Office: Kinard 339
Office Phone: EXT 4657
Office Hours: 8:00-9:00 Friday E-mail:
Marxj@Winthrop.edu
Web Site:
http://faculty.winthrop.edu/marxj
SENIOR SEMINAR
SOCL 598, Section 001
CRN: 21579
1 Credit Hour
Spring 2018
OWENS g07
Wednesday 12:30-1:20*
*Some
classes will be scheduled with the Monday section (12:30-1:20 pm), when we have
guest speakers. Please let me know of conflicts way in advance so alternative
assignments can be arranged.
COURSE GOALS
The senior seminar is a course that assembles a cohort of sociology majors in
their final semester before graduation. The goal is to present
students with issues, trends, research, and research methods in contemporary
sociology. This course acts as a
capstone for the Sociology major. Additionally, this course participates in the
Global Learning Initiative by its
very nature. Many reading have international global orientations. Students will
be exposed to some important works in sociology as identified by the sociology
faculty. Students will be required
to direct a class utilizing a set of readings. The seniors are expected to
display the skills acquired in the sociology major and General Program, such as
communication and critical thinking. Such capabilities are essential for
success in a variety of work settings and acquiring advanced degrees.
Students will be exposed to the professional attitudes that we demand of
all our graduates, such as respect, responsibility and common courtesy.
Students will be exposed to career and graduate opportunities.
For example we have had FBI representatives, graduate school directors,
and alumni inform the students about opportunities after graduation.
Students will experience the administration of program evaluation
instruments. Such feedback is used to strengthen our program.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES IN SOCL 598
Successful students in SOCL 598 will:
Majors who complete the sociology program will be well prepared for continued
graduate study in the social sciences or appropriate employment (guest alumni
speakers, mock interviews, resume writing, mentor interviews and social
networking).
Majors will develop the ability to communicate effectively (both orally and
written) about the basic concepts and theoretical premises of sociology (group
presentation, written final)
Majors will be able to apply social theories to frame social reality. (group
presentation and analysis of Paris Burning or another selected film).
Majors will develop an understanding of how they present themselves to others
(mock interviews, group presentations).
Majors will “develop the analytical tools to understand an ever-expanding body
of knowledge and students will develop insights...and a critical examination of
existing social arrangements (dynamic of class seminar discussing articles).
DEPARTMENTAL GOALS
This course
supports our departmental mission
statement as students will develop the Analytical tools to understand and
ever-expanding body of knowledge about the dynamic of social relationships, the
nature of power and influence in complex societies, and the roles of age, class,
ethnicity, gender, religion, and other social phenomena that affect viewpoints
and life chances.
http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/sociologyanthropology/default.aspx?id=10128
SOCL 598 AND UNIVERSITY LEVEL COMPETENCIES
SOCL 598 helps students make progress towards the following University Level
Competencies:
Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.
Method: Students will carefully read assigned materials, and will complete
assignments that encourage higher level comprehension.
Assessment: Students will be graded
on writing assignments and tests that challenge both understanding and
application of terms, concepts, and theories.
Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.
Method: Students will be prepared for class by reading assigned materials,
arriving to class on time, and participating in course discussions and lectures.
Assessment: Participation in discussions and timely arrivals will influence
students’ grades. Professionalism is one component that their presentations are
graded.
Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the
world and the time in which they live.
Method: Students will learn to identify multiple perspectives on sociology and
will be able to apply them to diverse situations in our social world.
Assessment: Along with a
comprehensive final examination, students will also complete writing assignments
that examine sociology in application.
Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.
Method: Students will read and discuss the research relating to sociology.
Assessment: Students will be graded
on writing assignments, participation in class, as well as leading the class in
discussion. Many times the students
will see videos of how they appear as presenters and listeners.
http://www.winthrop.edu/academic-affairs/secondary.aspx?id=15731
REQUIRED TEXTS
All readings that do not have a web address listed below them will be available
on Blackboard/website/emailed or all. The readings were selected by
faculty for inclusion.
Classroom Standards
GRADING AND CLASS POLICIES
I expect students to take the exams and provide presentations on the dates
scheduled and during the allotted time period.
Make-up exams are available under dire circumstances (EX: student is
hospitalized.) If you will not be
at the exam during its scheduled time
you must notify me in advance, we will then determine an appropriate course
of action. I reserve the right to
give a make-up exam that is different from the original exam.
