Noting that while formal operational thinking is essential to sociological learning, a majority of college freshmen are not yet fully formal thinkers. Maintains that introductory sociology courses must foster formal thinking in addition to teaching sociological content. Draws implications of revising goals and objectives to meet students' needs.…

Provides a rationale for literature study as part of the general education curriculum, considering its primary benefits to be the development of a fundamental understanding of metaphoric thinking, abstraction, conceptualization, and of students' ability to read and appreciate literature independently. Addresses issues of appropriate content and…

Argues that assessing how teachers apply their teaching knowledge requires an approach that examines their cognitive development and attitudes, allows teachers to demonstrate their competencies, and recognizes the complexities of learning to teach. One such approach is portfolio assessment with its three components to portfolio design: purposes,…