American Society and Politics

General objectives

This course can be viewed in several different ways. It can serve as a sociological introduction to American studies. Or as an introduction to political sociology -- to the sociological study of American politics as well as the study of the political influences on social structure and institutions in the United States.

The emphasis of the course is on broad conceptual and interpretative questions. In one sense, the aim is to help you become fluent in the language and theories that sociologists, political scientists, and historians use to analyze American society and politics -- and to help you advance and refine your own thinking about these questions.

Requirements and Grading

Showing up, doing the reading, and participating in class and precept are the basics. The following gives the relative weight to the various elements that go into the grades.

1. Midterm Exam: 20%. A list of five possible essay questions for the midterm will be distributed one week in advance. The exam itself will consist of two of those questions and need to be written in class, without books or notes.

2. Final Exam: 30%. The final exam will cover the entire course, weighted somewhat to the second half. The questions will not be distributed in advance, but you can bring your own personal notes on readings and lectures to the exam.

3. Papers: 30%. During the semester, you will be asked to write--and to present in precept--four short papers (1,000-1,250 words, or about 5 pages each), plus three one- or two-paragraph responses to readings. These papers and reading responses will be scheduled so as to be spread over the semester. For more information about these assignments, see "Writing Assignments for Sociology 201" (in Assignments).

4. Oral Participation and Presentations: 20%.

Precepts are a great opportunity to give your own perspective on the topics we're addressing and the material we're reading, to hear what other students have to say, and to raise questions not just for the preceptor but for the whole group. Besides joining in the general discussion, students will have one of three roles at every precept:

* You may be presenting a short paper on the assigned topic that week.
* You may be due to give a response to the readings.
* Or, if neither of the first two applies, you'll be expected to respond to other students' papers or comments on the readings.

Whenever you have a paper or response to present, be sure to bring a copy to class. The oral participation grade will reflect all of your contributions to precept (as well as regular class) discussions.

Readings

All readings are available for free in one of three forms: 1) regular reserve at Firestone Library; (2) electronic reserves, or (3) through a direct hyperlink from the online reading list at Blackboard.


When you see before a reading on the (online) syllabus, that means you can just click through to it from whatever computer on campus you are using, and either read it directly on the screen or print it out.

When you see before a reading, you can find it in e-Reserves on Blackboard.

In some cases, where readings have been trimmed, the E-Reserves may include pages that are no longer required. Please check the syllabus for the pages that are actually required.

In addition, several books may be purchased at Labyrinth Books. Thanks to e-reserves, there is no longer a course packet.

If you discover that a reading is not available, please notify Professor Starr as soon as possible.