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Spring 2016 ONLINE
Instructor Information
Jonathon L. Wiggins, Ph.D. and Mark M. Gray
Research Associate Professor s
Georgetown University: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Center for Applied
Research in the Apostolate (CARA)
Office Hours: by Canvas Conference or telephone; by appointment.
Telephone: http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2015/08/when-pope-visits.html
Email: [email protected]
Course Description
What does it mean to be a member of a particular society? How is it that individuals both
form and are formed by a society? Who exercises power and in what ways? While all Core
Courses address these questions in some way, it is especially the social sciences that are
designed to explore them in depth. This course introduces students to the basic theories,
methods, and particular contributions of anthropology, demography, economics, linguistics,
political science, psychology, and sociology in attempting to answer such questions. It will
provide students with a better understanding of the social and cultural worlds they inhabit
and offer needed tools for analyzing the material covered in other Core Courses as well.
Requirements Required Textbooks and Readings
The Basics of Social Research Earl R. Babbie
Cengage Learning; 6 edition (January 1, 2013) ISBN-10: 113359414X
ISBN-13: 978-1133594147
Kindle edition
Philosophy of Social Science Alexander Rosenberg
Publisher: Westview Press; Fourth Edition, Fourth Edition (January 3, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0813345928
ISBN-13: 978-0813345925
Kindle edition
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Canvas Resources
Additional JSTOR documents in PDF form and weekly weblinks for assignments.
Computer Requirements
You will need access to a spreadsheet app such as Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers or
Google Spreadsheet.
You will need to have access to a computer and internet with an up-to-date browser and
operating system. You will also need software to read course documents in PDF form. If
you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your computer, you can download it
by going to the Adobe Reader download website. If you do not have access to a computer
and the internet during the summer, there are computer labs at most public libraries with
internet access that you can use for free.
Here are the Canvas requirements:
Operating Systems
● Windows XP SP3 and newer ● Mac OS X 10.6 and newer ● Linux - chromeOS
Mobile Operating System Native App Support
● iOS 7 and newer ● Android 2.3 and newer
Computer Speed and Processor
● Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible ● 1GB of RAM ● 2GHz processor
Internet Speed
● Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to
accommodate low bandwidth environments. ● Minimum of 512kbps
Technical skills
As an online student your "classroom" experience will be very different than a traditional
student. As part of your online experience, you can expect to utilize a variety of
technologies, such as:
1. Communicate via email including sending attachments
2. Navigate the World Wide Web using a Web browser
3. Use office applications such as Microsoft Office or Google Docs to create
documents
4. Learn how to communicate using a discussion board and upload assignments to a
classroom Web site
5. Upload and download saved files
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6. Have easy access to the Internet
7. Navigate Canvas, including using the email component within Canvas.
Course Details and Expectations
This course is conducted entirely online, which means students do not have to be on
campus to complete any portion of it. Students will participate in the course using
Georgetown University's online learning management system called Canvas. Each
Unit/Module will be released on a weekly basis every Sunday at 12am (ET).
Course-level Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
● Identify various types of social research ● Compare/evaluate social scientific research and the alternatives ● Describe the strengths/weaknesses of various types of social research ● Describe the process of scientific inquiry ● Recognize ethical issues in social scientific research ● Recognize the purpose of a literature review ● Compare quantitative and qualitative approaches to measurement ● Discuss validity and reliability for measurement ● Explain the basic purpose, strengths and limits of sampling ● Execute a short survey ● Propose an effective experimental design ● Conduct a short content analysis ● Design a simple field research project ● Interpret the statistical significance of a finding ● Identify the conditions of proving causality
Course Activities and Assignments
All activities for this course will be accessed via Canvas. As part of this course you will be:
● Reading online materials and from your textbook ● Watching instructional videos ● Discussing ideas with your peers online ● Working on individual assignments and quizzes/exams
Research Project
The centerpiece of the course is a research project. The topic, methods, and area of social
science you work in will be determined by you in consultation with your professor. Each
project will be summarized in a “research note,” describing your research methods and
results. Throughout the semester we will be discussing and developing these projects.
