FS
2009 -Sociology/CCJ 2180- Alcohol, Drugs, and Society
Robert O. Keel, Instructor
- E-mail: rok@umsl.edu
(I'll try to reply to contacts within 24 hours--except on weekends)
- Office: 608 SSB Tower
- Phone: 516-6052
- Mr.
Keel's Homepage: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/
- Curriculum
Vitae
- Office Hours: Office
Hours: Monday 2:00-3:00 PM; Tuesday 11:00 AM-12:15 PM; Wednesday 3:00-4:00
PM; Thursdays 11:00 AM-12:15 PM. I am also available immediately before and
after class (in the classroom). If these specific times don’t meet your
needs, call or email to see if we can arrange an appointment. Try "Pronto,"
too.
This syllabus is
rather long, but it contains:
Important
Note: This
is a "blended class" involving significant amounts of online and (relatively)
independent work. There
are students from a variety of “sections” enrolled in this course: a day (CCJ
and SOC) section (001) meeting Tuesday and Thursday and an (CCJ and SOC) Internet-only
section (002). The REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS are exactly the same.
I know this syllabus is rather long, but please
take the time to review it thoroughly. It contains most everything you need
to know about the course. Take the time to review it carefully.
Textbooks:
- Drugs in American Society,
7th edition, Erich Goode, McGraw-Hill, 2007. ISBN: 0-07-340149-8
- Recommended but not required: The American Drug Scene: An Anthology, 5th edition, edited by James A. Inciardi
and Karen McElrath, Roxbury Publishing Co., 2007. ISBN13: 9780195332469, ISBN10:
0195332466
- There will a variety
of "Virtual Handouts" (WWW
sites, online essays, and cyber-reports to read and explore) assigned as additional
readings throughout the semester. Accessing some of these handouts will
require that you log on to "Roksworld" web site (username: student,
password: umsl).
Other Information:
- MyGateway Class Pages:
http://mygateway.umsl.edu.
Here you will find a link to the class MyGateway site, all class information,
communication tools, assignments, and grades. See below for information on logging onto and using the MyGateway
site, as well as an outline of the contents in
the class MyGateway site.
- Assignments,
Readings and Class Schedule (all sections): in the Assignments area
of the class MyGateway site, or: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/180assign.html
- Class Lectures and Discussion:
- This
is a "blended class" involving significant amounts of online
and (relatively) independent work. (Wimba is used
to internet-only students to "attend," see below).
- All students
are expected to "attend" two class sessions
each week; Tuesday and Thursday.
- All class sessions
will be broadcast and archived using Wimba.
- Students from any
section that miss a live class session are expected to playback the Wimba
recording from that day.
- Section
001 meets:
- Tuesdays
(12:30-1:45 PM in 216 SSB), Wimba broadcast and archiving available.
- Thursdays
(12:30-1:45 PM in 216 SSB), Wimba broadcast and archiving available.
- Section
002 (internet-only):
- Students
are expected to attend class using Wimba
(live sessions OR if your schedule doesn't allow
you to attend the live classes, you must review the archived recording
of the class sessions within 7 days for attendance credit).
- See
Wimba,
below, for information on using Wimba to "attend" class,
and for information on playing back archived class sessions. Archives
of Wimba class sessions should be reviewed
prior to the start of the following class session.
See, "Attendance" for information
more information.
- Class Homepage: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/ads.html
- Roksworld (username: student, password: umsl)
- Sociology Department
Homepage: http://www.umsl.edu/~sociolog/
Teaching
Assistants:
Teaching
Assistants
Corey Roderick
Dustin Hayes
Jacob Perkins
Course
Description:
Our
focus is the social reality of drug use, and drug users, within contemporary
society. This focus includes a historical analysis of the social construction
of drug use, drug users, abuse, and addiction. We will be investigating the
complex relationships between individual and group behavior, and social structure.
Central concepts such as social learning, labeling, power, and inequality; as
well as socio-cultural definitions of drugs, behavior, and the people who use
drugs will be the tools of our analysis. Special attention will be given
to the complex legal history surrounding drug use, the link between drugs and
crime, the impact of the medicalization of human behavior, and varying perspectives
on "doing something about drugs."
This is a web-based class
using the MyGateway system. The class MyGateway site is used by day section
students (section 001) and students in the Internet-only section (002). All
students are responsible for accessing and using the variety of online resources
available. The day section meets twice a week. Students in the internet-only
section are expected to attend class via Wimba--either
"live" or by viewing the recorded class sessions on Wimba.
Students are responsible for reading and studying assigned material prior to
the weekly class meetings.
Course
Objectives:
The
basic objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive survey of the development
of sociological theories and analyses of drug use, focusing on images of drug
use and the drug user as social constructs rather than as an intrinsically pathological
behavior or identity. An additional objective of this course is to survey the
current information and research on selected categories of drugs and the socially
constructed reality that surrounds their use in contemporary society in order
to understand a) the socio-cultural based definitions of drugs and b) the individual,
group, and social structural dimensions of drug using behavior. This will include
an analysis of the implications of these definitions and relationships for social
policy and social control (legislation, prevention and treatment). These issues
will be analyzed within the shifting legal and medical definitions that permeate
the discussion of drug use in modern society.
Lectures,
reading assignments, group discussion, and outside projects will be used to assess and critique theories
and analyses of drug use and users, legal and medical definitions, and treatment
modalities in order to develop a sociological perspective on drug use in society.
