ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY

PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR

 SBS 3033 ZAP 1611
Fall 2007
Dr. Gary Rutledge
Office 303, Preparatory Hall, Claremore Campus
E-Mail: grutledge@rsu.edu
Phone: (918) 343-7800

REQUIRED WORK AND GRADING

Wrap-ups (30%)
A wrap-up includes three lessons (reports on things you learned from the reading) and two puzzles (two things you did not understand or want to learn more about).  Lessons and puzzles must include specific information from and/or or references to the reading.  These are to be submitted electronically by the deadlines on the calendar.  Late wrap-ups are not accepted for credit. Fifteen wrap-ups are required.  Each one is worth up to 10 points.  There are 25 opportunities to submit wrap-ups.

Exams (20%)
The class has three exams, including the final. The first two exams will be based on the required reading and on other material presented in class. These exams will consist of multiple-choice questions. These exams will be submitted online on the dates provided in the course calendar. Each exam will be worth 10% each. 

Final Essay (20%)
The final exam consists of the take- appraisal of Maril’s book Waltzing with the Ghost of Tom Joad (please see below).  It is due at the beginning of the exam period listed on the course calendar.

Critical Appraisal of Maril’s Waltzing with the Ghost of Tom Joad
A carefully written paper of 5 to 10 pages (12 point font, double-spaced) in which you do the following.

• Identify the topic or concern of the book.  (What did Maril intend to do?)
• Identify and describe research design and the principal research method(s) employed.
• Summarize the principal findings reported in the book.
• Summarize the policy recommendations made in the book
• Critically evaluate the book: research design, methods, ethics, interpretation of various kinds of data, and policy proposals
• Indicate directions for future research, specifically using at least one, but not more than two, of the four social sciences integral to the BSSS degree program (History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology).  The more specific this section, the better.
• Identify any correlations with poverty in Oklahoma.

Objectives of the paper:

• Demonstrate a command of Maril’s book?
• Demonstrate a capacity to apply the key relevant material from the class.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of how one or more of the social sciences may help in the analysis of a social issue and in proposing remedies for social problems?

This paper is due on the day of the final exam (please refer to the course calendar for more precise information). 

Writing Assignment (20%)
Students are required to prepare a writing assignment (5-10 typewritten pages) due on Wednesday November 14. Your paper may not cover the same subject-area used in any other class projects.

Thinking with the Social Sciences.  Choose one of the “Potential Issues for Exploration” listed in the syllabus. Write a paper indicating how one or two of the core social science disciplines (history, political science, psychology or sociology) might help us to understand the issue.  Identify at least five relevant scholarly articles, and discuss at least two of these in your paper.

Examine one of the “Issues for Exploration.”  Consider the topic from the vantage point of at least two of the core social science disciplines (history, political science, psychology or sociology).

Each student will locate two peer-reviewed scholarly articles from that field, write a summary and evaluation to be submitted online, and prepare a brief (5-10 minute) oral presentation for the class. 

Attendance (10%) (3 absences = 50,  4 absences = 0)
Good attendance is essential in a class of this nature and will be checked at each class meeting. Assignments and lectures build upon each other from one class to the next. An absence makes completion of assignments difficult. Absenteeism exceeding 10% during the course will be considered excessive. Absenteeism exceeding 20% can result in an “F” for the class. After any absence, the student is responsible for obtaining any class assignments and lecture notes from a classmate. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. To be counted present you must arrive on time and remain for the entire class period.

Semester Grade
Your semester grade will be determined by grades earned for the various assignments and exams in the class, minus points deducted for missed classes. In the event extra credit is offered at the end of the class, all assigned work must be completed to qualify.

 Key Information About This Class

I. BULLETIN DESCRIPTION
SBS 3033 A study of differing conceptions of human behavior prevalent in the contemporary social sciences.

