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Dr.
E.
Wilma van der Veen, B. Honours Math, Ph.D. Sociology
Phone: 786-1715 with voicemail
Email: afewv@uaa.alaska.edu
Office:
CAS 365
Office
hours: M/W 11:30-12:30, T/R
10-11, after class and by appointment
Social change in long-time perspective in US society, with emphasis on institutional change, social movements, and nonviolence.
In
completing this course you will
-
become familiar with different sociological perspectives of social
change;
-
understand the social change that has taken place in US society during
the past century;
-
have a greater understanding of institutional structures and
contemporary issues;
-
further develop your writing ability, your capacity for critical
thinking, for research and analysis.
The
course objectives will be achieved through a program of readings, class
discussions and activities, and written work.
The instruction will incorporate various interactive exercises in which
the students are expected to participate, designed to exemplify the topics
under consideration.
- Moyer, Bill, JoAnn McAllister, Mary Lou Finley and Steve Soifer, (2001), Doing democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing Social Movements, New Society Publishers: Gabriola Island, British Columbia
- Ritzer, George, (2000), The Macdonalization of society, New century ed., Pine Forge Press: Thousand Oaks, California
-
Zunes, Steven, Lester
Kurtz, Sarah Beth Asher, (1991), eds., Nonviolent
Social Movements: A Geographical Perspective, Blackwell: University of San Francisco
Research
project (25%) and presentation (10%)
35%
Mid
term take home essay exam
20%
Journal
entries (5 entries, 5% each)
25%
Class
participation & attendance
20%
-------
TOTAL 100%
The written work for this class is composed of journal entries, a research essay, and a research project with presentation.
· Due dates: Due dates for assignments are given for good reason and acceptance of this syllabus indicates your agreement to meet said due dates. In general, late work will not be accepted. In EXTREME cases where late work may be deemed acceptable there will be substantial penalties to the assessment – see below for policies for each type of written work
· Submission: Do not submit your papers in folders; simply staple the pages together at the upper left-hand corner. Be sure to keep a copy of your paper in case it goes missing. Electronic copies of written work will only be accepted to prove on time submission of work; a hard copy must be submitted to receive a grade on the work. When submitting papers not directly to myself, papers can be left with other members of the sociology department, e.g. the administrative assistant, however, make sure the person receiving the paper signs it and notes the date of receipt.
· Questions: If you have any questions about the written work, consult with me well in advance of the due date.
· Unless otherwise specified, all written work must be typed and in complete sentence form (the exception is journals). Students are expected to write at a college level with appropriate and effective use of the English language. Those who have difficulty with writing are encouraged to contact the Reading and Writing Center for additional assistance.
· Sources: For the essay and research project only: at least two sources should be used to explore the topic/question outside of the textbooks. Sources for ALL ideas presented and quotations used are to be properly referenced using a recognized bibliographic format. Penalties will result if this referencing is not undertaken, amounting to a minimum of 10% of the grade. If you wish to include an anecdotal personal story, it is still to be written in third person. If you wish to include personal ideas, you must seek at least two sources for this idea in order to prove its validity, or demonstrate how your idea is derived from two other sources. Remember: Don’t confuse your own subjective interpretation with sociological ones and don’t make value statements in substitution for critical thinking.
Written component: Details of project will be assigned in third week of classes.
Presentation component: an oral presentation is required by all students. Presentations will take place in the final weeks of classes. Details to follow.
Details of requirements will be distributed in third week of classes.
There will be 6 journal entries. A question(s) will be provided for each entry. These entries are an opportunity for you to explore your feelings and thoughts about various issues discussed in class and in the textbook, without having to provide academic argument. However, thoughts are to be elucidated. Assessment of entries does not focus on use of English, but rather on the comprehensiveness of your entry, how in depth you go into uncovering and exploring why you have the thoughts and FEELINGS you do. Entries should include your attitudes, behaviours and FEELINGS about the particular topic, not simply a cognitive analysis. There is no right or wrong answer to the question(s), and thus the entries will not be assessed according to this criteria. Each entry should be MINIMUM 500 words, using first person (NOT academic style writing), and informal language. Don’t censor yourself – be open and explore yourself and who you are, and don’t write the journal entry the night before it is due. A journal entry requires reflection and this takes time. Journals that are submitted late will be deducted a minimum 10% penalty of this assessment.
Informed
and constructive participation in class discussion is also expected. The
course outline lists readings for each. Please
read and/or prepare all materials prior to the class period for which they are
assigned. It is also helpful if
you approach this class with an open mind and a sense of enthusiasm for
learning. Participation is
awarded for your involvement in in-class activities, exercises, discussions,
and so on. Please note that
participation points are awarded based on your active
involvement and genuine
participation, NOT for mere attendance (which is expected as a minimal requirement and is addressed above).
