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Welcome to the Web Site for Contemporary Social Theory
EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY CONTEMPORARY
SOCIAL THEORY Syllabus 1. COURSE NUMBER AND
TITLE: Sociology
502 - Society and the Individual (3 credits)
Instructor:
Dr. Frank Taylor
Office: H.H. 120
office hours:
Telephone: 732-1591
or by appointment E-Mail: ftaylor@edinboro.edu
Text:
Turner, Jonathan H. 2003. The Structure of Sociological Theory. (7th
ed.),
2.COURSE DESCRIPTION: This
course is intended to function as a basic introductory course in modern
sociologica theorizing. The
course will cover Structural Functional theory, Evolutionary theory, Conflict
theory, Critical theory, Exchange theory, Interactionist theory, and
Structural theory. Each major
tradition will be introduced by a brief history of its development followed by
a look at the modern theorists and trends.
3.
INTENDED OUTCOMES A. Students will become
familiar with the major modern theoretical paradigms in sociology. B. Students will
understand the ontological assumptions underlying the modern theoretical
traditions in sociology. C. Students will be about
to think about ways in which modern social theory can be applied. D. Students will think
about ways in which the different theories can be synthesized. E. Students will have a
better understanding of the evolution of social theorizing. F. Students will be able
to think theoretically about different levels of reality. 4. ASSESSMENT TOOLS
Attendance and Participation:
Attendance in lecture is required, especially considering that a good deal of
material to be covered on the examinations will be presented only in lecture.
Those who are consistently tardy or miss more than three lectures risk being
dropped from the course. Consistent, quality participation and preparation is
expected and will be rewarded.
Exams: There are three exams
during the semester, one of which is the final.
They will consist of a mix of multiple choice and true/false questions.
Each of the exams will be of equal worth. Additionally, there will be
an essay question handed out a week prior to the exam which you will turn in
on the examination day. I expect
typewritten, double-spaced answers of 3-5 pages in length.
The essay questions will be based on our discussions in class and from
material in the text. Essays allow students to demonstrate knowledge of
sociological concepts.
RESEARCH PAPER:
As the course progresses you will have a better idea as to what
constitutes a theoretical issue but you should try to identify a topic you are
interested in as early as possible. Your paper will have a title-page, a
bibliography, which lists the books and articles you read containing no less
than fifteen academic references related to your topic. Papers will be
typed, double-spaced, and page numbered. There
is no set length but you should be able to cover the material in a meaningful
fashion. What does this mean?
A paper of twenty pages is probably too long; a paper of less than ten
is probably too short. Your work
should incorporate major concepts from the course and the language
of sociology. I frequently hand
out information on how to write research papers.
The information on the hand-out may conflict with the requirements
listed here, as I use them in multiple courses.
In the advent of conflicting instructions stay with the requirements
set out here. Graduate students
are expected to complete a throughly polished and researched paper. 5. STANDARDS OF
ACHIEVEMENT
Grade Components
Three Tests.......300 points
Paper................100
points Participation.....100
points Total.................500
points Grade
Scale 450
and above = A 400
- 449
= B 350
- 399
= C 300
- 349
= D <
300
= F 6. MAKE-UP POLICY Make-up exams and late
assignments are only allowed if you have a written excuse from your physician
or instructor. Students with
reasonable excuses will be allowed to make up missed tests. All make-up work
will be completed at the following times: • Monday evening class: after the final examination • Tuesday/Thursday class: the class period prior to the last day 7. FINAL EXAMINATION Last day of class.
PARTICIPATION GRADE
COMPONENTS: Comes to class having read
the assignment. Comes to class having made
notes and comments on the assigned readings. Is alert and attentive
during the class. Participates regularly by
offering comments on the assigned readings. Listens to and respects the
opinions of other group members. Participates in the
presentation and discussion assignments. Attends regularly and
on-time. Helps other students express
their thoughts and ideas. RESEARCH PAPER GRADE
COMPONENTS: Has a title page and title. Has followed the American
Sociological Association research paper format. Has used headings and
subheadings throughout the text. Has used page numbers. Has a bibliography which
contains fifteen academic references. Has used gender neutral
language. Has used the concepts,
terms, and language of sociology. Has covered a social problem
substantively. Has relied upon the academic
journals of the field. Has cited reference material
appropriately, where needed and in the correct manner. Has covered the social
problem in a number of pages that is meaningful, neither too few, nor too many.
ESSAY QUESTION GRADE
COMPONENTS: 100%: A clearly presented
correct answer. This involves both
knowing the correct answer and being able to state it clearly so that I do not
have to guess what you mean. You do
not have to recite a memorized definition. Use
your own words. However, there are
often key terms and their meanings which you must include for the answer to be
fully correct. 80 - 90%: An answer which,
although mostly correct, lacks either written clarity or a small portion of the
answer. 70 -80%: A partially correct
answer. There may be need for more
information, clearer presentation, or more depth.
This answer represents an incomplete understanding of the issues at hand. 60 - 70%: Although the
answer is either not correct or incomplete, it may have some redeeming
qualities, such as: Good understanding of another concept or some understanding
of the issues at hand. Less than 60%: An answer
which shows little knowledge of the overall issue. STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC
POLICY AND BEHAVIOR: All students are
expected to complete their own work. Helping
out fellow students is commendable, but completing someone else’s assignments,
work, or research paper is dishonest and unacceptable.
Helping another student or students cheat will result in disciplinary
action. Your written assignments
will be yours alone and you will take care to cite the appropriate references:
in this class that is any fact or idea which is not yours.
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