Specifically,
students will be expected to:
- Articulate
the variety of social, individual, and bio-chemical factors that impact definitions
of drugs, as well as how these factors influence a drug's effect.
- Understand
the process of the social construction of drug use as a social problem.
- Develop
a familiarity with the various biological, psychological, and sociological
theories that seek to explain drug using behavior; including an analysis of
their basic assumptions, limitations, and implications for social policy.
- Be
familiar with trends, patterns, and types of drug use in society.
- Display
knowledge of the various drugs, both legal and illegal, used in American society,
as well as the social reality that surrounds their use.
- Develop
an analysis of the relationship between drugs, crime and socio-cultural definitions
of drug using behavior.
- Develop
an analysis of the various social responses to drug use, displaying an understanding
of the emergence of these responses being linked to particular cultural and
social structural shifts.
Learning
Goals
A.
The discipline of sociology. Students will learn:
- how sociology differs from and is similar to other social
sciences;
- how sociology contributes to a social scientific understanding
of social reality; and
- to apply the sociological imagination, sociological
principles and concepts to one’s life.
B.
The role of theory. Students will learn:
- the role of theory in building sociological knowledge;
and
- the historical context of times and cultures in which
theories were developed.
C.
Empirical science. Students will learn:
- the principles of scientific methods in sociology;
- the ethics in conducting research; to convey research
findings in writing; and
- to
evaluate media information; become critical consumer of information.
D.
Learn the relevance of culture, social change, socialization, stratification,
social structure, and institutions, and differentiations by race/ethnicity,
gender, age, and class.
E.
Culture and social institutions. Students will learn:
- how social change affects social structures and individuals;
and
- how culture and social structure vary across time and
place.
F.
Individuals and society. Students will learn:
- how the self develops sociologically.
- how social interactions and the self influence society
and social structure; and
G.Understand
the difference between macro and micro levels and the connections between
the two levels.
H.
Research in sociology. The students learn:
- to summarize basic questions and issues in a specialty
area, such as deviant behavior, social psychology or social stratification;
- basic theoretical orientation in a specialty area; and
- to become familiar with current research in a specialty
area.
I.
Diversity of American society. Students will learn:
- the significance of global variations by race, class,
gender, and age.
J. Critical thinking. Students will learn:
- opposing viewpoints and alternative hypotheses on various
issues.
Expectations:
What you can expect from
me:
- I will meet with you
on a regular, timely, and consistent basis.
- I will keep appointments
you have made with me, and return your phone calls and email messages.
- I will adhere to the
course syllabus and schedule of assignments.
- Each class period will
be devoted to extending your knowledge of sociology--I won't waste your time.
- Your written work and
tests will be graded and returned in a timely fashion.
- I will display a competency
in both written and oral communication in English (yes, I will use words
that may be unfamiliar to you--that is part of the learning process).
- I will conduct myself
in a mature and civil manner (although we can certainly have a little fun,
too).
What I expect from you:
- Regular attendance
and participation during in-class and online activities and discussions.
- Regular use of the
class MyGateway site and regular checking of your campus email.
- 72 hour rule:
Grade updates will be posted in MyGateway throughout the semester. Students
are expected to review their grades on a regular basis--especially following
a grade update. Concerns about posted grades must be addressed within 72 hours
of grade posting, otherwise posted scores will be considered accurate and
final, up to the time of posting.
- Completion of
assigned reading and written work (follow the schedule for the reading assignments
even if class discussion lags behind).
- Adherence to mandated
deadlines for your work.
- Competence in written
and oral communication in English.
- A desire or at least
a willingness to perform within the parameters of this course.
- A degree of maturity,
civility, and propriety in classroom behavior.
- When you contact
the instructor or a TA via email or phone you must make sure your name and
the class you are taking are included in your message.
Class Conduct:
Any successful learning
experience requires the mutual respect of both the student and the instructor.
No one should be subjected to behavior that is in any way disruptive or rude.
Disruptive or rude behavior includes, but is not limited to the following: receiving
beeper or cell phone calls during class, leaving early or coming to class habitually
late, eating in class, talking out of turn, doing assignments for other classes,
reading the newspaper, sleeping, and engaging in other activities that distract
from the classroom learning experience.
This is an intensive course.
Students are expected to attend class
regularly, come to class on time, and stay until the class is dismissed.
Attendance (and use of Wimba)
will be monitored. Late arrivals and early departures demonstrate
a lack of concern for the instructor and your classmates. This is your class.
You are paying for it. It is your responsibility to arrange your schedule to
allow you to attend the class. Excessive disruptions, from whatever source or
for whatever reason, will not be tolerated.
Course
Structure and Requirements:
Taking
a Web-based Class:
This
is a web-based class, and students are required to take responsibility for their
learning by utilizing the variety of resources available. Class
discussions will be used to assess your understanding of course material. It
is essential that you prepare yourself adequately for these discussions by reading
AND studying the relevant material prior to class sessions or online discussion.
Much of what would be the lecture in a traditional class takes place asynchronously
through hypertext lecture notes and other content resources, but most significantly
through the online discussion forums. Full participation at all levels, and
a commitment to learning is necessary to do well in this course.
The
"Assignments, Readings, and
Course Schedule" document
in the "Assignments" area of MyGateway lists relevant readings, lecture
notes to review, class discussion topics, as well as due dates for quizzes,
tests, and other assignments for the entire semester. Use it as a outline of
the course.
