Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Society
Fall 2021

MWF 11:30 AM - 12:25 PM
GRISE HALL 130

Section 001
CRN: 10041

Douglas Clayton Smith
Professor of Sociology
131 Grise Hall WKU Office Phone:  (270) 745-3131 
Department of Sociology and Criminology Email:  Douglas.Smith@wku.edu
Western Kentucky University Personal Webpage:  people.wku.edu/Douglas.Smith/
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11057 Class Webpage: wku.blackboard.com
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1057  
Office Hours: I will be available Mondays and Wednesdays between 9:00--10:00AM and between 12:30--1:00PM or by appointment on Zoom.
WKU Catalog Description: Study of the leading developments of schools of sociological theory from Durkheim to the present. Prerequisites: Six hours of sociology

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

     This course is a survey of sociological theories and the people that crafted them. Most broadly understood, any social theory is a story about the nature of human relations--the structures and the processes that create those structures. Some theories are big, describing society and social relations from the dawn of the modern age until now, and other theories are smaller, examining how individual families or other small groups interact. Some theories are clearly more fleshed out than others; some have been told and retold by generations of scholars with each generation making changes to the story to better fit their own experiences. Still, each theory is an attempt to make sense of our society and our selves. 
    To the extent that each of us are sociologists, we are social theorists in our own right. So it is important to understand our place in the conversation about society. Which social theories do we believe most accurately present human relations? What corrections are needed? What contribution will we make to the story?
    We could start are examination of social theory at several different historical points. Some classes start by looking at social theories in the works of the Greeks and the Romans (Plato, Aristotle, etc.), some the Chinese (Confucius), and some with Arab scholars (Ibn Khaldun). In this course, we're going to start with the first two individuals (Saint-Simon and Comte) who coined the term sociology and go from there. We look back because knowing and understanding past theory is imperative for sociologically understanding current theories and present day events.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you should be able to: 

  1. Remember what theory is and how it is used as well as be able to remember a range of concepts related to many sociological theories.
  2. Understand the works of classical theorists such as Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, and their links more contemporary thinkers like Mannheim, Parsons, and Gramsci.  
  3. Apply key classical social theories to current social problems and issues and place them into the broader context of sociological theory.
  4. Understand, analyze and evaluate how theories are impacted by social and historical conditions. 

  5. Connect what you are learning with educational and career options.

REQUIRED MATERIAL:

Collins, Randall and Michael Makowsky.  2009. The Discovery of Society, 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill  

COURSE ORGANIZATION:

This 3-credit hour course will require approximately three hours of direct faculty instruction each week. In addition, you may expect to spend approximately six hours on out-of-class student work for this course each week for approximately 15 weeks. Out-of-class work may include but is not limited to: required reading, library research, written assignments, and studying for and taking exams. 
. 

EVALUATION AND GRADING:

Attendance.  I expect you to be in class. To encourage class attendance I will distribute sign-in sheets on randomly selected days. I will also pass out a sign-in sheet if it is requested by any class member.  Attendance points will be levied based on your attendance on the days the sign in sheets are passed out. This will account for 11% of your grade.

Exams.  There will be four exams. Material for these exams will be taken from the readings and the lectures. They will be cumulative exams. They will account for 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of your grade, respectively.

Photo-essays.  At the end of the first week I will place you into groups (A, B, or C).  Every three weeks you will be expected to produce and present a photo-essay.  A photo-essay is a collection of images that are stylistically or thematically unified to tell a story. It can be a linear or nonlinear story and can explore a wide variety of topics.  [For some more insight try https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-photo-essay#4-photo-essay-examples or https://digital-photography-school.com/5-photo-essay-tips/ or  https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/how-to-make-photo-essay-examples or ] The photo-essay will include the following:  eight (8) photographs representing a concept or theory that we have been discussing in class, a definition of the theory or concept, and an explanation what these photographs represent and how they exemplify the concept.  There will be three photo-essays in total for 30% of your grade (13% each photo-essay)

Group A photo essays will be due:  September 24, October 13, and November 5
Group B photo essays will be due:  October 1, October 22, and November 12
Group C photo essays will be due:  October 8, October 29, and November 19

WHEN

WHAT

ASSIGNMENT WEIGHT

During Week 4 (9/13 to 9/17)

Exam 1

5 percent of final grade

During Week 7-8 (10/8 to 10/13)

Exam 2

10 percent of final grade

During Week 12 (11/8 to 11/12)

Exam 3

15 percent of final grade

Week 16 (a.k.a. Finals week)

Exam 4

20 percent of final grade

GRADING SCALE:

90.0 to 100.0

A

80.0 to 89.9

B

70.0 to 79.9

C

60.0 to 69.9

D

Below 60

F

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE:

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

Week 1 Aug. 23

PART ONE:  THE EMERGENCE OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

  1. What is Sociological Theory and What Does It Do? 
Aug. 25 -- 27

  1. Early Visions

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 1. The Prophets of Paris:  Saint Simon and Comte, pp. 15-25.