Attendance is expected and will be taken during each class session. The 2000-2001 UAA Course Catalog notes that “regular attendance and active participation are expected in all classes” (p. 68). In addition to the fact that the general academic policies of the University require your regular attendance and active participation in class, your attendance and participation is very important to your learning and that of other students in this class. It will become apparent if you have not conducted the readings and thus are unable to contribute constructive discussion in the class.
In general, I make no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. This frees you from having to bring a note from your doctor or something of that nature. I know that there are times when real life comes into conflict with the demands of pursuing an education, but your attendance in this class is important and you should make it a priority. If you are unable to attend at least 80% of the classes, then it is advisable that you withdraw from the course or else risk the application of penalties in the assessment. Four class periods are allowed, with each subsequent class missed amounting to a 1/4 point deduction in this component of the assessment. The 4 allotted absences are to be used in the event that dire circumstances keep you from class. Use the absences at your discretion, but DO NOT VIEW THESE ALLOTTED ABSENCES AS SKIP DAYS!!! The absences are provided because I understand that real life occasionally collides with your school responsibilities and these absences give you the flexibility to responsibly manage conflicting circumstances that may arise during the course of the semester without severe consequences for your point total. If you have MAJOR extenuating circumstances requiring an extended absence from campus (e.g. an accident or illness that requires extensive hospitalization, a death in the family, etc.), please see me and we may be able to make arrangements and/or will talk about the options the University provides for dropping, withdrawing, switching to audit, and so on.
If you are late, YOU are responsible for checking with the professor after class on the day you were late to correct the record. It is simply not feasible to alter attendance records days or even weeks after the fact. Excessive tardiness may result in a further loss of points from the final grade. If you are late for a general class session, simply slip in as quietly as possible.
A
90 - 100%
B
80 – 89%
C
70 – 79%
D
60 – 69%
F
59% and below
The
UAA Catalog offers the following descriptions of grades:
A = Honor grade; indicates comprehensive mastery of required work.
B = Indicates high level of performance in meeting course requirements.
C = Indicates satisfactory level of performance.
D = Indicates lowest passing grade.
F = Indicates failure.
An
“A” denotes exceptional work. All
assignments and policies indicated above and below must be completed and/or
carried out in a satisfactory manner in order to receive a passing grade in
this class.
Keep
a folder for handouts, returned papers, and the like.
Also keep a photocopy or disk copy of outlines and other items you
might submit. Materials that have been graded and returned have comments
that may be helpful to you for improving future assignments in class.
Keep all graded assignments until I have submitted your grades and you
have received your final grade in the mail.
To calculate your grade in the course as we go along, simply calculate
the percentage of points you have earned from the total thus far in the class.
The
following are a list of expectations you the student can have of me the
instructor for this course, and expectations I have of you during the course.
If you have any questions or concerns about these expectations, then it
is your responsibility to bring these to my attention during the first few
weeks of classes. Otherwise it is
understood that you agree to abide by these rights and responsibilities.
Your
rights:
·
course syllabus will be followed, and sufficient notice will be given
if any changes will take place
·
clear explanations of written work including assessment
·
respect
·
office hours are scheduled and appointments can be made
·
provide reasonable assistance individually in understanding the course
material if necessary
·
input into course topics to be discussed
Your
responsibilities:
·
this is your education so take it seriously
·
show up on time
·
attend all classes
·
hand in all written work on time
·
do readings prior to class
·
contribute to class discussions and activities
·
respect yourself and others
·
seek explanations and help if needed
·
if having learning challenges or other issues which will affect your
learning inform me in advance
·
know what is taking place each week with regard to readings and
assignment of written work and due dates
· turn off any cell phones or pagers
As
your professor, I am responsible for facilitating learning and serving as a
resource for you in this class. It
is my job to challenge you, to consider your work against the standards I set
forth, and to evaluate your efforts based on my years of training and my years
of teaching in the field of Sociology. As
students, you are responsible for being here, for participating in class, for
completing assignments in an appropriate and timely fashion, and for learning.
Staying on top of things, being self-motivated, and putting forth
adequate effort are all a part of the equation for you to earn a good grade in
this course.
That said, I'd like to remind you that it is best if you do not equate your self worth with your grade in this class or on any assignment. You may be an "A+ person" who happened to perform at a C+ level on a given assignment. Remember that grades are an indication of your performance in mastering the material at hand at one point in time. They do not condemn you to a life of doom and drudgery. Nor are they an indicator of your professor's views of you as a person. Reflect on your grade in an honest and realistic fashion before flying off the handle. Remember that I am hired to offer constructive criticism of your speeches, papers, and so on. Digest that criticism and then ask yourself questions like: Did I put in the preparation time that would've been necessary to receive a better grade?, Did I understand the assignment as fully as I could have?, Did I turn in all the required paperwork?, Did I do an adequate job of proofreading, running a spell check? If you find that you still have questions about how you can improve or about course content, come see me and we will talk about additional ways for you to work on your mastery of the subject matter.