Course Description
The degree program for the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences is multidisciplinary and designed to expose students to different modes of inquiry. SBS 3033 is a core course within this program, and helps students to understand the interrelated nature of inquiry into human behavior. Perspectives on Human Behavior is a ‘unifying precursor’ to later courses (e.g. capstone seminar) where students will be required to take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human problems.This course demands college-level reading comprehension and writing skills, as well as a foundation of knowledge gained from having taken the University’s general education requirements.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES

Among the specific skills students are expected to develop are:

1)     An improved appreciation of the differing approaches to understanding human behavior as practiced by historians, political scientists, psychologists, and sociologists.  This supports the SBS program goal to develop a level of competence in the core discipline(s) of the social sciences to allow for further inquiry and study, and will be assessed primarily through classroom discussion, written assignments and group projects.

2)     A heightened awareness of the different insights produced from the disciplines of the social sciences, and how those insights can be used synthetically to produce a more robust and comprehensive understanding of human behavior. This supports the SBS program goals to a) demonstrate knowledge of the relationship among people and their physical and social environments, and to b) demonstrate knowledge of diverse human values, beliefs and behaviors.  This will be assessed primarily through classroom discussions, database assignments, examinations, written assignments, and group projects.

3)     An enhanced ability to think critically, work within a group context, and to articulate ideas in written and verbal form in a ‘scientific environment.’  This supports the SBS program goal to equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences, and will be assessed primarily through examinations, written assignments and group projects.

III. MATERIALS

Required Texts:

• Maril, Robert Lee (2000).  Waltzing with the ghost of Tom Joad: Poverty, Myth, and Low-Wage Labor in Oklahoma. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
• Monaghan, John, & Paul Just. (2000). Social & Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Bruce, Steve (2000). Sociology: A Very short introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Butler, Gillian, & Freda McManus. (Freda McManus. (2000) Psychology: A Very Short Introduction: New York: Oxford University Press.
• Minogue, Kenneth (2000). Politics: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Arnold, John H (2000). History: A very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.

 It is the student's responsibility to secure access to the required books so that you can complete all assignments exactly on time. They are available from the Rogers State University bookstore and other vendors.

IV. COURSE POLICIES

Expectations of Students
The path to success in the class begins with the attitudes and actions of students and the professor. Guidelines for success are shown below:
1. complete all required work on or before the due date, and keep up to date on the assigned reading;
2. conduct yourself in class so that lectures and other scheduled activities can proceed without distraction or interruption (no talking, whispering, or other actions that can interfere with orderly learning). No communications devices (telephones, beepers, pagers, etc.); if you have such devices, they must be turned off for the entire class period. Treat other students with respect at all times. Students who disrupt the class in any way may be dismissed from the classroom;
3. comply with all relevant Rogers State University policies, especially those concerning academic integrity; and
4. attend all classes, arrive on time, and stay to the end. If you miss a class for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain the notes and other necessary information from other members of the class who are willing to help you. Please note: class attendance is very important, because exams are based in large part on what happens in class and because each student’s input is needed in discussions.

Attendance
Attendance is the responsibility of the student and is required. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. To be counted present you must arrive on time and remain for the entire class period. After three absences all subsequent absences will reduce your course point-total by 10 points each. A student who misses more than two consecutive classes may, at the discretion of the instructor, receive a failing grade for the entire course.

Submitting Your Work
All work in this class must be submitted electronically unless the professor explicitly advises otherwise. All documents must be double-spaced and produced in a 12-point font

Deadlines
This class has very strict deadlines. Normally missed deadlines for assignments or exams mean no credit.  If you miss a deadline, you may make a written request for an extension.  In exceptionally compelling circumstances, the professor may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. 

Exam Policy
Exams must be submitted on or before the dates indicated in the course calendar. Exams may be submitted earlier than the due date.

Academic Misconduct
All institutions of higher education rely on intellectual integrity.  Teachers must expect honesty from students, and the failure to demonstrate honesty represents a fundamental threat to the entire academic endeavor.  Students are expected to follow university policies as put forth in the institution's Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct.  In accordance with Title 12 of The Student Code, instances of alleged academic misconduct (e.g. cheating, plagiarism, etc) will follow the policies and procedures as described in Title 12.  As a general rule, Faculty at Rogers State University have the responsibility of enforcing the academic code.

Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism is the representation of the words or ideas of another as one’s own, including: direct quotation without both attribution and indication that the material is being directly quoted; e.g. quotation marks; paraphrase without attribution; paraphrase with or without attribution where the wording of the original remains substantially intact and is represented as the author’s own; expression in one’s own words, but without attribution, of ideas, arguments, lines of reasoning, facts, processes, or other products of the intellect where such material is learned from the work of another and is not part of the general fund of common knowledge.

Non-academic misconduct
In order to maintain an effective learning environment, students are expected to fully comply with The Student Code.  Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  This includes (but is not restricted to) talking, being noisy in any manner, coming in late or leaving early, and the use of cell phones (including text messaging, etc.), PDA’s, Blackberry’s, etc. during class.  PLEASE turn off these devices while class is in session.

Americans with Disabilities Act
Rogers State University is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to educational programs and services. Any student who has a disability that he or she believes will require some form of academic accommodation must inform the professor of such need during or immediately following the first class attended. Before any educational accommodation can be provided, it is the responsibility of each student to prove eligibility for assistance by registering for services through Student Affairs.

Students needing more information about Student Disability Services should contact the office of Student Development at 918-343-7707.

List of Potential Issues for Exploration, Group Projects

  CLASS CALENDAR AND WORK SCHEDULE

 Week 1 (August 20-24)
            Read: ANT 1
            Due: Wednesday, Wrap-up, ANT 1 (Online)

Week 2 (August 27-29)
            Read: ANT 2-5
            Due: Monday, Wrap-up ANT 2-3 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday, Wrap-up ANT 4-5 (Online)

 Week 3  (September 5 & 7)
            No class September 3 (Labor Day)
            Read: SOC 1
            Due: Wednesday, Wrap-up SOC 1 (Online)

Week 4 (September 10-14)
            Read: SOC 2-5
            Due: Monday, Wrap-up SOC 2-3 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday, Wrap-up SOC 4-5 (Online)

Week 5 (September 17-21)
            Read: PSY 1-5
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, PSY 1-2 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, PSY 3-5 (Online)

Week 6  (September 24-28)
            Read: PSY 6-10
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, PSY 6-7 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, PSY 8-10 (Online)

Week 7  (October 1-5)
            Monday: Exam 1, Weeks 1-6 (Online)
            Wednesday: Introduction of Database Exercise

Week 8   (October 8-12)
            Read: POLS 1-6
            Due: Monday. Wrap-up, POLS 1-4 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, POLS 5-6 (Online)
            Due: Data Base Exercise (Online)

Week 9   (October 15-19)
            Read: POLS 7-13
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, POLS 7-10 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday  Wrap-up, POLS 11-13 (Online)
            Wednesday: Introduction of Article Exercise

Week 10  (October 22-26)
            Read: HIST 1-4
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, HIST 1-2 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday  Wrap-up, HIST 3-4 (Online)
            Due: Article Exercise (Online)

Week 11  (October 29 - November 2)
            Read: HIST 5-7
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, HIST 5-6 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, HIST 7 (Online)

Week 12 (November 5-9)
            Monday: Exam 1, Weeks 7-11 (Online)
            Read: Maril Foreword, Preface and Introduction
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, Maril Foreword, Preface, Introduction (Online)

Week 13 (November 12-16)
            Read: Maril 1 and 2
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, Maril 1 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, Maril 2 (Online)
            Due: Writing Assignment (Online)

Week 14 (November 19)
            No class November 21,23 (Thanksgiving)
            Read: Maril 3
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, Maril 3 (Online)

Week 15 (November 26-30)
            Read: Maril 4 and 5
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, Maril 4 (Online)
            Due: Wednesday Wrap-up, Maril 5 (Online)

Week 16 (December 3-7)
            Read: Maril 6
            Due: Monday Wrap-up, Maril 6 (Online)
            Exam Due: Monday December 10 (Online)
            Due: Maril Appraisal (Online)