All dates given, and material covered can be changed at the instructor’s
discretion, therefore it is your job to keep informed via attendance, and
getting make up material from friends in class.
Take pride in your own work and personal preparation for exams.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Any student
caught cheating on exams or plagiarizing their paper will receive a final course
grade of “F.”
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Leadership (40 pts):
You will direct a discussion of a set of readings for the entire 50 minute
class. Your presentation will
display your ability to think critically about the readings assigned.
A grading matrix (that we will create together) will be available on my
website/blackboard.
A group evaluation form needs to be completed by all group members before I will
allocate a grade. Each attendee will grade you project. Your
classmates will grade your project. I will average their scores with my
own to determine grades.
What do I want in the presentations?
1)
I want to see that you have read and understand the readings.
2)
I want to see that you can summarize the readings for the class
and structure an interesting class
discussion.
An interesting class discussion can critique the articles (theoretically
and methodologically), can tell the implications of the articles for current
events, can compare and contrast the pieces, can expand upon them through film,
speaker or other artistic means. This is your opportunity to
teach, I want you to create an
informed and dynamic presentation. I want you to get the class
involved.
Participation and Preparedness (20pts):
If you miss more than four classes, you will fail the course. Less will
significantly impact your grade (including be late).
All assignments, participation expectations and evaluation instruments
must be completed for a passing grade.
I expect students to read the selections and participate in all
presentations. If you do not provide concrete evidence through
informed class involvement in the group presentations, you will not receive
a passing grade for the course. The
seriousness that you show in evaluating your classmates' presentation will also
be considered here. I or the presenter reserves the right to give pop
quizzes to access if readings are being read. Performance on these tests
will enter into my evaluation of "informed" class involvement. If you have
to miss a speaker, I need to know why.
If you are late, if you leave early, if your cell phone rings, or you display
other rude behaviors such as talking when others are talking, then you may have
points subtracted from your total points. I also expect that a formal
apology will be made before I or fellow presenters return to the
instruction. Chronic or severe acute violation may result (at my discretion) in
the allocation of an "N" or "F" for the course.
Final Exam (30pts):
The final exam will be a several general essay questions that relate to the
assigned readings and an application to the film. I will evaluate critical
thinking skills.
Departmental Assessments (Pass/Fail):
All students will be required to participate in measurements of departmental
assessment. Students who do not
participate will receive a “Fail” and have 10 points deducted from their grade.
Informational Interview (5pts):
Students are responsible for calling and interviewing a professional in their
area of career interest. Further
information will be provided in class
Mock Interview & Copy of Resume (5pts):
Unlike the informational interviewer, where you do the interviewing, this time,
you will be on the end of interviewee.
In this interview, I need your evaluation sheet provided by Career and
Civic Engagement. I also need an updated resume that reflects input from the
guest lecture on the topic or consulting with CCE.
COURSE GRADES
A= 94-100
A- = 90-93
B+= 87-89
B = 80-86
C+= 77-79
C = 70-76
D+=
67-69
D = 60-66
F= 59 and under
COURSE SCHEDULE*
1/10 Week 1:
1/17 Week2 What makes a good
presentation? Creating the assessment matrix.
https://www.ted.com/playlists/226/before_public_speaking
http://www.inc.com/ss/jeff-haden/20-public-speaking-tips-best-te
1/24 Week 3.
Week 4: Career Speaker- Tom Injaychock
Career Service:
Resume & Linkedin
Overview
1/29 Week4 Recent Graduates Return-Panel (combined)
2/7- Week 5: Sociological Imagination (Class
Leadership # 1)
1) C. Wright Mills.
“The
Promise of the Sociological Imagination”
2) Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels. “Manifesto of the Communist Party” (pgs.
11-32)
2/14 Week 6: Stratification
(Class
Leadership #2)
1) Christopher Jencks, Why the very poor have become poorer"
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2015/04/02/war-poverty-was-it-lost
2) Jonathan Rothwell, "Classroom inequality and Cognitive Race Gap: Evidence
from 4 year olds in Public PreK (BB)
2/19 Week 7:
Combine Social Work and Masters of Education at WU
2/28 - Week 8
The Construction of reality and and identity (Class
Leadership #3)
1) Jeffery Victor. “The Social Dynamics of a Rumor-Panic” (pgs.