Explore:

Auguste Comte (https://www.thoughtco.com/auguste-comte-3026485)

Auguste Comte (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhVamhT4Q3s -- focuses more on his religious aspects)

Week 2

Aug. 30 -- Sept. 1

  1. The Founding Mother of Sociology:  Harriet Martineau 

Read

Goodwin and Scimecca, Ch. 3.  Harriet Martineau, pp. 41-68 (On Blackboard)

Explore:  

Harriet Martineau (https://www.thoughtco.com/harriet-martineau-3026476)
Sept. 3

PART TWO:  THE CLASSICAL PERIOD:  SOCIOLOGY TAKES SHAPE

  1. Karl Marx:  Mode of Production and Class Struggle

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 2. Sociology in the Underground:  Karl Marx, pp. 26-47.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Manifesto of the Communist Party, "Section I:  Bourgeois and Proletarians (1848)"  (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch01.htm)

Karl Marx, "Preface to a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy (1859)" (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1859/critique-pol-economy/preface.htm)

Explore:  

Marx-Engels Internet Archive (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/index.htm)

Week 3

 Sept. 6

Labor Day (NO CLASS)

Sept. 8 -- Sept. 10

Karl Marx (continued)

Week 4

EXAM ONE THIS WEEK

Sept. 13

Karl Marx (continued)
 Sept. 15 -- Sept. 17

  1. Friedrich Nietzsche:  The Discovery of the Irrational and the Death of God

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 4:  Nietzsche's Madness, pp. 60-73.

Friedrich Nietzsche, "The Madman". pp. 129-131 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).

Explore:  

Nietzsche's Features (http://turn.to/nietzsche)

 

Week 5

Sept. 20 -- Sept. 24

  1. Social Darwinism, Evolutionism and Liberalism/Utilitarianism

Read:  

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 5:  Do-Gooders, Evolutionists, and Racists, pp. 74-90.

Herbert Spencer, "Progress:  Its Law and Cause." pp. 526-533 in Sociological Theory:  A Book of Readings, Lewis Coser and Bernard Rosenberg (eds.).

William Graham Sumner, "The Mores." pp. 85-87 in Sociological Theory:  A Book of Readings, Lewis Coser and Bernard Rosenberg (eds.).

Explore:  

Adam Ferguson (http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/ferguson.htm)

Adam Smith

The Adam Smith Page (http://www.utdallas.edu/~harpham/adam.htm)

Adam Smith Archive (http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/smith-adam/index.htm)

Jeremy Bentham (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/index.htm)

John Stuart Mill (http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/mill.htm)

Charles Darwin (http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/ph31d.htm#dw)

Herbert Spencer (http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/spencer.htm)

William Graham Sumner (http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/sumner.htm)

Week 6

Sept. 27

Social Darwinism, Evolutionism and Liberalism/Utilitarianism (continued)
Sept. 29 -- Oct. 1

  1. Emile Durkheim:  Social Solidarity and Anomie

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 6:  Dreyfus's Empire:  Emile Durkheim, pp. 91-104.

Emile Durkheim, "On Mechanical and Organic Solidarity" pp. 38-42 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).

Emile Durkheim  "What is a Social Fact?" from Rules of the Sociological Method (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/Durkheim/SOCFACT.HTML)

Emile Durkheim, "Suicide and Modernity" pp. 75-83 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).  

Emile Durkheim, "The Human Meaning of Religion" pp. 60-67 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).

