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In the interest of continuing the push toward understanding the status of sociology in high schools, this research note reports some results from the first national study of high school sociology to be carried out in more than 25 years. It is also only the second national study to ever be conducted. Specifically, the author examines the prevalence of sociology courses in American public high schools, as well as analyzes the importance of two predictors of sociology's existence: geographic region of the country and size of the student body. The author concludes with a discussion of the results and recommendations for future research. (Contains 2 tables and 2 footnotes.)

Many sociologists now seem to assume that most, if not all, sociology students enter statistics courses full of anxiety. The problem is that this assumption is based solely on anecdotal and informal evidence. The present study seeks to correct this problem. The author begins by examining the nature and quality of the evidence that sociologists have offered for the existence of statistics anxiety. He goes on to offer the first empirical assessment of the extent of sociology majors' anxiety. His results show that sociologists' assumption that an overwhelming majority of students are anxious is not quite accurate. They also demonstrate that females and students who expect lower course grades are significantly more likely to report feeling anxious on the first day of class. In conclusion, he outlines a research agenda for studying both the extent and causes of statistics anxiety, and possible treatment options for it. He also discusses three potential negative consequences for students of continuing to assume high levels of statistics anxiety among sociology majors. (Contains 3 tables and 5 footnotes.)

This article reviews the documentary motion picture The Virgin Diaries. The Virgin Diaries opens with a conversation between a young Muslim woman named Fatiha and a Moroccan taxi driver. The motion picture has many shortcomings. The first problem is the narration, the narrator is not always able to censor her own attitude or behavior. Many things happen in the documentary that are not fully explained. The film provides very little context for understanding events and behavior as they occur. It is difficult for the viewer to understand fully why and how people act and speak. The lack of sociological analysis in the film is most obvious during interviews with various people in Morocco and the Sahara. The film is probably not a worthwhile addition to an introductory course. Too much background preparation and too many conceptual and substantive leaps would be required of the students. However, the film may be well used in upper-level courses. Students may have acquired some ability to analyze the action from a sociological perspective and some familiarity with the subject matter. It may be useful to send students away immediately after watching the film, with the task of formulating sociological questions about it.

This article reviews the documentary film Brotherhood of Hate. The film documents the life and crimes of Chevie Jehoe and the events leading up to the murder of the Mueller family. From a sociological standpoint, the film's most important contribution lies in its emphasis on the importance of socialization processes on a young man. The film provides an abundance of additional material for sociological exploration and analysis. The narrative deals with issues of crime and law, the Christian Identity and patriot movements, the social problems of violence and racism, and aspects of the family. The film is a fruitful teaching tool for a variety of courses, including criminology, social movements, introductory sociology, social problems, race, and the family. Because of its 55 minute running time, one might have to devote an entire class period to showing the film, and delay the discussion of it until the next class meeting. This may actually be a more effective approach, since it will give students some time to mull the film and to consider its sociological insights and significance. Brotherhood of Hate is a quality film recommended as a teaching tool for a variety of courses. However, the film contains some obscene language, and graphic scenes and descriptions of the murder of the Mueller family that may be objectionable to some students.