SOCIOLOGICAL and ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY (ANTH 302)

SOCIOLOGICAL and ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY (ANTH 302)

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY—Spring Semester 2014

Professor: Dr. Jennifer Solomon

ANTH 302 (3)-002-20944 My Office: Kinard 330

Class Location:Kinard 316 Office Hours:MTWR 12:30-1:30 or by appointment

Time of class: MW 9:30-10:45 a.m. Office Phone: 323-4658

My Website: E-mail:

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

302. Social Theory (3). Survey of the masters of sociological/anthropological thought with emphasis upon contributions to contemporary theory.

Prerequisite(s): SOCL 101 or 201 or ANTH 201 with C or better.

Notes: Offered in fall and spring. Intensive Writing

Course. Open only to Sociology Majors/Minors and Anthropology Minors. Cross-listed with SOCL 302.

INTRODUCTION: Social theory is a body of organized ideas that scholars have developed to explain various aspects of society and human social behavior. Social theory helps us understand how people interpret, understand, experience, and change the social world. In this course, we trace the history of classical sociological and anthropological thought (i.e., social thought) and explore its contemporary relevance.

Social theory is central to understanding crime, deviance, inequality, discrimination, as well as societal change and the patterns of our daily lives. Studying social theory requires us to suspend familiarcultural assumptions, values, and beliefs about the world. Studying social theory also requires critical thinking and a willingness to explore new ways of perceiving the world. Here are some questions that motivated early social thinkers:

-What is society?

-What holds society together?

-Why and how do societies change?

-How does society influence individuals?

-How do individuals influence or change society?

-What is the basis for moral behavior?

-What are the origins of the self?

TEXTBOOK:(1)Classical Theory and Modern Studies: Introduction to Sociological Theory (2010) by Mark Abrahamson,Pearson: New Jersey.

RESOURCES:

1) Theorist information (assigned websites)

2) Articles by theorists (assigned websites)

3) 3X5 INDEX CARDS

TOUCHSTONE intensive writing course:This course meets the requirements for an intensive writing course.

1) Students write a total of 4,000 or more words (16 pages typed).

2) The instructor provides written comments and specific suggestions on student papers.

3) Students must revise at least one substantive assignment in response to the instructor's comments.

4) The instructor assesses the assignment and returns it to the students.

5) The course incorporates information on library and electronic database research techniques.

6) Students learn the appropriate citation format for sociological writing (ASA citation format).

7) Students submit their papers through TURNITIN, which is used to identify possible plagiarism.

The successful student in ANTH 302 will:

Competency 1:Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.

Be acquainted with the people who created and influenced the discipline of sociology,
Be knowledgeable about the social context in which theories developed,
Understand core sociological and anthropological ideas and concepts,
Be familiar with the basic assumptions and content of various social theories, and
Be able to think critically by comparing and contrasting theoretical perspectives and theorists.

Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.

Be acquainted with the values and assumptions that provide the bases for society, social norms, and social structures,

Recognize factors affecting social change and social stability and
Learn to take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences.

Competency 3:Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live.

Develop the ability to interpret events from multiple perspectives,
Acquire the capacity and motivation to critically examine contemporary society.
Better understand a growing body of knowledge about the dynamics of society and social relationships and

Be able to analyze the United States’ as part of a global society.

Competency 4:Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.

Develop the motivation to help others, work for the common good, and serve the community,
Gain the ability to assess and understand unfamiliar situations, and
Acquire the competence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

These Student Learning Outcomes are consistent with the mission of the Department of Sociology & Anthropology. Please visit the Department of Sociology & Anthropology website for the Departmental Mission Statement

THE GLOBAL LEARNING INITIATIVE: This course, by its very nature, promotes the Global Learning Initiative (GLI). Winthrop University defines “global” as applying to local, regional, national, and/or international experiences that may differ from one’s own culture (adapted from Olson, Green, and Hill, 2006, p. v). For more information on GLI go to

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: Learning is an interactive and cooperative process. It takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. In the classroom, course information is presented through readings, lectures, discussions, questions, exercises, and videos. Learning occurs outside the classroom through reading the textbook, doing assignments, studying alone or in groups, thinking about course material, developing questions, and applying course concepts, perspectives, and knowledge to understanding both personal and social issues. Students and teachers together create a supportive and stimulating learning environment.

HUMANS WELCOME!!!

