SOCY 211 (S2003) w/Dr Schaffer

Paper Evaluation Guidelines

More information on these guidelines and examples of what I expect is available in the “How to Write a Schaffer Paper” handout, which will be given out with the first paper assignment. These, though, are the overall guidelines in order of importance.

1. Strength and clarity of response to the paper topic’s main question. Each paper assignment will ask you to respond directly to an argumentative question, and you should ensure that your paper contains a direct and clear response to this question.

2. Strength and cohesiveness of the argument. The papers you will write in this class are argument-based – it isn’t enough to deliver a simple one-sentence statement that answers the question. Instead, you need to take the time to show me how it is you came to that response – the thought process you went through, the references you drew from in order to figure out your position, and how you put everything together. In algebra, it was called “showing your steps”; here, it’s just good argumentation.

3. Accuracy in presentation and understanding of materials. While most of this course is devoted to the development of your own perspective on these thinkers and the world, there are some minimum “correct” and “incorrect” understandings of what the authors said. You need to be sure that you accurately represent what each author says, that you accurately and adequately cite any reference to the original text(s), and that you explain any unorthodox presentation of the authors’ works.

4. Presentation – spelling, grammar, tone, and the actual submitted paper. As it’s become ridiculously easy to ensure that your work is cleanly presented, you must ensure that your paper is spell- and grammar-checked prior to submitting it for evaluation. You should also endeavor to ensure that it’s proofread, either by you, a discussion group member, or someone else – and this proofreading should be both for the technical matters and for clarity of argument. Otherwize, you’re paper will appeer bad, even iff its the most briliant thing ever writen.

Deductions: The following are automatic deductions without appeal:

Not reaching minimum page count: 1/3 letter grade per page the paper is short;
Not utilizing minimum number of texts: 1/3 letter grade per text the paper is short;
Not proofreading the paper: two full letter grades the first time, with revisions possible at my discretion; the second time, your paper will receive a zero (0);
Not citing all references to outside texts: 1/3 letter grade;
Not including a bibliography when required by the assignment: one full letter grade.

Also, note that I grade on a letter grade with +/- additions, so there should be no dallying around with the math.

In general, grades on papers indicate the following (and note that failing to meet these criteria will generally result in a failing grade):

“A” – directly answers the assigned question; well-argued in a logical order, making clear how the evidence presented is utilized
“B” – evades answering the assigned question; fairly well-argued, but reasoning process or analysis of the evidence weak
“C” – no attempt to answer assigned question; paper reads more like a book report than an analysis; evidence presumed to make argument on its face.

Course Evaluation Criteria:

I know that on occasion, it's difficult to figure out what a professor expects of you in order to pass the course or to receive a particular grade. In order to assuage that concern, here is the set of expectations I have of you during this term; please note that they are not listed in order of importance:

Consistent attendance in class sessions, with you having read the materials, come prepared to discuss the materials, and come prepared to pose any questions that you have, either verbally or as a "blind question";
Attendance in my office hours whenever you have a question or need help in understanding the materials or issues under discussion;
Thoughtful reflection on the course materials and issues in your journals, and thoughtful discussion of these materials and issues during class sessions;
The diligent pursuit of all assignments, with you committed to doing your best work on each one;
And, overall, your commitment to doing your best work in every class session and assignment.

I know that you have other responsibilities or interests you have to attend to, and I am sympathetic to the various pulls on your time. However, you should note that I take very seriously what you do in this course, and I expect that your continued presence in this course will mean that you too take that seriously. If you're not interested in the course, withdraw now. Presuming that you do take your work in here seriously, and you do your best to meet the expectations as listed above, you will pass the course. Failure to attend to your responsibilities in this course will result in your failure in this course.

Course Outcomes:

By the end of this semester, you will be able to do the following:

Use the sociological perspective to understand that what our society thinks of as individually-based social problems are actually sociological problems;
Deepen your understanding of how a variety of socially-created problems are maintained and can be solved;
Increase your awareness of the nature of and problems caused by consumerism in our time, as well as the possibilities for transcending consumerism as a way of life;
And improve your ability to critically engage with a variety of texts, course materials, and issues that appear in our world today in order to think about how they might be solved.

A final note:

I won’t lie to you – this course is difficult. Chances are that you’ve not yet been exposed to original social-theoretical texts and aren’t used to having to read and critically evaluate these kinds of works and come up with your own understanding of the materials. At times, you will be frustrated, feel like you just don’t “get it,” hate my guts, or otherwise be dissatisfied or discontented with the course.

I most likely won’t help with this feeling. My job is to provide you with the tools to meet and exceed the course objectives listed above and your own expectations of what you’re capable of. In order to do that, I have to push on you, challenge your ideas, compel you to justify your claims and ideas, call you on whatever BS you might feel like throwing forth, and so on. I will do all of this, and probably more when needed, so that by the end of the semester, you are capable of comprehending, utilizing, and creating sociological ways of understanding these problems.

As I see it, I’m here to give you the spoon; I’m not here to feed you with it. If you’re looking for a course that’s going to tell you “what you need to know,” this isn’t it (and if you’re a sociology major, that might be a problem). I will tell you what you need to do and how it is that you can do it. Beyond that, it is your responsibility to pursue the tasks I set before you – and I am quite serious about that. You need to meet me halfway in this course; otherwise, I can’t guarantee you’ll pass the class.

If at any point, you feel that you’re not getting it or are having any problems with materials, assignments, etc., come see me immediately. Fifteen minutes in my office hours can clarify everything for you – but you have to be the one to take responsibility for your success. Good luck.