Explore:  

The Emile Durkheim Archive (http://durkheim.itgo.com/main.html)

The Durkheim Page (http://www.hewett.norfolk.sch.uk/curric/soc/durkheim/durk.htm)

Week 7

Oct. 4 -- Oct. 6

Emile Durkheim:  Social Solidarity and Anomie (continued)
Oct. 8

  1. Max Weber:  Stratification, Power, and Change

Read:  
Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 7:  Max Weber:  The Disenchantment of the World, pp 105-126.
Max Weber, "'Objectivity' in Social Science" pp. 68-73 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).
Max Weber, "The Spirit of Capitalism." pp. 74-81 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).
Max Weber, "Bureaucracy."  pp. 82-87 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).
Max Weber, "The Nature of Charismatic Domination." pp. 88-94 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).
Max Weber, "Class, Status, and Party."  pp. 95-100 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).
Explore:  
Verstehen:  Max Weber's Homepage (http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/~felwell/Theorists/Weber/Whome.htm)
Max Weber (http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/weber.htm)
Max Weber (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/#weber)

Week 8

EXAM TWO THIS WEEK

Oct. 11 -- Oct. 13

Max Weber:  Stratification, Power, and Change (continued)
Oct. 15

FALL BREAK (NO CLASS)

Week 9 

Oct. 18

Max Weber:  Stratification, Power, and Change (continued)
Oct. 20 -- Oct. 22

  1. Georg Simmel and Sigmund Freud 

Read:
Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 9: Simmel, pp. 142-145
Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 8:  Sigmund Freud:  Conquistador of the Irrational, pp. 127-141.

Georg Simmel, "The Problem of Sociology" pp. 107-113 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).

Georg Simmel, "Conflict as Sociation" (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/Simmel/SOCIAT.HTML)

Georg Simmel, "The Stranger" (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/Simmel/STRANGER.HTML)

Sigmund Freud, "The Psychical Apparatus and the Theory of Instincts."  pp. 126-130 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).  
Sigmund Freud, "Civilization and Its Discontents" pp. 138-145 in Social Theory:  Roots and Branches, Peter Kivisto (ed.).
Sigmund Freud, "Civilization and the Individual" pp. 145-148 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).  
Explore:

Georg Simmel Online (http://socio.ch/sim/index_sim.htm#e)

Freud (http://www.educationalpsychology.net/resources/educational-psychology-guide-to-freudian-psychology/)

Week 10

 Oct. 25 -- Oct. 27

PART THREE:  EARLY AMERICAN SOCIOLOGY

  1. Pragmatism and Symbolic Interaction

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 9:  The Discovery of the Invisible World:  Cooley, and Mead, pp. 145-159.

Charles Horton Cooley, "The Looking-Glass Self" (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/Cooley/LKGLSSLF.HTML)

George Herbert Mead, "Mind, Self, and Society" (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/Mead/MINDSELF.HTML)

Explore:  

Explore:  The Mead Project (http://spartan.ac.brocku.ca/~lward/)

Oct. 29

  1. W.E.B. Du Bois and the Atlanta School

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 11:  The Emergence of African-American Sociology:  DuBois, Frazier, Drake, and Clayton, pp. 169-182.

W.E.B. DuBois, "Black Reconstruction and the Racial Wage" pp. 238-241 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

W.E.B. DuBois, "Double-Consciousness and the Veil."  pp. 162-168 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Explore:

W.E.B. DuBois (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/#dubois)

Week 11

 Nov. 1 

W.E.B. Du Bois and the Atlanta School (continued)

Nov. 3 -- Nov. 5

  1. The Chicago School

Read:  

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 10:  The Discovery of the Ordinary World:  Thomas, Park, and the Chicago School, pp. 160-168.

Robert E. Park, Ernest W. Burgess, and Roderick D. McKenzie, "The Growth of the City:  An Introduction to a Research Project".

W.I. Thomas, "Disorganization of the Polish Immigrant" pp. 247-253 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).  

Frederic M. Thrasher, "Personality and Status Within the Gang"  pp. 253-255 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).  

Blumer, "Society as Symbolic Interactionism"  pp. 351-358 in Readings in Social Theory:  The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism, Farganis (ed.)

Explore:

Robert Park (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/#park)

W.I. Thomas (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/#thomas)

Week 12

EXAM THREE THIS WEEK

Nov. 8 -- Nov. 12

PART FOUR:  EUROPEAN CRITICAL THEORY DEVELOPMENT

  1. Meanwhile Back in Europe...Developments in Critical Theory

Read:

Mann, Ch. 3: The Debate over Materialism, pp. 63-80. (on Blackboard)

Week 13

Nov. 15 -- Nov. 19

PART FIVE:  MID-CENTURY AMERICAN SOCIAL THEORY

  1. The Development of Modern Structural Functionalism

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 12:  The Construction of the Social System:  Pareto and Parsons, pp. 183-196.

