Teaching sociology in the United States: resilience and academic freedom in a politically hostile climate

Daniel J. Bartholomay

Chapter 14 in Teaching Introduction to Sociology, 2026, pp 158-170 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the challenges of teaching introductory sociology in the contemporary United States amid heightened political scrutiny, legislative restriction, and ideological surveillance. Drawing on over a decade of experience teaching sociology in conservative political contexts, it offers practical, research-informed pedagogical strategies for navigating student resistance while maintaining disciplinary rigor and academic freedom. The chapter emphasizes proactive approaches to introductory pedagogy, including cultivating respectful classroom communities, balancing empirical data with lived experience, grounding instruction in disciplinary standards, and aligning course design with institutional and professional frameworks. It also addresses strategies for teaching sociological topics frequently labeled as “controversial,” such as race, gender, and sexuality, while mitigating professional risk. Ultimately, the chapter reframes constraint as an opportunity to foster sociological imagination, critical thinking, and civic engagement, arguing that thoughtful pedagogy can make teaching introductory sociology sustainable, meaningful, and even joyful.

Keywords: Introductory Sociology in the United States; Pedagogy in Politicized Environments; Surveillance of Instruction; Academic Freedom; Teaching in Hostile Climates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035355778
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