Read
the assigned text material as early as you can. Review the associated online lecture notes (prior
to coming to class--section 001 or attending a Wimba
session/reviewing an archive, sections 001 AND 002). These notes work best when
viewed online. They are web documents with links you can explore for additional
information, and to seek further clarification, on selected topics. Develop
critical analyses and questions for discussion both in class and via the online
discussion forums. There are a variety of resources in the class MyGateway site's
"Course Documents" and "External Links" folders to assist
you with your self-study.
All
students are expected to "attend"
class on a regular basis. Class presentations and discussions are not designed to simply cover “what is on the test,” rather
they are designed to augment the material you are engaging and to help you learn
to understand, evaluate, and apply core concepts and theories. Your attendance--online
and/or face-to-face, and participation in class activities and discussions,
is part of developing your ability to synthesize course material and develop
a sociological understanding of life in modern society. Students
in the internet-only section are expected to attend class via Wimba--either
"live" or by viewing the archived class sessions on Wimba.
If you can’t make the “live” class (or live Wimba sessions), you can still access the archives. Attendance,
in all formats, will be monitored.
Requirements
- Syllabus
quiz: due by Sunday, September 6, 2009, end of day (clearly,
you can easily get this done early and not have to worry about it over the
holiday weekend): Unless otherwise posted, assignments are due by the
end of the day listed: 11:59 PM (23:59). Students who submit work
past a due date are subject to penalties, point deductions, or not having
their work accepted for grading.) (25 points)
- Introductory
message due by Sunday, September 6, 2009, end of day (clearly,
you can easily get this done early and not have to worry about it over the
holiday weekend) (5 points).
- Class
Engagement: (220
points total expected, 250 points possible)
- Attendance
(45 points) and Online and In-Class Participation
(not
required, however up to 30 points possible)
- Group
Project (175 points possible)
- 3 Tests
(50 questions, 1 point per question, 50 points per test: 150 points)
-
Final
Exam (100 questions, 1 point per question, 100 points)
Syllabus
Quiz (25
points)
- The syllabus quiz is
required.
- Read the full course
syllabus (this document).
- Access the syllabus quiz
by the link in the Assignments area (second item in this
area) of the MyGateway course site.
- The syllabus quiz must
be completed, with a score of 25, by Sunday, September 6, 2009, end of day
(clearly, you can easily get this done early and not have to worry about
it over the holiday weekend).
- If the quiz is
not completed with a score of 25, NO points will be awarded.
- You can take the syllabus
quiz multiple times prior to Sunday, Septermber 6, 2009.
Introductory
Message
(5 points)
- All students are required
to post an introductory message in the "General Class Discussion"
forum.
- Your introductory message
should include a brief account of your background, why you are taking this
course, and what you expect to get out of the course experience.
- To post your
introductory message: from the class MyGateway site, select, Discussion Board,
and then click on the “General Class Discussion” forum to open it. Select
the "About Me" thread. Use the reply button to reply to the message
with your introduction.
- Your introductory message
must be posted by Sunday, September 6, 2009, end of day (clearly, you
can easily get this done early and not have to worry about it over the holiday
weekend) (5 points).
- Basic help in using discussion
forums can be found at http://www.umsl.edu/technology/mgwhelp/stuhelp/studiscussion.html
- Students are also encouraged
to develop their course "homepages" (access the editing link, "Homepage"
from the Tools area). Please let the class know about changes and updates
to your homepage.
Class
Engagement (220 points expected, 250 points possible)
Class engagement is expected
of every student. Class engagement scores will be updated in the MyGateway
class grade book every few weeks. Announcements will be made in class and MyGateway
when scores are updated. See 72 hour rule.
1.
Attendance: Expected
(45 points possible).
- All students
are expected to "attend" two class sessions
each week. Live class sessions are held Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-1:45
each week in 216 SSB.
- Students may attend
class: live--face-to-face (this is the preferred and encouraged option),
live via Wimba, or Wimba archive
(you must review a recorded class session prior to the following class in
order to receive full credit for attendance).
- All students are expected
to attend (live or via Wimba) sessions. You
will be held responsible for the content of the class sessions.
- If
you can't attend a live class session, the Wimba archive of that session
should be reviewed prior to the next class session, or within seven days
(to receive attendance credit).
- Please note that you
can download mp3 and mp4 files of of the Wimba archives for playback on
Ipods and home computers. PLEASE NOTE: I CANNOT track these downloads or
playbacks and therefore CANNOT assign attendance points for using these
file formats. To receive attendance credit you MUST playback the archive
in Wimba online via the class MyGateway site--clicking the blue arrow to
enter the archive online.
- I
consider attendance to involve more than simple "presence,"
so some "sign of life" (basic response or question) is expected
from every student each week (twice weekly during the summer). If you "attend"
by viewing the archives, then you will need to document your presence by
posting some simple comment concerning the class session in the class discussion
board (Sign of Life forum--there's a thread for each week)--such as, what
you found most interesting and/or what is still confusing to you. The
weekly "SOL" threads in the "Sign of Life" discussion
forum open and close at 12:00 PM on Tuesday each week. This includes
students who attend live sessions and fail to participate even
minimally.
- Up
to three points per academic week (class session in the summer). Two (2)
points for plain and simple attendance--one point per class session [two
a day in the summer], 1 point for a "sign of life" (2 a calendar
week in the summer). 45 points total for the semester.
