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Contact Information:
Required Texts:
Lenski, G. 2005. Ecological-Evolutionary
Theory: Principles and Applications. Boulder: Paradigm.
Elwell, F.
2013. Sociocultural Systems: Principles
of Structure and Change. Canada: Athabasca University Press.
Heinberg, R. 2011. The End of Growth:
Adapting to Our New Economic Reality. Canada: New Society Publishers.
Important Notice: E-mail communications with students will only be through the RSU student e-mail system. Students are responsible for checking their RSU student accounts on a regular basis.
Catalog Description:
The study of complex and varied patterns of interaction between people and the
environment with special attention to concepts, concerns, and methods of
Environmental Studies.
This course is a requirement in the Environmental Studies Option of the BSSS,
and an elective in the Sociology Option as well as in a Sociology Minor. The
course can also be used as "Social Science Elective Credit" in any of the BSSS
Options, the BALA Liberal Arts Electives Option taken in lieu of a minor, or for
straight elective credit in any program. The course is also recommended for
anyone interested in sociocultural evolution.
Course Objectives:
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 Kendra Cagle, Coordinator of Student Disability Services
at Rogers State University, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017 or
918-343-6828. Rogers
State University, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017 or
918-343-6828.
Work Required & Grading:
Students should have the indicated units (see below) completed by the
examination dates. Completion of the unit means doing all required reading and
participating in class discussions.
This course is quite demanding and requires higher order skills of synthesis,
critical thinking, and integration. The vocabulary words are measuring the far
more basic skill of memorization. While most undergraduates are good at it (and
thus it boosts many grades), there are a few in every class who struggle with it
(I was never very good at it either). For students like us it takes discipline,
repetition, and actual use to finally sink in. I suggest handwritten flash cards
to people who are in our predicament. I should add that in addition to boosting
grades mastering the vocabulary is really the first step in mastering a subject
area—it can only help you in the rest of the course (and in life itself).
For help in completing writing assignments in this class I highly recommend that
you visit the RSU Writing Center in Baird Hall 206.
The essay and short answer questions on your exams are questions that are
designed to do the following:
Exams:
There will be three exams given in class on the days indicated unless other
arrangements have been made. For the short-answer questions you must address the
question specifically and in accordance with your readings. For the essays,
you must do more than simply answer the questions, you must demonstrate to me
that you have actively read and mastered the material. It is expected that you
will answer these questions in considerably more detail. The final exam will
be in the same format, and will be given on Thursday, May 9 at 9:30 am in PH
203.
Grading:
As stated above, there will be three unit examinations in this class each worth
100 points. In addition you are to turn in your completed Study Guide essays and
short-answers by the day of each exam; at 100 points each these assignments are
worth a total of 300 points as well. Finally, you will have 10 vocabulary
quizzes worth a total of 100 total points:
Final grades will be based on the percentage of points earned:
All exams and written assignments are graded in accordance with the standards
explained on the attached
Grading Rubric.
Make-up Policy: The student must have a valid excuse for missing an exam.
Arrangements must be made to take the make-up at the end of the semester during
Finals Week.
Student Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):
I know that this seems like a significant amount of work. This is not an easy
class. But if you are of average intelligence, have some interest in social
issues, and have a good work ethic ("Life is easier when you work hard.") you
will do fine. So that this is clearly understood I ask each of you to print,
sign, and turn in the
Student MOU. Course Outline: Directed studies students will do two 7 to 8 page book reviews on two of the four books in the course, one for the mid-term and one for the final. Directions for this Review will be emailed to students the first week of class.
The course and reading assignments are in two
parts, with an examination at the end of each unit:
Unit 2: Hyper-Industrial Societies.
Attendance:
Both physical and mental attendance should be regular. Traditional lecture
material is presented off of this web site. Class time will be spent in
discussion, occasional presentations, and perhaps the viewing of films. To take
full advantage of this class (and to get a passing grade) you should attend all
scheduled class meetings. Inappropriate classroom behavior (sleeping, talking,
and other disruptive behavior) will be cause for dismissal from the classroom.
This is a blended course. It is important that you attend both physically and
mentally. Studying the texts and the lecture/ presentations are key.
Inappropriate classroom behavior will cause you to be dismissed from the class.
Academic Integrity:
By signing your name to a test or paper you are indicating that the work is
yours and yours alone. Any academic cheating will result in failure of the
course. "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" (Office of Academic Affairs,
Rogers State University). One of the social problems that appears to be on the
rise in American society is academic dishonesty. Don't do it!
Classroom Organization:
Much of the class will be given over to informed discussion. You should begin
your reading immediately, in the order stated below. In addition, you should go
through the "Introduction" and the "World Problems" class presentations by the
second meeting. I will keep you informed in class (or more likely through
e-mail) of the specific due dates of your reading assignments. While the
occasional articles I will send through e-mail are usually optional, reading
them will help you master class material. Class discussion will often center on
the required readings and the instructor presentations. It is therefore
imperative that all assigned reading be done in a timely fashion.
A Final Point:
You are encouraged to ask questions on the readings either in class or through
e-mail. It is not expected that you will always agree with the perspectives of
the instructor or the authors of other texts. As have all human beings we have
been influenced by the values of our society as well as our roles in various
social structures. However, it is the duty of the social scientist to
acknowledge these influences and attempt to minimize their effects upon social
analysis. Should the resulting analyses be counter to your perceptions,
challenge them on the basis of empirical fact, logic, and reason--not ideology,
prejudice, wishful thinking, or "politically correct" assertions. The goal of
this course is for you to develop your own critical thought processes and world
view, not for you to blindly accept any one perspective.
*Any royalties earned from the sale of my books at the Rogers State University Bookstore will be donated to the RSU Foundation and be used to strengthen the Liberal Arts. |