SOC 237: Race & Ethnic Relations
MWF 12:50-1:50 MWF AS 201
Spring 2007
DePauw University
Professor Thomas Hall
 Office:  106 Asbury, x4519, email: thall@depauw.edu
 OFFICE HOURS: MWF 11:30-12:30; MW:2:30-4, & by appt
Format & Grading
Last Updated 3-1-07

FORMAT & GRADING: 
The course will consist of readings, lectures, discussions, and handouts. Lectures are intended to clarify and emphasize the material central to the course. They sometimes include material not in the texts. Discussions are opportunities to clarify readings or lectures, and explore implications of your studies. Everything is testable.

There will be a midterm composed of objective questions and a few essay questions. I will post sample questions at least one class before the test [Study Guide for Midterm]. The test will be worth 100 points. The final will be worth 200 points. The final is FRIDAY, December 15 at 8, 8:30 am. I do not set the time, plan to be here for the final. NO EARLY (or late) FINALS!  The midterm will be before Spring  Break.

In addition you will need to turn 40 short papers on various readings, these will be one half to one page each. Collectively they will be worth 400 points. I will grade them:

• + very good
• x fine
• - sketchy
• 0 not turned in

Determining the 400 points for Reading Reports.
1. For students who have more than 40 RRs. I will take the 40 highest
2. I will determine the class average of +'s and x's
3. that average will translate to equivalent of average of all other points
4. deviations above and below the average will add or substract points from the average for RRs
5. the final number will be added into the total.

As I envision this scheme if a student has an A- on the two exams and has the average of +'s and x's for RRs, then the student will receive a course grade of A-. If that student had significantly more +'s that might push the grade to an A. If that student had significantly below the number of +'s or x's then the grade might drop to B+.

For missing RRs [that is fewer than 40] 10 points will be deducted from the average score for each missing RR.

Clearly, it to your advantage to have all RRs turned in, and to do extras if they raise your number of +'s.

There are separate instructions on these Reading Reports. Occasionally I may allow comment paper on a campus event or film it is germane to the course topics.

It will be important to pace yourself with these.

Your grade will be determined by a curve of the points earned out of 750 possible points:

• Midterm 100 points
• Final 200 points
• Comment papers 400 points
• Attendance & Participation 25 points each.

The final curve will be NO HIGHER THAN:

• > 95% = A;
• > 85% = B;
• > 75% = C;
• > 65% = D;
• < 65% = F;

The advantage of this system is that there is no "quota" of A's etc. If everyone gets 95% or over, everyone gets an A. The Disadvantage is that the "curve" changes with every test or paper. Think in terms of total points. I will give an approximate curve after each paper and the midterm.

MAKEUP TEST will only be given when the student notifies me, IN ADVANCE AND IN WRITING, that s/he cannot take the test because of University business. LATE Comment Papers will receive discounted grades.

Chacteristics of Students by Grade Performance:
Or, an answer to the perennial question, "What do I need to do to get an A [or a B or a?] in this class?"

Behaviors of an A student:

• always comes to class prepared
• asks questions about topics, issues, arguments that are not clear
• is willing to debate --respectfully, but vigorously--about interpretations of complex arguments, with both the prof and other students
• turns in work on time
• writes papers that are well-written, but especially that go beyond the bare minimum and connect issues and topics with others, and always writes the most on the "why" part of a question
• thinks seriously about the issues and problems raised in class

Behaviors of a B student:

• usually comes to class prepared
• occasionally asks questions about topics, issues, arguments that are not clear
• listens, but seldom argues or discusses class topics in class
• turns in most work on time
• writes papers that are well-written, and adequately addresses the question

Behaviors of a C student:

• usually comes to class
• listens, but seldom argues or discusses class topics in class
• turns in most work
• writes papers that that "sort of" address the question

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Send comments or questions to thall@depauw.edu