Sociology 204

Society in Focus, Fifth Edition...by Thompson and Hickey

Online Reader

6/22 - 6/28.............II. The Sociological Perspective/Imagination/Consciousness (1)

6/28 - 6/30............III. Science and Social Research (2)

7/05 & 7/06..........IV. Culture (3)

7/7 - 7/12..............V. Social Structure & Society & Socialization (4 & 5)

7/13 & 7/14..........VI. Groups (6)

7/14......................VII. Conclusion

ANALYSIS PAPERS

There will be two(2) Analysis Papers...each worth 25 pts...for a total of 50 pts. Topics can be found HERE

DISCUSSION BOARD RESPONSES

There will be two (2) Discussion Board Responses...each worth 25 pts...for a total of 50 pts. Here are the INSTRUCTIONS

CONCEPTS QUIZ

There will be a take-home quiz covering the Sociological Concepts...worth 50 pts.

DISCRETIONARY ASSIGNMENT

This assignment allows you to choose your own way of fulfilling it...worth 50 pts. Here are the INSTRUCTIONS

MOVIE REVIEW

You will be asked to review (sociologically) an entertainment movie...worth 100 points.
-----Here are ELIGIBLE MOVIES and here are REVIEW GUIDELINES.

300 Points........Total

Pick ONE (1) of the following movies to do your Movie Review on...worth 100 points. I've picked these because each portrays society in a way we can relate to...with, of course, a "sociological imagination."

Each title is a link to a synopsis and review of the movie from All Movie Guide (AMG), pound for pound my favorite movie site on the Internet. You may, of course, use any movie site you like, but AMG is a good one. Click on the title and read about the movie.

After watching your movie sociologically (which is to say...not purely for entertainment, per se), use the following Guidelines to write your Review. These Guidelines are required as the format for your Review, although you can add issues and topics to them, as you wish:

Guidelines for Critical Academic Review of Entertainment Movie

Here are the movies:

The Truman Show

Pleasantville

Chocolat

A Bug's Life

The Handmaid's Tale
(Click HERE for an "Essay on Book and Movie" by David H. Kessel

Read this short piece, Why Study Sociology? Is this anything like you envisioned sociology? Just how DID you envision it, if at all? What about this description stands out...what do you think of it? In other words, react to this material as a kind of "pre-test" as we begin the class.

NOTE: "Why Study Sociology" is a summary of Chapter 1 of Invitation to Sociology by Peter L. Berger. Although this IS OPTIONAL, there is an Outline of Chapter 1 HERE...you might want to look this over, too.

ANALYSIS PAPER #2

So, how have you done in SOC 204 this summer? How about the course/teacher, too? So, I'd like you to "self-evaluate" yourself in SOC 204...and then, in the absence of formal evaluation through LCC, evaluate the course/teacher.

For the "self-evaluation" the best way would be to tell me how well you met the COURSE OBJECTIVES we covered at the beginning of the class. Maybe pick out the objectives which you met the best...or...cover them all (including how well you didn't meet them).

For the "course/teacher evaluation," go any direction you want.

NOTE: evaluation (and the assigning of the up-to-25 points) by me won't be a matter of you being "right or wrong," but rather, how seriously you take this topic---how much you put in to your reflections.

You are going to need access to a Computer for this course with access to the Internet. Whether its your own computer, your parent‘s, one in a Lab, a friend's computer, or one at a Library, they're not that difficult to find these days.

That means you'll need to have or to learn a basic minimum of skills in navigating the Internet. It's a tool that's quickly become a necessity in today's world...especially as it relates to academics. If you have no experience in doing this, don’t worry, there's plenty of help available...especially at LCC (Social Science Lab is on the 4th floor of Center Bldg) and on the Internet itself. I've put a link under MEMU (above) to a "beginners" tutorial which takes you through it step by step. There are other tutorials available, this is only one of them. I’m also willing to help get you started, if necessary.

Why? Besides being an immensely rich and important source of all sorts of information, the Internet provides the opportunity for providing reading material for academic classes...making materials accessible to anyone...anytime. This also cuts down on the amount of copying necessary...saving paper and money. My own website, The Sociology Shop, will be an integral component of this course...it will have a “room” for our class, links to required reading materials, a Message Board for our class, and the details of the course...including assignments and instructions you will need, plus, of course, due dates. The Online Reader...beyond the textbook...is, in effect, a substitute for asking you to buy a Reader, thus saving you money. Thus you need to become familiar with The Sociology Shop in general as well as familiar with our “Sociology 204 Room”...which you are “in” right now. We will be viewing it in class on a regular basis.

ALSO, you will need an EMAIL address for this course. There will be occasions I may need to email you individually as well as the class as a whole. Likewise, you may need to email me with questions or information and possibly, an assignment. If you don't have an Email account, please get one SOON...it is a requirement of the course, not an option. Many are free, such as Yahoo and Hotmail...and these can be accessed on any computer, anywhere. I will be glad to assist you in setting one up...just ask me. IF you already have one (or when you get one), please send me a message (indicating your name---sometimes usernames don’t reveal that) so I can enter your address into my address book and create the class list. Send it to socshop@yahoo.com Please pay prompt attention to this matter...Thanks.

I firmly believe in the use of this technology as a teaching and learning tool...it's an essential component of the course.

Discussion Board Instructions

You will need to pick a "CODE NAME" to use when you post...a name known only to you and me. Pick something that doesn't utilize a known nickname so anonymity can be maintained and thus, a feeling of security in terms of your identity. Please put it on the Class Infomation Sheet. NOTE: Although you WILL be required to enter your "name" when you post, you WILL NOT be required to include an email address when you post (However, you CAN if you want, your choice).

I will provide numerous PROMPTS for you to consider beginning this week. I fully expect you to do a serious job on those you select...a short paragraph full of general comments just won't "cut" it. "Opinion" is fine..."analysis" is better. You will be allowed to post up to 1000 words...quite a bit...but I won't/can't dictate a certain length...that's up to you. Just remember, each is worth 25 points...so do a full job of it.

As indicated under "Due Dates," there are two due dates for your posts...each post must be done BY MIDNIGHT ON THIS DATE. Also, if you "pass" on a Prompt when I first post it, you can go back later and do it if you change your mind.

In addition to the two required posts, I encourage you to post replies to what others have said...as well as posting anything you want as it relates to the course (i.e. response to lectures, class comments, readings, news, etc.).

Finally, as just indicated above, I'd like to see our Discussion Board used for more than just the assignment. Also, I may, from time to time, post "announcements," or links to informative websites...or to current articles relevant to our subject matter. Thus, I encourage you TO CHECK THE BOARD REGULARLY...EVERY DAY SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT TO ME :))