Berkeley Journal of Sociology

Shelly Steward discusses the experience and challenges of teaching sociology at a community college in a conservative, rural area during the 2016 election cycle. She concludes that teaching introductory sociology can provide common tools for students to use that can bridge ideological divides, suggesting a need for quality sociology educators across educational institutions.

Contrary to prevailing ivory tower stereotypes, many academics work in less of a bubble than it might appear. How do we engage students with different viewpoints and help them engage home communities and places faraway from academia?