URBAN SOCIOLOGY A309

Spring Semester 2002, UAA, Wed. 5:30 – 8:15

Professor: E. Wilma van der Veen, B. Honours Math, Ph.D. Sociology

Phone: 786-1715 with voicemail 

Email: afewv@uaa.alaskas.edu 

Office: CAS 369

Webpage: hosting.uaa.alaska.edu/afewv

Office hours: T/R 1 – 2, and by appointment

This course deals with issues of growth and development of urban communities with reference to migration patterns, differentiation of functions, ecological patterns of land use, social control, and secondary group associations of metropolitan magnitude.

In completing this course you will

The course objectives will be achieved through a program of readings, class discussions and activities, and written work. The instruction will incorporate various interactive exercises in which the students are expected to participate, designed to exemplify the topics under consideration. This is a seminar and experiential style course, not lecture based.  

1. Fitzpatrick, Kevin, & Mark LaGory, (2000), Unhealthy Places: The Ecology of Risk in the Urban Landscape, Routledge: London

2. Fodor, Eben, (1998), Better not bigger: How to take control of urban growth and improve your community, New society publishers: Gabriola Island, British Columbia

3. Hannigan, John A., (1998), Fantasy City: Pleasure and Profit in the Postmodern Metropolis, Routledge: London

NB: This is a 3^rd year course and thus with a corresponding workload, greater than lower division courses.

My ideal community research project                    50 points

Research essay                                                          30 

Debate assignment                                                    20

Journal entries (6 entries, 10 points each)              60

Academic journal search                                           20

Participation                                                                20

Attendance                                                                 30

                                                                                   -------

TOTAL                                                                      230 points prorated to 100%

Various urban problems will be explored during this course. Students will be responsible for undertaking research of one such problem and exploring arguments in support of or against the controversial issue. Both a written and an oral presentation will be required of this project. Details of the project with a choice of topics will be provided in the first weeks of classes.

JOURNALS – 60 points

There will be 6 journal entries assigned. A question(s) will be provided for each entry. These entries are an opportunity for you to explore your feelings and thoughts about various issues discussed in class and in the textbook, without having to provide academic argument. However, thoughts are to be elucidated. Assessment of entries does not focus on use of English, but rather on the comprehensiveness of your entry, how in depth you go into uncovering and exploring why you have the thoughts and FEELINGS you do. Entries should include your attitudes, behaviours and FEELINGS about the particular topic, not simply a cognitive analysis. There is no right or wrong answer to the question(s), and thus will not be assessed according to this criteria. Length of each entry should be at least 750 words, using first person (NOT academic style writing), and informal language. Don’t censor yourself – be open and explore yourself and who you are, and don’t write the journal entry the night before it is due. A journal entry requires reflection and this takes time. Journals that are submitted late will be deducted a minimum 10% penalty of this assessment for the first day, and then 5% each subsequent day late.

ACADEMIC JOURNAL SEARCH – 20 points

Each student will be responsible for undertaking a search of academic journals pertaining to urban sociology. Each student will find an article on an assigned topic, providing the class members with photocopies of the article and leading a discussion on this topic. The topics will pertain to how urbanization impacts a specific population group. Presentation of article and discussion will take place during week 6 through 8. Further details will be provided in the second week of classes.

Attendance is expected and will be taken during each class session. The 2000-2002 UAA Course Catalog notes that "regular attendance and active participation are expected in all classes" (p. 68). In addition to the fact that the general academic policies of the University require your regular attendance and active participation in class, your attendance and participation is very important to your learning and that of other students in this class. It will become apparent if you have not conducted the readings and thus are unable to contribute constructive discussion in the class.

In general, I make no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. This frees you from having to bring a note from your doctor or something of that nature. I know that there are times when real life comes into conflict with the demands of pursuing an education, but your attendance in this class is important and you should make it a priority. If you are unable to attend at least 80% of the classes, then it is advisable that you withdraw from the course or else risk the application of penalties in the assessment. One class period is allowed, with each subsequent class missed amounting to a 2 point deduction in this component of the assessment. The one allotted absence is to be used in the event that dire circumstances keep you from class. Use the absence at your discretion, but DO NOT VIEW THIS ALLOTTED ABSENCE AS A SKIP DAY!!! The absence is provided because I understand that real life occasionally collides with your school responsibilities and this absence gives you the flexibility to responsibly manage conflicting circumstances that may arise during the course of the semester without severe consequences for your point total. If you have MAJOR extenuating circumstances requiring an extended absence from campus (e.g. an accident or illness that requires extensive hospitalization, a death in the family, etc.), please see me and we may be able to make arrangements and/or will talk about the options the University provides for dropping, withdrawing, switching to audit, and so on.

