HOLYOKECOMMUNITY COLLEGE

Holyoke, MA.  01040

Soc. 213-70 – Urban Sociology  DL                               Summer, Semester,2010

Prof. Bob. Riedl, MUA.                                                    Office: FR. 160

                                                                                            Tel. # 413-552-2286

SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A sociological examination of urban phenomena around the world, with special emphasis upon urban conditions in the United States.  Particular attention is given to the urban revolution, the nature of the city, the history of urban developments spatial and physic aspect of the urban environment, urban social structure, urban institutions, and urban social problems.

Prerequisite: Soc. 110

TEXT:

Cities, Change& Conflict,  A Political Economy of Urban Life, Nancy Kleniewski, 3^rdEdition, Thomson/Wadsworth, Belmont, CA., 2006.

SUPPLEMENT MATERIAL

When Heart Turns Rock Solid , Timothy Black,  Pantheon, 2009.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

·        Students will explore urban issues within the human ecology and political economy paradigms, which will encourage them to apply theories to issues and compare theoretical approaches.

·        Students will investigate urban issues directly related to government policy.

·        Students will examine an interdisciplinary approach to urban issues, in order to grasp the multifaceted nature of urban issues and the complementary approaches of the different disciplines.

·        Students will be work with recent research and writings to assist them in locating and following debates and research in the field.

ASSESSMENT:

Each student will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the functions, challenges, and demands made on cities around the world. Each student will be required to follow the weekly schedule and do all the assignments for that week.  The assignments are to be sent to the instructor as an attachment using the WebCt’s - E-mail function.  All assignments must be received no later than Thurs. at 12:00pm (noon). The instructor will notify students of any changes in assignments or timelines.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

Online homework in the form of online discussions, and written assignments are outlined in the weekly topics and assignments schedule, and the student must send the homework as an attachment to the WebCT- E-mail function no later than Thursday at 12:00pm (noon).  The instructor will respond to all student answers through the student’s private WebCT-E-mail no later than the following Friday by 4:00PM

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Students must submit all the assignments as shown in the weekly topics and assignments and send them to the instructor as stated in the method of instructions.  Student’s who do not send completed homework for the first two (2) weeks of class will be given an Administrative Withdrawal from the Course for Excessive Absences (AW grade). An (AW grade) is not calculated into the GPA and may not be removed by a student’s later attempt to withdraw from the course. Students who do not complete all assignments and send them to the instructor by Noontime (12:00PM) the last day of classes will be given an F grade. 

METHOD OF EVALUATION:

·        Online Exercises – 10 points each x 7wks. –                        70 pts.

·        Student Group Discussions – 2.85 points each x 7wks.  –  20 pts

·        Book Review ––                                                                         10 pts.

·        Total ________________________________________  100pts. 

                                                                                                                          COURSE GRADING BREAKDOWN:

Letter Grade:       Points

·        A                   93-100

·        B+                 87-89

·        B                   83-86

·        B-                 80-82

·        C+                77-79

·        C                  73-76

·        C-                 70-72

·        D+                67-69

·        D                  63-66

·        D-                 60-62

·        F                   0-59

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY:

Students are required to read and comply with the College’s Academic Integrity Policy and the Code of Conduct, which can be found in the Student Handbook and on the E-Institute Homepage (this policy will be strictly enforced).

OFFICE HOURS: 

Students may email the instructor through the course email (WebCT) with questions/concerns. The instructor will respond within 24 hours of receipt exclusive of weekends.  NOTE:  The instructor will NOT be online from Friday 4:00 p.m. until Monday, 10:00 a.m.