There will be 6 journal entries. A question(s) will be provided for each entry during class time. 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 the entries will not be assessed according to this criteria. Length of each entry should be AT LEAST 750 words, using 1st 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. Contents remain confidential..

Minimum 1000 words. Write in academic style, e.g. 3^rd person. At least two sources should be used to explore the topic/question, outside of the textbook. Sources for ALL ideas presented and quotations used in the essay are to be properly referenced using a recognized bibliographic format, as well as including a bibliography in an appendix. Penalties will result if this referencing is not undertaken amounting to 10% of the total grade assigned for this essay. If you wish to include an anecdotal personal story, it is still to be written in third person. If you wish to include personal ideas, you must seek at least two sources for this idea in order to prove its validity, or demonstrate how your idea is derived from two other sources. Remember: Don’t confuse your own subjective interpretation with sociological ones and don’t make value statements in substitution for critical thinking.

A final exam comprised of multiple choice questions will be given on the last day of classes. The exam will cover only a few chapters of the textbook and you will be told which chapters well in advance of the exam date.

Attendance is expected and will be taken during each class. Your attendance and participation is very important to your learning and that of other students in this class. It will become easily 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 90% of the classes, then it is advisable that you withdraw from the course or else risk the application of penalties in the assessment. One missed class period is allowed, with each subsequent class missed amounting to a 2 point deduction in this component of the assessment. The 1 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 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 without severe consequences for your point total.

If you are late, YOU are responsible for checking with me 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 week. 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).

An oral chapter presentation will be required of each student, working in groups. A signup sheet for this will be distributed in the first day of classes where students can choose which chapter they wish to focus on. The key points of the chapter are to be presented drawing upon sources outside of the textbook as well as that of the textbook. No written component is to be submitted, except that a list of all materials used is to be provided, including printouts of any webpages used, and photocopies of printed material used (this is to be submitted by the group, not individually). As well, each student is to submit individually a detailed explanation of their contribution to this presentation. These two submissions are due the day after the presentation had been made. The presentation will not simply be a lecture style presentation of the contents of the chapter. An interactive activity will also be required which engages all the students in the class whereby material from the chapter is exemplified in an experiential way. The presentation should be approx. 30-45 minutes.

The following are a list of expectations you the student can have of me the professor for this course, and expectations I have of you during the course. If you have any questions or concerns about these expectations, then it is your responsibility to bring these to my attention during the first two weeks of classes. Otherwise it is understood that you agree to abide by these rights and responsibilities.

Your rights:

Your responsibilities:

As your professor, I am responsible for facilitating learning and serving as a resource for you in this class. It is my job to challenge you, to consider your work against the standards I set forth, and to evaluate your efforts based on my years of training and my years of teaching in the field of Sociology. As students, you are responsible for being here, for participating in class, for completing assignments in an appropriate and timely fashion, and for learning. Staying on top of things, being self-motivated, and putting forth adequate effort are all a part of the equation for you to earn a good grade in this course.

That said, I'd like to remind you that it is best if you do not equate your self worth with your grade in this class or on any assignment. You may be an "A+ person" who happened to perform at a C+ level on a given assignment. Remember that grades are an indication of your performance in mastering the material at hand at one point in time. They do not condemn you to a life of doom and drudgery. Nor are they an indicator of my views of you as a person. Reflect on your grade in an honest and realistic fashion before flying off the handle. Remember that I am hired to offer constructive criticism of your speeches, papers, and so on. Digest that criticism and then ask yourself questions like: Did I put in the preparation time that would've been necessary to receive a better grade?, Did I understand the assignment as fully as I could have?, Did I turn in all the required paperwork?, Did I do an adequate job of proofreading, running a spell check? If you find that you still have questions about how you can improve or about course content, come see me and we will talk about additional ways for you to work on your mastery of the subject matter.

A few thoughts about attitude... It has been my experience that students who approach their education with a sense of excitement and a willingness to learn are more productive students. Holding on to the belief that you HAVE TO take this course prevents you from embracing the point of view that you GET TO take this course. This course may be outside your major area of interest, but the content will still relate to your daily activities at home, work, and school. We will laugh, we will experience nervousness, we will think critically, we will speak, we will listen, and we will learn. Most importantly, we will do these things together. There is no room for negative criticism of others and there is no room for laughter at the expense of another in this class. Enjoy the class and look for the concepts to be applicable in your daily life and I think you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish this semester.

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 behaviours 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.

A+ 96 - 100%       

A 90 – 95          

A- 80 – 89

B+ 77 – 79

B 74 – 76

B- 70 – 73

C+ 67 – 69

C 64 – 66

C- 60 - 63

D 50 – 59

F 0 – 49

Remember 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. . 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.