Teaching philosophy

Dr. Acker's teaching and course schedule tend to depend on her political interests at the time. This allows her to bring additional consciousness and enthusiasm into the classroom. For example, feminism crept into Acker's consciousness in the 1950's and 60's. This translated into teaching her first class on women, which was a seminar with graduate students.. She followed this was a large course on the sociology of women in 1969. She calls this second course the best course she has ever taught. At the time, she used practically no literature. This was mostly because there was very little critical feminist literature available at the time. She scoured the library and made up course content as she went along. Both the students and Acker were charged with energy and interest, and often there was staqnding room only in the class. It was a night class, and sometimes it ran so late that the cleaning crew kicked her and her students out.