Oppression, power, inequality: An interdisciplinary approach

There are at least two preferred outcomes for students taking sociology cou rses dealing with race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. These includ e heightening student awareness of the issues and the dynamics of inequalit y. Bath outcomes initiate active engagement with the structures and institu tions of society. Aii too often, however, apathy, cynicism, and helplessnes s characterize student responses to such courses. A solution to this proble m is to structure an interdisciplinary course using not only a sociological paradigm, but also paradigms of English and art. This yearlong course deve lops the individual student's ability to recognize and generate a deep appr eciation of multiple perspectives (including their own), and helps them acq uire critical assessment skills. I recommend here an array of resources for teaching about resistance and change while establishing an understanding o f the existence and causes of inequality in American society. Included in t his battery of resources are readings, mainstream and alternative video med ia, Internet exchanges, student-produced videos, issue-oriented student wri ting, and class discussions.