultural, or comparative social problems course. The topics included are fairly standard for any social problems course – race, class, gender, crime, environment, and so on. This...
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explore
Laura Kane, Elizabeth Pike
Exploring the Relativity of Deviance
May 19, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization
Resource Type(s):
Assessment, Assignment, Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
Students in Criminology courses are familiar with positivist theories of crime that assume the behavior is wrong and attempt to provide explanations for that behavior. This Social Deviance and Social Control course is required for both Sociology and Criminology...
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Judith A. Linneman
A Cue from POOL Lecture and Activity: Units of Analysis and the Power of Other Levels
April 19, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Medium
Abstract:
Use this innovative and engaging lecture/activity to introduce students to units of analysis in research methods and statistics courses. With inexpensive props representing the game of billiards, students explore the Power of Other Levels (POOL) through the...
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Daniela Jauk
Art as Sociology
April 19, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 100
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
The Art as Sociology!- project was developed for two newly online Introduction to Sociology classes in midst of a global pandemic. A virtual exhibit was published with a selection of the sociological artworks. It accommodates different learning styles and is an...
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Judith A Linneman
The Measurement Zone: A Lecture/Activity Exploring Validity, Precision, Reliability and Accuracy
April 19, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Medium
Abstract:
This entertaining and engaging lecture/activity takes students along on their flu-stricken instructor’s fever-induced nightmare visit to “The Measurement Zone.” The instructor needs to test his/her/their body temperature for fever, and then take a dose of...
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Kyla Walters
Find the Funnels: Deconstructing Literature Reviews
October 21, 2020
Subject Area(s):
Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
Literature reviews often resemble funnels. They begin with a broad theoretical frame and gradually narrow towards specific concepts about which the author/s systematically inquire. Students need to understand the composition of a literature review before they tackle...
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Weed growing out of crack in the sidewalk with the words Corrections Close-Up superimposed
Daniela F. Jauk
Corrections Close Up - Podcast
October 9, 2020
Subject Area(s):
Criminal Justice
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
Sociology majors increasingly seek careers in the criminal justice sector and there is a need for realistic career preparation within sociology departments (Senter 2019) and it is essential to provide online learning opportunities in pandemic times (Kozimor 2020)....
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Riku Kawaguchi
Syllabus for (Online) Social Research Methods with Discussions
June 18, 2020
Subject Area(s):
Research Methods
Resource Type(s):
Syllabus
Class Level(s):
College 300
Class Size(s):
Medium
Abstract:
This syllabus is for a social research methods course that emphasizes discussions, primarily designed for a fully online, short 5-week semester. This resource may be helpful in designing an online methods course or incorporating discussions into a methods course....
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