SYP 3000, 5923
Society & the Individual
Spring, 2002: T 4th (10:40-11:30), R 4-5th (10:40-12:35) in TUR 2306
Instructor: Kristin E. Joos, Ph. D. Candidate
Office: 3309 Turlington
Office Phone: 392-0265, ext. 128
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 11:30-12:30pm (5th period), Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 (6th period), available other times by appointment.
Email: krisj@ufl.edu
AIM: syp3000kristin (for "virtual office hours")
Class Web page: http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/kjoos/spring02/syp3000/Required Texts: Self and Society: A Symbolic Interactionist Social
Psychology by John P. Hewitt, 1999: Allyn & Bacon.
ISBN: 0205303633Production of Reality Essays and Readings in Social Psychology by Kollock & OBrien, 2001: Pine Forge Press. ISBN: 0803968795
Other Readings are online or will be made available in class.
Where to get your books:
The books are available at Goerings (1717 NW 1ST AVE, next to Bagelland, behind the Purple Porpoise, 377-3703).
Course Description:
The guiding perspective of this course is that human beings actively participate in the production of social reality. Thus, in this course we view social reality not as some static, impenetrable thing, but rather as a highly fragile phenomenon that depends upon our recognition and participation. This does not mean, however, that anything is possible when it comes to social reality. As social actors we are always operating within more or less enduring socio-historical patterns. Peter Berger aptly captures this paradox:"It is quite correct to say that society is objective fact, coercing and even creating us. But it
is also correct to say that our meaningful acts help to support the edifice of society and
may on occasion help to change it. Indeed, the two statements contain between them the
paradox of social existence: That society defines us, but is in turn defined by us" (An
Invitation to Sociology)Society defines us in the sense that it provides us with tools, attitudes, and beliefs necessary for participating in the production of social reality. In this class we will turn a critical eye toward some of these tools, attitudes, and beliefs as we examine the fragile nature of social reality. Students will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking, class discussions, and activities in hopes that the learning process is dynamic and meaningful (thus, the material learned takes on significance and is more likely to be retained and remembered).
Class Requirements and Evaluation Criteria:
Exams
Assignment Possible Points FINAL Grade Total Points 3 Exams (50 points each) 3 x 50 = 150 A 227 and above 10 In Class Assignments
(count best 10-- 5 points each)10 x 5 = 50 B+ 212-226 2 Projects (24 points each) 2 x 24 = 48 B 200-211 1 Information Sheet (2 points) 2 C+ 187-199 TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 250 C 175-186 D+ 162-174 D 150-161
There will be 3, non-cumulative exams worth 50 points each. Each exam will consist of:A combination of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and brief essays... details will be given prior to each exam. You will be responsible for material from lectures, discussions, in class assignments, videos, guest speakers, and readings (including those on the web) A review sheet will be posted online a few days prior to the exam, it is intended to help focus your study, but should not be considered a complete guide to the exam. Makeups will only be permitted in Emergency situations (such as illness requiring medical treatment or the death of a close family member), you must have written documentation. These will be handled on an individual basis, please contact me asap.
In Class Assignments
There will be approx. 12 In Class Assignments (ICAs) over the 15 week term:Only 10 ICAs, worth 5 points each, will count toward your grade (you can miss 2 or drop your 2 lowest scores) Usually ICAs will NOT be announced and will usually occur during a class period (sometimes you may be permitted to turn it in the following class). If you arrive to class late and miss the ICA you will not be permitted to take it during or after class-- please don't ask. Most ICAs will be in the format of short answer questions covering the assigned reading or topic of discussion or a brief assignment. ICAs are scored on a scale of 0-5. 5s will be given rarely, for exceptionally outstanding work. If you thoroughly complete the readings and make an effort to engage in the material, you're likely to earn 4s. Average, satisfactory work will be given 3s. Students whose work does not reflect having read the articles and is poor in quality will be given 2s and 1s. They are intended to give you credit for participation & preparation and monitor your progress in the materials covered.