- Click the link: Wimba,
for detailed instructions for using Wimba Live Classroom.
2.
Group
Project (175
points possible):
- There is a 3 part group
project (group activities) to be completed over the course of the semester.
- See the Group
Project folder in the class MyGateway site's "Groups Area" (or
Assignments area) for details.
- Groups will use group
discussion forums and wikis to document and report their group activity.
- Due dates for Group
Projects are posted on the "Assignments,
Readings, and Course Schedule," and can be found on the various
assignments posted in the "Group Areas" section of the MyGateway
site.
- See
academic integrity statement and SafeAssign
information.
- Group Project (three
parts): 175 points total.
3.
Online
and In-Class Participation. Class participation
is an optional component of the class. Students can
earn up to 30 points (2-3 points a week) for contributions to:
- in-class
discussions (in-person or via the live Wimba interface).
- the
class discussion forum, "Sociological Imagination" (checked daily
by TA and/or instructor).
- contributions
to the class "Scholar" social bookmarking site.
Simple
messages indicating agreement (or just your presence) will earn 1 point, messages
displaying an understanding of basic concepts, theories, and ideas will earn
2 points, and messages extending and applying core concepts and perspectives
can earn up to 3 points (exceptional work). In-class participation
will be included in your participation scores.
For
all students: A mandatory
first forum (introduction) message is due by Sunday, September 6,
2009, end of day (clearly, you can easily get this done early and
not have to worry about it over the holiday weekend) .
Students must display
their understanding of basic sociological concepts, theories, and analysis in
main class discussion forum, and/or during in-class discussions and presentations.
Messages and commentary in the for-credit forums should be questions, comments,
extensions of in-class discussion, "mini-reports" on individual research,
and/or replies relevant to the theme of the ongoing online discussion.
- Messages will be evaluated
for conceptual soundness, relevance to class issues, and theoretical cogency.
- You can find further
guidance on our expectations for online participation in the "General
Class Discussion" forum in the class MyGateway site.
- Since a mark of an educated
individual is the ability to communicate effectively and precisely, style,
grammar, and spelling count. Poorly organized postings and those that have
multiple grammatical and spelling errors will not be acceptable.
- Appropriate resources
and references should be included in your forum postings--even if you are
only using the text book.
- See
academic integrity statement and SafeAssign
information.
- "Weeks" begin
and end at 12:00 noon on Tuesday mornings. Participation and class engagement
scores will be will be updated in the MyGateway class grade book every few
weeks beginning. All grade updates will be announced via MyGateway.
See: 72 hour rule.
NOTE: Multiple messages
posted on a single day to a single forum may not necessarily count towards the
semester total unless they each contribute substantially to the forum topics.
Multiple messages in the final weeks and/or days of the semester by students
who have not been active in the class do not reflect "class engagement,"
and will NOT necessarily be counted toward your point total. All students
will receive periodic feedback (public and private) from the instructor (or
TA) to keep them aware of their progress with this requirement. It is
critical that students check their campus email to receive private communication
from the instructor. See the orientation message in the general discussion
forum for more information.
The instructor and TA will
post questions of substantive concern for class discussion, but students are
encouraged to initiate their own discussion topics. Students are expected investigate
relevant resources (see Chapter Exercises above), and participate in the ongoing,
online, class discussion; and attend weekly in-class discussions on a regular
basis.
For-credit forums will close
on Thursday, December
10, 2009 (end of day).
Tests
(150 points possible for 3 tests and 100 points for the Final Exam; total
250 points possible)
There will be three (3) tests (50 questions, 1 point each) given during
the semester and a comprehensive Final Exam. The tests are designed to evaluate
your comprehension of the basic material presented in the course: assigned
readings, online lecture notes, and other online resources. All these resources
will be supplemented by in-class and online discussions. Class engagement
and participation (face-to-face, online, and written work) will be another
part of your evaluation—they are not designed to cover “what is on the test,”
rather they are designed to evaluate your ability to synthesize course material
and develop a sociological understanding of life in modern society
- Tests
can be found in the Assignments area of the class MyGateway site in a
folder called, Online Tests.
- Please be sure
to use the "Practice Quizzes" in the "Assignments"
area to help you prepare for the tests.
-
The "Course Documents" area also contains study guides,
test study tips, and other utilities to help you prepare for the
quizzes and exams
-
The
tests are of mixed, objective format, consisting of multiple choice
and true/false questions.
-
-
Tests
may be taken from any Internet location,
so in effect, the tests are "open book."
- The tests
are "timed" and it is advisable to use the
Firefox
web browser.
- Each test
can be taken twice. Your high score from the
two attempts will serve as your final score on that test.
-
Following completion of a test, you will receive feedback--the
questions, your answers, and whether your answers were right
or wrong. It makes sense to use the feedback from a first
attempt at a test as a study resource prior to taking the
second attempt
-
You
can also review your work on a test (after completion) by
clicking on the grade in the grade reporting area of MyGateway
(Student Tools: View Grades).
-
You
will have 60 minutes to complete each test. If you go over
time on a test attempt, you will be subject to a penalty
of one point per minute over time or not having the attempt
count.
-
- An attempt
is an attempt. You may request up to three resets for technological
"glitches" over the course of the semester. Submitted
exams will not be available for reset.
- BE
PATIENT: when you click the "ok"
button to access an exam, ONLY CLICK ONCE,
a double click will count as two attempts (and an attempt is
an attempt).
