Requirements

 

How your final grade is calculated

Class participation

20%

Four pairs of reading essays

60%

Research agenda essay

20%

 

Attendance and participation

This is an extraordinary and uncertain time for everyone, and many of us are dealing with issues and burdens that weigh on the educational process this semester. It's my sincere conviction that this moment in history is a singular "teaching moment" -- a time to recognize and respond to the mutual needs, systemic oppressions, and collective responsibilities that tie us to one another -- and that this class can be a tool in that process for students and teacher alike. For that reason, I have made class attendance optional but class participation mandatory.
Class attendance refers specifically to joining me and others in the classroom or on Zoom at the regularly scheduled time assigned for this course: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-10:15. For a variety of reasons, not everyone will be able to attend class all the time. Especially in light of the college's community care standards, no one should put others at risk if they think they may have been exposed elsewhere to the coronavirus -- which requiring attendance may inadvertently encourage students to do. Therefore, I have a no-questions-asked policy about attendance, and I'll do as much as I reasonably can to help students catch up with class activities they have missed.
Class participation refers to taking part in the many activities and exercises that this course involves. There are discussions to join remotely or in person, in real time as well on asychronously on Moodle forums. Students can ask questions and share concerns various ways: during class time, in the Sandbox I've set up on Moodle, during my office hours on Zoom. Small groups will respond to weekly prompts on Moodle in ways that will require all members' input, while letting them divide up the work among themselves as they want.
None of these participation activities gets directly counted in other graded assignments -- indeed, they're an appropriate setting to work out ideas (e.g., make mistakes) -- but all are essential to the collective learning this class depends on. I look forward to everyone's good-faith effort to participate, regularly if selectively, in these various activities as they are able to and comfortable with. Cumulatively, they're worth 20% of your final grade.
A note about using technology in this course: I'm happy to let you use laptops and iPads to do the electronic readings and to take notes on days we're in the classroom. (Obviously, these technologies are necessary for days we meet via Zoom!) Please be conscientious when using these devices. If you find your reading comprehension suffers because you don't have a hard copy to write notes in, then print the electronic readings out. (Let me know if you have run out of printing credit.) And please limit your use of laptops and iPads in the classroom to note-taking and internet browing of course materials only. If use of these technologies distracts yourself, other students or me, you'll be asked to turn off your wi-fi or your device.

 

Reading essays

On four dates over the semester (see the schedule), you'll turn in essays of 2-3 pages each that ask you to use, explain, and interpret the readings in this course. These essays are organized in pairs; typically, I make the two essay prompts available one to two weeks before they’re due, so that you start on at least one at your earliest convenience. Each pair of essays (4-6 pages total) receives a combined grade worth 15% of your final grade.

 

Research agenda essay

On the last day of the study period, you'll turn in an essay of 3-4 pages that describes, develops, and theoretically frames a topic of particular interest to you. The essay doesn't require research in the conventional sense (for instance, you don't need to describe the state of sociological research on your topic) so much as ask you to explain how you use your sociological imagination to think about this. In other words, you present your own "research agenda" for this topic. The essay will also ask you to make connections to relevant theories and debates from the course.
At one or two points earlier in the semester, I'll ask you to do some preliminary writing on your essay, so that you have the opportunity to develop your ideas and receive my feedback prior to the final due-date. This assignment is worth 20% of your final grade.

 

Additional notes

Academic integrity: for your own education and for fairness to the rest of the students in the class, it is essential that you perform your work yourself and conduct yourself with honesty and integrity. Your written work must be your own, not plagiarized or closely paraphrased from other sources, including the internet. Please consult the handbook, "Going to the Source," to read more about Vassar's policies regarding originality, academic integrity, and attribution. When you use figures or images from other sources, you must properly attribute your sources. It is very easy and tempting to use the internet to assist you in completing assignments, so you must be very careful to ensure that your work for the course is the result of your own thinking and your own efforts.
Academic accommodations are available for students registered with the Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (AEO). Students in need of disability (ADA/504) accommodations should schedule an appointment with me early in the semester to discuss any accommodations for this course that have been approved by the Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity, as indicated in yout AEO accommodation letter.
Title IX Reporting Responsibility and Resources
Vassar College is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students that is free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences any of these incidents, know that you are not alone. Vassar College has staff members trained to support you in navigating campus life, accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, helping with legal protective orders, and more.
Please be aware all Vassar faculty members are “responsible employees,” which means that if you tell me about a situation involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, I must share that information with the Title IX Coordinator.  Although I have to make that notification, you will control how your case will be handled, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources you need.

If you wish to speak to someone privately, you can contact any of the following on-campus resources:

The SAVP website and the Title IX section of the EOAA website (eoaa.vassar.edu/title-ix/) have more information, as well as links to both on- and off-campus resources.

 

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