Following the last class each project will be summarized in a final written research note
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report. This paper should consist of a minimum of 2,400 words. The paper should use a 12-
point Times New Roman font and be double spaced with standard margins (1” top and
bottom and 1.25” left and right). With these parameters a 2,400 word paper will be
approximately 8 pages in length. Citations should be made using APA style.
Student Expectations
You are expected to view all lectures and multimedia.
You are expected to do the readings that are part of each class session, to watch the lecture
videos, and to otherwise engage the material presented on the class website.
Your responsibilities include completing all assignments, taking a comprehensive course
exam, and completing the final research project.
Communication Strategies
Communication With Instructor
Your instructor(s) will be available during weekly virtual office hours via the Conferences
link on the left-hand side of course navigation links. Your instructor(s) will also check
conversations and monitor the discussion board regularly. If you have a private question
or concern, feel free to send an email. In general, you can expect a response within two
days.
Communication With Peers
You will be expected to communicate with your peers via the discussion board.
Announcements
Announcements will be posted in Canvas on a regular basis. They will appear on your
Canvas dashboard when you log in and/or will be sent to you directly through your
preferred method of notification. Please make certain to check them regularly, as they will
contain any important information about upcoming projects or class concerns.
any important information about upcoming projects or class concerns.
In this course we will use Canvas to send email for private messages. You can either check
your messages in the Canvas system or set your notifications to your preferred method of
contact. Please check your messages at least once per day. When submitting messages,
please do the following:
● Put a subject in the subject box that describes the email content with your name and
module
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● Do not send messages asking general information about the class, please post those in
the discussion forum
Questions
In online courses everyone will likely have many questions about things that relate to the
course, such as clarification about assignments, course materials, or assessments. Feel free
to contact your instructor with any inquiries. Also feel free to post questions on Canvas.
Discussion Forums
Discussion Forums are a way for you to engage with each other about the course content.
You can access each forum by clicking on the DISCUSSIONS button in the course
navigation links.
Virtual Office Hours
I will be available in Canvas Conferencing Wednesday 2:00 to 4:00 PM. You may also call
me by my office phone during business hours (Eastern Standard Time) or email me
whenever you need to.
Turnaround / Feedback
If you have a concern and send me a message, you can expect a response within one business
day.
Netiquette Guidelines
To promote the highest degree of education possible, we ask each student to respect the
opinions and thoughts of other students and be courteous in the way that you choose to
express yourself. The topics in this course are often controversial and promote debate.
Students should be respectful and considerate of all opinions.
In order for us to have meaningful discussions, we must learn to genuinely try to understand
what others are saying and be open-minded about others’ opinions. If you want to persuade
someone to see things differently, it is much more effective to do so in a polite, non-
threatening way rather than to do so antagonistically. Everyone has insights to offer based
on his/her experiences, and we can all learn from each other. Civility is essential.
Grading & Completion Requirements
Work in this course is designed around the idea of you experiencing social science as a
direct and hands-on experience. Grades will be based on a combination of assignments, an
exam, and a project:
Class participation represents 10% of your grade and assignments account for 25% of your
overall grade. One exam will be given during the semester gauging your grasp of the
material. This is 25% of your grade and is given during exam week. The examination is
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open-book and open-note. The centerpiece of the course is a research project worth 40% of
your grade.
Grade Breakdown:
● Participation: 10% ● Assignments: 25% ● Exam: 25% ● Final Project: 40%
Grade Table:
A 92 +
A- 90-91.9
B+ 88-89.9
B 82-87.9
B- 80-81.9
C+ 78-79.9
C 72-77.9
C- 70-71.9
D+ 68-69.9
D 60-67.9
F Below 60
Assignment Submission & Homework/Exam Late Work and Make-up Policy
Late assignments may be accepted on a case by case basis with evidence provided for the
delay (e.g., doctor’s note). All other late assignment submissions will be subject to point
deductions. You cannot turn in your final paper for your project late and incompletes cannot
be given for this course.
Absences
The instructor will count a student as “absent” in any week in which the student fails to
submit any of the assignments due that week, including discussion postings, knowledge
checks, and/or writing assignments.
