Dr. Beth Davison
Professor & Co-Director
Department of Sociology/Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/University Documentary Film Series
The Center for Academic Excellence has enlisted the help of many faculty champions across the campus community to help with workshops and support for the Keep Teaching initiative during the virtual transition of Covid-19. Faculty champions are helping others with transitioning to online delivery; continuing support of faculty and staff within their home department throughout this semester; providing consultations and workshops, as well as assisting faculty with efforts for accessible course content.
"In converting my classes to online, I am having students document the current pandemic situation. In my research class, students are learning new methods by analyzing social media postings and zoom interviewing subjects about the impacts of COVID-19. Many of my advanced documentary project students had to abandon their original documentary projects and are now working from home to document how the pandemic has impacted their families, communities and the world. During this time, I’ve also helped a handful of faculty members troubleshoot, learn zoom and think through assignment strategies," said Davison.
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About the Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts and six Bachelor of Science concentrations (applied research methods; criminology; deviance and law; families and intimate relationships; gerontology; social inequalities; and individually designed, which requires departmental approval). The department also offers minors in sociology and gerontology, plus two online graduate certificates in gerontology and sociology. Learn more at https://soc.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers degrees in three program areas: global studies; gender, women’s and sexuality studies; and interdisciplinary studies. The department is also home to Watauga Residential College, an interdisciplinary, alternative general education program. The department promotes creative and imaginative engagement through a cross-disciplinary investigation of complex systems and problems. Learn more at https://interdisciplinary.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University Documentary Film Services
University Documentary Film Services at Appalachian State University teaches, engages in and presents documentary work grounded in collaborative local and global partnerships. Photography, film/video, audio and narrative writing are used to capture and convey memory, life, research, theory and culture. Additionally, the program provides professional consultation to students, faculty and staff engaged in documentary projects; maintains an archive of campus documentary work; hosts workshops for the campus community; and coordinates screenings of both finished and ongoing documentaries produced by Appalachian faculty and staff, as well as visiting professional documentarians. It is a unit within Appalachian's University College. Learn more at https://doc.appstate.edu.
About the Center for Academic Excellence
The Center for Academic Excellence is Appalachian State University's lead teaching and learning resource for faculty, staff and students. It was formed in 2016 by combining the staff and resources from Learning Technology Services and Faculty and Academic Development into a single, comprehensive center dedicated to growing excellence in teaching and learning and supporting faculty and student success. Among its services, the center provides support for teaching innovation, the scholarship of teaching and learning, learning technologies and professional development for faculty and staff. Learn more at https://cae.appstate.edu.
Compiled and written by Maddie Seehafer and Ellen Gwin Burnette
April 21, 2020
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Beth Davison, Center for Academic Excellence Champion. Photo submitted.
Dr. Beth Davison, Center for Academic Excellence Champion. Photo submitted.