A
few thoughts about attitude... It
has been my experience that students who approach their education with a sense
of excitement and a willingness to learn are more productive students.
Holding on to the belief that you HAVE TO take this course prevents you
from embracing the point of view that you GET TO take this course. This course may be outside your major area of interest, but
the content will still relate to your daily activities at home, work, and
school. We will laugh, we will
experience nervousness, we will think critically, we will speak, we will
listen, and we will learn. Most
importantly, we will do these things together.
There is no room for negative
criticism of others and there is no room for laughter at the expense of another in this class.
Enjoy the class and look for the concepts to be applicable in your
daily life and I think you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish this
semester.
Cheating
and plagiarism are unacceptable. Plagiarism
is quoting from, paraphrasing, or using specific ideas contained in any
published work, e.g. books periodicals, public documents, internet, etc…, or
using another person’s ideas without providing an appropriate citation or
recognition which credits the author and/or origin of the work or idea, and
presenting them as if they are your own. Academic
dishonesty can refer to a range of inappropriate and unethical
behaviors including but not limited to cheating on exams, falsification of
sources, and so on. As in other
courses at the University, students in this class are expected to do their own
work and conduct themselves in a fair, honest, and ethical manner.
Those who plagiarize or engage in academic dishonesty of any kind may minimally
expect to fail the assignment at hand and perhaps the entire course.
In addition, instances of academic dishonesty and plagiarism may be
dealt with through proper University channels for investigation and
disciplinary action.
"Disruptive behavior" includes but is not limited to talking when someone else has the floor, being rude to other people, destructive (rather than constructive) criticism of another, arriving late repeatedly, sleeping during class, belligerent or aggressive behavior, and so on. These behaviors have no place in a college classroom. You have a right to maintain your own opinions and to disagree with others, but you must do so in a fashion that is conducive to learning and does not take the form of a personal attack on others. Minimally, you are expected to treat your classmates and your professor in a respectful fashion and they will return the favor. Any behavior that obstructs or disrupts the classroom teaching and learning environment will be addressed. Serious or repeated breaches in appropriate behavior may result in a reduction of your final grade in the course and may be referred to additional University authorities.
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to change the course syllabus.
The
students will be given sufficient advanced notice of any changes should they
arise.
Chapters denote readings to be completed prior to each week. It is imperative that you read the chapter before coming to class so that you will have a basic foundation of the topic in class discussions and activities.
The
first part of the course will deal with social change in general, theory and
applied, the second part will deal with nonviolent social movements in the West,
and the third part will deal with social movements on an international level.
WEEK
1 - August 27th
Introduction
of students, professor and course
Topic:
introduction to social change & its theories
1st
journal entry assigned
WEEK
2 - September 3rd – no class on 3rd
Topic:
Introduction to social change in the US
Chapter
1 & 2 - MacDonaldization of Society
Journal
1 due Thursday
WEEK
3 - September 10th
Topic:
Institutional changes in the US
Chapter
3, 4, 5 & 6- MacDonaldization of Society
Research
essay & project assigned
Journal
2 assigned
WEEK
4 - September 17th
Topic:
Institutional changes in the US cont’d
Chapter
7 - MacDonaldization of Society
Journal 2 due
WEEK
5 - September 24th
Topic: Life & death & the
future
Chapter 8 & 9 - MacDonaldization of Society
WEEK
6 - October 1st
Topic: introduction to social
movements & nonviolence
Introduction & Part 1 - Nonviolent social movements & Introduction – Doing democracy
Journal 3 assigned
WEEK
7 - October 8th
Topic:
Chapters 1 thru 4 – Doing democracy
Journal
3 due
WEEK
8 - October 15th
Topic:
Chapter 5
– Doing democracy
WEEK
9 - October 22nd
Topic: War
Chapter 7 - Doing democracy
Research
essay due on Tuesday
Journal
4 assigned
WEEK
10 – October 29th
Topic:
Social movements in Europe
Parts
III - Nonviolent social movements
Journal
4 due
WEEK
11 – November 5th
Topic:
Social movements in Africa & the Middle East
Parts II & V - Nonviolent social movements
WEEK
12 - November 12th
Topic: Social movements in Asia
Part IV – Nonviolent social movements
Journal 5 assigned
WEEK
13 - November 19th – no class on 22nd
Topic: Social movements in the Americas
Part
VII - Nonviolent social movements
Journal 5 due
WEEK
14 - November 26th
Project
presentations
WEEK
15 - December 3rd
Project
presentations
WEEK
16 - December 10th
Research project due Monday December 10th – NO extensions.
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