Teaching an Open Class in Race Relations.

This article examines an attempt to make an application of open class technique in a race relations course. The class was large; it lasted for only one quarter; and, since it was taught in the university's evening program, it contained students of widely varying backgrounds and interests. An open class was organized for the students of Sociology at the University of Washington and course was structured to encourage student participation by removing any threat of grading. On the first evening of class students were given an extensive amount of material to read. This material was designed to stimulate the students into thinking and talking about their own college experiences with learning. They were also given a handout which described the structure for the course. The last thing students were given was a list of sixteen proposed class sessions. The author found the course much more rewarding to teach than any he had taught previously. Admittedly the new structure can create a few problems but none of these problems should deter experimenting with an open class.