SOC 199: The Transition to Adulthood

Yellow signs against a blue sky backdrop, one indicating childhood to the left and the other indicating adulthood above.

Teach others about the sociological imagination!

Project description

The purpose of this project is to apply sociological concepts to artifacts and experiences students encounter in their day-to-day lives and, through an online platform, teach others about the sociological imagination. Students will collect, digest, compile, analyze, and present artifacts about the transition to adulthood and/or Millennial/Gen Z generations in the community around them. In doing so, they will need to pay attention to and think critically about what is going on around them. This is what sociologists do best. The sociological imagination is about seeing the connection between biography and history, private troubles and public problems. Students will present their portfolio in an online platform (e.g., Google Sites) as a sociological teaching tool. This is what we call public sociology, or actively sharing your insights and knowledge with others.

Instructions for this project are linked here.

Project outcome

The project outcome is an E-portfolio consisting of an introduction, the presentation and analysis of at least 10 artifacts, and a conclusion.

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment About a semester (3-5 months)
Start time Fall (August/September)
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-person
Level of collaboration Individual student project
Benefits Course credit
Who is eligible Must be currently enrolled in SOC 199: The Transition to Adulthood

Project mentor

Ashley Barr

Associate Professor

Sociology

Phone: (716) 645-8453

Email: abbarr@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Ensure you are enrolled in the course for the correct semester.
  2. Click the button to start the digital badge below.
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

1. Student must identify a general topic for the portfolio on which to center artifacts.

2. Student should read Chapter 1: The Promise in C. Wright Mill's The Sociological Imagination

3. Student should read any relevant course materials (e.g. if student's topic is mental health, they should read the required and recommended readings in this class unit).

Keywords

sociology, portfolio, first year seminar, transition to adulthood, public sociology, freshmen, UBC, UB Curriculum First-Year Seminar course