After the student accumulates two such “absent” weeks, the student will receive a failing
grade in this course, regardless of grades earned in any other assignment.
Academic Integrity
As signatories to the Georgetown University Honor Pledge, you are required to uphold
academic honesty in all aspects of the course, especially on exams and papers. The professor
is aware of and regularly consults all of the major internet sources for plagiarized papers.
Thus, you are hereby cautioned to follow the letter and the spirit of the Standards of Conduct
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outlined in the Georgetown Honor System brochure pp. 3-4, 11-13. If you have any
questions about conforming to rules regarding plagiarism or about the proper format for
citations, consult a professor or teaching assistant. The first instance of plagiarism will result
in a grade of “F” on that assignment. Any further instance of plagiarism will result in an “F”
for the course.
Accommodation
Students with Disabilities Policies:
The School of Continuing Studies proudly supports the role of Georgetown's Office of
Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action and does not discriminate or deny
access to otherwise qualified students on the basis of disability. Depending on their
documentation, students with disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations
and/or special services in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the Academic Resource Center
(Leavey Center, Suite 335; 202-687-8354; [email protected];
http://ldss.georgetown.edu/index.cfm) before the start of classes to allow that office time to
review their documentation and to make recommendations for appropriate
accommodations, including note takers, books on tape, extended time on tests, interpreting
services and enlarged texts, among others. There is a procedure for requesting an
accommodation as well as a list of possible accommodations available.
If the Academic Resource Center recommends accommodations, its office will provide the
student with an official letter to share with professors. Students are personally responsible
for completing this process officially and in a timely manner. Neither accommodations nor
exceptions to policies can be permitted to students who have not completed this process in
advance. In some instances, recommended accommodations might not be allowable by a
professor if doing so would modify course or degree requirements considered an essential
requirement of the program of instruction. Should questions or related issues arise, the
student and professor should work directly with the Academic Resource Center to find an
appropriate resolution.
If you are a student with a documented disability who requires accommodations or if you
think you may have a disability and want to inquire about accommodations, please contact
the Academic Resource Center at 202-687-8354 or [email protected].
Technical Support
Canvas
For support please check out the Canvas Student Guide page.
Google Apps
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Use of Georgetown University-issued accounts for Google Mail, Calendar, Groups, Talk,
Docs, Sites, Video, and Contacts is governed by the contract between Georgetown
University and Google.
If you need technical assistance at any time during the course you can visit Google Drive
Help Center.
Student Support Services
Services & Resources for Online Students @ the School of Continuing Studies
http://guides.library.georgetown.edu/scs/online
Students enrolled in online SCS coursework have access to the University Library System’s
eResources, including 500+ research databases, 1.5+ million ebooks, and thousands of
periodicals and other multimedia files (films, webinars, music, and images) . Students can
access these resources through the Library’s Homepage by using their University username
(NetID) and password (this is the same login information used to access email, Blackboard,
etc.). The Library does not mail physical items to students.
SCS students may make an appointment with a librarian to discuss a research topic,
develop a search strategy, or examine resources for projects and papers. Librarians offer
an overview of and in-depth assistance with important resources for senior or master's
theses, dissertations, papers and other types of research. Appointments are conducted
using Google Hangout (video-conferencing function) through the Georgetown Gmail
System or by telephone. This service is available to currently enrolled students who need
assistance with Georgetown-assigned projects and papers. Please review the Services &
Resources Guide for Online Students for additional information.
Turnitin.com Students acknowledge that by taking this course all required papers must be submitted for a
Textual Similarity Review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted
papers will be added as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for
the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers in the future. Use of the Turnitin.com
service is subject to the terms of use agreement posted on the Turnitin.com site.
Extreme weather, Emergencies, and Instructional Continuity During inclement weather or other emergencies on a day when we are scheduled to meet
face-to-face, check the university’s Web site or call (202) 687-7669 for information on
whether the university is open. If the university is open, this class will meet. If the
university is closed, this class will meet through distance means such as online
videoconferencing; check your e-mail for a message from me on how we will proceed in
that situation. Due dates for written assignments submitted through Blackboard will not be
changed due to campus closings.
