Syllabus
Summer 2006
M-F
Instructor:
Allison Hicks
Office:
Ketchum
35
Email: Allison.Hicks@colorado.edu
Phone: (303) 817-0040
*Email
is the best way to get a hold of me
Office
Hours: By
appointment
Campus
Box: Sociology
Department, HICKS
Sociology
Department: Ketchum
220
Department Hours: Monday through Friday, 730am-430pm
Textbook:
Adler
and Adler (eds.). 2006. Constructions
of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction.
*Be
sure to pick up the 5th edition
Course
Description and Learning Objectives:
Sociology is the study of
society and human interaction. We all have considerable experience living in
society and interacting with other people. Sociology, however, is an unfamiliar
way of looking at the familiar. The primary objective of this course is to help
you develop your sociological imagination-that is, to provide you with
the conceptual and theoretical tools that will allow you to examine virtually
any subject from a sociological perspective. In this course we will be devoted
to studying ‘deviance’ in American society; how/why does ‘deviance’ exist as it
does and what connections can be made between your personal experience and the
social issues raised throughout the course?
My hope is that you will
gain a fundamental sense of what the discipline of sociology is and how it
approaches the study of ‘deviance’. In addition, I hope that you will come away
from the course with an understanding that the classroom is not divorced from
reality, and the ability to see the relevance of sociological inquiry to your
own life.
Expected Behavior:
Respect
Yourself
Respect
Others
Disability Statement:
If
you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require
accommodations, please let me know during the first week of class so we may
meet your needs appropriately. You will
need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services
Office in Willard 322 (ph. 303-492-8671), or on the web at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
Accommodation for Religious Observances:
Please
notify me as soon as possible if you recognize any conflict with test dates,
assignment due dates, and/or class attendance that will occur as the result of
religious observances. Notification must be made no later than one week prior to the date of
conflict so that you and I have time to make other arrangements. I will do my best to accommodate your
religious observance, possibly adjusting an assignment’s due date or the
attendance requirement for the date missed due to religious reasons.
Disruptive
Classroom Behavior:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate
learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may
be subject to disciplinary action. Graduate Instructors have the professional
responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to
guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable
limits on the manner in which students express opinions. See campus policies at
www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and
www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student
Academic
Integrity:
All students of the
Policy
on Sexual Harassment:
The
Grading and Evaluation:
Your final course
grade will be calculated as follows:
Assignment Date
Due Total
Points Possible %
Quizzes In
Class 100 points (5
at 20 pts each) 21
Writing
Assignment Before Friday,
06/30 100 points 21
Final
Project Friday
07/07 before
Participation Everyday, in class 75 points (3 pts per
class) 16
Calculating your final grade
(
427-475 points = A
380-426 points = B
332-379 points = C
285-331 points = D
0-284 points = F
NOTE: Do NOT email me for
your course grade. If you would like to discuss your performance in the course please make an appointment to come and talk with me.
Quizzes:
Each Thursday students will take an
in class quiz worth twenty points. In order to do well on the quizzes, be sure
to do each week’s readings and study lecture materials. Quizzes will include
both multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short
answer questions. Quizzes will begin at the start of class, so be sure to
arrive on time. If you are late and miss all or part of a quiz
you CANNOT make up the points.
Writing Assignment:
Each student is responsible for writing a 3-5 page short
paper illustrating the connection between our class discussions and life
outside the classroom. Students may choose when to turn in their paper, however
the last day to turn in a paper is Friday, June 30th
in class. Late work will not be accepted.
Students may choose from a variety of options (see attached
sheet). Each paper should incorporate at least three concepts from lecture
and/or readings, citing where appropriate. Papers are worth a total of 100
points.
Final Project:
Students should investigate one
type of deviance in depth and complete a report on it. The deviance can be something discussed in any
of our readings or lectures, or it can be something not covered in this course.
You can choose one of several options to complete this project- whichever suits
you best:
·
An 8-10 page research paper,
including citations and a reference page (not included in 8-10 page limit).
·
A portfolio or
pamphlet including pictures, quotations, news articles, and/or other
information about your topic. This can be anything from a relatively
professional appearing pamphlet to a small, well-organized 3-ring binder. In addition, you must complete a 3-5 page
paper explaining why you chose this topic and why you chose what is included in
your portfolio or pamphlet.
·
Create an original creative work
related to and/or demonstrating your topic.
This can include painting, sculpture, music, short film, dance, or some
other form of creative work developed by you specifically for this
assignment. In addition, you must
complete a 3-5 page paper explaining why you chose this topic and why you chose
to express the topic in this specific creative format.
For all of these options, it is required
that you use at least two outside sources (only one can be a website). You must also use four concepts from readings
and lecture to help describe your topic.
**Due: Final Projects are due no later
than
**Contract: A contract describing your
proposed project is due no later than Monday, June 26th
**Points: 200 points possible (42% of
class grade)
In order to
pass this course, each student is required to turn in a final project.
Participation:
Teaching and learning are reciprocal processes. I will provide a structure for learning, but you must assume the responsibility to learn. It is, after all, your education and it is up to you and your classmates to make this course a worthwhile experience. You should expect to do more than occupy a chair; please come to class energized and prepared to think, speak and do. The success of this course hinges upon students meeting this expectation, therefore so does a portion of your grade. Each class period is worth three points of your overall grade, and will be comprised of class discussions and group exercises.
Attendance:
Attendance to class meetings is vital to the success
of this course and individual students. Missing even one class can
detrimentally impact a student’s learning. As such, students should expect to
not miss any classes. I will pass around a sign in sheet each class meeting to
help track attendance. No penalties will be imposed for missed classes,
however, in the event of borderline grades good attendance may become relevant.
Students are responsible for getting the notes for the day/s they are absent
from another student, and no points may be made up for participation or missed
quizzes and/or paper deadlines.
Grading Concerns:
If you feel an error has occurred in the grading of your
assignments, please set up an appointment to come in and discuss your concerns
with me. I am willing to re-examine your grade so long as you meet with me
within one week of receiving the grade and have specific (rather than general
or abstract) questions about your grade. After one week, all grades are FINAL
and will not be reconsidered.
Illness and Late Policies:
As a general
rule, no late work will be accepted and any points missed due to an absence may
not be made up (including quizzes and participation). In certain circumstances
(serious illness or family emergency) a student may petition for an extended
deadline, however, adequate documentation must be provided. All final projects
must be turned in on time, no exceptions.
Course Schedule:
WEEK ONE
Monday 06/05:
Introduction to the class
Wednesday 06/07: Theories of Deviance
In Class Quiz
In Class Quiz
Friday 06/16: Social Power
Final Project Contract Due
Final Day to turn in Writing Assignment
Monday 07/03: Deviant Careers
No
In Class Quiz
Administer FCQs
Friday 07/07: No Class
Final Project Due (Before