Ground rules, general information

Total points possible for participation: 100 (out of a total for the class of 500). Actually 105 points (7 weeks x 15 pts possible per week). See assignments for more detail on points in the course. So if you received all the points, you actually can get 5 in extra credit. Check out the schedule page here for detail on readings and topics of discussion.

Individual portion: The abstract

You should turn in an abstract in class to your discussion leader, between 150-200 words, that responds to three things:

1. At the top, put the citations for the articles you read. You need to read all the articles, to get the full spread of perspectives and viewpoints. IF there are four and you read two, you can really only get half the points possible fot that week. You can copy these right off of the course web page where you found them and paste them into a Word article. But if you don't do this, you'll lose a point. I don't want just the website home page either--author, date, title, publication, URL.
2. Briefly summarize the articles (1-2 sentences at most for each), and briefly analyze--are they taking different sides of an issue, is one more persuasive than another and why, etc.?
3. Relate the articles to the class--what have they to do with social problems?
4. Basically I'm looking for you to show me that: a) you read all the assigned articles, and; b) you got something out of them.
5. If you forget to bring your abstract, email it after class, again to your discussion leader, not to me (emails below).
6. Only one abstract for all the articles--not one per article.

The abstract is worth about 1/3 of the point total. You'll be evaluated on a +, check, or minus system. + (6 pts) means you showed that you both read and got something out of the readings. Check (4 pts) means you may have turned something in, but it's not clear you read, or you read, but it's not clear you got anything out of it. Minus (2 pts) means it isn't clear you either read the articles or got anything out of them. But you did submit something. A '0' for no abstract.

Turning in late papers--it is always best to let your discussion leader know if you won't be in class. You can have one excused absence or late abstract. If you send it electronically to your discussion leader the next day, you'll be assessed out of 5 possible points (instead of 6--in other words, get it in before). If you wait until the next discussion period, you'll lose two points up front. If you're missing discussion you need to turn in an expanded abstract of two pages, double-spaced, where you expand on the above guidelines. The point of this is being in the discussion groups, so you only get one excused absence, then you'll begin losing points for not participating in the group discussion.

Expectations for group discussion

Preparation and participation:

• Students should have read the online material posted for that week, and be prepared to discuss it;
• If you made print copies of the articles, bring them to class;
• Participation means more than sitting, nodding, even writing. If there is a problem with group members not contributing, it becomes pretty evident to the keen observer;
• It is important to stay on task--avoid tangents, make sure you're discussing the questions posed, addressing the issues in the reading. Our time is limited, and if you don't, it will likely be reflected in the paper your group turns in.

The group paper to turn in:

• Each group will turn in one set of responses to questions I've given you, due at the end of class, which should reflect your group's discussions; neatness counts much less than evidence of thought;
• The group needs to choose a scribe--someone to write; write everyone's name down who's present;
• For each group paper, I want to see that each member has contributed. You need to show on what you turn in that each member has had something to say. Discussion leaders will be looking that for each name at the top, there are comments in the paper;
• The scribe's job is to document the discussion/thought processes the group is going through. There are two possible problems: one, the scribe is writing away while the group discusses last night's TV fare; two, the group engages in profound discussion of the material, but the scribe isn't doing the job of getting down the ideas; the important part of this is to see the groups thinking on the issues--neatness doesn't count for very much, nor even complete sentences. Responding to the questions is the point of the exercise, most of the time; it's pretty easy to tell when the scribe and the group aren't communicating well . . . So you will lose points as a group if your written paper you turn in at the end of the class doesn't reflect the high quality of the discussion you were having. Pay attention as you discuss and make sure the scribe is doing her/his job.
• The paper will be evaluated based on how well the group stayed 'on task,' responded to the questions, included diverse points of view, and showed evidence of thought; that is, summaries of the articles don't show that you've been engaged in debate and discussion. If we find you're skipping questions or subquestions, that will cost you points--you need to respond thoughtfully to each of the questions you're given. I take time to think them through, I expect you'll take the time to answer them.
• Mutual respect--this class isn't about changing people's minds or 'converting' them to (y)our way of thinking. I expect people to show each other mutual respect. Disagreement is fine, and in fact expected. But respectful disagreement--we're not here to rip on others because we don't think alike. If there is disagreement in your group, make it known in what you turn in--you won't be marked down for it.

2/3 of the discussion group grade will be based on the quality of the paper turned in by your group each week. 9 points for a job well done. You can lose points for not responding to questions, doing a mediocre job of responding to questions, or not ensuring that everyone in the group is participating. 2 points for attending, 5 points for thoughtful discussion, and 2 points for making sure everyone contributes, which might mean ensuring that majority and minority viewpoints are present in your written responses to questions.

Attendance:

• If you have to miss class, contact the group leader by email in advance, or as soon after class as possible. You will then be allowed to submit a short paper (2 pages) reacting to the reading materials for the day, in lieu of attendance. Each week will have a link to a make-up document you can download. You'll be expected to respond to the questions, and spend about the same amount of time as you would have in class (50 minutes) The paper should be submitted before you miss class, but at the latest is due at the next week's discussion session. Everyone gets one excused absence. After that, you miss points for not participating in groups, even if you turn in an abstract.