This article presents photography as an effective tool to help students understand sociological ideas and practice. After examining the historical relationship between sociology and photography, the article catalogues the ways that sociologists have used photography in the classroom. Building on this foundation, I discuss how I use photography in an upper division course on social change to teach students how to “see” sociologically and do sociology. I pay special attention to the photographic work of Dorothea Lange, whose famous photo “Migrant Mother” provides an entrée into discussions of how sociologists (and photographers) frame their subject, work with their material, and tell their story. The article outlines three photo essay assignments and presents assessment data to demonstrate how these assignments allow students to see the world in more meaningful and sociological ways.
Susan E. Mannon (Thu,) studied this question.