1
Soc 377: A1 Sociology of Youth Fall 2018
MWF 3:00-3:50 T B 87
Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey Brassard Office: SJC 0-10
Office Hours: Wednesdays 13:00-14:00 Email: [email protected]
COURSE PREREQUISITE:
This course has no prerequisites COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The comparative analysis of youth in various types of societies, with special emphasis on Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom including investigation of social structures and processes influencing the behaviour of young people.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the term you should be able to
• Describe the role “youth” plays in structuring social expectations and experiences
• Describe major historical and contemporary sociological concepts and theories that apply to studies of youth
• Discuss the impact of families, education, work, sexuality, peers, crime, religion, health, and technology on the lives of young people.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Postman, Neil. 1994. The Disappearance of Childhood. REP edition. New York: Vintage.
Tyyskä, Vappu. 2014. Youth and Society, 3rd Edition: The Long and Winding Road. 3 edition.
Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
2 Midterm 1 33.3% October 5th
Midterm 2 33.3% October 31st
Final Exam 33.4% Tentative date December 20th 9:00 EXPLANATORY NOTE ON COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Each of the exams will cover one third of the course material. Exams will be made up of 30 multiple choice questions and 4-5 short answer questions. Sample questions will be discussed in the class prior to the exam.
GRADING:
Marks for graded course requirements are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from all graded components produces the final letter grade for the course. Marks for grades are not curved or scaled.
Letter % Pts Descriptor
A+ 95-100 4.0
Excellent
A 90-94 4.0
A- 85-89 3.7
B+ 80-84 3.3
Good
B 75-79 3.0
B- 70-74 2.7
C+ 66-69 2.3
Satisfactory
C 62-65 2.0
C- 58-61 1.7
D+ 54-57 1.3 Poor
D 50-53 1.0 Minimal Pass
F 0-49 0.0 Fail
ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND MISSED GRADE COMPONENTS:
3 Since presence at lectures, participation in classroom discussions and projects, and the completion of assignments are important components of most courses, students will serve their interests best by regular attendance. Those who choose not to attend must assume whatever risks are involved.
Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the Attendance section of the University Calendar.
Absence from Term Work
Students are required to contact me within two working days following the missed exam or term work (or as soon as you are able, with regard to the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence. Excused absences are not automatic and are at my discretion. Below is a list of acceptable documentation to support an absence:
• For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:
o “University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents).
o “Medical Declaration Form for Students" (for Faculty of Arts students).
o Statutory Declaration" (for students in Faculties other than Arts, to be obtained from home Faculty or the Office of the Registrar).
• For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit documentation appropriate to the situation. This could include the following:
o For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate o For a religious conflict – a letter from the church or pastor o For a car accident – a copy of the accident report
o For other serious afflictions – consult the Instructor or Department about appropriate documents
Policy for Missed Term Exams:
Students who have an excused absence from a mid-term will be required to write a make-up exam. For a make-up exam, the student is required to write an equivalent exam at a time set by the instructor. If the student does not write the assigned make-up exam at the prescribed time, a raw score of zero will be assigned for the missed term exam
Absence from Final Exam
A student who has missed a final exam because of incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and
4 Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief) may apply for a deferred exam. Where the cause is incapacitating mental and/or physical illness and most other cases including severe domestic affliction, a student must present supporting documentation pertaining to the absence to their Faculty office within two working days following the scheduled date of the exam missed, or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstances underlying the absence.
I cannot approve or deny requests for deferred final exams. Refer to the Absence from Final Exams information provided in the Attendance section of the University Calendar for full details.
Date of Deferred Final Exam: Students approved for a deferred final exam will write on Saturday January 12, 2019 at 9:00am in BUS 1-10
ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES:
If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered with Accessibility Resources contact their office immediately (1-80 SUB; Email [email protected];
phone 780-492-3381).
LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. The Department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:
• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or
• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the Office of the Student Ombuds . Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL.
REQUIRED NOTES:
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”
5 Audio or Video Recording
“Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the Instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or Instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).”
Course Outline Policy
"Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar."
LECTURE SCHEDULE:
Tentative Subject and Reading outline (subject to change)
Date
Topic Reading
Sept. 5
And so it begins… (Course Introduction) No readings
Sept. 7
Establishing concepts Tyyskä Chapter 1
Sept. 10
Concepts and theories Tyyskä Chapter 1
Sept. 12
History of Childhood and Youth #1 Postman Intro, Chapter 1&2
Sept. 14History of Childhood and Youth #2 Postman Chapter 3&4
Sept. 17History of Childhood and Youth #3 Tyyskä Chapter 2
Sept. 19History of Childhood and Youth #4 Tyyskä Chapter 2
Sept. 21
Families and Socialization #1 Tyyskä Chapter 3
Sept. 24
Families and Socialization #2 Tyyskä Chapter 3
Sept. 26
Families and socialization #3 Tyyskä Chapter 3
Sept. 28
Education #1 Tyyskä Chapter 4
Oct. 1
Education #2 Tyyskä Chapter 4
Oct. 3
Midterm 1 review No readings
Oct. 5
Midterm 1 No readings
Oct. 8
Thanksgiving (no class) No readings
Oct. 10
Work #1 Tyyskä Chapter 5
Oct. 12
Work #2 Tyyskä Chapter 5
Oct. 15
Sexuality and Intimacy Tyyskä Chapter 6
Oct. 17
Sexuality and Intimacy Tyyskä Chapter 6
Oct. 19
Peers, Identity, Politics Tyyskä Chapter 7
Oct. 22
Peers, Identity, Politics Tyyskä Chapter 7
Oct. 24
Religion and spirituality Pew Research & Smith
Oct. 26
Religion and Spirituality Pew Research & Smith
Oct. 29
Mid term review No readings
Oct. 31
Midterm # 2 No readings
Nov. 2
Crime #1 Tyyskä Chapter 8
Nov. 5
Crime #2 Tyyska Chapter 8
6
Nov. 7
Crime #3 Tyyska Chapter 8
Nov. 9
Health #1 Tyyskä Chapter 9
Nov. 12
Reading Week (no class) No readings
Nov. 14
Reading Week (no Class) No readings
Nov. 16
Reading Week (no Class) No readings
Nov. 19
Health #2 Tyyskä Chapter 9
Nov. 21
The Disappearance of Childhood #1 Postman 5&6
Nov. 23The Disappearance of Childhood #2 Postman 7&8
Nov. 26Sherry Turkle: Youth in the digital age Turkle (via e-class)
Nov. 28Sherry Turkle: Youth in the digital age Turkle (via e-class)
Dec. 30
Jean Twenge: iGen Twenge (via e-class)
Dec. 3
Jean Twenge: iGen Twenge (via e-class)
Dec. 5
Course Conclusion Tyyska conclusion
Dec. 7
