Three annual awards recognizing excellence in undergraduate Sociology teaching.
The Sociology Undergraduate Excellence Teaching Awards promote innovation and commitment to enhancing the quality of student learning. Their purpose is to recognize excellence in undergraduate Sociology teaching, encourage its continued pursuit, and promote informed discussion of enhanced teaching. Recipients receive a framed award certificate and are invited to participate in the Sociology Department's Teaching Workshop Series.
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Nominations must be submitted by Friday, May 28, 2027, by midnight.
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Award Categories
- Full-Time Faculty
- Contract and Adjunct Faculty
- Teaching Assistants
Eligibility
Students and/or alumni may make nominations, individually or collectively. Nominees in the Full-Time Faculty and Contract/Adjunct Faculty categories must have taught at 91亚色 for at least two years. The Teaching Assistant award is open to eligible TAs currently enrolled in a graduate Sociology Program at 91亚色 who meet the teaching-assistantship requirements outlined in the SUETA policy.
Recipients are not normally eligible to receive an award in the same category more than once. The Committee may choose not to make an award in a given year. SUETA nominees serving on the UPC are not eligible for nomination and must recuse themselves.
Award Criteria
Teaching excellence is assessed in context and may consider teaching technique, class size, cultural or gender approaches, and enhancement of the learning environment for students requiring accommodations.
- Student learning: critical thinking, deep understanding, clear learning outcomes, useful feedback, inclusive teaching, varied
teaching approaches and mentorship. - Teaching development and mentoring: staying current with teaching research and trends, supporting TAs and colleagues, and
contributing to pedagogical discussions and professional development. - Sociology program and curricular development: contributing to innovative practices, departmental priorities, new courses,
interdisciplinary teaching and curriculum development.
Nomination File
Complete the Sociology Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award Nomination Form. A complete nomination file includes:
- Teaching evaluation summaries may be included, but they are not mandatory.
- A nomination letter explaining how the nominee fulfills the award criteria (maximum 750 words).
- A statement of teaching/learning philosophy and practice from the nominee (maximum 2,000 words).
- A curriculum vitae highlighting teaching experience and accomplishments (maximum five pages).
- At least two letters of support from current students or alumni (maximum 500 words each); an optional colleague letter may
also be included.
Submission & Adjudication
Letters are solicited by the nominator; the nominee must not request letters from students. Nominations are normally supported by information from current and alumni Sociology students. Nominations may be sent to the Undergraduate Program Administrator (UPA) or submitted through the Microsoft SUETA Form. Awards are adjudicated by the Undergraduate Program Committee (UPC), including a SUSA member who has not participated in the nomination file.
Conflict of Interest
- Graduate students cannot nominate their current supervisor.
- Undergraduate students cannot nominate a faculty member or Teaching Assistant until they have completed the class and
received their final grade. - Students cannot nominate an undergraduate thesis supervisor until they have successfully completed their degree.
- Current Chairs, UPDs and GPDs cannot be nominated while serving in those positions.
Privacy/Confidentiality
Material included in nomination files is not treated as private or confidential and may be quoted or summarized. Nominators should ensure that referees are aware of this policy.