Soc 3510 Childhood and Society

Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course

Common Course ID:  SOC 3510
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait
Abstract: This open textbook is being utilized in a sociology course for undergraduate or graduate students by David Arrieta at California State University Bakersfield. The open textbook provides a reliable reference of knowledge and foster independent study skills. The main motivation to adopt an open textbook was to reduce student spending.  Most student access the open textbook in Pdf format.

Course Title and Number:  Soc 3510 Childhood and Society
Brief Description of course highlights:  This course examines sociological issues, theories, and research on childhood from infancy to adolescence, including the role of social institutions in shaping the childhood experience and the emergence of peer cultures that change societies. This course also explores how the notion of the “child” and “childhood” came into existence. Since the concept of the “child” and “childhood” and their role and function in society is a relatively recent development, this course follows its trajectory through time and across space. Additionally, the course takes a particular focus on how socialization influences race/ethnicity, gender and class identity. Through course readings and discussions, the course will cover the social world that our society provides for children, and the social world that children create for themselves. The course will also address the expectations that we—our culture, society, parents, policy makers—have for children, and whether these expectations are fair and accurate. Children are socialized in a variety of social institutions (e.g., schools, family, work); the course should help us understand the effects these institutions have on children’s lives and futures.

Student Population: Sociology majors, Child Adolescent and Family Studies, Human Development (no prerequisites).

Learning or student outcomes:  List student learning outcomes for the course.
Learning Outcome 1: Apply theoretical perspectives to children’s everyday life.
Learning Outcome 2: Communicate the differences between the major theoretical perspectives as they relate to childhood.
Learning Outcome 3: Analyze data based on logical arguments and empirical evidence.
Learning Outcome 4: Understand the role of socialization in childhood identity.
Learning Outcome 5: Recognize the relationships between social structure, race, ethnicity, gender and class as the relate to childhood

Key challenges faced and how resolved: When teaching online, several key challenges emerge that require thoughtful strategies to overcome. The following approaches help maintain student engagement, address technical difficulties, and ensure accessibility in virtual learning environments.
Maintaining Student Engagement -  Engagement often suffers in online environments due to physical separation and digital distractions. To counter this: I create short lecture or recap videos and use additional films and document time spent to require active participation. I also include multimedia content (like YouTube) to appeal to different learning preferences and maintain interest. I also build in accountability measures such as participation points, and quick comprehension recaps through announcements.
Addressing Technical Difficulties -  Technical issues can quickly derail an online class. Prepare for these challenges by: Creating and sharing technology backup plans with students before problems arise. Establish alternative communication channels and procedures.
Providing step-by-step technical guides for common tasks and platforms used in your course.
Ensuring Accessibility -  Making online learning accessible to all students requires intentional design:  Caption videos and provide transcripts for all audio content to support students with hearing impairments and those who benefit from text-based learning.  Ensure all digital materials are compatible with screen readers and follow accessibility guidelines for formatting documents, presentations, and web content.  By proactively addressing these three critical areas, I create an online learning environment that supports all learners, minimizes disruptions, and maintains the engagement necessary for effective teaching and learning in virtual spaces.

Course syllabus   SOC 3510 Syllabus.pdf

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process

Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option. Save students money

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course? Consulted librarians

Sharing Best Practices: I wished I’d known earlier about Merlot and the resources available to faculty and students. Finding instructional materials by peers for peers is a great way to improve pedagogy and ensure student success.

Instructor Name - David Arrieta, M.A. 
I am a Lecturer at California State University, Bakersfield. https://www.csub.edu/ 

Please provide a link to your university page: https://www.csub.edu/sociology/

Please describe the courses you teach I teach: Introduction to Sociology, Race and Ethnic Relations, Self and Society, Childhood and Society, Social Deviance, Diversity and Research Ethics, Critical Thinking and Social Problems, and Latino Experience in the U.S.

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  
As an instructor, it is my goal to encourage students to extend beyond textbooks, to develop critical thinking skills, and to question all knowledge - where it comes from and how particular ways of knowing have become embedded in today’s society. I make every effort to connect textbook materials to current events and everyday life experiences. My classroom environment promotes open discussion, debate and a blend of different ways of learning. It is my objective to provide students with the basic skills to be academically successful, and to empower students with knowledge. My primary goal, in and out of the classroom, is to assist students in their academic endeavors and help them recognize their academic potential.  Teaching for me comes from the heart - it is not a job - it is not just a way to make an income - it is a passion. I love to teach, I love my students, and I love the academic environment. I am committed to providing quality education to all students and dedicated to reaching all students who have a desire to learn.

Textbook or OER/Low cost Title: The Sociology of Childhood 4th.

Brief Description: The text discusses children and childhood from a sociological perspective—providing in-depth coverage of social theories of childhood, the peer cultures and social issues of children and youth, and children and childhood within the frameworks of culture and history.

Please provide a link to the resource  https://sk.sagepub.com/books/the-sociology-of-childhood-fourth-edition 

Authors:  William A. Corsaro

Student access:  Students access the course textbook through canvas. Each chapter is available in the weekly modules. Students may also access the book via link: https://sk.sagepub.com/books/the-sociology-of-childhood-fourth-editionLinks to an external site. 

Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook.  $156.00 paperback; $50.00 digital

License: Material is copyrighted