SOCIAL SCIENCES CORE CURRICULUM
Boston University
CAS CC203 – Section B1
Fall Semester, 2004
Core Section Professor: David L. Swartz
Office: Dept. of Sociology 248B, 96-100 Cummington St.
Office Hours: MWF 10-11, Thurs. 2-3 (or by appointment)
Phone & Voicemail: 617/358-0650
Email: dswartz@bu.edu
Class Section Meetings: MWF 9-10am
Meeting Room: CAS 212
Introduction
The purpose of this section is to acquaint you with the central ideas that several classical
thinkers contributed to the developing ideal of a modern, rational and scientific study of society. The
individual thinkers will be introduced in the Thursday lectures and through the assigned readings.
This section will be organized around intensive examination of the assigned readings. Discussion
schedule will follow the topics presented in the Thursday lectures. I will make contextual and
analytical comments but will stress class discussion and will use a modified Socratic method to foster
critical thought and discussion. At the beginning of the semester I will introduce an analytical grid of
key questions (e.g. human nature, social order and conflict, role of government) asked by the classical
thinkers in the social sciences. These questions will guide our reading and discussion of the
individual theorists we study this semester.
Required Reading Materials
Consult the CC203 course syllabus to be handed out in the first Thursday lecture for a list of
the required texts. They are available for purchase at the Boston University Bookstore.
Schedule for Readings & Class Discussion Topics
You will receive at the first Thursday lecture a syllabus of weekly lecture topics and readings.
Staple that to this section syllabus since we will follow that schedule in section. Generally you can
count on beginning discussion of a new thinker each Friday section after that thinker has been
introduced in the Thursday lecture. Plan to begin the assigned readings for each week by the time of
the Thursday lecture and Friday section meeting.
Paper Requirements
Requirements for this section include five written papers, averaging four to five pages,
double-spaced in length. Four of the papers will focus on assigned topics that will require explanation
of and commentary on the assigned texts, sometimes comparing various theorists. One paper will
have a research component that will require library/internet exploration of secondary source materials
as well as the assigned primary texts. I will hand out a variety of possible paper topics during the
course of the semester. You will not be required to write on each topic but will have to do some
writing over the course of the semester. You cannot wait until the end of the semester to write all of
your papers. I will ask that you write on one of the first two topics handed out, on one of the second
two topics, on one of the third set of topics, etc. Topics will be handed out after we complete section
discussion of particular social theorists. Details will be given for each paper topic. You will have at
least one week, including a weekend to write on each paper topic. Each paper topic will have a
deadline that must be respected. Late papers will reduce their grade.
SOCIAL SCIENCES CORE CURRICULUM
Boston University
CAS CC203 – Section B1
Fall Semester, 2004
Papers will be evaluated on the basis of content, organization and writing style. Papers should
demonstrate that you are engaging the assigned readings in a critical and thoughtful way. They should
be well written in college-level, standard English. Particular attention should be given to correct
usage in quotations and paraphrase. Writing errors can significantly lower the grade. There are many
good references for writing style and technical form. Pick a good one and use it. The Core Office
and Writing Center will make recommendations. I like The Chicago Manual Of Style and Strunk and
White, The Elements Of Style.
I will be available during class and office hours to provide suggestions for organizing the
papers and discuss outlines. No make-up papers will be permitted except in cases of properly
documented emergencies and with prior approval.
Class Participation
Since this is a discussion section, your active participation will be expected, solicited and
evaluated. Discussion will cover material both from the assigned texts and the Thursday lectures.
Participation will include oral reactions to the Thursday lectures and you can expect to be called on to
give these. Failure to participate regularly will adversely affect your final grade in the course. Good
participation will improve your grade. Any form of positive, active and reflective participation, such
as asking or responding to questions, participating in class discussions, sending emails with
substantive queries, and attending office hours to discuss class material, could enhance your final
grade.
Grading
Papers
- 60%
Class participation - 15%
Final exam
- 25%
The final exam will not be specific to this particular section but will be set by the Core Social
Sciences faculty as a whole. The final will be based on readings, section discussions, and the
Thursday lectures.
Honor Code and Conduct Expectations
All written work for this course must represent your own, original effort. Do not copy
material from any unidentified source (including the Internet) and attempt to pass it off as your own.
You are expected to abide faithfully by university regulations regarding all aspects of course
performance. You should familiarize yourself with those standards and regulations as outlined in the
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ACADEMIC CONDUCT CODE. Since you will be
analyzing and writing about classical texts, be sure you understand how to properly distinguish
summarization in your own words from quotation and paraphrase. Consult the CODE for good
illustrations. Any violation of those academic standards, such as plagiarism, will lead to automatic
dismissal from the course with a failing grade.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education (August 8, 2003) students as well as faculty
are increasing frustrated by boorish and disruptive behavior of a few in the classroom. ACell phones
and beepers top the list of classroom distractions.@ But students also complain of Aloud gum
chewing and popping, pen and pencil tapping, packing up while the professor is still speaking, body
odor, skimpily clad individuals, and off-topic discussions.@ Let=s keep our classroom free of such
annoyances.