New Drop Policy
Course outcomes
About social problems
Academic integrity
Attendance
Due dates/late assignments
Internet access
Contacting me
Expectations
Students with disabilities
Policies for Tuesday/Thursday discussion groups

New Drop Policy (make sure you know it!)

Starting winter term 2010, a student may drop from a course for any reason with no record on the
student's transcript before the end of the 4th week of the term. Thereafter, a student must withdraw from the course (see withdrawal policy). A student may withdraw from the 5th week of the term through the 7th week with a grade of "W" indicated on the transcript.

No withdrawals will be issued after the 7th week of the term . Instructors will issue a letter grade (A-F, or I) for all students enrolled after the 7th week. A student making adequate academic progress during the term and needing to withdraw after the 7th week may request an incomplete from the instructor. Withdrawal forms [for on campus courses] are available in the Registrar's Office (Inlow 201).

Course outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should be equipped to:

• Think sociologically about social problems;
• Distinguish between individualist and structural explanations of social problems;
• Critically evaluate some of the key social problems facing human societies

About social problems

What is a social problem? Well, first, it's a problem, it has undesirable consequences. And it's social-that means, it's not the problem of an individual, it's a problem that affects a large number of people and institutions-these could be families, organizations, ethnic groups, women or men, urban or rural populations, etc. But that still doesn't really tell us what is a social problem. Or what might be causing it. Or even whether some people might benefit from a social problem, at others' expense.

In this course, we will focus on learning to use sociology to think about social problems. We'll also talk about how social problems can be socially constructed. For instance, many people think that poverty is a problem of individual failure, people with flawed character. Others say that poverty is structural-not everyone is born with the same opportunities, that there are privileged groups and classes of people, and those who struggle just to reach the poverty line. Who decides what the 'real' problem is? How can we address social problems if as a society we can't even agree on what they are? Do some groups benefit from situations which others see as serious social problems?

In this class, rather than go through a long list of social problems, we will pick a few-rationalization (McDonaldization), environment, globalization, and the media and its role in politics-and instead focus on how to think about social problems, where they 'come from,' and what information people use to define and debate them, what makes for good evidence, and how we might go about addressing them. In essence, you'll learn how to think about social problems as a sociologist would.

Academic integrity

The university's official position: Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of academic misconduct (including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question, being placed on probation or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university--or a combination of these. (see section II of the 2002-03 Student Handbook, p. 32ff, and p. 41 ff).

My interpretation: Plagiarism is taking credit for work, ideas, papers, that are not yours. This includes working with other students on individual assignments. Universities make lots of literature available for a nominal fee, the bargain being that if you use the ideas of others, you'll credit them. So it isn't just wholesale theft, but as the above says, deception, misrepresentation, etc. Be sure you're familiar with what plagiarism is, and how to avoid it. The Penn State University Library has a good Web page on citing your sources (see the 'web links' on the course web page). I recommend you look at it before you turn in papers in this class or others. If you're caught plagiarizing, you'll receive an 'F' on the assignment and possibly for the course. Doing your own work turns out to be more rewarding in the long term.

Attendance

You are not required to attend Monday-Wednesday-Friday class. However, your active participation in the discussion sections on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be required, and unexcused absences on these days will affect the overall total of 100 points for participation. Chronic absence in general won't gain my sympathies--it isn't fair to those who make the effort to show up for class prepared. If you miss any class, it is your responsibility to find out what has been covered, get notes from other students, and find out whether there were any announcements-don't depend on the announcements page to be up-to-the-minute. While for parts of the course there will be online lecture material, that material won't reflect the actual discussions we had in class-you might look at it as the difference between seeing a movie, and reading a review of it.

If you know you will be missing class, especially if it might happen on a scheduled exam day, let me know in advance. However, don't send me an email and assume I've read it if you haven't received a reply.

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Due dates and late assignments

Except for your discussion group abstracts (which you'll give to your discussion leader), we'll submit assignments in Blackboard--look for the link and folder under the 'assignments' link. No .wps or .pages files--save them as .doc, .docx, rtf, and to be sure, paste your work into the field in case there's a problem opening as file.

Posted due dates are pretty firm. They may change over the course of the semester, but they'll be the same for everyone. Turning in an assignment late will lead to a deduction. If you notify me on the due date that it will be late, and get it in the next day, the deduction is one letter grade (the total number of points you can get is 10% less than the total possible). Later notifications or assignments turned in will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Save your work on the machine you're working on. amd ise a f;asj drpve as back-up.

As for exams, if you're going to have a problem making the exam date you need to let me know in advance. If I don't hear from you prior to the exam, and you have a legitimate excuse, you can still make it up but with a heavy penalty.

Note: Class schedule and assignments may be revised during the course of the term as needed

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Expectations

I will justify my lecture and reading material, assignments, etc., by showing its relevance to the overall course objectives. I will provide a friendly environment for discussion of ideas, try to make you think, impart personal experiences relevant to course material, and be generally accessible, approachable, and clear and precise about course expectations. With respect to coverage of content, I tend to emphasize depth over breadth-I would rather cover less points thoroughly, at a reasonable and engaging pace, than pledge strict allegiance to a course schedule.

In turn I expect students will do their own work, use or develop critical thinking skills and be able to express them on paper or in class discussion, speak up when unclear or in disagreement on a concept, either exhibit college-level writing skills or seek help to improve them, and refine note-taking skills. I'll look for progress in developing abstract thinking skills and students' abilities to focus on the "big picture"-key concepts delivered in class, their relevance to course material, the real world, etc. Discussion in class will focus on ideas-we can debate people's ideas in a respectful way, but personal attacks on people will not be tolerated. You're expected to show respect to everyone in the class. Some would say a loss of civility is a serious social problem affecting American society. If it is, we will serve as a shining exception to that trend.

Internet access

You will need access to the Internet for this course. The course Web page contains a great deal of information on the course itself, course-related topics, and more general topics. Things happen, and assignments and due dates may be subject to change, so check the announcements page regularly. If Internet access is a problem, you need to let me know at the beginning of the course (there are multiple computer labs on campus (see a list), and not having a computer or Internet access from home won't be a valid excuse. I put this stuff up so that it's available to you anytime you're on a computer, not just during office hours, class time, or the regular school day.

Contacting me

My office number is 962-2591 (just push 23591 if you're on campus). You have my email address (bgrigsby@eou.edu). I have three office hours:

Tuesdau 2:00-3:30; Wed 1:30-2:50 or by appointment

I teach in the mornings and use that time to prepare class material, so drop by if you have something quick to say, but this is not a good time to pop in for a chat.

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Students with disabilities

Any student requiring assistance or accommodation from me in performing course-related work should make his/her needs known to me in a timely manner. If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem, you are entitled to reasonable and appropriate accommodations. But you must work with the Disabilities Services Office (Pat Arnson, Director, parnson@eou.edu, or Lynn Tilley, ltilley@eou.edu). The office is located in Loso Hall 234 (phone 962-3235).