SOCIOLOGY 355
COURSE SYLLABUS
(Thursday, January 12, 2006)
COURSE INFORMATION
SOC 355: Minority Group Relations
3 semester hours
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Vandon E. Jenerette, III - Telephone: (843) 280-6351
E-Mail:
alternate e-mail:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course presents the study of minority-majority group relations including theoretical perspectives of society and social behavior. The course will include cultural development and social interactions. Topics include the concept of race and ethnicity, the definition of major classical and modern social practivces and effects and the applications and applications of group relations to the ‘real world’ to include the impact and application in diversity and inequality, cooperation and conflict, social change, social institutions, and organizations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of majority-minortiy relations as they apply to the interplay among individuals, groups, and societies.
PREREQUISITES: none COREQUISITES: none
REQUIRED TEXT: TAKING SIDES: Clashing Views in Race and Ethnicity, Raymond D'Angelo, 5th ed., Dushkin, 2005. - ISBN: 0-07-291735-0
Annual Editions: Race and Ethnic Relations, 2005-2006 edition., McGraw-Dushkin, 2005. - ISBN: 007-3053783
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:
1- List the fundamental concepts of minority group definitions.
2- Identify the methods used to examine minority groups.
3- Summarize the historical events of race and ethnicity
4- Compare and contrastthe major areas of power conflict.
5- Examin at least three areas of the world and contrast minority -majority relations.
6- Cite possible reasons for the wide range of social inequality.
7- Apply at least one perspective of race and ethnicity to a current period.
8- Trace the development of race and ethnic relations.
9- Compare the major difference between races and ethnic groups.
10- Analyze social theory as it applies to groups and individuals.
12- Identify the impact race and ethnicity can have on governmental policy.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students will successfully fulfill the following requirements:
1. Take one comprehensive 2 or 3 hourlong examination (InClass)
2. Write 5- 8 journal papers (23 pages)
3. Construct one personnal genealogy project (1020 pages)
4. Write one research paper (1220 pages)
5. Participate in class and group discussions
EVALUATION INFORMATION:
1. Assignment Weights:
30% Examinations/Quizzes Sociological theories, terms, concepts and definitions about race, gender,
ethnicity, age, religious and other minority groups
20% Journals Journal essays of assigned topics from selected sources.
20% Mid Term Project Personnal Family Background and Genealogy project report.
20% Term Paper Research project report on a selected course topics in a comparision and
analysis of minority group to majority group in three nations/societies.
10% Other Class Participation/discussions/etcetera
2. Grading Scale
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F= below 60
STUDENT ACCESS TO INSTRUCTOR:
Office hours will be posted TBA. Students may also call or email instructor.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
A student may be removed from class for excessive absences. Any student that if to be removed for absences will (1) receive a warning notice about excessive absences (either oral or written), and (2) the number accumulated absences exceeds the number of credit hours of the course. Once dropped for excessive absences, a student may not be permitted to reenter the class unless written permission is given by the instructor.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES:
Selected handouts and additional readings.
Selected Internet sources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
I. Classroom Discussion
A. Students are expected to participate in Classroom discussion for the following reasons:
1- To demonstrate understanding of the reading assignments.
2- To demonstrate understanding of minority/majority group relations and the influences on society.
3- To develop and narrow possible research paper topics
II. Writing Assignments
A. Journal papers
Short summary and opinion on select topics
B. Mid Term Project Report -
Construct one personnal genealogy project and applicable report.
C. Research Paper
To select three nations or societies in the modern world (post 1900).
To research minority-majority group relations in three nations or societies.
To write a competent research paper that demonstrates a student's
knowledge and understanding of minority-majority group relations in three nations or societies..
To apply elements of MLA or ASA style (documentation, notation, and content style)
D. InClass Tests and Final Exam
To confirm a student's knowledge of the content of materials read and to confirm a student's understanding of Sociological theories, terms, concepts and definitions about race, gender,
ethnicity, age, religious and other minority groups and the impact discussed and studied.
To confirm a student's ability to respond to the works studied.
E. All students should read the assigned material before the class and to be prepared for in-class discussion.
F. Term research papers are to be typewritten, double spaced. Papers will be original research and current. The MLA or ASA style should be used for the term paper (as directed by instructor).
G. Journal essays should be typed or may be neatly handwritten. The MLA or ASA style/footnotes will be used for citations as applicable. There is a penalty and deadline for late journals.
H. Make-up examinations/Quizes will not be given except in extreme and rare circumstances. If students must miss an examination or quiz, they should contact the instructor as soon as possible.
ADDENDUM - SOCIOLOGY - MINORITY GROUP RELATIONS
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
In this course, a student is allowed six hours of absence from class. No distinction is made between excused and unexcused; if you have a problem which may prevent you from meeting class schedule please talk to me.
INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICE HOURS:
To be published. For appointment please call (843)280-6351
Class syllabus and class update information will be posted on my website at:
http://www.jenerette.com/ccu
GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION:
As an instructor, I have always considered it essential to create and maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning which encourages robust academic discussion of the subject matter with the maximum degree of flexibility possible while maintaining class order and topical direction. Naturally, not all students (nor instructors for that matter) share the same opinions on teaching style, assignments, grading, student participation or classroom protocols and standards which are necessary to best maintain a balance of goals and objectives which ideally produce the desired academic results.
I have found it essential during the initial class meetings, of every class I have ever taught, to make it clear to the students, not only the academic requirements of the class but also those protocols and rules that apply to classroom decorum, testing procedures and the ‘honor code’ as a model for everything from journals to quizzes to termpapers. Some of the protocols and class rules served not only a classroom function, but also fit well into overall object lessons and examples of social or political interaction and institutional dynamics.
Contrasted with my flexible teaching style, my classroom protocols and rules of decorum are applied with consistency in all of my classes and include:
1- sitting at one seat only; no feet on the chairs
2- no eating or drinking in the classroom; includes smokeless tobacco
3- no sitting ‘front-rear-left-right’ of someone who you are overly affectionate or antagonistic towards.
4- no shirt’s, etc. with racists, sexists, obscene/vulgar messages
5- students should remove hats or headgear during class; applies to both males and females
6- excessively revealing clothing should be modified/covered when in class
7- no bare feet; shoes or sandals should be worn
8- comments during discussion will not be directed at/against other students
9- maintain respect for other students views; this does not mean agree necessarily
10- all points of view are encouraged but they should be based on critical thinking and analysis within some logical framework
11- the honor code and the test protocol will be used in class
12- if you are going to be absent please let me know if possible; I do not require notes from Doctors etc. - your word is good enough for me
13- if you put your name on a paper I expect that it is your work except where indicated by citation
14- if you have any questions about the protocols or classroom rules please contact me
15- additional protocols for class may be instituted during the semested as required
16- Students are expected to read the textbook to gain an understanding of the topics to be covered which include those Topics listed in the Course Outline section of the syllabus.
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Thursday, January 12, 2006