Parsons, "The Unit Act of Action Systems."  pp. 208-211 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Parsons, "Action Systems and Social Systems." pp. 297-299 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Parsons, "Sex Roles in the American Kinship System."  pp. 300-304 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Merton, "Manifest and Latent Functions."  pp. 304-309 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Explore:

Vilfredo Pareto (http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/DSS/#pareto)

Vilfredo Pareto (http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/pareto.htm)

The Talcott Parsons Page (http://www.hewett.norfolk.sch.uk/curric/soc/PARSONS/Parsons.htm)
Week 14 Nov. 22

  1. Sociological Theory and the Effects of the Second World War

Read:

Collins and Makowsky, Ch. 13:  Hitler's Shadow:  Michels, Mannheim, and Mills, pp. 197-218.

Mannheim, "The Sociology of Knowledge and Ideology." pp. 213-217 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Mills, "The Sociological Imagination."  pp. 348-352 in Social Theory:  The Multicultural and Classic Readings, Charles Lemert (ed.).

Lazarsfeld, "Relations between Methodology and Social Theory" pp. 260-263 in On Social Research and Its Language.  

Explore:

C. Wright Mills Homepage (http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/~felwell/Theorists/Mills/)
Nov. 24 -- Nov. 26

THANKSGIVING BREAK (NO CLASS)

Week 15

Nov. 29 -- Dec. 3

Sociological Theory and the Effects of the Second World War (continued)

Finals Week

FINAL EXAM THIS WEEK

Dec. 6 -- Dec. 10

 

COURSE NORMS:

I expect you to respect one another. We are all Hilltoppers. We take care of one another, our hill, our community, and beyond. Everybody is trying to understand this material and how it fits with their values and experiences. Give folks time to process. Each of us may have strongly differing opinions on the various topics of class discussions. Diverse ideas and views are important to the class, and the orderly questioning of others' ideas, including mine, is encouraged and welcomed. Everyone's arguments can use polish. The only way we improve is by continuously re-examining our evidence and our argument. However, it is imperative that everyone be respectful of the each other. Couch your feedback to try to help the others understand. Focus on the evidence and argument presented, not the speaker's personal characteristics. You should expect that if your conduct during discussions seriously disrupts the atmosphere of mutual respect I expect in this class, you will not be permitted to participate further.

Please do not wait until the end of the semester to seek assistance when you are having difficulties with the course. Please use my office hours or contact me to arrange a time to meet. I am more than willing to arrange a time that works for both of us. Given the current pandemic, I will only be on campus on MWF mornings. The best way to reach me will be email. Please put your name and the course number in the subject line of the email. I'll try to respond within 24 hours. 

If you prefer to be called a different name than what is indicated on the class roster, please let me know. Also, feel free to correct me on your preferred gender pronoun. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The United States Department of Education requires WKU's Office of Financial Aid to determine if a student who receives financial aid and fails to earn a passing grade in a course actually attended and/or completed the course. If you earn an F, your last date of attendance will be reported to the United Stated Department of Education. If this date is at or before the 60% point of the term (in this semester, October 27), this may require you to pay back any financial aid funds received for this course.

All students are strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Out of respect for the health and safety of the WKU community and in adherence with CDC guidelines and practices of all public universities and colleges in Kentucky, the University requires that a cloth face covering (reusable or disposable) that covers both the nose and mouth must be worn at all times when in public areas within all buildings. Students must properly wear face coverings while in class regardless of the room size or the nature of the classroom activities. Students who fail to wear a face covering as required will be in violation of the WKU Student Code of Conduct and will be asked to comply or will face disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from the University. Accommodations can be requested in special cases through the Student Accessibility and Resource Center (SARC): 270-745-5004 (voice), 270-745-3030 (TTY), or 270-288-0597 (video).  

 

All students must immediately report a positive Covid-19 test result or close contact with a person who has tested positive to the Covid-19 Assistance Line at 270-745-2019. The assistance line is available to answer questions regarding any Covid-19 related issue. This guidance is subject to change based on requirements set forth by public health agencies or the office of the governor. Please refer to the Healthy on the Hill website for the most current information. www.wku.edu/healthyonthehill  

RESOURCE INFORMATION:

WKU Writing Center 

The Writing Center on the Bowling Green campus will have writing tutors available to offer advice to current WKU students on any stage of their writing projects. In-person tutoring is available in Cherry Hall 123 from 9-4 Monday through Friday and in the Cravens Commons (at the horseshoe-shaped reference desk) from 5-9 on Sunday through Thursday evenings. Students may also request feedback on their writing via email or arrange a real-time Zoom conference to discuss a paper. See instructions and how-to videos on the website (www.wku.edu/writingcenter) for making appointments. Walk-in feedback is available unless we are booked up. Students may also get short writing questions answered via email; just put “Quick question” in the subject line to (writingcenter@wku.edu).  