1. Humans treat each other with respect, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, ability, or social role;

2. appreciate and encourage diverse perspectives and opinions;

3. attend class, arriving before class begins and staying until it ends;

4. pay attention by discussing, questioning, and listening thoughtfully to each other;

5. do not sleep, eat, drink (except water), or engage in non-course related activities, and

6. humans using iPads or other tablets, laptop computers, netbooks, or similar technology should sit in the first two rows

BEHAVIOR DURING EXAMS:

1. Sit as evenly spaced as possible in the classroom. You may not be able to sit in your usual seat.

2. After the test has started, you may not leave the room. Bring tissues, water, and use the restroom before class.

3. Do not wear baseball caps or hoodies.

4. Students who arrive after a quiz or exam begins may be prohibited from taking the quiz or exam.

USE OF HANDHELD AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY:You must turn off your cell phone, iPod, and all other electronic devices before entering the classroom. Keep these devices out of sight in your book bag, purse, or pocket. If you violate this policy, you will be asked to leave the classroom immediately and will be counted absent for that class. If you violate the cell phone policy during an exam, you must leave the classroom immediately and will receive a grade of zero on the exam.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: You must attend classes, pay attention, and take thorough notes. I am only obligated to provide makeup opportunities for students who are absent with adequate cause such as incapacitating illness, death of an immediate family member, or authorized representation of the university. I am responsible for judging the adequacy of the cause of an absence. You are responsible for the academic consequences of missing class, including meeting all requirements of the course, regardless of absences. You are also responsible for providing me with documentation certifying the legitimacy of your absence. In health-related or family emergency situations, where advance notice is not possible, you should provide me with relevant documentation no later than the date you return to class. If you miss 7 or more class meetings without adequate cause, you will earn an F for the course. However, if you withdraw from the course by the withdrawal deadline (March 12, 2014), you will receive a grade of N.

MAKE-UP EXAMS: You may be allowed to make up a missed exam, but only due to exceptional circumstances. If you have a certified and serious reason for missing an exam, you MUST notify me of the reason within 24 hours of missing the exam to be considered for a make-up exam. You will take the make-up exam within one week of the missed exam. The make-up exam may be different from the original; it may consist entirely of essay or short-answer questions. If you fail to contact me within 24 hours of missing an exam, you are not eligible for a make-up exam, and you earn a zero for that exam.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Students who engage in academic misconduct earn a failing grade for this course. I will also report the incident to the Dean of Students and the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

COMMUNICATION: Please keep in touch with me during the semester. If you have questions, concerns, or want to discuss a course topic, (or see photos of my family) meet with me during designated office hours or make an appointment. I look forward to talking with each of you during the semester. When you send me an email, please include the course (SOCL 302 or ANTH 302) in the subject line and your name at the end of the message. Voicemail messages should contain your name, telephone number (speak slowly), and course designator. I will discuss your grades with you in person (not by email or phone).

STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1)Preparation and Participation (50 points):

Complete the assigned readings on time.
Be prepared to respond when I call on you in class.
Do not worry about knowing “the correct answer"; respond in a way that indicates familiarity with the readings.
Thoughtful questions are fine; zombie-like stares are not.

Take-home Message and Question (Use a 3X5 index card): At the end of every class, please write the following 3 types of information on the index card and put the card on the desk as you leave the classroom. First, put your name, the date, and course information (MW SOCL 302 or ANTH 302) on the card. Second, write a brief take-home message on the index card; this isinformationyou learned that day in class.Third,createa questionrelated to a topic you did not understandfrom that day’s discussion oran idea about which you would like more information. I will read your cards and respond to common points of confusion and/or interest during the next class. I will not have time to answer all questions in class; however please talk with me during office hours.

2) Essays (20 points each): You will writethreeessays(a minimum of 2 pages, typed, double-spaced, Arial 12-point font, 1-inch margins) onassigned articles written by theorists. Discuss these 4 topics in each of the essays.

Describe thefocus of the articles and the main points.
Explain why the theorist was interested in the topic.
Apply information from the article to an aspect of contemporary society and use examples.
Includeyour questions and comments about the reading.

We will discuss each reading in class on the day the essay is due. Submit your essays through TURNITINbefore midnight on the assigned date in order to receive full credit (20 points possible each essay). You need to know the class ID (7498256), and the enrollment password (SIMMEL) to access TURNITIN for this course.

3) Social Theorist Research Paper (100 points): You will write a research paper (10 pages minimum, typed, double-spaced,Arial 12-point font, and 1-inch margins)on an assignedsocial theorist. Submit the paper through TURNITIN before midnight on the due date. I will grade the paper, provide comments, and return the paper to you. You are required to revise your paper within two weeks, and submit the revised paper through TURNITIN. Your grade on the revised paper will replace the originalgrade. (See handout for more details on the paper.)

4) Process Paper (30 points):Describe the process by which you wrote your research paper, including when you began the paper, how you found the references, and how and when you decided the paper was finished. (See handout for details.)

5) Exams (300 points):You will take three exams, including the final exam, consisting of multiple choice, short answer, fill-in-the blank, and essay questions (100 points possible each exam). I grade essay questions based on your knowledge of the subject, creative use of examples, and writing ability. Please write legibly; I cannot grade it, if I cannot read it. Approximately one week before an exam, I will give you three possibleessay questions. I choose two of the questions for the test. You have time to prepare well-written, factually, and theoretically sound essays. Be sure to include original examples (i.e., not examples from me or from the textbook) in the essays. In order to do well on the essays, prepare written answers to all three essay questions and study your answers.