Projects
Specific detailed guidelines regarding these assignments will be distributed soon & will be posted online. They will not be formal term papers with literature reviews, etc. Instead, they will be engaging activities. You will be asked to choose two from a list of options. Project 1 will be due on Thursday, 2/28, Project 2 will be due on Thursday, 4/4.
Important Dates
Monday, 1/21- MLK Day, No Classes
Tuesday, 2/5- REVIEW for Exam 1
Thursday, 2/7- EXAM 1
Thursday, 2/28- PROJECT 1 DUE
Saturday, 3/1-Sunday 3/10 Spring Break
Tuesday, 3/19- REVIEW for Exam 2
Thursday, 3/21- EXAM 2
Thursday, 4/4- PROJECT 2 DUE
Tuesday, 4/23- REVIEW for Exam 3
(Thursday, 4/25- EXAM 3?)
Thursday, 5/2 5:3-7:30pm (Exam Group 2E)Schedule of Topics
Course Schedule & Reading Assignments are tentative-- changes will be announced in class.Detailed reading assignments including specific sections in your text to focus on, web readings, videos, class exercises, and other helpful information are listed in the Detailed Readings section of the class website.
Please complete the readings before coming to class on the day they're assigned.
PR = Production of Reality, SS = Self & Society
Date Readings Tues. 1/8 Introduction & Course Overview
Among Affluent Students, a Culture of Disengagement
http://ishi.lib.berkeley.edu/cshe/events/disengagement.html
From Sociological Illiteracy to Sociological Imagination
http://www.barnard.edu/newnews/news42700a.htmThur. 1/10 PR What is Real p. 3
PR Reality as a Collective HunchTue. 1/15
Thur. 1/17PR A Perspective for Understanding Self and Social Interaction p. 35
SS Chapter 1: Social Psychology and Symbolic InteractionismTue. 1/22
Thur. 1/24PR Shared Meaning as the Basis of Humanness p. 63
PR Naming
SS Chapter 2: Basic Concepts of Symbolic Interactionism (Symbols; Objects)Tue. 1/29 PR Language and Social Behavior
PR Language, Thought, and Culture
SS Chapter 2: Basic Concepts of Symbolic Interactionism
(Acts and Social Acts, Self and the Control of Behavior, Roles and the Def. of Situations, The Place of Emotions)Thur. 1/31 Tues. 2/5 REVIEW Thurs. 2/7 EXAM 1 Tue. 2/12 PR Meaning is Negotiated through Interaction p. 189
SS Chapter 3: The Self and Its Social Setting (The Acquisition of the Self)Thur. 2/14 PR Naming as an Interactional Process
SS Chapter 3: The Self and Its Social Setting (The Nature of the Person)
SS Chapter 6: Deviance and the Social Order (Defining Deviance)Tue. 2/19 PR Projecting the Definition of the Situation Thur. 2/21 PR Negotiating a Working Consensus
SS Chapter 3: The Self and Its Social Setting (The Self and Social Order)Tue. 2/26 PR The Self as a Product of Interaction
SS Chapter 3: The Self and Its Social Setting (Identity, Self Esteem, The Self and Motivation)
PROJECT 1 DUEThur. 2/28 Sat. 3/2-
Sun. 3/10Spring Break Tue. 3/12 PR Building and Breaching Reality p. 349
SS Chapter 4: Social Interaction and the Formation of Conduct
(The Definition of the Situation, Aligning Actions, Emotions and Social Interaction)Thur. 3/14 PR A Theory of Reality
SS Chapter 5: Social Psychology and Social Order (Society and its Structure, Social Order as a Constructed Reality)Tue. 3/19 REVIEW Thur. 3/21 EXAM 2 Tue. 3/26 PR Self Fulfilling Prophecies
SS Chapter 6: Deviance and the Social Order (p. 238- Mental Illness)Thur. 3/28 SS Chapter 5: Social Psychology and Social Order (Social Order as a Coordinated Activity, Institutional and Collective Behavior) Tues. 4/2
Thurs. 4/4PR The Social Construction of the Cultural Status Quo
PROJECT 2 DUETues. 4/9- PR Boundaries and Contradictions p. 485
PR Contradictions and Conflict in Self Production
PR Contradictions and Conflict in Cultural ProductionThur. 4/18 Tue. 4/23 REVIEW Thur. 4/25?
