Douglas Smith, Western Kentucky University / USA

Sociology 245

Fall 2013

CRN 37616

Grise Hall 134

TR 9:35-10:55

Professor:

Douglas Smith

126 Grise Hall

Department of Sociology

Western Kentucky University

Honor Code:

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct published in the Western Kentucky Undergraduate Catalogue, p. 327-331. 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 cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated (see page 339 for details; if you wish further clarification consult the course website or the instructor.) Know your Regulations!

Classroom Norms:

• • I expect you to be in class. Little 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. o 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. Excuses do not change the fact that you weren't here and therefore missed out on whatever we were discussing that day.
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• • 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 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.
• • Late assignments will not be accepted without penalty unless accompanied by a doctor's excuse or another form of official documentation of an emergency. Assignments will be submitted through Blackboard, so if you are absent, you can still submit your assignments. They are still due on the day of class. If you are anticipating: computer glitches, extremely tight pants, being the victim

• of street crime, bad planning, a Senate filibuster, embarrassing messages from "Mom" on your Facebook, animal attacks, hurtful comments by close friends, good lovin' gone bad, terrorism, a disappointing credit report, seeing your new brother-in-law on Cops, Cheaters, or Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, being struck by space junk or trapped under an impenetrable dome, unforseen cataclysmic acts of God, fear of intimacy, sequestration, rural rebound, inflammation due to chronic dry ere, urban malaise, a Christmas stocking full of coleslaw, funding cuts to higher education, a date ending in an interview by Chris Hansen, the paralysis of analysis, rude tweets, demonic possession, trouble with your Toyota accelerator, loss of hope in your audacity, a pants haunting lasting more than four hours, the debilitating shame of buying a Justin Bieber CD, the release of Diablo III, undergoing enhanced interrogation techniques, dating a Kardasian, PTSD from Miley Cyrus twerking it, losing your sociology mojo, vigilante justice, the total destruction of Galador, or anything else that might interfere with your assignment writing, get it in early!
• • The teacher reserves the right to alter these requirements based on class interest and needs (See my disclaimer at the end of the syllabus.).

Required Course Materials:

Grazian, David. 2010. Mix It Up: Popular Culture, Mass Media, and Society. New York: W.W. Norton. (NOTE: I got this ordered late, so I'll post section on the Blackboard until folks have a chance to get their copy.).

Additional reading material will be posted on the Blackboard website for this course. Follow the course outline to know which articles you need to read for which class meetings.

Course Requirements:

There will be 2 exams, 3 assignments, and a final exam in this class. Material for the exams will be taken from the textbook, lectures, films, and class discussion.

The weighting is as follows:

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

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Rockwell, 12