Analyzing the News: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in a Writing Intensive Social Problems Course

Abstract

Sociologists have long used current news items in the classroom to illustrate concepts and pique student's interests. Carefully selected news segments offer interesting stories that engage students while simultaneously providing intellectual simulation, particularly for contemprary social problems courses. Students were better able to recognize sociology's relevance to everyday life when their assignments included analyzing news reports. The daily newspaper reading combined with regular journal assignments forces students become active learners, setting the stage for analytical and critical thinking skills to develop.