- Any
concerns regarding your tests must be addressed before the end
of the semester.
-
- The Final Exam
will be available for approximately 7 days and
must be completed by the end of the day (11:59 PM) on Thursday, December
17, 2009.
- The Final Exam
will cover both the assigned readings associated with chapters 12-15,
as well as the key concepts, theories, and methods which served as
a focus of attention throughout the semester.
-
The
Final Exam
may be taken from any Internet location, so in
effect, it is "open book."
- The Final Exam
is "timed"
and it is advisable to only use the Firefox
web browser.
- The Final Exam
can be taken two times. Your high score will serve
as you final score on the Final Exam
-
Following completion of an
attempt of the Final Exam, you will receive feedback--the questions, your answers,
and whether your answers were right or wrong. It makes sense to
use the feedback from a first attempt at a test as a study resource
prior to taking an additional attempt.
-
You
will have 100 minutes to complete the final exam. If you go over
time on a test attempt, you will be subject to a penalty of one
point per minute over time or not having the attempt count.
- An attempt is
an attempt. You may request one reset of a failed Final Exam attempt
(for technological "glitches"). A submitted exam will not
be available for reset.
- BE PATIENT:
when you click the "ok" button to access an exam,
ONLY CLICK ONCE, a double click will count as two
attempts (and an attempt is an attempt).
- Any
concerns regarding your tests must be addressed before the end of
the semester.
-
Make-up
tests will be available for students who can document
exceptional circumstances that prohibited them for completing at least
one attempt of a test during its regular availability period.
You must contact the instructor within 24 hours following the close
of a test to arrange for a make-up. There will only be one attempt
available for a make-up test.
-
Failure
to comply with these guidelines will result in a Zero (0) being recorded
for the test/final exam in question.
Note:
There will be review and discussion sessions (they may be online)
the week before exams are due. The sessions will be a general
review of the material to be covered on the test. Days, places,
and times of these discussion sessions will be announced through
the class MyGateway site.
Final
grades will be calculated based on a total of 500 points
(530 points possible). Students who submit
work past a due date are subject to penalties, point deductions,
or not having their work accepted for grading.
72
hour rule: Grade updates will be posted in MyGateway
throughout the semester. Students are expected to review
their grades on a regular basis--especially following a
grade update. Concerns about posted grades must be addressed
within 72 hours of grade posting, otherwise posted scores
will be considered accurate and final, up to the time of
posting.
Items
included in calculating the
point total:
-
-
-
Class
Engagement: 220 points (however, 250
points possible through additional participation)
- 3 Tests
(50 questions, 1 point per question, 50 points per test: 150 points total)
-
Final
Exam (100 questions, 1 point per question, 100 points)
NOTE:
All course grades will be posted in the online Grade book
in the class MyGateway site. Students can access their
individual grades via the “My Grades” link located in the
“Tools” area of the class MyGateway site. The grades
in MyGateway are for individual tests, quizzes, and assignments
only. The “running total” found in the grades area
of MyGateway will reflect your final grade. Final grades
will be based on the following scale:
- 465
and above A
- 464-450:
A-
|
- 449-435:
B+
- 434-415:
B
- 414-400:
B-
|
- 399-385:
C+
- 384-365:
C
- 364-350:
C-
|
- 349-335:
D+
- 334-315:
D
- 314-300:
D-
|
|
Percentages
displayed for "current estimated grade"
in the MyGateway grade book represent letter grades as follows:
- 93%
and above A
- 90-92%
A-
|
- 87-89%:
B+
- 83-86%:
B
- 80-82%:
B-
|
- 77-79%:
C+
- 73-76%:
C
- 70-72%:
C-
|
- 67-69%:
D+
- 63-66%:
D
- 60-62%:
D-
|
|
Academic
Dishonesty and other misconduct will not be tolerated. See the partial
listing of conduct for which students are subject to sanction at
the end of this syllabus. Or, view the entire document by visiting:
http://www.umsl.edu/studentlife/dsa/student_planner/policies/conductcode.htm
Extra
Credit: The idea of "extra" credit is an oxymoron.
There is only credit! THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT in my classes. Students
can earn additional points for exceptional levels
of participation in the class discussions and online forums; however,
if you are having difficulties with the course work, get
help as early in the semester as possible. Adding more work
will NOT help you, and if you cannot do the regular work adequately,
any additional work will not be to your benefit. More IS
NOT (necessarily) better. Rather than worrying about doing
more work—FOCUS on the regularly assigned work and do it to the
BEST of your abilities.
Delayed
Grade Policy: If a student is unable to complete the FInal
Exam (due to exceptional circumstances), a Delayed
Grade can be negotiated. Students MUST contact the instructor
by 5:00 pm on the last day of the Final Exam to document
their reason for being unable to complete the test, and to request
a delayed grade. If students DO NOT initiate the request for
a delayed grade, a score of ZERO (0) will be assigned for any uncompleted
work. Delayed
grades MUST be made up by the end of the following semester
(Summer and Interim Semesters excluded). Failure to make-up
a delayed grade by the end of the following semester will result in
an F being recorded for the course grade. Delayed grades WILL
NOT be extended past one semester unless exceptional circumstances
(as decided by the instructor) are evident.
Wimba
Live Classroom is an online, synchronous learning tool we will
be using this semester. Wimba allows students to "attend"
a live class via the Internet, and it also allows me to archive
class sessions so that students can access and review the recordings.