(Thur. 5/2)EXAM 3 Classroom Climate:
When you are in this classroom, you should be focused on actively engaging in the material at hand. You should not read the Alligator (or any other newspaper, magazine, or textbook for another course). You should not write letters or complete assignments for other courses. Please turn off any functions that make noise on your cell phones, beepers, pagers, Palm pilots, and other devices. If for some reason (family emergency) you must accept a call during class, please let me know ahead of time and excuse yourself quietly to take your call outside of the classroom. You should not engage in any conversations when others are speaking. Your responsibility is to be mentally engaged in the material that is being presented without disturbing others.
Class sessions will begin precisely at 10:40 and will end at 11:30 on Tuesdays/12:30 on Thursdays. All announcements will be made at the beginning of class each day, so if you're late, you may miss important information. If you arrive to class late and miss the ICA you will not be permitted to take it during or after class-- please don't ask. If you have personal questions or concerns about the class, please hold them until after class, see me during office hours, or email me. Do not start packing up your backpacks and books until class has been officially dismissed-- doing so will prevent you and your classmates from hearing important announcements about the course! I will do my best to end on time!
This is a course in which very interesting – and sometimes controversial – issues are considered. Ideally, every student in the course will be actively involved in classroom discussions. In order for everyone to feel comfortable voicing their opinions or asking their questions, a climate of tolerance and respect is essential. No racist, sexist, ageist, heterosexist, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate or personally insulting comments will be tolerated.A Note about Technology:
On the first day of class I will ask you to complete an information sheet about yourself. This is so that I can get to know you better-- your interests, your learning styles, and any special needs you may have. In addition, I will ask you to detail your abilities on the computer and your comfort level. I have created a class website and your detailed readings are posted there. It is important to check the site regularly. Please let me know asap if this is going to be a problem for you. Please do not ask me to post my lecture notes, I will not.
I will post your grades online. Please be patient-- I can't instantly grade 48 assignments or exams. Due to University Policy, I can not post your grade by your SS#. You will be asked to make-up a short (8 letters or less) code word and turn it in to me on your Information Sheet. Please choose something that you will remember and that does not identify you to other students (don't use a nickname).
We will have a class listserv (s02-5923@clas.ufl.edu) where you can post emails to your classmates to discuss topics mentioned in class or to ask questions regarding the readings, assignments, or anything else. I will use the listserv to make important announcements.
Also, I will be holding "virtual office hours." I think I made up the phrase... what it means is that I'll be online in an AIM chatroom (syp3000kristin) regularly throughout the semester. In the past students have really liked this- actually, a number of them recommended I make your participation required. We will definitely have "virtual office hours" right before exams, and, if you want to go ahead and add "syp3000kristin" to your buddy list, feel free to IM me if you ever see me online. If you are shy or have difficulty stopping by my office, you may contact me by email or IM during my office hours.
I think that the internet is great way to get information and to communicate with others-- I've been online since most of you were in elementary school. UF requires you to own a computer, BUT they fail to teach you HOW to use it. If you are not comfortable with email, the internet, or using AIM (AOL instant messenger) please let me know.Important Notes:
-If you have questions, please ASK-- either during class, in my office, or email me (krisj@ufl.edu)
-If you have any special needs or considerations, please let me know as soon as possible so I may make the necessary accommodations.
-During the first few classes, I'll pass around a sheet for you to indicate your seat. This is an effort to help me learn your names and identify you during class discussions. Please chose a seat you like and plan to sit there each class period.
-By enrolling in this course, you are indicating your consent to the following Honor Code:
We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied:
"On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."
(from the Student Guide, http://www.dso.ufl.edu/Academic_Honesty.html)
© Please do not use course materials without permission.
Special thanks to Connie Shehan, Jay Gubrium, and Kendal Broad for their advice in constructing this course.