SYP3000: Society and the Individual
Spring 2016
Class: Tuesdays 11:45 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. and Thursdays 12:50 – 1:40 p.m. in 2319 Turlington Hall
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
WWW:
Monika Ardelt, Ph.D.
3350 Turlington
294-7166
Ardelt@ufl.edu
Tuesday and Thursday 1:55-2:45 p.m., and by appointment
http://users.clas.ufl.edu/ardelt
Course Content
Knowledge is far more than the accumulation of isolated facts and
figures. It involves a deeper understanding, an ability to ‘walk around’ facts and
see them from different angles.
(Joseph Lowman, 1985)
My major goal in this course is to help you see reality from many (new) perspectives. In
particular, I would like you to take the perspective of a stranger in a strange land. We will learn
how to translate theories of social psychology, especially the theory of symbolic interactionism,
into everyday life and, conversely, to interpret situations of everyday life according to theories
of social psychology. How do these theories help us to understand the behavior of other
people as well as our own behavior? How do they explain why we (re)act in the way we do?
We will examine the underlying structure that lies behind our actions. Interaction (even
deviant behavior) does not happen just randomly but follows specific social rules and norms.
Together we will try to discover these social rules and norms in our everyday activities.
Readings
O’Brien, Jodi. 2011. The Production of Reality. Essays and Readings on Social Interaction. 5th
Edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Course packet available at Target Copy (1412 West University Avenue right next to Chipotle
Restaurant; Phone: 352-376-3826; service@target-copy.com).
Requirements
Readings: It is essential that you read the assigned readings as scheduled since I plan to use
most of the class time for discussions and some group exercises. To initiate a discussion, I might
ask you to write the answer to a short question during class. Your written answer will then
serve as the basis for class discussion, and I will feel free to call on any student in class to
contribute to the discussion.
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Reading Quizzes. Reading quizzes will be available in e-Learning under “Quizzes” after we have
finished with the last topic. You will be able to take the quiz until 1 hour before class starts on
the day when the reading quiz is due. Each quiz consists of 5 questions from the assigned
readings and is worth 1 point. There are a total of 10 reading quizzes, but I will drop your 2
lowest grades to calculate your overall reading quiz grade worth 8% of your final grade. The
questions should be easy to answer if you have read the assigned material. You will have one
attempt and 5 minutes to take each quiz.
Attendance and Class Participation: Attendance of class is required because non-attendance by
several students at a time will destroy the dynamics of the class. You will be allowed two
absences without any questions. After that, any unexcused absence will result in a half point
reduction of your attendance and class participation grade. To receive the full 6 points of the
class participation grade, you will need to attend class and participate regularly in class
discussions. If you never or rarely participate, you cannot earn more than 3 of the 6 points even
if you do not miss class.
Tardiness: If you arrive late to class, you will be marked as “absent.” In this case, it is your
responsibility to let me know at the end of the class that you were actually present. Otherwise,
I will count your tardiness as absent from class. Two unexcused late arrivals to class will be
recorded as one absence.
Use of Electronic Devices: I request that you do NOT use any electronic devices, such as a
laptop or cell phone, that might distract you during class. Even if you use a laptop for notetaking, the temptation will be too strong to go on the internet and leave the classroom
mentally.
Assignments: Almost every week, I will give you a 600-word written assignment that you should
submit to me via E-Learning before class on or before the designated due date. For general
information about e-Learning in Canvas visit https://wiki.helpdesk.ufl.edu/FAQs/E-Learning.
The written assignments must be submitted either as a Word document (*.doc or
*.docx) or saved and submitted as a rich text format (*.rtf) file. I will not be able to download,
read, and grade any other file format. Each 600-word assignment is worth 2 points. To get full
credit, you need to submit at least 600 words of text that pertain to the assignment (names
and headings do not count). There are a total of 12 assignments. Six of the assignments (or the
first 12 points you will earn) are required and will count as 12% of your grade. Six additional
assignments are optional. You have the option to substitute five of the additional assignments
(or up to 10 points above your initial 12 points) for 10% of the average grade of your three
exams. Except for the first two assignments, I will not accept any late entries regardless of the
excuse. However, if you submit all 12 written assignments, you can earn up to 2 extra credit
points that will be added to your total score at the end of the semester. For general
information about e-Learning in Canvas visit https://wiki.helpdesk.ufl.edu/FAQs/E-Learning.
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To submit your MS Word file or *.rtf file in e-Learning, go to the University of Florida e-Learning
Support Services home page at http://elearning.ufl.edu (bookmark this page). To sign into eLearning in Canvas, click on the “e-Learning in Canvas” link using your assigned Gatorlink
username and password. If you do not have a Gatorlink ID or if you cannot remember your
Gatorlink login information, go to the Gatorlink website at <http://gatorlink.ufl.edu> or to the
CIRCA Help Desk in the Hub (phone: 392-HELP) for assistance.
After you have successfully logged into e-Learning, you will be taken to your Dashboard, which
will help you to navigate through Canvas. For further assistance please contact e-Learning
Support Services at (352) 392-4357 or email: learning-support@ufl.edu
To submit an assignment entry via e-Learning, navigate to our course and click on Assignments
in the menubar. Assignments can be displayed in the order they are due or by type. Do the
following to submit an assignment:
Step 1: Click the assignment you want to submit.
Step 2: Click on the “Submit Assignment” link.
Step 3: To upload your file, click the Choose File button. Browse for a file to upload.
Step 4: Check “This assignment submission is my own, original work”
Step 5: Click Submit Assignment when you are done. After you have submitted your
work, you will see information in the Sidebar about your submission. If you choose, you may
resubmit another version of your assignment before the deadline using the Re-submit
Assignment link.
To view your grades, click on Grades in the menubar.
