Teaching students to be better writers through the sociology major

Abstract

Sociology faculty rely on writing as a primary tool for assessing student learning in both courses and programs, while often struggling with the best way to teach students how to write. Often faculty perceive teaching writing as external to their programs, noting their expertise does not support their ability to best guide students in becoming successful writers. This chapter highlights the importance of teaching how to write in sociology courses by sociology faculty. The chapter introduces tools, ideas, and practices about why and how to teach writing, not just in a sociology course but throughout a sociology program, as an integrated part of a curriculum. Offering an array of writing assignments and implementing best practices, sociology faculty will see writing as a complementary learning experience that does not stand alone from content learning. Through these collective practices, sociology programs will increase the success of students and the programs in general.