Seminars | Courses

This educational component provides opportunities for attendees to get in-depth training in special subject areas. These day-long intensive sessions are led by expert faculty who have prepared a comprehensive curriculum to engage participants on all levels. Registrants will receive certificates documenting their participation and completion of these courses.

Course are held on Thursday, August 10, prior to the first full day of program sessions. Attendance limits and fees are noted below, and prepaid registration is required. Reservations are accepted in order of receipt in the ASA Executive Office. Fees are non-refundable after July 11.

Pre-convention Course. Key Developments in Sociology of Education

Thursday, August 10, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon; 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $50; Attendance Limit: 30
Participants: (Leader) Kathryn Borman, (Co-Leader) Roslyn A. Mickelson, (Co-Leader) Alan R. Sadovnik, (Co-Leader) Will Tyson

This course focuses on key developments in research, theory, and policy in the sociology of education. The session will include both discussion and presentation of material by the four leaders. The key developments will be presented during didactic and interactive sessions, during which the presenters will lead participants through a series of discussions and activities designed to capture the most salient developments in the topic areas. Those attending will be asked to complete a set of readings in advance of the course.

Readings will be available online to those registering for the course. The readings and course proceedings will cover materials related to the following six topics in the sociology of education:

• (1) theoretical developments in sociology of education;
• (2) cultural, social, and human capital in the school processes and outcomes;
• (3) schools and stratification in an era of major demographic shifts;
• (4) educational reform in an era of accountability;
• (5) the intersections of family, community, and school; and
• (6) race, sex, and SES in schools as institutions and socializing agencies.

Pre-convention Course. New Knowledge on Teaching and Learning: A Course for Experienced Faculty

Thursday, August 10, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon; 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $50; Attendance Limit: 40
(Co-Leader) Jeanne H. Ballantine, (Co-Leader) Gregory L. Weiss

In recent years the scholarship of teaching and learning has stimulated conversation about new approaches to teaching and to working with students and has examined the effectiveness of both traditional and newly developed teaching techniques. Experienced faculty are often looked to as models and mentors by newer faculty and teaching assistants and must be up-to-date on recent trends and developments. This workshop is designed for experienced faculty who serve as role models, who would like to learn about and discuss new ideas and approaches to teaching, and who wish to consider ideas to revamp their own courses.

The course will feature expert and award-winning faculty teachers, the latest philosophies and techniques in teaching, and opportunities to share teaching strategies with other faculty members. Topics such as learning theories and teaching styles (multiple intelligences), liberal learning and learning in depth, teaching outside the box, teaching critical skills, classroom assessment techniques, teaching so that students can get a job, teaching today's students, and developing a culture of teaching will be covered in a variety of formats from mini-plenaries to roundtable discussions to speakers.