Note: The writing in this class will NOT count toward the 24,000 word writing requirement.
Cheating: I define copying parts or all of an assignment or exam from an author or another
student or allowing another student to copy parts or all of your assignment or exam as
cheating. You are also not allowed to use any electronic devices (e.g., cell phones) during
exams.
WARNING: Students who are caught cheating in this way will fail the class immediately!
UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University
of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor
and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the
University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have
neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code
(http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code/) specifies a number of
behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions.
Exams: There are three exams, two midterm exams on February 11 and March 10 during
regular class time and the final exam on April 26 (at 8 a.m.!). Please note that the final exam
date and time are assigned by the university and that you will not be able to take the final
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exam early. All exams will consist of multiple choice questions. The exams will be based on the
readings as well as on material from class, including class discussions. The exams will not be
comprehensive, that is, they will cover only material presented in class or in the readings that
were not covered by the previous exam(s).
I do not plan to give any make-up exams. So if you should encounter any difficulties,
come and see me early!
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities requesting
accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565,
www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will
receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting
accommodations. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in
the semester.
Three Tips for Staying Awake in Class (and make class more interesting to you):
1. Ask questions.
2. If you feel yourself falling asleep, ask provocative questions. Challenge your professor.
3. Read the assigned material before class to do #1 and #2.
Grading
OPTION 1
Requirements
Reading Quizzes
First Midterm
Second Midterm
Final Exam
Attendance and class participation
Six 600-word assignments (required)
Additional (up to five) 600-word
assignments
OPTION 2
% of Final Grade
8%
18%
18%
28%
6%
12%
10%
Requirements
Reading Quizzes
First Midterm
Second Midterm
Final Exam
Attendance and participation
Six 600-word assignments
% of Final Grade
8.00%
21.33%
21.33%
31.34%
6.00%
12.00%
Your grade will be calculated according to the formula of either Option 1 or Option 2,
whichever results in a higher grade for you. Plus you can earn up to 2 extra credit points under
Option 1 (but not Option 2), which will be added to your total score if you complete all 12
written assignments!
I will not grade on a curve, i.e. your grade will depend on your absolute performance, not your
performance compared to other students.
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The points that you will earn can be translated into letter-grades as follows:
92.5 - 100.0 = A
90.0 - <92.5 = A87.5 - <90.0 = B+
82.5 - <87.5 = B
80.0 - <82.5 = B77.5 - <80.0 = C+
72.5 - <77.5 = C
70.0 - <72.5 = C67.5 - <70.0 = D+
62.5 - <67.5 = D
60.0 - <62.5 = D<60.0 = E
For information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points, see
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this
course are consistent with university policies that can be found in the online catalog at:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on
10 criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations
are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given
specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to
students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results.
A WORD OF CAUTION: Keep in mind that the points you earn during the semester will
determine your final grade. All assignments must be submitted by the due date and cannot be
turned in after the end of the semester to improve your grade. Your actual total points at the
end of the class will determine your grade. I will not round up points. Begging will be futile!
Important phone numbers and contact information
University counseling services and mental health services: 392-1575 or
http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/Default.aspx
University Police Department: 392-1111 or 9-1-1 for emergencies
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Tentative Class Schedule
Date
Topic
Readings
01/05 – 01/07
What is real?
01/07 Assignment 1 due!
O’Brien: pp.1-10, Readings (1)*, 2-3; e-Learning →
Modules: Body ritual among the Nacirema
01/07 Reading Quizz 1 due!
01/12 – 01/14
Perspectives in social psychology
01/14 Assignment 2 due!
O’Brien: Reading 4
01/19
Wisdom and knowledge
01/19 Assignment 3 due!
01/21– 02/02
Socialization and language
01/28 Assignment 4 due!
O’Brien: pp.49-62, Readings (5), 6-7, 17
01/21 Reading Quizz 2 due!
02/04 – 02/09
Cognitive structure and social structure
02/09 Assignment 5 due!
O’Brien: pp.63-70, Readings 8, (9), 10
02/04 Reading Quizz 3 due!
02/11
First Midterm!
02/16
Naming as an interactional process
02/16 Assignment 6 due!
O’Brien: pp.173-188, Readings 18, 20, (21)
02/16 Reading Quizz 4 due!
02/18 – 02/23
Definition of the situation
02/25 Assignment 7 due!
O’Brien: pp.249-261, Readings 22-23, (24), 25-27,
(28), 40; e-Learning → Modules:Black men and
public space; 02/23 Reading Quizz 5 due!
02/25 – 03/08
Self-concept and social identity
03/08 Assignment 8 due!
O’Brien: pp. 107-120, Readings 11-13, 15, (16)
03/08 Reading Quizz 6 due!
03/01 – 03/03
SPRING BREAK!
03/10
Second Midterm!
03/15 – 03/17
A theory of reality
03/17 Assignment 9 due!
O’Brien: pp.337-349, Readings 29-31
03/15 Reading Quizz 7 due!
03/22 – 03/24
Self-fulfilling prophecies
03/24 Assignment 10 due!
O’Brien: pp.349-352, Readings 32-33; e-Learning
→ Modules: On being sane in insane places;
Pygmalion in the classroom
03/22 Reading Quizz 8 due!
03/29 – 04/07
Conflict in self-production
04/05 Assignment 11 due!
O’Brien: pp.453-469, Readings 14, (19, 36), 37-39
03/29 Reading Quizz 9 due!
04/12 – 04/19
Conflict in cultural production
04/14 Assignment 12 due!
O’Brien: pp.352-358, 469-471, Readings 34, (35),
41-42; e-Learning → Modules: Collateral Language
04/12 Reading Quizz 10 due!
04/26
Final Exam (8:00 – 9:30 a.m.)
*Optional readings are given in parentheses.
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