Contemporary Social Issues, Sociology 102
Fall 2009
Tuesday & Thursday
Professor: Dr. Michael J. Stern
Contact Information: (sternm@cofc.edu); 3-6742
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 to 11:00
Overview
This class is designed to give you a general understanding of the sociological perspective on current social issues. For this class, we will examine topics including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic discrimination, gender discrimination, environmental degradation, family violence, and poverty. In addition, we will evaluate research in these areas as well as assess attempts to ameliorate these problems. Due to the nature of the subject matter, the readings come from various disciplines; however, we are primarily going to use a sociological perspective.
As for assistance with assignments, my “door” is always open. You can reach me by telephone 3-6742 but it is much easier to get me via e-mail (sternm@cofc.edu). My office is in 88 Wentworth, Rm. 104 and my office hours are listed above. Many of the questions you may have, however, can be answered by viewing the class blog (blogs.cofc.edu/sternm).
Requirements
The key to surviving any college course is time management! The student will be required to allow herself/himself the time to thoroughly and critically evaluate the readings.
1. There will be 4 papers (one per unit). The papers will be 2 to 3 pages, typed, double-spaced in an acceptable font size (i.e. 12 point) and preferably New Times Roman.
The content of the papers is left to your discretion; however, there are guidelines that link the paper to what we are discussing in class (See Appendices). They are “reaction” papers. That said, the use of the first person, “I”, is expected.
2. There will be three tests. The tests will consist of multiple choice, true false, short answer, and essay questions.
3. In keeping with our College’s mission, there is a service learning component to this class. Each of you will be REQUIRED to give 5 hours of your time to a local non-profit organization. Preferably, the organization you choose will deal with a contemporary social issue that is salient to you. From this experience, you will write a 5 to 7 page paper about your experience, which you will tie to the material from class and other outside readings (3 citations are necessary). In addition, you will conduct a 5 minute presentation about your experience. A list of local non-profit organizations can be found at CofC’s Center for Civic Engagement Blog http://cofcvolunteer.blogspot.com/ . The paper is due the last regular week of class.
4. This is a class about developing perspectives and facilitating discussion; therefore, each of you is expected to contribute to the class discussion.
Grading
The papers are worth 20% of the final grade (5% each). The tests are worth 30% of the final grade (10% each). The service learning project is worth 40% of the grade and the remaining 10% is based on your class attendance and participation (I will randomly take attendance and have in-class assignments).
Official Notices
I reserve the right to alter and change this syllabus as needed… and probably will.
If there is an emergency and you cannot complete your work contact me—preferably before the class period— and we can work out other arrangements. As far as being prepared for class, that is having done the readings, I am pretty stingy. Maybe you can’t read “word for word” all of the readings for a given week, OK, but I require that you read it well enough to have a working knowledge of the material. Unfortunately, I reserve the right to inflict pop quizzes if I feel like a number of students are not doing the required readings. Simply put, do the work and you will be rewarded.
Use of the Libraries
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology expects students in all courses to use the CofC library buildings and materials in a responsible manner. The following acts indicate lack of respect for the education process and for the rights of others in the university community: defacing, concealing, removing sections of, or stealing library books, periodicals, or reserve materials, and interfering with the work of other users.
Special Needs
If you have special needs that might affect your performance in this class, please let me know in person or on your written information sheet. Special needs might include, but are not limited to, needing to sit in the front of the class, needing to tape record class sessions, and child care needs.
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have documented disabilities. All accommodations must be approved through the Center for Disability Services located in Lightsey Center Room 104. Their telephone number is 3-1431.
Cheating
No form of cheating or academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class. Cheating includes, for example, sharing your work with another individual and any form of plagiarism including the use of someone else’s ideas and/or words without giving her/him written credit (this includes your text). Your Reaction papers, therefore, must include text citations that indicate your sources of information. If you cheat on any assignment (or if you help others to cheat), you will receive an “F” FOR THE COURSE. In addition, it will lead to an “x F” appearing on your transcript indicating that you received the F for reasons of academic dishonesty. With that said, I encourage working together and sharing ideas, but when the writing begins or you are taking an exam you must do it yourself.
Required Texts
Kendall, D. 2009. Social Problems in a Diverse Society. Fifth Edition. MA. Allyn & Bacon.
Kozol, J. 1991. Savage Inequalities: Children in American Schools New York: Harper.
MacLeod, J. 1995. Ain’t No Makin’ It: Aspirations and Attainment in a Low Income Neighborhood Boulder. CO: Westview Press.
***All other supplementary readings will be provided for copying or printing.
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