This document outlines the objectives and requirements for a visual portfolios project in a contemporary sociological theory course. The project aims to 1) critically analyze and apply social theory to new images/events using sociological imagination and 2) provide a space for exploring topics and incubating research questions. Students will take photos, post 8-10 pieces analyzing images using 1-3 theories, comment on peers' work, do a presentation, and write a reflective memo. The goal is for students to engage with theory, develop research ideas, and reflect on their progress in the course.

1. VISUAL PORTFOLIOS
CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. KNOW
2. CRITICALLY ANALYZE
3. COMMUNICATE

3. OBJECTIVES EXAMPLES GUIDELINES

4. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. CRITICALLY ANALYZE AND APPLY
SOCIAL THEORY TO NEW
IMAGES // SCENES // EVENTS
IDEAS // CONCEPTS
FROM SOCIAL LIFE

5. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
2. SPACE FOR
EXPLORING TOPICS
INCUBATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
FOR FINAL COMPS PROJECT

6. VISUAL SOCIOLOGY
IMAGE TO COMMUNICATE
SOCIOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING
DATA COLLECTION TOOL
PHOTO ELICITATION

7. COMPONENTS
1. TAKE PHOTOS // IMAGES
2. POST PIECES
3. COMMENT ON PEERS’ WORK
4. PRESENT WORK IN CLASS
5. WRITE MEMO

8. PORTFOLIOS
8 - 10 INDIVIDUAL PIECES
ENGAGE VARIOUS THEORIES
RELATE TO WEEK’S READINGS*
DEVELOP RESEARCH IDEAS

9. PIECES
AT LEAST ONE PHOTO // IMAGE
2 - 3 PARAGRAPHS ANALYSIS
1 - 2 RESEARCH IDEAS // QUESTIONS

10. PIECES
image analysis questions

11. OBJECTIVES EXAMPLES GUIDELINES

18. ON PHOTOS
1. NO MAIN SUBJECT // KIDS PHOTOS
2. ERR ON SIDE OF PERMISSION
3. DO NO HARM
4. PAY ATTENTION TO POSITIONALITY

19. ON PHOTOS
FANCY: HIPSTAMATIC // INSTAGRAM
DIY: POLADROID
IMAGES: NO CHART

20. EXEMPLARS
BLOGROLL
■ Citings and Sightings
■ Cyborgology
■ Digital Ethnography
Urban Outfitters is Obsessed with Navajos ■ Everyday Sociology
■ GOOD
Wal-Mart Education ■ Graphic Sociology
■ OrgTheory
Summer Blockbusters Traffic in Racist Caricatures ■ Racialicious
■ Racism Review
■ Sociological Images
■ The Sociological Imagination
Blog Roll at soctheory.iheartsociology.com ■
■
ThickCulture
Threadbared
■ Understanding Society

21. OBJECTIVES EXAMPLES GUIDELINES

22. REQUIREMENTS
MUST
POST PIECES WEEKLY
COMMENT ON PEERS’ WORK
GIVE 2-3 MINUTE PRESENTATION
MEMO FOR BEST WORK

23. PIECES
MUST
CRITICALLY ANALYZE
APPLY SOCIAL THEORY
THEORIZE // USE SOC IMAGINATION
DEVELOP RESEARCH THINKING

24. ENGAGE
PROVIDE PEERS
THOUGHTFUL FEEDBACK
RESEARCH IDEAS
ADDITIONAL SOURCES

25. PRESENT
1. INTRODUCE “NEW” THEORIST
OR
2. SHARE FAVORITE PIECE

26. MEMO
HOW WELL DO YOU FEEL VISUAL
PORTFOLIO TURNED OUT?
WHAT IS YOUR BEST WORK?
PROGRESS ON FINAL COMPS?

27. DETAILED STEPS
1. TAKE PHOTOS // IMAGES
2. POST PIECES
3. COMMENT ON PEERS
4. PRESENT WORK IN CLASS
5. WRITE MEMO

28. QUESTIONS?
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
SYLLABUS
COURSEKIT
COURSE WEBSITE

29. THANK YOU!
DANIELLE DIRKS, PH.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
DIRKS@OXY.EDU
DANIELLEDIRKS.COM
@DANIELLEDIRKS