If you are late, YOU are responsible for checking with the professor after class on the day you were late to correct the record. It is simply not feasible to alter attendance records days or even weeks after the fact. Excessive tardiness may result in a further loss of points from the final grade. If you are late for a general class session, simply slip in as quietly as possible.

Informed and constructive participation in class discussion is also expected. The course outline lists readings for each. Please read and/or prepare all materials prior to the class period for which they are assigned. It is also helpful if you approach this class with an open mind and a sense of enthusiasm for learning. Participation is awarded for your involvement in in-class activities, exercises, discussions, and so on. Please note that participation points are awarded based on your active involvement and genuine participation, NOT for mere attendance (which is expected as a minimal requirement and is addressed above).

GRADING SCALE

A 90 - 100%

B 80 – 89%

C 70 – 79%

D 60 – 69%

F 59% and below

A = Honor grade; indicates comprehensive mastery of required work.

B = Indicates high level of performance in meeting course requirements.

C = Indicates satisfactory level of performance.

D = Indicates lowest passing grade.

F = Indicates failure.

An "A" denotes exceptional work. All assignments and policies indicated above and below must be completed and/or carried out in a satisfactory manner in order to receive a passing grade in this class.

Keep a folder for handouts, returned papers, and the like. Also keep a photocopy or disk copy of outlines and other items you might submit. Materials that have been graded and returned have comments that may be helpful to you for improving future assignments in class. Keep all graded assignments until I have submitted your grades and you have received your final grade in the mail. To calculate your grade in the course as we go along, simply calculate the percentage of points you have earned from the total thus far in the class.

Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable. Plagiarism is quoting from, paraphrasing, or using specific ideas contained in any published work, e.g. books periodicals, public documents, internet, etc…, or using another person’s ideas without providing an appropriate citation or recognition which credits the author and/or origin of the work or idea, and presenting them as if they are your own. Academic dishonesty can refer to a range of inappropriate and unethical behaviors including but not limited to cheating on exams, falsification of sources, and so on. As in other courses at the University, students in this class are expected to do their own work and conduct themselves in a fair, honest, and ethical manner. Those who plagiarize or engage in academic dishonesty of any kind may minimally expect to fail the assignment at hand and perhaps the entire course. In addition, instances of academic dishonesty and plagiarism may be dealt with through proper University channels for investigation and disciplinary action.

"Disruptive behavior" includes but is not limited to talking when someone else has the floor, being rude to other people, destructive (rather than constructive) criticism of another, arriving late repeatedly, sleeping during class, belligerent or aggressive behavior, and so on. These behaviors have no place in a college classroom. You have a right to maintain your own opinions and to disagree with others, but you must do so in a fashion that is conducive to learning and does not take the form of a personal attack on others. Minimally, you are expected to treat your classmates and your professor in a respectful fashion and they will return the favor. Any behavior that obstructs or disrupts the classroom teaching and learning environment will be addressed. Serious or repeated breaches in appropriate behavior may result in a reduction of your final grade in the course and may be referred to additional University authorities.

	course syllabus will be followed, and sufficient notice will be given if any changes will take place
	clear explanations of assigned written work including assessment
	respect
	scheduled office hours, and outside of this appointments can be made
	provide reasonable assistance individually in understanding the course material if necessary
	student input into course topics to be discussed

	this is your education so take it seriously
	be organized and do not procrastinate
	show up on time
	attend all classes
	hand in all written work on time
	do assigned readings prior to each week’s class
	contribute to class discussions and activities voluntarily and when called upon
	respect the opinions of others and put yourself in the shoes of others to better understand them
	seek explanations and help if needed earlier on in the course and not towards the end of the semester
	if having learning challenges or other issues which will affect your learning inform me in advance
	know what is taking place each week with regard to readings and assignment of written work and due dates
	turn off any cell phones or pagers during class
	seek out explanation of assessment of written work during office hours or scheduled appointments, not directly after class upon return of graded written work

	Urban sociology course documents
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