A brief explanation for using Wimba is included in the course
syllabus and at http://www.horizonwimba.com/technicalsupport.
You can contact Horizon Wimba Technical Support by phone (toll-free):
866.350.4978 or email: technicalsupport@horizonwimba.com.
And, see the Wimba
Participant's Guide or click on the help ("?")
icon once you have started up the Wimba program. For further
assistance with Wimba, MyGateway and other online tools, see
these tutorials
(they "walk you through" using Wimba).
Be
sure to run the "Set Up Wizard" to insure your computer
is properly configured for the Wimba Live Classroom interface.
To review archived class sessions, you'll just
need speakers. Any student is invited to participate
via the live interface (Wimba session classes
are noted on the "Assignments,
Readings, and Course Schedule" found in the Assignments
area). All students (especially those in the Internet-only
section) are encouraged to use the recorded sessions
in their studies for the course
-
The
day sessions will be broadcast live via Wimba.
-
Login
a bit early and insure your speakers and microphone are working
properly.
- Click on
the "Wimba" link on the course navigation menu (left-hand
column on main MyGateway class page)
- Click on
the "Live Classroom" link.
- Click on
the "Enter Room"
button (you'll also see links for the "Setup Wizard").
- When you
leave the Live classroom, be sure to click the "Exit"
link (located just above and to the right of the "people
listing" and Mr. Keel's photo in the lower right-hand corner
of the "Live Classroom" window).
-
Be
sure to run the "Set Up Wizard" the first time you logon
to insure your computer is properly configured for the Wimba Live
Classroom interface.
To
review archived
class session, you'll just need speakers:
-
Click
on the "Wimba" link on the course navigation menu
(left-hand column on main MyGateway class page)
-
Click
on the "Live Classroom" link.
-
You'll
find a list of archive class sessions under
the heading: "Here is the list of the recorded archives
for this room:"
- Please note that you
can download mp3 and mp4 files of of the Wimba archives for playback on
Ipods and home computers. PLEASE NOTE: I CANNOT track these downloads or
playbacks and therefore CANNOT assign attendance points for using these
file formats. To receive attendance credit you MUST playback the archive
in Wimba online via the class MyGateway site--clicking the blue arrow to
enter the archive online.
-
Click
on the blue arrow to the right of the archives name to "Enter"
the archived recording.
- When you leave the
archive, be sure to click the "Exit"
link (located just above and to the right of the "people listing"
and Mr. Keel's photo in the lower right-hand corner of the "Live Classroom"
window).
-
Playbacks
of archived sessions must be played back prior to the following
class session or at least within seven days, if you don't
want to be considered absent.
-
Wimba
tracks the length of your playback. Partial playbacks will
receive partial credit.
- When you leave the live
classroom, be sure to click the "Exit" link (located just above
and to the right of the "people listing" and Mr. Keel's photo in
the lower right-hand corner of the "Live Classroom" window).
-
When
you leave the archive, be sure to click the "Exit"
link (located just above and to the right of the "people
listing" and Mr. Keel's photo in the lower right-hand
corner of the "Live Classroom" window). If your
playbacks indicate excessively long (over 2 hours)
connection times,
I will contact you to discuss how you are using this important
utility.
-
Class
attendance scores will be updated on a regular basis. If
you note a discrepancy between your Wimba activity and your
attendance score, you can contact Mr. Keel or the class
TA to discuss the problem.
Any
student is invited to participate via the live
interface (all class sessions will use Wimba). All
students are encouraged to use the recorded sessions
in their studies for the course. Students who fail to attend
a live class session (for whatever reason) must use the archive
feature of Wimba to receive credit for attendance. If you
have problems accessing or using Centra, you
can contact Horizon Wimba Technical Support by phone (toll-free):
866.350.4978 or email: technicalsupport@horizonwimba.com.
And, see the Wimba
Participant's Guide or click on the help ("?") icon
once you have started up the Wimba program. For further assistance
with Wimba, MyGateway and other online tools, see these tutorials
(they "walk you through" using Wimba).
Students
are required to use the campus MyGateway system and student e-mail
for this class. The MyGateway system contains
all course information, quizzes, lecture notes, and a variety of
other study aids. The MyGateway system also contains the online
discussion forums that are part of the required participation score
included in your semester grade. Campus email (via the studentmail
server) is used for a variety of communication purposes—I send out
email to the entire class, and to individual students. You
must check your campus email on a regular basis. See below
for information on accessing MyGateway and your campus email.
Roksworld
is one of my Internet sites that provides students with access to a
variety of "class room only handouts" (news articles and other
essays). Please note: page references
in the feedback for tutor questions may not correspond with current
textbooks. If you can't figure out why you got a particular question
wrong on the tutor, contact the instructor or TA.
To
access "Roksworld" students must use the following logon information:
Accessing
Online Resources:
-
Students
have access to online resources from a variety of computing labs (see
location information below) as well as special Kiosks, and the Cyber-Café
in the Millennium Student Center
-
If
you live in one of the campus dorms, or The Meadows, you can use an
Ethernet card in your personal computer to hook-up directly to the
campus network.
-
Contact
the Technology Support Center for Dial-up assistance (516-6034)
and visit http://gatewayid.umsl.edu/
for information on the user name and password you will need to access
UMSL Internet services from home.
-
Your
Gateway ID and Password:
-
Your
Gateway ID and password provide you with access to all online
services at UM-St. Louis including the campus MyGateway online course
system, campus email, and many other services.
