Describes one department's experience with curriculum development through the formulation of a departmental mission statement reflecting the shared sociological goals of faculty and students. Discusses the process of achieving consensus, the actual mission statement, and the curricular and program implications of such a process. (KO)

Provides a general strategy for planning, developing, and teaching applied courses, suggesting that a variety of sociology courses can be designed around an applied focus. Describes the various stages of creating the applied course, illustrating exemplary actions to be taken. (KO)

Asserts that an irony of academe is that professional judgments about teachers are made without direct knowledge of their teaching. Describes a four-part peer evaluation process used in a university sociology department. Discusses evaluation purposes, procedures, benefits, and dangers of the process. (CFR)

Compares California State University alumni survey ratings evaluating each social science major in developing basic employment skills. Concludes that, although sociology received mediocre ratings compared to the other social science majors in the latest study, the ratings are improving. Reports substantially lower incomes for women alumnae as…

Contends that many colleges and universities have reviewed and revised their liberal arts curriculum in recent years, paying particular attention to the "capstone course," a culminating experience for students in their major field. Concludes that a capstone course should transcend other sociology courses and help assess students'…