Special NeedsRequirements, Grade Percentages, and Key DatesNumber of points needed to obtain letter grades:Descriptions of AssignmentsOn-line QuizzesExamsSupplement to book: The Gay Guide to Wedded Bliss – from The Atlantic magazine.AMERICAN FAMILY: CHANGE AND DIVERSITY Sociology 112, Section 1 with Dr. Maria SchmeeckleFall 2013, Illinois State UniversityTuesdays and Thursdays, 3:35-4:50pm, EDW 235Course SyllabusProfessor informationDr. Maria Schmeeckle, Associate Professor of Sociology (please call me Maria)Schroeder 348, (309) 438-2932, [email protected] Hours: Mondays from 12:00-2:00pm, Thursdays from 10:00-11:00am, & by appointmentTeaching AssistantsGraduate Assistant: Shikshya Adhikari [email protected] (Office hours by appointment)Undergraduate Teaching Assistant: Debi Blaskie [email protected] Teaching Assistant: Chelsey Bozarth [email protected] Teaching Assistant: Diana Davellis [email protected] Teaching Assistant: Eddie Morrissey [email protected] Readings (also on reserve at Milner Library reserve desk)Risman, Barbara (Ed.) (2010). Families as they really are. NY: W. W. Norton & Co.Additional articles, films, and media clips will be assigned and made available.Course GoalsPlease see the welcome sheet (given out on the first day of class and also available in Reggienet) for a diagram of the overall goals and outcomes we are working toward in this course.What I expect of you: I expect that you are here to learn, and that you will bring an open, curious, and discerning attitude to our course and activities. I expect you to be willing to add comments occasionally in class, to help foster interaction and understanding. I expect that you will treat your classmates with respect, and that you will show respect for the learning environment in class. This includes remaining quiet until the end of class time at 4:50. I expect you to be proactive when you need help, reaching out to me and the teaching assistants. I expect you to take responsibility for knowing when assignments are due and what is assigned on the syllabus.You can expect that I will:be cheerful and energetic, try my best to treat you as I would like to be treated, encourage you to reach beyond your comfort zone, think of you as whole persons and not just intellectual beings, foster an interactive classroom, and believe in your potential for achievement.Minimizing Distractions in ClassStudents often share with me that it is very distracting for them when their classmates talk, text, look at Facebook, or surf the Internet during class. To minimize this, we will adopt a “3 strikes” 1rule. Students may report to me being distracted by others which will count as a “strike.” If we get to 3 strikes, I will require all students to discontinue using their electronic devices in class. Another common distraction is rustling in the seats before the end of class time. Please make an effort to remain focused and quiet until the end of class time at 4:50pm.Academic HonestyStudents are expected to be academically honest at all times. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Make sure you are acquainted with University policies on academic dishonesty, published in the University catalog and student handbook.Special NeedsStudents who need special accommodations in order to participate in the course should contact the office of Disability Concerns. The phone number there is (309) 438-5853.Students who need extra help with study skills, reading comprehension, and paper writing can gofor extra help to the Julia N. Visor Academic Center, located in the Vrooman Center between Manchester and Hewett Halls. The Visor Center web site is at http://www.ucollege.ilstu.edu/tutoring/, and the phone number is (309) 438-7100. I will also assist you in building your skills if you visit me during office hours.Requirements, Grade Percentages, and Key DatesName of Assignment % of Grade Date Due # PointsOn-line Quizzes (best 10 out of 11) 18.2 see syllabus timeline 100Activity Points 9.1 see syllabus description & timeline 50+Exams (4, but 1 is dropped: 3@ 18% each) 54.5 9/24, 10/22, 11/19, Final TBA 300Family Generations Project 18.2 you’ll choose from options 100 550 totalNumber of points needed to obtain letter grades:A = 495 or above B = 440-494 C = 385-439 D = 330-384 F = under 330Note: All students must take the final exam. There are no makeup exams. Of the first three exams, you can drop your lowest score or not take one of them. Do not skip an exam lightly, because you never know when the unexpected might occur later in the semester.If you need to miss classBeing in class is very important and will greatly assist you in mastering course material. If you are sick or need to miss for some reason, I encourage you to make an effort to find out what you missed. I will post the slides from class within 24 hours after class time, to assist you. In addition, I encourage you to help one another with notes from class. You do not need to e-mail me to let me know if you have to miss class. If you have a specific question, please use the e-mail etiquette, detailed next.E-mail etiquetteIt is difficult to assist students when they do not sign their names or indicate what class they are in with me. Here are some guidelines to help you communicate with me or the teaching assistants by e-mail: 21. Write from your ISU e-mail address. 2. Please call me/us by name. (For example, I like to be called Maria. If you’re not comfortable with that, I would prefer that you call me Dr. Schmeeckle rather than just saying “Hey.”) 3. Indicate what class you’re in with me (I teach more than one course, so this helps me understand where you’re coming from). 4. Write professionally. 5. Close by signing your name. (These suggestions may sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how often they are not followed.) If your e-mail requires a complex or long answer, I’ll suggest that you make an appointment or come to see me in office hours. Thank you for aiding communication by following these guidelines.Descriptions of AssignmentsOn-line QuizzesThe goal of the quizzes is to give you a structure that helps you keep up with the reading, and a way to alert you to areas needing more work. There will be 11 on-line quizzes across the semester, each worth 10 points. Quizzes are based on