Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR CONFLICT IN AMERICAN SOCIETY

 

Term:  Spring, 2001-2002 (013) (April 29 – June 15, 2002)                                                

Course Number: SOC 350X

Instructor:   Dr. Mary Riley 

Office:  Room 510

Office Phone:  (219) 473-4264

E-mail:  mriley@ccsj.edu

Home Phone: (312) 421-8710

Office Hours:  Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Thursdays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

Instructor Background: Dr. Riley was awarded the B.A. in Anthropology at Beloit College and the M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology at Tulane University.  She is currently the Director of the Urban Studies Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph, and is teaching courses in urban studies, sociology and law enforcement.

 

Course Time:  TBA (Directed Study)

 

Course Description: This course is a historical survey and theoretical analysis of the changing social and psychological foundations of conflict in American society with special attention given to social structure and culture as generative of civil strife and violence.  Comparative methods and scientific models are used in search for an explanation of violence and rebellion, particularly in the contemporary setting. 

 

Prerequisites:  N/A

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

 

Students in this course will:

 

·         Develop an understanding of the contributing factors which generate conflict in our society.

·         Employ the sociological perspective to critically examine and understand contemporary social problems and issues facing the United States.

·         Compare the similarities and differences between sociology and other social science disciplines in explaining conflict and violent behavior in society.

·         Critically examine the relationship between social structure, cultural values, and conflict. 

·         Develop an understanding of the dynamics of groups violence and its relationship to social change and political contention. 

 

Textbooks:          Crisis in American Institutions.  Jerome Skolnich and Elliot Currie.  (Needham Heights, Allyn & Bacon, 2000). 

 

                                When Work Disappears.  William Julius Wilson.  (New York, Random House, 1996).

 

Learning Strategies:  Interactive Lecture Format, Group Discussions, In-Class Team Exercises, Collaborative Learning, Research (for papers), Exams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment:

 

Exams (Midterm, Final)                                                                    40% of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance                                               35% of grade

Research Paper and Class presentation                                       25% of grade

 

Class Policy for Assignments:  All class assignments must be completed by the due date – letter grades may be lowered one half-grade for every week the assignment is overdue.  If there are extenuating circumstances that require the student to ask for an extension of the deadline, it is the student’s responsibility to contact me (via phone, e-mail, in person, etc.) to arrange the terms of the extension.  The student MUST make arrangements for the extension BEFORE the due date arrives (i.e., no coming to class on the day the assignment is due and then asking me for an extension!).

 

Students will assigned a semester research paper (7-12 pages in length, due at the end of semester), and will also be responsible for a short, informal presentation in class of the findings of their research paper. 

 

Grading Scale:

 

The following grading scale will be used in this class on papers, quizzes and exams:

 

A: 92-100                A-: 90-91               B+:  88-89     B: 82-87         B-:  80-81    C+: 78-79

C: 72-77                 C-: 70-71              D+:  68-69     D: 62-67         D-:  60-61    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance:  Attendance for this class is mandatory, for the simple reason that we meet only once a week and it is easy to fall behind if you miss several classes in a row.  Students are expected to be on time for class. Students entering class late are expected to do so quietly and in a courteous manner.  More than two unexcused absences from class will result in your failing the course.  Excused absences must be arranged with and approved by Dr. Riley prior to the class date itself.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:  My general feeling about cell phones, beepers, etc. can be expressed thusly: if it is an emergency, leave the room and respond to the pager/take the telephone call.  If it is not an emergency, wait until later to respond to the call.   If you can, I would appreciate it if your cell phone or pager could be set to a non-tonal setting (such as vibrate) so that class will not be disrupted. 

 

Course Outline:

 

Class Dates:                                                                                                       Topics/Assignments:

 

April 29                                                                                                                                Course Introduction

                                                                                                                                                                                               

May 6                                                                                                                    Corporate Power

                                                                                                                                Chapters 1 - 8 Due, CAI

View on Own:  Roger & Me (on Reserve at Library)

 

May 13                                                                                                                  Social Inequalities

                                                                                                                                Chapters 8 - 16 Due, CAI

 

May 20                                                                                                                  Inequalities and Social Institutions

                                                                                                                                Chapters 17 - 25 Due, CAI

View on Own:  Video “The Gap”                                                                  TAKE-HOME MID-TERM EXAM

 

 

May 27                                                                                                                  Workplace, Health and Welfare

Chapters 26 - 32 Due, CAI

 

June 3                                                                                                                   Schools, Crime and Justice

                                                                                                                                Chapters 33 – 40 Due     

 

June 10                                                                                                                Book Review Due,

                                                                                                                                When Work  Disappears                               

TAKE-HOME FINAL EXAM

 

Class Participation:  Class participation is crucial to obtaining the most benefit from this course.  Students are responsible for reviewing and analyzing the assigned readings and MUST be prepared to discuss them in class.  The very heart of sociology deals with complexities of human social life.  Therefore, I require critical thinking and participation from the students, regarding issues being discussed in class. 

 

Center for Academic Excellence: 

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).