6) Quizzes (10 points each): I may surprise you with a quiz on the reading material at any time.

YOU MUST TAKE ALL TESTS & COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE.

GRADES:I calculate your final grade by dividing the points you earned during the semesterby the total

possible points (approximately 540). Example: Let's say that you earned 432 pointsfrom the exams, essays,

writing assignments, and classparticipation. Divide the points you earned (432 points) by the total possible

points(540 points). The result is .80 or 80%.According to the chart below, your grade for the course is a B.

A / 90% or better / C / 70 - 76%
B+ / 87 - 89% / D+ / 67 - 69%
B / 80 - 86% / D / 60 - 66%
C+ / 77 - 79% / F / less than 60% of points

Keep track of your course grade: You can calculate your course grade at any time during the semester by adding the points you have earned and dividing your total earned pointsby the total possible points at that time.

FIVE FUNCTIONS OF GRADING:

1. To inform the teacher about what students have and have not learned

2. To provide students with feedback on course expectations

3. To improve students' capacity for self-evaluation

4. To encourage good work by students

5. To describe the worth, merit, or value of students' work

THE MEANING OF LETTER GRADES:

Agrade of A indicates that your work is of unusual excellence as well as originality and style. The written work is insightful and illustrates a comprehension of (e.g., use of examples) and control over the requirements for the assignment. You used the best informationand used it effectively. You communicated the information clearly, concisely, and directly. Your writing contains very few or no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

You earn agrade of Bby producing excellent or above average work. You use detailed information that is persuasive and clearly organized. The paper meets and, at times, exceeds the basic requirements of the assignment. You communicated the message clearly, directly, and concisely, using examples. There are infrequent and minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

C level work is satisfactory and meets the basic requirements of the assignment. Your presentation of the information is reasonably clear, concise, and direct, however you have problems with the grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You did not use examples or used very few examples.

If you donot meet the requirements of the assignment, you earn a D on your work. It is often difficult for a teacherto determine whether you understood the purpose of the assignment. For example, the information may be inappropriate, out of order, or irrelevant. You may have omitted important evidence.Your reasoning is flawed or inadequately supported. The written work probably contains numerous errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

A grade of F indicates unsatisfactory work and a failure to understand the assignment. For example, your thesis is unclear and evidence is missing. The structure of the work ishaphazard and contains numerous and consistent errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. It may also be seriously short of the appropriate length of the assignment.

Grade Challenge Policy:If you do not understand why you earned a particular grade, you should seek clarification from me. (I will not lower your grade or otherwise penalize you for seeking clarification.)

You have a week after receiving your grade to submit a written explanation of why you think your answer is correct, documenting your positionwith evidence from the text.
I will review yourdocumentation to determine if a grade change is warranted.
Within a week of receiving your written explanation, I will return your documentation, along with my written comments concerning your grade and the basis for my decision.
If you have additional questions about your grade, please meet with me.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 803-323-3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester. If you have questions about accessibility statements, accommodations, or services, please contact ODS. Information about services and accommodations is also available on the ODS website:

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Spring 2014Tentative Schedule (This schedule is likely to change.)

Date / Day / Topic / Readings
January 13 / M / The theory in all of us / Syllabus
January 15 / W / Video: The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century: Explosion and Stalemate / Chapter 1
January 20 / M / Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday--No Class
January 22-27 / WM / Context, relevance, and “supporting cast” / Chapter 1
January 29 / W / Types of theories and Timeline / Assigned readings

February 3-5 / MW / Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) / Chapter 2
February 10-12 / MW / Franz Boas (1858-1942) / Assigned readings
February 17
February 19 / M
W / Review for Exam #1
Exam #1 / Chapters 1, 2, theories, and Boas
February 24-26 / MW / Ch3: Karl Marx (1818-1883): Philosophical Analyses
Ch4: Karl Marx: Economic Analyses / Chapter 3
Chapter 4
March 3-5 / MW / Ch5: Max Weber (1864-1920): Conceptual Methodology
Ch6: Max Weber: On Social Organization / Chapter 5
Chapter 6
March 10-12 / MW / Marcel Mauss (1872-1950) / Assigned readings
March 17-19 / MW / Spring Break--No Classes / A good book 
March 24
March 26 / M
W / Review for Exam #2
Exam #2 / Chapters 3-6, Mauss, & Radcliffe-Brown
March 31-April 2 / MW / Ch7: Emile Durkheim (1858-1917): Division of Labor
Ch8: Rules of Suicide / Chapter 7
Chapter 8
April 7-9 / MW / W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963) / Assigned readings
April 14-16 / MW / Georg Simmel (1858-1918): Sociology as the Study of Form / Chapter 9
April 21-23 / MW / Alfred Radcliffe-Brown (1881-1955) / Assigned readings
April 28 / M / Summary and Review
May 6 11:30 a.m. / Tuesday / Final Exam / Chapters 1-9 and everything else we’ve covered this semester.

**** Syllabus Change Policy ****