27-56) (BB)
2) D.L. Rosenhan. “On Being Sane in Insane Places”
3/7-Week 9 Construction of Social Structures (Class
Leadership #4)
George Herbert Mead. "The Self" (pgs. 135-191)
Arluke, Arnold. “Managing Emotions in a Animal Shelter” (BB)-
3/21 (WEDNESDAY)
Week 10: Mock Interviews-Presentation Career Services Tom Injaychock
3/28 Week 10: RACE #5: (Class Leadership #5)
1) Elijah Anderson, "The Iconic Ghetto"
2) Butler, Judith, Endangered/Endangering
4/4 Week 11: Sexuality (Class
Leadership #6)
1) Alfred C. Kinsey, Wardell Pomeroy and Clyde Martin. “Sexual Behavior in the
Human Male”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447861/
2) Robert Michael, et al. "Sex in America" (BB)-
3) J.M. Carrier "Homosexual Behavior in Cross Cultural Perspective" (BB)-
4/11 – Week 12: Film
4/18- Week 13 Film complete
Informational interview, Mock interview & both assessments
(department and course) signed
Thank You's DUE (4/23 by 5:00 pm)
FINAL EXAM: WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM
(4/26)
*all dates and requirements are tentative. They can be changed at the discretion
of the instructor with due notice to students.
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.
If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete
this course, contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 323-3290.
Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of
Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
Phone and Texting Policy
There will be absolutely no usage of phones or mp3 players in this class.
If your phone rings, do not answer it.
Everyone forgets every now and then so, first time offenders will not be
penalized. Multiple time offenders
will be asked to leave the class.
Students who answer phone calls will be asked to leave class for the day.
Likewise, students caught texting during class will also be asked to
leave. If a person is caught
texting a second time they will have 10
points taken off of their FINAL
GRADE. Failure to comply with
these regulations will result in failure in the class.
Should you have a personal/family emergency and need your phone to remain
active, talk with me before class and we will come to an arrangement.
Electronic & Recording Devices:
Use of electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, and recording
devices are strictly prohibited in my class with rare exception. Use of
these devices in class without my permission will result in a warning the first
time, and a full letter grade reduction in the course the second time. To
clarify, a cell phone that accidentally rings is not a violation of this policy,
but sending a text during lecture, taking photos without permission, or
recording without permission is a violation.
If you have a special circumstance that merits an exception to this policy,
please discuss it with me in advance. In the case of a disability
accommodation, computers or recording devices will be permitted in class once I
have been notified by the Office of Accessibility. Students should confirm
that I have received the letter before using electronic devices in class.
All students should be aware that in these rare cases, it is possible that the
class could be recorded; however, these students have signed a confidentiality
contract agreeing to keep any recordings private.
Student code of conduct
As noted in the Student Conduct Code:
“Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult
individuals.” Additionally my attendance policy is the same as is listed in the
student handbook. Both the
attendance policy and the policy on student academic misconduct are outlined in
the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online
Student Handbook:
http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf
Attendance Policy
The attendance policy is for this class is the same as the University policy: If
a student’s absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings
for the course, the student will receive a grade of N if the student withdraws
from the course before the withdrawal deadline; after that date, unless
warranted by documented extenuating circumstances as described in the previous
section, a grade of F or U shall be assigned. But even fewer will hurt
participation grade.
http://www.winthrop.edu/majors/default.aspx?id=9242&ekmensel=db97ad6c_546_548_9242_1
Winthrop’s Academic Success Center
Winthrop’s Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate
students seeking to perform their best academically.
The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that
help students become effective and efficient learners. The services available to
students are as follows: peer tutoring, academic skill development (test taking
strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and
individual study spaces, and academic coaching.
The ASC is located in University College on the first floor of Dinkins
Hall, Suite 106. Please contact the
ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu.
For more information on ASC services, please visit
www.winthrop.edu/success
The Office of Victims Assistance Syllabus Statement
The Office of Victims Assistance (OVA) provides services to survivors of sexual
assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking as well as educational
programming to prevent these crimes from occurring. The staff assists all
survivors, regardless of when they were victimized in obtaining counseling,
medical care, housing options, legal prosecution, and more. In addition,
the OVA helps students access support services for academic problems resulting
from victimization. The OVA is located in 204 Crawford and can be reached
at (803) 323-2206. In the case of an after-hours emergency, please call
Campus Police at (803)323-3333, or the local rape crisis center, Safe Passage,
at their 24-hour hot-line, (803)329-2800.
For more information please visit:
http://www.winthrop.edu/victimsassistance/