Author: Amy Sodaro
Prof. Amy Sodaro’s Syllabus
Sociological Imagination Videos
Obesity in the US: Public Issue or Personal Trouble? — a good introduction to the concept of the sociological imagination using the example of obesity
The Women’s Kingdom — this brief introduction to China’s Mosuo people (a matriarchal society) is great for a discussion of ideas of love, marriage and family. It does a nice job illustrating the extent to which an individual’s norms and worldview are shaped by their particular social and historical context. This video is also good for gender, family and culture.
Sociological Theory Video
Sociological Theory
Modern Times — The first 15-20 minutes of this film (available on Kanopy) are excellent for demonstrating the social changes caused by the industrial revolution and illustrating the theories of Mark, Durkheim and Weber. It is also usually available on YouTube (but check the link, as it is regularly taken down and then reposted).
Sociology Websites
ASA Intro to Sociology Resources
Teaching Sociology Journal (can be accessed through BMCC Library)
Teaching with a Sociological Lens (Facebook Group)
Teaching Sociology at Community Colleges (Facebook Group)
Sociological Methods Video
Methods
Crash Course Sociology Research Methods — Good overview of research methods.
Sage Research Methods Podcasts — A collection of podcasts featuring sociologists discussing methodological choices and challenges.
Socialization Video
Socialization
Genie: Secret of the Wild Child — The story of Genie, who great up in almost total isolation, is a compelling example of what a lack of social interaction/socialization means for an individual. The first 8-9 minutes give a good overview.
Social Interaction Video
Social Interaction
The Exam Cheat — This is a fun example of Goffman’s concept of impression management.
Growing Up Online — Though it’s old, this documentary is good for showing Goffman’s concepts translated into online interaction (particularly part 3, starting at around 15 minutes).
Deviance and Crime Resources
Sold on Backpage.com at 16 — This NY Times video by Nicholas Kristof is good for illustrating the conflict theory perspective on crime.
Jay Z: The War on Drugs is an Epic Fail — another NY Times op-doc highlighting the racial inequalities of the war on drugs.
How we’re priming some kids for college — and others for prison, Alice Goffman — This TED talk gives a good overview of the school-to-prison pipeline and is a good starting point for discussions of sociological theories and perspectives on deviance and crime.
Social Class Videos
Social Class
People Like Us: Social Class in America — available on Kanopy via BMCC Library; Tammy’s Story is a great clip from the film for discussions of poverty.
Inequality for All — This film provides an excellent overview of economic inequality. It appears to be available on YouTube for free now
