As I noted previously, I noticed for the first time this summer that students were using generative AI in their writing assignments for my class. So, for the first time, I will include a policy statement on student use of AI in my class syllabi this fall. I tried to embrace the reality of AIContinueContinue reading “Policy on Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) by Students”
Category Archives: Higher Education
Using AI to Generate an AI Use Policy for College Student Writing
In my Introduction to Sociology course this summer, I noticed for the first time signs that students were using AI software to generate responses to writing assignments. Having read student writing for over 25 years now, I know the “voice” of AI-generated text differs from the “voice” of undergraduate student-generated text. In the olden times,ContinueContinue reading “Using AI to Generate an AI Use Policy for College Student Writing”
“New Glaze” by Zali Lawrence
As I travel around the country this summer, I am teaching an online, asynchronous “Introduction to Sociology” course at Wake Forest University. For the first module, we are considering Peter Berger’s famous idea in Invitation to Sociology, “It can be said that the first wisdom of sociology is this–things are not what they seem.” OneContinueContinue reading ““New Glaze” by Zali Lawrence”
July Message to Intro Soc Students about Class in Fall 2020
This week Wake Forest University is unveiling its new fall course schedule and students will have the opportunity/be forced to re-register for courses depending on their personal preferences/circumstances and availability of courses in different modalities. Faculty were given the opportunity to teach in one of four modalities: online, blended (traditional and with an online pathway),ContinueContinue reading “July Message to Intro Soc Students about Class in Fall 2020”
Small Teaching Online Book Summary
Over the past three weeks I have participated in a Wake Forest Center for the Advancement of Teaching summer reading group led by Director of Educational Development Dr. Kristi Verbeke. Over 30 faculty (IIRC) read and discussed Small Teaching Online by Flower Darby and James Lang. What follows is my reading notes and reflections onContinueContinue reading “Small Teaching Online Book Summary”
In Honor of My Textbook Co-Author Keith A. Roberts
On December 31st, I submitted the revised manuscript for the 7th edition of Religion in Sociological Perspective. I am Keith Roberts’ co-author on this textbook. Keith brought me in to do the revisions for the 5th edition over a decade ago. This was wonderful for me because I had always wanted to do a textbook,ContinueContinue reading “In Honor of My Textbook Co-Author Keith A. Roberts”
Letter of Support to Parents and Loved Ones of Wake Forest Students
Although the university’s response to threatening emails sent to 7 individual faculty and staff associated with the sociology department and 5 other units on campus was slow, the response of our department was not. In addition to the email noted in my previous post, drafted by our department chair Joseph Soares, our newest faculty member,ContinueContinue reading “Letter of Support to Parents and Loved Ones of Wake Forest Students”
Sociology Department Response to Hostile Emails Sent to Wake Forest Faculty and Staff
My academic home, Wake Forest University, is not innocent of the open and blatant racism of the past or the more hidden and subtle racism of the present. Many on campus, including members of my home department (sociology), have pressed for the university to address this. Recently, Wake Forest became the target of open andContinueContinue reading “Sociology Department Response to Hostile Emails Sent to Wake Forest Faculty and Staff”
Battling the Cell Phone Menace in Class for a Decade Now
Facebook’s wayback machine (“On this Day” app) reminded me this morning that I have been battling students using their cell phones in class for a long time now. I know some professors don’t care if students use their phones in class. Fine by me; their class, their rules. And some are just unaware. Many WakeContinueContinue reading “Battling the Cell Phone Menace in Class for a Decade Now”
Reason Requires That You Accept You May Be Wrong
Wake Forest University’s Commencement ceremony was particularly special this year because my oldest son graduated (with a B.S. in Finance, Summa Cum Laude, if I may brag on him just a bit). It is always exciting to be present to the symbolic transition of students from their pasts into their futures. All the more soContinueContinue reading “Reason Requires That You Accept You May Be Wrong”