Deviance in U.S. Society

Lab Syllabus

SOCY 1004

Spring 2006

 

TEACHING ASSISTANT:  Kristina Kahl  

Email:  kristina.kahl@colorado.edu                                                                                                    

Phone:   (541) 520-5822                                                   

Ketchum 8 Office Hours: Tuesday 3:30 – 4:30

                            Thursday 1:00- 2:00

                            or by appointment

                                                               

 

ASSISTANT TEACHING ASSISTANTS (ATAs):

Daelena Tinnin: Daelena.Tinnin@colorado.edu                                  Kelley Kirkley Kelley.Kirkley@colorado.edu

Tuesday 2:00-2:50                     Muen E064                                         Wednesday 3:00- 3:50             Ramy N1B31

Friday 1:00-1:50                        Duan G1B39                                       Thursday 8:00- 8:50                 Ktch 235    

 

 

REQUIRED TEXT:Adler & Adler, 2006. Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, ad Interaction.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Custom Edition, Spring 2006.

 

OVERVIEW:

Labs are designed specifically to afford students the opportunity to discuss and further explore materials presented in the reader and in lecture in a small group setting.  As your teaching assistant it is my job to facilitate meaningful discussions within the group in a manner that will ultimately clarify and deepen your understanding of the materials presented. A lively discussion requires that students be prepared and willing to share their insights and opinions in class. It is my goal to create a comfortable and open environment where all members of the class are willing to share their ideas and thoughts. In order for this environment to be achieved, it is crucial that all students behave in a respectful manner towards one another. Given the nature of this course, our discussions will often focus on issues that may arouse intense feelings and disagreement. While enthusiastic discussion and debate of these issues is wholeheartedly encouraged, insensitive or mean-spirited comments based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, ideas or beliefs will not be tolerated. 

 

 CLASSROOM DECORUM:

Please arrive in the classroom and be prepared to begin on time. Please stay for the entire class period unless you have a conflict that you already informed me about, either before class or through email. Turn off your cell phones and beepers. Please refrain from engaging in disruptive behavior, such as reading newspapers, doing homework for other classes, playing computer games, sleeping or carrying on side conversations during class. Engaging in rude or disruptive behavior may result in my asking you to leave the classroom and/or the forfeiture of your attendance points for the day. Please be punctual and remain seated until the class is dismissed (at 10 minutes to the hour, without exception).

 

Particularly in a class devoted to discussion of “deviant” attitudes/behaviors, tolerance is crucial.  Our goal, as educated adults in an academic setting, must be to create an environment of mutual respect in the classroom.  No one should ever feel that they have been personally attacked because of a belief shared in lab.  This includes, but is not limited to: any disrespectful, intolerant, or otherwise hurtful comments made in regard to issues of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political beliefs.  If you feel that you have been a victim of such comments or actions, please contact me and I will address the issue as is appropriate.

 

PARTICIPATION:

Participation is crucial to your experience and success in lab. There are 3 key factors for successful participation:

1)       Bring reading lists each week:

Reading Lists: Please come to class with a copy of the “lists” for the week

Lists of relevant concepts and important terms to be discussed in each week’s lab are available on-line at Patti’s website, http://spot.colorado.edu/~adler. You will need to print these lists out each week before lab and use them as outlines to take notes as we cover the chapters during lab. I also strongly encourage you to print out these lists and use them as guidelines when reading assigned chapters from Constructions of Deviance. These lists are incredible time-savers and work great as study sheets for the tests!

You can access the lists by going to Patti’s website, clicking on “Deviance,” and then clicking on “Reading Lists.”

2)       TA office visit by end of February:

University classes, especially large classes can be quite challenging and at times seem impersonal for students. Since there are usually 500 or so students for this course each semester and I have 100 students, I feel it is very important as a TA to get to know you a little better. Therefore, you are expected to drop by my office for a small visit (really no more than 10 minutes!) in which we can engage in various conversational topics!! This requirement is not set up to stress you out, on the contrary, it is so you can become all the more comfortable with me and academics as a whole.

3) Be prepared to discuss the articles/readings:

You will be expected to attend lab prepared to discuss the readings assigned for that week. I expect all students to participate in class discussions even if that only means being an avid listener.

Because of the nature of the subject matter of this class, some students may feel uncomfortable speaking during group discussions.  Because participation is worth 1/3rd (one-third) of your lab grade, I encourage you to find other ways to participate in a meaningful way in lab if you are uncomfortable speaking during class. Some examples of participation include:

 

1.       Sending an email to me with your thoughts, insights, etc. if you are uncomfortable speaking during class.

2.       Bringing an article from the news to class that is relevant to the topic of the week.  I may use the article during class discussion.

3.       Other suggestions you may have.

 

During some classes, I may ask that you participate by writing short essays on your readings, by bringing typed questions to class that are based on the readings, or by undertaking any number of other in-class activities. 

 

Finally, familiarize yourself with—and adhere to—the University Honor Code, www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode, and the University’s Policy on Classroom Behavior, www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html

GRADING:

This lab will count for 25% of your final grade in Deviance.  Grades in this lab will be based on the following: 

 

  1. Attendance.  You will be allowed one free, unexcused absence.  After that, you will lose 5% of your recitation grade per absence.  Attendance is worth 1/3rd (one-third) of your recitation grade.  If you are sick or have a legitimate conflict, such as the observance of a religious holiday, it is your responsibility to contact me BEFORE lab meets in order for your absence to be “excused.”  Vacation, preparation for other classes, etc. are not considered legitimate conflicts.  You may also attend any other lab that is taught by me during the week to get attendance credit for that week.  If you cannot attend one of my labs, I encourage you to attend a lab taught by another TA in order to get the materials for the week. You will not, however, receive attendance credit for labs that you attend which are taught by another TA.
  2. Participation.  The criteria for successful participation in class are laid out above.  Participation is worth 1/3rd (one-third) of your recitation grade.
  3. Four pop quizzes worth 10 points each.  The lowest quiz score will be dropped.  The quizzes are worth 1/3rd (one-third) of your lab grade.

 

If you have any questions about the grading system or your progress in class, please do not hesitate to talk to your ATA or me.  We are here to help.

DISABILITY STATEMENT:

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let the Assistant TA or TA know during the first two weeks of the semester 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, on the web at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices).

ACCOMODATIONS 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 two weeks prior to the date of conflict so that you and I have time to make other arrangements.  Please read the statement of academic integrity at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html. I will do my best to accommodate your religious observance, possibly adjusting an assignment’s due date or the lab attendance requirement for the date missed due to religious reasons.  In the event that a test date conflicts with your religious observance, please notify Dr. Adler and I as soon as possible, since adjusting a test date requires consideration and approval from Dr. Adler.