To
find your Gateway ID and password:
Type
in your student number and your Social Security Number and click on
"Search."
The
next page will show your Gateway login ID. For new students,
you will have to choose a password the first time you access your
account.
If
you have previously accessed your MyGateway account and have changed your
password, use the new password that you specified for this account.
If
you have used dial in access from home and have changed your password,
you must use the new password that you specified.
The
MyGateway (http://mygateway.umsl.edu) online course
management system was introduced here at UM-St. Louis at the beginning
of fall semester 2000. MyGateway provides all students and faculty
with access to course materials, and a variety of programs that enable
classroom communication and interaction using virtually any computer with
a current web browser (such as Netscape or IE 4.0 or higher), and an Internet
connection.
2.
Click on the "Login" button.
3.
Type in your login ID (Gateway ID) and password.
4. After logging on to
the MyGateway system you will be brought to your "MyGateway" page.
From this page you can access most of the features of the MyGateway system,
and all of your classes at UM-St. Louis,
as well as a variety of other campus based resources.
-
Class
Announcements, Calendar events, and Task lists are available here, as
well as a list of the courses you are taking, and campus organizations
you have joined.
-
The
"Student" tab provides you with access to most all online services
and resources here at UM-St. Louis. The "E-mail" tab allows
you to access your campus email.
-
You
will also find links on your MyGateway main page that allow you to check
your official grades at the end of each semester.
5.
Additionally, you can add various content elements to your my Gateway
page by clicking on the "Content" button found near the
upper right-hand side of the page.
6.
In the "My Courses" area on the "MyGateway" page,
click on our class name, and you will access the class MyGateway site.
The first page displayed is typically "Announcements."
Here you will see all class related announcements, including the availability
of online progress evaluations, and other class related news (Old
announcements may be viewed by clicking the “View All” tab at the
top of the page). The
links on the left-hand side of the screen give you access to a variety
of tools and documents that your instructor has created for your class.
The areas available, and some of the items you will find include:
- Course Information
- Syllabus: Read
the Syllabus carefully!
-
Reading
Assignments and Class Schedule: Includes the class
reading schedule and allows you to know what is
going to be discussed on what day. Pay
particular attention to this schedule!
Teaching
Assistants: Includes name, phone number, email, office location,
and office hours of all teaching assistants.
Grading
Policies: Includes information about grading options, make-up
exams, delayed grades, extra credit, student participation,
and student conduct.
Class
Home Page: Includes links to class material, roksworld,
information resources, and sociology links.
-
Faculty
Information: Contact information for your course instructor
and teaching assistants.
-
Reading
Assignments and Class Schedule: Includes the class reading schedule
and allows you to know what is going to be discussed on what
day. Pay particular attention to this schedule!
Lecture
Notes: The lecture notes are organized to follow our class discussion
and your readings. Review them prior to our
in-class discussions
Virtual
Handouts: This section includes a variety of articles
and information about different topics that have been discussed
in class. Use them to supplement what you are reading
in the lecture notes, and class texts, as well as to inform
your comments on the discussion board.
- PowerPoint Presentations
for "Drugs in American Society," by Erich Goode prepared by
James Roberts, University of Scranton.
-
Study
Guides: Each study guide covers the material associated with
one of the four tests. They provide a good review when
studying for a test.
-
Study
Tips: These include other helpful ideas when studying
for the tests. They are most beneficial when used with
the study guides.
-
roksworld:
This is a link to one of Mr. Keel’s web sites. This
web page includes a Java Tutor, which is helpful when
studying for tests and quizzes. It gives sample questions
for you to answer. To access you must logon with the
username: student, and the password: umsl.
-
-
Reading
Assignments and Class Schedule: Includes the class reading
schedule and allows you to know what is going to be discussed
on what day. Pay particular attention to this schedule!
-
Practice
Quizzes (tutorial programs to help you prepare for the required
quizzes and tests)
-
-
-
-
Columbia
Guide to Online Style: Shows ways to cite papers correctly
and to organize bibliographies correctly.
-
Discussion
Board: This button allows you to access all forums and
postings on the discussion board.
-
To
access a forum simply click on the title of the forum (General
Discussion, etc.) To read a post click on the name of the
post, not the name of the person.
-
Old
Messages: You may access old messages by entering the
archives.
-
Creating
A New Thread: To add a new thread or topic to a forum
click “Add New Thread” at the top left. Type your message
and “click submit.”
-
Adding
to a Thread: You may reply to existing messages
by clicking “Reply”, typing your message, and then by clicking
“submit”.
-
-
A
folder with a list of group activities
Folders
for each group with:
-
A
link to your groups pages: group discussion forum, email
, file exchange, and collaboration programs
-
-
Your
group blog (if you let me know you want one
-
Wimba
Live Classroom for your group to use
-
Wimba:
Access to the Wimba Live Classroom and Archives for the class
sessions
-
Class
email sending utility.
-
Access
to student web pages (via the Class Roster)
-
The
class discussion board for online discussion (there may also
be a button that takes you directly to the Discussion Board)
-
Group
Pages (it's better to use the "Group Areas" link
to access these pages, as well as your group's wiki and blog))
-
The
virtual classroom program for synchronous online discussions
and presentations—we'll be using Wimba instead of this program.
-
-
Lists
the names of the main text, required reading, and recommended
readings for the course.
