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Sociological Literacy Framework: Socialization
Sociological Literacy Framework: Socialization
August 13, 2025

The sociological literacy framework emphasizes that socioalization is one of the key concepts for sociology students to be able to understand and apply. This resource collection includes resources to help teach socialization, along with related concepts like culture and the development of the self.

A family making breakfast
Pizza slices
Yvette Jean
"Splitting the Bill": Informal Responses to Everyday Troubles
August 21, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Social Control
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This class activity helps students explore the norms, customs, and troubles that arise while
splitting a group restaurant bill. It’s well-suited for introductory sociology courses that
examine norms, or informal social control courses that analyze...

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A close-up of the Pinterest app on a smartphone
Christine McCown
Pinterest and Self Presentation
February 23, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Social Psychology
Resource Type(s):
Assessment, Assignment, Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400, High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This activity utilizes Pinterest not only in an icebreaker activity for helping students build connections (particularly in online courses where the opportunity to interact with classmates is limited), but also to teach about subject specific concepts in an...

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A man laying a rose on a gravestone
Deeb Kitchen
A Content Analysis of Bereavement Cards
February 2, 2024
Subject Area(s):
Children and Youth, Language/Social Linguistics, Other, Qualitative Methodology
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

The language we use to discuss death reveals much about our social norms and cultural practices regarding bereavement. This classroom activity engages students in a content and discourse analysis of bereavement cards, with a focus on the sociolinguistic choices...

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Ava Isaac
Who am I? : The Looking Glass Self
November 30, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100
Class Size(s):
Medium
Abstract:
In this activity, students will familiarize themselves with the concept of the Looking Glass Self (1902) by participating in a low-stakes classroom sales pitch. Volunteer participants will complete pre- and post-questionnaires asking them to rate their performance...
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A child and parent reading a children's book
Elicia Cousins
Understanding and communicating sociology through children’s picture books: An adaptation of Maples and Taylor (2013)
October 26, 2023
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
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...

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A shiba inu cartoon dog on a coin
Allison Gorga
WHAT DO YOU MEME? Classroom Activity on Meaning-Making Through Memes
September 4, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Theory
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
College 100, High School
Class Size(s):
Medium, Small
Abstract:

This activity introduces students to symbolic interactionism by playing the game, What do You Meme? After a lecture on symbolic interactionism, students take turns judging meme and caption card pairings made by their classmates. While playing, students...

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A pocket with cash and a credit card
Ellen Meiser
The Social Construction of Money: A Theatrical Classroom Exercise
May 26, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Economic Sociology, High School Sociology, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity, Lecture
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200, High School
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

“The Social Construction of Money” is a brief classroom activity for undergraduate Sociology courses that offers a theatric opportunity for instructors to initiate a class discussion about social constructs (and processes of social construction) using the topic of...

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Polaroid snapshots of an individual
Michael Buhl
A Visual Presentation of Self: Photo Essays as a tool for teaching Introduction to Sociology at a Public Community College.
April 7, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Children and Youth, Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems, Qualitative Methodology
Resource Type(s):
Assignment, PowerPoint
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

This assignment has been utilized in an Intro to Sociology course in an effort for students to better understand how socialization helped to shape their own self/identities. Utilizing arts-based methods, students create a PowerPoint presentation that includes...

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The US flag imposed onto a map of the United States
Alex Takeuchi, May Takeuchi
The American dominant culture vs multiple American sub-cultures?
February 27, 2023
Subject Area(s):
Introduction to Sociology/Social Problems
Resource Type(s):
Assignment
Class Level(s):
College 100, College 200
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:

Instructors of introductory sociology courses often find two distinctive views on “American culture” held by students:  1) A unique “American dominant culture that is shared by (almost) all members of the American society” still exists; and 2) There is no...

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TRAILS Logo
Nicholas Baxter, Christopher Conner
Teaching Symbolic Interactionist Theory Through Werewolf
September 9, 2021
Subject Area(s):
Theory
Resource Type(s):
Class Activity
Class Level(s):
Any Level
Class Size(s):
Any
Abstract:
Engaging with symbolic interaction theory can be a powerful experience for students, due to its potential to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and analyze students’ everyday life. However, some students may have difficulty grasping the significance of the...
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