Course Requirements

In order to achieve the course goals you will need to do reading, practice each of the research and analysis skills, and communicate--in writing and orally--with others (your colleagues in the class and the instructor). You will need to be a full participant in the class.

There are several specific types of course requirements.

• Every week there are a variety of readings in the textbooks (Babbie and Lofland and Lofland), on the world wide web, and from articles (available in Blackboard and online data bases). There is also one supplemental book related to your theme. You must do all of these readings and come to class prepared to discuss them. If I feel that people are not doing the readings it will be my option to institute weekly quizes on them and to adjust the calculation of grades accordingly.
  
• Each student will select from a list of themes a topic which will be the major focus for the semester. Many of the assignments and the research proposal will be related to this theme, so it is important to pick one which you will find interesting over the course of the semester. At several points during the semester you will meet as a group with the other students working on the same theme. Full participation and cooperation with this is expected. The assigned articles for your theme are available on Blackboard and from the data bases indicated. Most are also available at the reserve desk in the library.
  
• Almost every week there will be some type of assignment to hand in.
  These assignments will be due at the beginning of the class (for your last class of the week for 2 day a week classes) unless otherwise noted. You should always keep a copy of the assignment and keep all copies of graded assignments. The first assignment is due the second week. Assignments will be marked on a 1 to 3 scale. 3 will be awarded to outstanding assignments. You do not need to receive a 3 to receive full credit for an assignment. A grade of at least 2 is required to receive full credit. If they are handed in on time and graded 1 they may be revised until they meet the standards for a grade of 2. Revisions will be accepted until the last day of class. The assignments will count for 60 percent of the grade. Therefore, each assignment is worth 5 points. Successful completion of these assignments is essential to receiving a good grade in this class. Successful and timely completion of the assignments almost assures the receipt of a passing (C or better) grade in the course (assuming that other work is completed). Students who are missing one assignment cannot receive a grade higher than A-. Students who are missing two assignments cannot receive a grade higher than B+.

  Late assignments will not be accepted. In the case of a medical problem, please notify me as soon as possible and provide a written statement from a doctor or other health professional. If you must miss class bring the assignment to my mailbox in the sociology office.

  Assignments should be typed, double spaced unless otherwise noted. Word processing software and printers are available across the campus. Illegible assignments will not be graded. Declaring a paper illegible is at my complete discretion. Do not use report covers for assignments. Keep copies of all assignments, and of all graded assignments. Assignments may be submitted through Digital Drop Box (in BlackBoard) or as email attachments.

  You may discuss the assignments with fellow students, however, your work should be yours alone and written in your own words. This will be checked to assure that each person does his or her own homework. Failure to comply with this will result in grade reduction and possible referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

  Make sure that you pick up graded assignments promptly in order to assure that you have received passing grades on them. You should keep your assignments for use as study aids and to assure accurate record-keeping. If you do not pick up your assignments during the class period you can retrieve them from my office during office hours.
  

• Labs. Most weeks we will spend one of the class sessions in the computer lab. Participation in the lab is required. During each lab there will be a specific project or assignment which must be completed. This may involve working with other people. Unless otherwise noted, lab work must be handed in before leaving the lab. Lab assignments will be worth 10% of the course grade. You may miss one lab without penalty.
  
• Research Proposal. Each student will prepare a research proposal on a topic of his/her choice related to his or her theme . The proposal will count for a total of 30% of the grade in the course. Of this, 10% will be based on a full draft to be submitted one week before the end of the semester. The remaining 20% will be based on the final proposal. Failure to turn in a draft on time will result in a 0 for that portion of the grade. The graded draft must be returned with the final proposal. If the final proposal does not reflect additional work in response to comments, it will receive a 0.
  
  A detailed discussion of the proposal is included in the work book and on the web page. There is also a discussion of how to pick a research topic. The proposal should be typed. Word processing is available in the computer lab. The proposal is due on the scheduled exam day. Each student should submit a hard copy and an electronic copy (on a floppy or via Digital Drop Box on Blackboard). The proposal should be no more than 10 pages long; most people will find that their proposals will be between 8 and 10 pages in length, including abstract, table of contents, and references. There is no minimum number of pages. We will be working on specific elements of the proposal throughout the semester. Any proposal that differs in its general topic from the work done after the fourth week of the semester or its specific topic after the eighth week will receive a 0.
  
  
• On the scheduled exam day each student will do a brief piece of writing about his or her research proposal, make a brief presentation about his or her research proposal, and hand in the completed proposal. Failure to participate in this will result in a deduction of 5 points from the grade for the written proposal. Additional instructions about the presentation will be given later in the semester.
  
  Class participation, regular attendance in class (beyond completing the labs), participating in discussion using email and on the class discussion board, receiving grades of 3 on homework, or seeking help when you don't understand the material are not part of the regular grading scheme. However, they may be used to raise (or lower) grades that are near the boundary between two grades. Simply because of the nature of the materials and because of the lab requirements, you will not pass this class without attending most of the sessions.
  
• It is expected that you will appear for the class on time and that you will remain for the entire period. It is expected that you will not disrupt the class with conversations not related to the class. It is expected that if you are absent from class for more than 1 session in a row that you will provide an explanation for this. It is expected that you will act in a respectful manner to students who are having difficulty with material that you find easy. Failure to live up to these expectations may be used to lower grades that are near the boundary between two grades.
  
• The letter grade for the course follows a point system. Although I reserve the option to modify this, generally those with over 90 points will receive a grade in the A range, those with 80-89 points will receive a grade in the B range, those with 70-79 points will receive a grade in the C range, those with 60-69 points will receive a grade in the D range and those with 59 or fewer points will receive an F. Each homework assignment is worth approximately 5 points and each lab is worth slightly less than 1 point.
  
• Other requirements not directly involving grades
  
  • You will need a calculator at some points.
    
  • You will need floppy disks at several points. It may be most economical to purchase an entire box of disks at the beginning of the semester. Try to bring a floppy to every lab.
    
  • Each student will be expected to be an active user of email. You may use any email address as your primary address.