Using Active Learning Projects to Teach Research Skills Throughout the Sociology Curriculum

A core element of the sociology curriculum is the methods course, intended to teach students the value of systematic observation and analysis of the social world. However, this one-shot approach to teaching methodological skills is ineffective and not well liked by students or faculty. A more effective approach is the integration of active learning assignments and projects that teach and reinforce these skills throughout the curriculum, from the introductory course to the substantive content courses. This paper describes my experiences with this approach, outlining various activities and research projects used to teach methodological skills. Also highlighted are the outcomes reported by students and the benefits for teaching sociology courses. A discussion of the possibilities for disseminating and using the research beyond the classroom and the strengths and weaknesses of integrating research across the curriculum, as well as several teaching tips are also included.     

The Role of Cancer Risk in the Regulation of Industrial Pollution

The extent of carcinogen regulation under existing U.S. environmental statutes is assessed by developing measures of the scope and stringency of regulation. While concern about cancer risk has played an important political role in obtaining support for pollution control programs, it has not provided the predominant rationale for most regulatory actions taken to date. Less than 20% of all standards established to limit concentrations of chemicals in various media address carcinogens. Restrictions on chemical use are more frequently based on concerns about noncancer human health or ecological effects. Of the chemicals in commercial use which have been identified as potential human carcinogens on the basis of rodent bioassays, only a small proportion are regulated. There is an inverse relationship between the scope of regulatory coverage and the stringency of regulatory requirements: the largest percentages of identified carcinogens are affected by the least stringent requirements, such as information disclosure. Standards based on de minimis cancer risk levels have been established for only 10% of identified carcinogens and are restricted to one medium: water. Complete bans on use have affected very few chemicals. The general role that carcinogenicity now plays in the regulatory process is not dramatically different from that of other adverse human health effects: if a substance is identified as a hazard, it may eventually be subject to economically achievable and technically feasible restrictions.     

论非自愿移民的历史地位与作用

非自愿移民是在国际移民理论研究中受排斥的领域 ,显然极不正常。非自愿移民是中国移民史的主流形态 ,非自愿移民在中国社会经济发展中起了重要作用。有中国特色的移民理论是中国移民实践全部历史经验的继承与发展     

决策理论中的理性主义与渐进主义及其适用性

理性主义和渐进主义都是决策理论中的主要的根源性模式。对这两种模式的可行性和应用性的批评、争议和讨论 ,引发了多种决策模式的出现 ,同时也使前者得到不断改进 ,促进了决策理论的发展。考察这两种模式的主要特点和它们的相互关系 ,探讨它们在实践中的适用性 ,考量其利弊 ,有助于我们进一步加深对这两种决策模式的认识 ,并使之能在适当的应用中发挥积极的作用 ,从而改善我们的决策方式和决策质量     

财政赤字货币化过程中铸币税收益问题分析

铸币税即政府发行货币所取得的收入 ,一般可理解为货币发行成本和货币面值间的差额。在通货膨胀情况下 ,货币的实际购买力下降 ,政府的实际铸币税收入小于其名义铸币税收入。铸币税问题的讨论一般是同财政赤字货币化问题相联系的。我国当前的积极财政政策是以增发国债为核心 ,财政赤字经常化。政府可以从财政赤字货币化中得到多少铸币税收入受制于三个因素 :经济增长对基础货币的需求 ,经济的实际增长率 ,以及货币需求对通货膨胀和收入的弹性     

关于高校师资管理机制的探讨

该文阐述高校师资管理机制的含义、特征、作用 ,通过分析高校师资管理机制存在的问题和原因 ,进而提出师资管理机制的完善对策。     

我国高等教育政治社会化的独特性探索

我国高等教育的政治社会化以其独特性反映赋予个人特定的政治人格和政治能力、影响政治文化和政治体系的形成、维持和改变的普遍适用性。具体表现为要对大学生对象身心发展过渡期、个性知识系统、政治精英情结的独特性;任务上要落实引导大学生产生高层次主流意识形态认同、努力成为积极公民、形成与主流意识形态适应的校园政治文化的独特性;实践上要充分发挥理想化与现实可能性、单一途径和多种途径、弘扬主流文化与正确对待亚文化、个体自我要求与团队强制要求相结合的独特性。     

宋太祖受禅的佛教谶言与宋初政教关系的重建

从学界不太关注的宋太祖受禅的佛教谶言之视角 ,探讨宋初良性政教关系重建的原因     

圣王·正统·神仙--论秦汉时期黄帝传说的政治文化内涵

秦汉时期的黄帝传说以黄帝的生平、功德、政事、世系为核心,构成了一个独特的文化系统.在黄帝传说中,圣王、正统、神仙三者被有机地联系在一起,体现了大一统政治所应遵循的基本政治原则:天人关系原则,政治道德原则,权力分配原则.依据黄帝传说所体现的政治原则和政治象征意义,秦汉时期的统治者和儒生、方士进行了积极的政治实践,促成了一种独特的政治文化模式的形成.     

试论邓小平政治伦理思想的特色

邓小平政治伦理思想的特色是:在注重道德教育的同时,强调制度建设和法制建设的重要性;在发挥政治伦理功能方面上,强调领导干部必须身体力行,率先垂范;在政治伦理的价值判断标准上,突出强调生产力的促进作用;在干部选拔任用上,强调干部自身素质的全面发展。