The WKU Glasgow START Center/Writing Center will be offering writing tutoring sessions as well as in person. More information on how to make appointments and what to expect from your appointment will continue to be posted at https://www.wku.edu/startcenter/. 

ADA Accommodation

In compliance with University policy, students with disabilities who require academic and/or auxiliary accommodations for this course must contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center located in Downing Student Union, Room 1074.  The SARC can be reached by phone number at 270-745-5004 [270-745-3030 TTY] or via email at sarc.connect@wku.edu. Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a faculty notification letter (FNL) from The Student Accessibility Resource Center.

Title IX/Discrimination and Harassment

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to supporting faculty, staff and students by upholding WKU’s Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (#0.070) and Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040). Under these policies, discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct based on sex/gender are prohibited. If you experience an incident of sex/gender-based discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to report it to the Title IX Coordinator, Deborah Wilkins, 270-745-5398 or Title IX Investigators, Michael Crowe, 270-745-5429 or Joshua Hayes, 270-745-5121. Please note that while you may report an incident of sex/gender based discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct to a faculty member, WKU faculty are “Responsible Employees” of the University and MUST report what you share to WKU’s Title IX Coordinator or Title IX Investigator. If you would like to speak with someone who may be able to afford you confidentiality, you may contact WKU’s Counseling and Testing Center at 270-745-3159.

 

Help

College students often experience challenges that may interfere with academic success such as stress, sleep problems, juggling responsibilities, life events, relationship concerns, or feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or depression. The pandemic has only exacerbated these issues. If you, or a friend, is struggling, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Helpful, effective resources are available on campus at no additional cost.
If you are struggling academically with this class, please visit me during office hours or contact me by email at douglas.smith@wku.edu
Meet with your academic advisor if you are struggling academically in multiple classes, unsure whether you are making the most of your time at WKU, or unsure what academic resources are available at WKU.
Visit the Counseling Center website at https://www.wku.edu/heretohelp/ for information about the broad range of confidential on-campus mental health services, online health assessments, hours, and additional information.
Call the Counseling Center at (270) 745-3159 if interested in scheduling an appointment with a counselor. After-hours crisis support is also available through this phone number.

 

WKU Food Pantry

The WKU Office of Sustainability offers non-perishable food and toiletries to all WKU students, faculty, and staff. No proof of need is necessary. The only requirement to use the pantry is completion of a digital form.  All information is kept confidential and is used solely to track pantry usage statistics. The Food Pantry is located at the WKU Office of Sustainability, 503 Regents Avenue--diagonally behind Gary Ransdell Hall in a small brick house). For schedule and details, please see https://www.wku.edu/sustainability/food_pantry.php.

 

Other Important Information

WKU maintains a web page with other important information here: https://www.wku.edu/syllabusinfo/.  This page details the student complaint procedure, lists the student ombudsperson, provides info on active shooter preparedness, and many other important topics.  Please go take a look. 

SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY:

The syllabus for any class is a road map. The readings in the course calendar are places we are scheduled to visit.  Anyone who has taken a preplanned road trip or vacation knows that the trip is not fun unless you stop at the interesting roadside attractions even though they might divert from your original route or time table.  It's the process of getting there that is fun and relaxing and intriguing.  In that light, I reserve the right to alter the standards and requirements set forth in this syllabus at any time. Notice of such changes will be by announcement on Blackboard and/or by email notice.

ADD/DROP DATES:

Last day to add a full semester class: Monday, August 30

Last day to drop a full semester class without receiving a grade: Monday, August 30.

Last day to receive any refund for the Fall semester: Monday, September 13.

The 60% point of the Fall semester: Wednesday, October 27.  

Last day to drop a class with a W: Monday, November 1

Last day to remove an incomplete from Spring or Summer terms: Friday, November 12

Roster freeze date (No late adds or withdrawals for extenuating circumstances will be processed after this date): Friday, December 3

HONOR CODE: 

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. Persons violating the Student Code of Conduct (in particular but not limited to the section on academic conduct) in any assignment or exam in this class will receive a minimum penalty of a grade of zero (0) for the assignment, and may receive an "F" for the course at the instructor’s option.  In particular, no form of academic misconduct will be tolerated (see https://www.wku.edu/studentconduct/process-for-academic-dishonesty.php.) Know your Regulations!