Interactionism:  Self and Society

Spring 2012

Course Description:

This is a survey course designed to present an overview of the field of social psychology with a specific emphasis on symbolic interaction. In addition to that of basic instruction in the tradition of liberal arts education, the goal of this course is to enable students to better understand their personal lives, identities, and attitudes in relation to the social worlds in which they live.

Sociology 210's Relationship to WKU's General Education Program

This course fulfills the Category C (Social and Behavioral Sciences) general education requirement.  It will help you attain these general education goals and objectives:

#1.    The capacity for critical and logical thinking
#2.    Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking
#6.    A historical perspective and an understanding of connections between past and present
#9.    An understanding of society and human behavior

We all think to some degree or another that we are islands unto ourselves, setting our own courses of action, or in this class, interactions.  However, sociology tells us that individuals' interactions are very much affected by the social context in which they are enacted.  Furthermore, individual actions can affect others' actions, or society.  In this course you will learn the theoretical perspectives and concepts used to understand the self in society.  We will evaluate the accuracy, authority, bias, and relevance of the information that actors use to develop lines of action.  We will trace the effects that pragmatism and symbolic interaction ideas have had on social thought.  We will engage each of these goals through reading, writing, and speaking.

• I expect you to be in class.  Little symbolic interaction can occur between us if you are not.  To encourage class attendance I will distribute sign-in sheets on randomly selected days.  I will also pass out a sign-in sheet if one is requested by class members.  Attendance points will be levied based on your attendance on the days the sign in sheets are passed out.  

  • NOTE:  I understand that sometimes things come up in life.  As an adult you have to decide what in your life deserves attention at any given time.  I do not need to be informed of why you miss class (with the exception of missing an exam--See Below).  Excuses do not change the fact that you weren't here and therefore missed out on whatever we were discussing that day. 

• Arriving late to class, talking, reading the newspaper are not acceptable classroom behavior and are disrespectful to your instructor and other students who want to listen and learn.  ALL cell phones and pagers should be turned off before entering class. Similarly, if you are likely to have a regular problem with getting to class on time, please let me know in advance.  

• Also, all late work will be penalized.  If you are absent, you may email your writing assignments.  It is still due on the day of class.

• If you find yourself forced to miss either Exam 1 and Exam 2, you must submit your name, WKUID number and reason for missing the quiz in an email to me within one week of the missed quiz.  You will be permitted to take make up examinations on Friday, May 4 during the regular class period.  Friday, May 4 is the ONLY date for make-ups.  There is no makeup for the final exam.  

• The teacher reserves the right to alter these requirements based on class interest and needs (See my disclaimer at the end of the syllabus.).

Academic Honesty

All students are urged to review the material about these issues in both the Western catalog and Student Handbook.  Your work in this course is to be an original effort.  I expect that all work you turn in is your own and that you give credit for any material that you use from other sources.  If I discover work has been plagiarized from another source or if you hand in a project that is identical to another student’s in the first third of the course, you will receive a zero for that assignment.  If I discover plagiarized or identical work after the first third of the course, you will FAIL THE COURSE.

Writing Center -- The Writing Center offers individual conferences to assist writers with their assignments.  Drop by 123 Cherry Hall or call the Writing Center at 745-5719 with any questions or to make an appointment

Disability Services -- In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center.  Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

Texts:

O'Brien, Jodi. 2011. The Production of Reality: Essays and Readings on Social Interaction. Los Angeles: Pine Forge Press.

Course Requirements:

There will be 2 exams, 3 short papers, and a final exam in this class. Material for the exams will be taken from the textbook, lectures, films, and class discussion. The assignments are short (2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced).  They are either:  a) reactions to readings that I will make available or b) reactions to social experiments that we may try. This material will not be included on the quizzes or final.

The weighting is as follows:

Class Attendance and Participation 12.5%
2 Exams 25% (12.5% each)
3 Assignments 37.5% (12.5% each)
Comprehensive Final 25%

Grading Scale:

Tentative Course Schedule:

This is a general schedule of quiz dates, due dates for reaction papers, and readings to be done in preparation for class.

Finally, my standard disclaimer: