On November 6, 2025 from Noon-1:30 EST, First Publics will host a conversation exploring why and how teaching research methods matters, not only for scholarship, but also for critical thinking and public engagement in light of the contemporary polycrisis. Register here: buff.ly/rWfrkxE

First Publics Co-editor, Sarah Shannon, reflects on the past two years of First Publics and discusses our plan for the future, including the introduction of our new advisory board! See it here: buff.ly/Lc9gczC

@firstpublics.bsky.social is asking the type of questions that I think all academics should be asking at this moment. Honored to be included on an advisory board made up people I value and respect and excited to see where this project goes! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Check out this new Reflection on our site, "Teaching Consent Before Content," By Joey Bernert! Link: buff.ly/rvjwIfL

Looking for a guide to teaching theory? See @mestefan.bsky.social's newest Reflection with First Publics, where he introduces 7 principles that you can adopt in any classroom.

Check out this new Reflection on teaching environmental justice cross-nationally. Ahmed explores the differences in contexts and how this has informed his approach to teaching students, our first publics. buff.ly/UdNFnM7

It’s timmmmeeeeee 🎶 Go find our editorial assistant!

WE’RE HERE at #ASA2025!! We want to talk with you about your teaching! Drop into our editorial assistant’s (@slhknapp.bsky.social) informal meeting window at the Hyatt (Sat 11:30-12:30) or email/DM us to set up a time to talk!

We’re at #ASA2025! Come find our editorial assistant, @slhknapp.bsky.social, on Saturday from 11:30-12:30 in the Hyatt lobby to talk about First Publics! Follow for updates and details!

Want to integrate some ethics into your course this [email protected]'s resource highlighted on @firstpublics.bsky.social offers 100+ case studies perfect for sparking dialogue in class. Explore this & more great resources from FirstPublics here: 🔗 bit.ly/454bIBy 🔗

Often, instructors are tasked with career advising for our majors. Check out this review by Catherine Solomon in Contemporary Sociology of "The Employable Sociologist: A Guide for Undergraduates" (Martinez 2023) to see if this could help you prepare for this year! buff.ly/t3F98ot

Throwback... Tuesday? As Fall 25 prep gets underway, see Megan Phillips' Class Note on how to incorporate borrow activities into your classes! buff.ly/vtkspX5

Check out my piece on teaching sociological theory in cultural studies, up on @firstpublics.bsky.social 👇🏼👇🏼 thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Start your week off right by reading Hannah McCann's (@binarythis.bsky.social) new Reflection on teaching sociology and sociological theory in a cultural studies classroom! See it here:

Listen to @jonwynn.bsky.social on the “Give Theory a Chance” podcast discuss how he "tweaked the formula" for engaging different audiences by writing fiction inspired by and using sociology and social theory!

As a part of our Teaching Theory Special Series, First Publics invited Drs. Wesley Longhofer and Daniel Winchester to talk about their theory reader, Social Theory Re-Wired. Check it out via the link 🔗 in our bio or by visiting:

Looking to assign books that address social issues and have accompanying multimedia content? Check out "The Authors' Attic" interview series by @socprobsjournal.bsky.social on YouTube:

Johnnie Lotesta shared with First Publics her reflections on the problem-solving potential of sociology and how she models this for students in the classroom. See it here: buff.ly/wf9Hu9m

What advice would you give sociology teachers? Join the conversation with sociology graduate students who answered the question in this recent @teachingsociology.bsky.social article by Sanchez and Gilbertson. buff.ly/pWyK6WV

🌀 WAYBACK WEDNESDAY! 🌀 Go "wayback" to January with us and check out Tess Starman's piece on "Constructive Conflict in Teaching Theory."

Answer the question: "why are sociologists underrepresented in the world of public policy?" with Josh McCabe in his recent ASA Footnote: buff.ly/TZYruCZ

Join Jonathan Wynn in a Reflection on "Teaching the Sociological Multiverse", published as part of our Teaching Theory series this past year. buff.ly/Q0gYKn5

"If we truly believe sociology is a valuable tool for making sense of the world, then we should trust that it can thrive beyond traditional academic spaces." See the full blog post on sociology major career paths by Yolanda Wiggins via ‪@contexts.org‬. contexts.org/blog/dream-b...

