Recitation Syllabus

Sociology 3034: Perspectives on Violence

Spring 2006

 

 

Teaching Assistant:     Pavla Harris

Office:                         Ketchum 35

Office Hours:              Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and by appointment.

Email:                          pavla.harris@colorado.edu

 

Lecture:                       T, R:    2-2:50 p.m.      EDUC-220

 

Recitations:     011:     W        12-12:50 p.m. KTCH-118

                        012:     W        2-2:50 p.m.      MUEN-E130

                        013      W        3-3:50 p.m.      DUAN-G2B47

                        014      F          2-2:50 p.m.      HALE-260

 

The recitation sessions for SOCY 3034: Perspectives on Violence supplement the lecture, allowing students to discuss and expound upon the themes brought up by Dr.Watterworth and the readings. In addition, they give the TA and the students the opportunity to explore some themes not addressed in the lecture or the readings. Since recitations require discussion, student participation is required for a successful class.

 

During recitations, we will often discuss sensitive topics. We ask that you show respect for others’ opinions and treat each other courteously. If you ever feel that your opinions or ideas are not being respected during discussions, please bring it to the attention of the instructors.

 

Readings:

In addition to the readings required for lecture there are several additional texts required for recitation.

 

1. Robert J. Sawyer: Hominids (any edition; available in paperback at all major retailers and online, but not at the college bookstore. However, the bookstore might be able to special order it if you contact them.)

 

2. Several articles that will be assigned during the course of the semester and/or e-mailed to students via the WebCT system.

 

Supplemental readings:

There is a package of selected high-quality readings available on reserve. The majority of the articles can be found by searching “SOCY 3034” at http://libraries.colorado.edu/search/r. These reading are strongly recommended for use in your term paper assignment, but not required for the course.

WebCT:

Our class has been set up on the CU’s WebCT server, and it is up and running. The students should be loaded automatically at the beginning of the semester (no painful list-serve subscriptions!); please, contact Pavla if you cannot log in or are not getting the class e-mails. An introductory e-mail will be sent to all students during the first week of the class; there is no need to respond to it.

 

WebCT access is at: https://webct.colorado.edu

 

You will use your login name and your Identikey password to access the site. There is also a link available from the CU Connect and/or the PLUS site.

 

All students are required to access WebCT at least once a week!

 

We will be sending important announcements, due dates, class readings, and assignments through the WebCT shell. Online discussions and/or chats might also be added that will be part of your attendance and participation grade.

 

Study Groups and Classmate Information:

Small groups are an important way for people to review and practice the information and skills we cover in class.  In small groups, those who are struggling with the material have the opportunity to learn from their peers, while those with a better understanding of certain concepts benefit from articulating those concepts to the study group.  Therefore, each student will be assigned to small study groups throughout the semester.

 

Members of the study groups will also collaborate on the final term paper and its presentation in class. Students are encouraged to use the members of their study group as resources for class notes. If a student has to miss a class, the student should contact his or her group members for notes.

 

Please, use the following space to record the information of the members of your study group:

 

 

Name: ________________ Email: ____________________ Phone: ________________

 

Name: ________________ Email: ____________________ Phone: ________________

 

Name: ________________ Email: ____________________ Phone: ________________

 

Name: ________________ Email: ____________________ Phone: ________________

 

 

Assignments and Grades:

Your grade for the class will be based on the following:

           

Lecture part of the course: 50%

Recitations: 50%

 

The 50% recitation grade will be distributed as follows:

 

Attendance and participation:            15%.

Introductory Short Paper:                   10%.

Term Paper and Its Presentation:        25%.

 

The attendance and participation grade might include short pass/fail-type assignments announced on a flexible schedule in recitations, depending on the progress of the class.

 

All writing assignments and research papers will be graded on the following scale:

 

Grade

Number Grade

Description

A

95

Exceeds all required elements of an assignment, and the quality of the work is considerably greater than what was required.

B

85

Meets all required elements of an assignment, and the quality of the work is better than what is required.

C

75

Meets all required elements of an assignment, no more, no less.  Quality of assignment is satisfactory.

D

65

Fails to meet all required elements of an assignment, and/or the quality of the assignment is less than satisfactory.

F

55

Only meets some of the required elements of an assignment, and/or the quality of the assignment is considerably lower than satisfactory.

Zero

0

Fails to meet any of the required elements of an assignment, and/or the quality of the assignment is abysmal.  Assignment is late or incomplete.  Assignment is not turned in at all. Assignment shows signs of plagiarism.

 

 

 

Exams During Lecture

You will be given several exams during lecture. Dr. Watterworth will explain the breakdown of these exams.

 

Extra-Credit

You may do up to five extra-credit assignments, each of which will earn you two percent on your final grade.  Extra-credit assignments will be submitted in recitations and will require a brief presentation to the class, along with a possible Question and Answer period.  You may select from the assignments below:

 

1.         CU sponsors a number of guest speakers throughout the semester. Attend a talk given by a guest-speaker and write a one to two-page summary. In your summary, be sure to show how the content of the talk relates to at least one of the concepts we cover in class.  You may attend a total of three talks for credit.

 

2.         CU students often hold rallies on campus during the semester.  Attend one of the rallies and write a one-two page summary.  In your summary, be sure to show how the rally relates to at least one of the concepts we cover in class. You may attend a total of three rallies for credit.

 

Due Dates

All due dates will be announced in lectures and/or recitations as well as in the WebCT part of the course.

           

Grade Cutoffs

 

Average

0%

60%

63%

67%

70%

73%

77%

80%

83%

87%

90%

94%

Letter Grade

F

D-

D

D+

C-

C

C+

B-

B

B+

A-

A

GPA

0.00

0.07

1.00

1.30

1.70

2.00

2.30

2.70

3.00

3.30

3.70

4.0

 

 

Attendance, Add/Drops

Class-size limits are set according to departmental guidelines and the fire code, both of which specify the number of students that can be enrolled in each course. Therefore, please do not ask the instructor if you can be added to the course.  Students must attend the first two recitations or they will be automatically dropped, and those on the waitlist will be automatically added.  Use the PLUS system to verify if you have been dropped or added.  The address is: http://plus.colorado.edu. You will be allowed 3 (three) penalty-free absences during the semester (this does NOT include times when the assignments are due or there are exams scheduled); after that a doctor’s note or other written documentation for your absence will be required at the discretion of the instructor.

 

Disability Accommodations

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to the instructor a letter from Disability Services so that your needs may be addressed.  Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.  Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, or www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices.

Religious Holidays

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments, or required attendance. If you need to miss class for a religious holiday please submit a letter to the instructor before the end of January.  For a copy of CU’s policy regarding religious holidays, visit: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.

 

Classroom Behavior

Students and faculty each have the responsibility to maintain an appropriate learning environment. Students who do not adhere to behavioral expectations will be asked to leave the class and will forfeit their attendance points for that day. Severe or repeated infractions of behavioral expectations will be subject to further discipline. Instructors have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. See CU’s behavioral polices at www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student

 

Academic Integrity

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion).  Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

 

Sexual Harassment Policy

The University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff, and faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises that create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combination of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the OSH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at: http://www.colorado.edu/sexualharassment/ .

 

 

The instructor and the TA reserve the right to change the syllabus at any time as needed.