Sociology is one of many social science classes offered. Sociology instructor Abby Gillan says Sociology helps provide students “an academic way to study the world around them aside from our cultural biases or our own personal perspectives.”

Sociology is an upper-level course that talks about social structure, culture, different sociological perspectives and how sociologists study the world.

“It’s one of those classes where I don’t feel like kids can walk away and say that it doesn’t apply to them,” Gillan said. “Essentially what we’re studying is who we are as a culture, why we do the things we do, and what external factors shape each of us as individuals.”

There are no prerequisites to the class, but it is offered for concurrent credit.

“The thing I like most about this class is that students personal experiences are extremely relevant so all kids come in some ways an expert in sociology,” Gillan said.

The class ranges from having 15 students to up to 35 in one class.

Gillan says her favorite part of Sociology is when she has the students adopt fake cultures and interact with each other with fake languages and fake currency.

“I also really like sociology because I feel like I get to know students better than I do in any other class just because their lived experiences can be a really special part of the class,” Gillan said. “I really enjoy that aspect of getting to know students better.”

21mweilert@usd489.com