“Well, you might say, this is all very well in ‘theory’ but what about ‘in practice’?” - Michael Burawoy. See our Theory Series kick-off Reflection on Burawoy's concept of teaching living theory here:

“Completing a PhD is so much more than expressing the content of your ideas or being an expert in your field; it is about learning how to live as a scholar.” @academicdiary.bsky.social‬ reviews Rosie Doyle & @fraserfistral.bsky.social‬ ’s The PhD Handbook. buff.ly/N74MBWx

Teaching theory next semester? Check out this Teaching Sociology piece by @ @dromishai.bsky.social‬ and Sam Stabler on an exercise that "aims to facilitate a deeper appreciation of the relationship between sociological theorizing and the pursuit of the common good." buff.ly/dwvPnoR

It's been over 7 months since our Engaging Elections mini-series. Since then, the elections that inspired the series have ended, but there are still plenty of relevant insights for instructors in the midst of course prep. Check it out: thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Summer may have started, but sociology doesn’t stop. This TSP Tuesdays includes the latest from @contexts.org, @firstpublics.bsky.social, @ccfamilies.bsky.social, @engagingsports.bsky.social on Trust & Science, Christian Nationalism, & much more: Estimated read: 5 min. 🔗 bit.ly/45dvuLm 🔗

This video from ASA's Sociological Insights Video Series features Sara Goldrick-Rab discussing how many undergraduate students face food insecurity and even homelessness while getting their degree.

This short article by Nora Waitkus that explores how Marx, Weber, and Bourdeiu thought about wealth inequality would be a great read for students in Introductory and Social Problems courses!

Check out this interview with @kylethegreen.bsky.social about his podcast "Give Theory a Chance"! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Check out this piece by @evanstewart.bsky.social that demonstrates how showing the documentary "Hamburger America," helps students see how different social arrangements can emerge without the systematizing force of bureaucracy.

Timely podcast episode of "Give Theory a Chance" with guest @mclaughlinsoc.bsky.social, reflecting on the value of Erich Fromm’s work in this current political moment and lessons we can learn about the possibilities and pitfalls of communicating to the public!

In this @firstpublics.bsky.social Reflection from March of 2024, Doug Hartmann discusses dis philosophy on teaching Introductory Sociology courses! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

In this live-streamed podcast episode/video from The Annex Sociology Podcast, Casey Jakubowski and Chea Lynn Parton discuss the joys and challenges of teaching rural students.

In this Class Note from September, Kirsten Vinyeta discusses how to develop a community-based research project for your students that benefits them and their learning, your community partners, and you as a researcher! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Check out this @teachingsociology.bsky.social article by Matthew Mitchell and colleagues reflecting on teaching sociological theory through play!

Check out this excellent Reflection from Calvin John Smiley on working with incarcerated youth in New York City! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

This podcast episode of "Give Theory a Chance" focuses on the work of Patricia Hill Collins -- it would be a great addition for many different sociology courses!

This week's TSP Tuesday includes new pieces from us and our partners: @ccfamilies.bsky.social and @firstpublics.bsky.social. Click here to read the latest: 🔗 bit.ly/3EA3Aye 🔗

@kylie-m-smith.bsky.social discusses how and why she teaches the hidden curriculum in her courses in this class note from August! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Check out this interesting article on parallels between earlier stages of colonialism and today’s digital world by @couldrynick.bsky.social and @ulises-mejias.bsky.social at the link below!

🚨 New Reflection Out Now! 🚨 Check out Johnnie Lotesta's new Reflection for @firstpublics.bsky.social -- "Apathy to Engagement: Sociology’s Problem-Solving Potential" thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

This Teaching Sociology article by Michael C. Lotspeich-Yadao and colleagues demonstrates the benefits of experiential learning for students interested in health careers. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

This @ologies.bsky.social podcast episode featuring Disability Sociologist Guinevere Chambers would be great for Introductory Sociology courses as well as courses focused on social problems, inequality, or health!

In this @firstpublics.bsky.social from December of 2023, Ellen T. Meiser discusses some ways to make service learning more public and creative! thesocietypages.org/firstpublics...

Many sociology instructors use podcasts in their courses, but how can we ensure that students are getting their full benefit? Read this Teaching Sociology article to find out more! journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Check out this @firstpublics.bsky.social by @rajghoshal.bsky.social on the importance of teaching students how to engage in the political systems that surround them through calling elected officials!

Are you teaching a class on Inequality or Race & Ethnicity? If so, this article by Annalena Oppel on meritocracy and race in South Africa might be of interest to you!

Are you interested in writing for us? We're always looking for new articles on teaching as public sociology! Check out how to submit at the link below! buff.ly/3AQkCpy