-
OneLook
Dictionary: Allows you to look up words using the OneLook
search engine. Very helpful when you are unsure of how to
spell a work when posting on the discussion board.
-
External
Links: A variety of class related www sites.
-
"My
Grades" gives your access to your current class grades
(quiz and “raw” test scores are automatically entered).
-
-
A
class-based personal web page editing utility—you can create
a personal web page that the rest of the class can access
through the class roster in the
-
-
A
student manual that will tell you more about the MyGateway
system
-
An
"Electronic Blackboard" where you can create and
store class related notes.
-
Other
resources and tools.
-
Students
are responsible for checking their Studentmail e-mail account,
regularly, for important university and class related correspondences.
All e-mail sent through MyGateway will be sent to Studentmail
accounts. I use email to contact my students individually
and as a group.
Checking
Studentmail.umsl.edu:
-
Open
any web browser from any computer connected to the Internet. (The
E-mail tab on the main MyGateway page will take you directly
to the web-based interface for your student email account).
-
-
Enter
your Gateway ID in the Gateway ID field
-
Enter
your Password in the Password field.
-
Select
your language of choice.
-
Click
Login. This will take you to your Inbox.
-
To
read a message, simply click on the senders name under the “From”
field.
-
At
this point you can “delete”, “reply”, “forward” or “save” the
message or return to you Inbox simply by clicking the links above
the message you have opened.
-
To
compose a new e-mail message, to send to others, click “compose”
in the red bar on the left hand side of the page.
-
You
will also find buttons that allow you to create folders to sort
and save messages, and a “move/copy” function that allows you
to put messages in whatever folders you choose.
-
To
logout, click “Logout” in the red bar on the left hand side of
the page.
-
-
Forwarding
of Studentmail e-mail accounts will only be allowed through a
special request application available in the student computer
labs.
-
Studentmail
e-mail accounts are 10 megabytes in size. Once your mailbox
is full you will no longer be able to send or receive e-mail messages.
You will receive notification when you are approaching your mailbox
capacity.
-
Admiral
UNIX accounts are not affected by the conversion to the studentmail
server. Admiral e-mail accounts will still exist, however are
no longer supported by the Technology Support Center. Existing
student mail files will remain on Admiral (See below)
-
Also
note that ALL students will only be using gatewayid accounts/passwords
on the studentmail server.
Written
work submitted in this class will be subject to plagiarism checking
using SafeAssign.
SafeAssign,
a plagiarism detection software, is now available to all students
and instructors. This tool checks your paper against proprietary
databases of papers and the Internet. After submission, your instructor
will receive an “originality report” containing results
of the matching process. Your paper will also be added to UMSL’s
internal section of the anti-plagiarism database to be used to
compare future submissions by other students and to help protect
your work from plagiarism.
You
can also use SafeAssign yourself to check drafts of your papers.
The English Department Writing Lab has created a free course site
on MyGateway where you can go to find resources to help you in
writing and citing papers properly. By enrolling in this course,
you can submit drafts of your work to SafeAssign. You will then
be able to privately view the “originality report”
and make corrections to your work before submitting it formally
to your instructor. Go to http://mygateway.umsl.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_36517_1
and then click on the “Quick Enroll” link to get access
to the free course site.
1.
Academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or sabotage.
The Board of Curators recognizes that academic honesty is essential
for the intellectual life of the University. Faculty members
have a special obligation to expect high standards of academic
honesty in all student work. Students have a special obligation
to adhere to such standards. In all cases of academic dishonesty,
the instructor shall make an academic judgment about the student's
grade on that work and in that course. The instructor shall
report the alleged academic dishonesty to the Primary Administrative
Officer.
a.
The term cheating includes but is not limited to: (i) use of any
unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations;
(ii) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized
by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving
problems, or carrying out other assignments; (iii) acquisition
or possession without permission of tests or other academic material
belonging to a member of the University faculty or staff;(iv)
knowingly providing any unauthorized assistance to other student
on quizzes, tests, or examinations.
b.
The term plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: (i) use by
paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished
work of another person without fully and properly crediting the
author with footnotes, citations or bibliographical reference;
(ii) unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person
or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic
materials; (iii) unacknowledged use of original work/material
that has been produced through collaboration with others without
release in writing from collaborators.
c.
The term sabotage includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized
interference with, modification of, or destruction of the work
or intellectual property of another member of the University community.
2.
Forgery, alteration, or misuse of University documents, records
or identification, or knowingly furnishing false information to
the University.
3.
Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration,
conduct proceedings, or other University activities, including
its public service functions on or off campus.
4. Physical abuse or other conduct which threatens or endangers
the health or safety of any person.
ANY
STUDENT WHO HAS A DISABILITY WHICH WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS OR TESTS AS OUTLINED IN THIS SYLLABUS: PLEASE MAKE
AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME IMMEDIATELY SO THAT I CAN EITHER ARRANGE FOR
APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE OR DESIGN AN ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE TO EVALUATE
YOUR WORK. THE
OFFICE OF DISABILITY ACCESS SERVICES IS LOCATED IN 144 MSC; PHONE:
516-6554.
THIS
SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR
TO ACCOMMODATE INSTRUCTIONAL AND/OR STUDENT NEEDS.

URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/180syllabus.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel: rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated:
Sunday, September 27, 2009 1:47 PM
Unless otherwise noted,
all pages within the web site http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/ © 2009 by
Robert O. Keel.
Click here to Report Copyright
Problems