The "doing nothing" assignment is offered as a methodologically detailed, theoretically grounded, and easily implemented exercise for teaching students about stigma. It also provides students with the opportunity to "do" sociology and to learn about everyday interpretations of social life. This paper provides a discussion of the advantages of this stigma simulation, safety issues related to the exercise, and methods teachers can use to assess student learning. Goffman's works on stigma and Scott and Lyman's concept of "accounts" frame an analysis of student reports. A composite narrative of doing nothing highlights how the experience unfolds from beginning to end.
Teaching Sociology publishes articles, notes, and reviews intended to be helpful to the discipline's teachers. Articles range from experimental studies of teaching and learning to broad, synthetic essays on pedagogically important issues. Notes focus on specific teaching issues or techniques. The general intent is to share theoretically stimulating and practically useful information and advice with teachers. Formats include full-length articles; notes of ten pages or less; interviews, review essays; reviews of books, films, videos, and software; and conversations.
American Sociological Association Mission Statement: Serving Sociologists in Their Work Advancing Sociology as a Science and Profession Promoting the Contributions and Use of Sociology to Society The American Sociological Association (ASA), founded in 1905, is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good. With over 13,200 members, ASA encompasses sociologists who are faculty members at colleges and universities, researchers, practitioners, and students. About 20 percent of the members work in government, business, or non-profit organizations. As the national organization for sociologists, the American Sociological Association, through its Executive Office, is well positioned to provide a unique set of services to its members and to promote the vitality, visibility, and diversity of the discipline. Working at the national and international levels, the Association aims to articulate policy and impleme nt programs likely to have the broadest possible impact for sociology now and in the future.
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Teaching Sociology
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