The university recently has acquired the capability to send text messages and recorded
messages about emergencies to cell phones and other mobile devices. Sign up on
MyAccess.
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Georgetown Honor System All students are expected to follow Georgetown's honor code unconditionally. We assume
you have read the honor code material located at www.georgetown.edu/honor, and in
particular have read the following documents: Honor Council Pamphlet, What is
Plagiarism, Sanctioning Guidelines, and Expedited Sanctioning Process. Papers in this
course will all be submitted to turnitin.com for checking.
Submitting material in fulfillment of the requirements of this course means that you have
abided by the Georgetown honor pledge:
In the pursuit of the high ideals and rigorous standards of academic life, I commit myself to
respect and uphold the Georgetown Honor System: To be honest in any academic
endeavor, and to conduct myself honorably, as a responsible member of the Georgetown
community, as we live and work together.
Plagiarism The sources for all information and ideas in your assignments must be documented,
following the style rules of the American Psychological Association. In addition, all
quotations must be identified as quotations, using quotation marks and indicating the
source of the quotation, as mandated by APA style. Anything less than these standards is
plagiarism.
APA style is not taught in this course; a summary of APA style is available at
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
In accord with university policy, all incidents of suspected plagiarism or other Honor Code
violations will be reported to the Honor Council without fail.
If the Honor Council finds that a student has plagiarized or has violated the Honor Code in
any other way, the student will receive a grade of F for the course.
Policy Accommodating Students’ Religious Observances The following is university policy:
Georgetown University promotes respect for all religions. Any student who is unable to
attend classes or to participate in any examination, presentation, or assignment on a given
day because of the observance of a major religious holiday or related travel shall be
excused and provided with the opportunity to make up, without unreasonable burden, any
work that has been missed for this reason and shall not in any other way be penalized for
the absence or rescheduled work. Students will remain responsible for all assigned work.
Students should notify professors in writing at the beginning of the semester of religious
observances that conflict with their classes.
Course Content Outline
Subject to change.
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Module TASK
Module 1 Jan. 19-24
Readings: Babbie Ch. 1, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, Vindicating
Anthony Downs Videos: Lectures - Introduction to the Social Sciences I: Belief vs.
Knowledge, Thought Experiment: Should I Vote?
Are we more violent now than 30 years ago? Post discussion board response
Assignment: Science and Mythbusting - Essay
Reply to other students’ responses in the discussion board
Post discussion board response
Reply to other students’ responses in the discussion board
Module 2 Jan. 25-31
Readings: Babbie Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Rosenberg Ch. 2, Ch. 13, No Booze? You
May Lose: Why Drinkers Earn More Money Than Nondrinkers
Videos: Lectures - Introduction to the Social Sciences II: Cause and Effect,
Scientific Thinking, Ethics in the Social Sciences, Basic Data Analysis
Assignment: Synthesis of research articles about alcohol use - Essay
Post discussion board response
Reply to other students’ responses in the discussion board
Assignment: Designing a blockbuster from box office data – Word Doc
Module 3 Feb. 1-7
Readings: Clio and the Economics of Qwerty, Rosenberg Ch. 6, Babbie
Ch. 4, Ch. 5 Videos: Lectures - Sociological Imagination: Walking in another’s shoes,
Research in Economics, The QWERTY Problem, Research Design:
Exploratory Research
Assignment: General Social Survey Cross Tabulation – Produce Table -
copy and paste table into Word/maybe PDF Discussion Board responses
Module 4 Feb 8-14
Readings: Some Like it Hot: Individual Differences in Responses to Group
Feeling Thermometers, Rosenberg Ch. 4 Videos: Lectures - Research in Political Science I: States of Nature,
Democratization, Research in Political Science II: War and International
Relations, Sampling & Survey research, Basic Inferential Statistics, GSS
Demonstration
Post Discussion Board responses
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Reply to other students’ responses in the Discussion Board
Assignment: Scatter Plots – Excel
Module 5 Feb. 16-21
Readings: The Strength of Weak Ties, Rosenberg Ch. 5, Babbie Ch. 6 Videos: Lectures – Research in Sociology I: Prejudice, Research in
Sociology II: Love, The Corporation
Post Discussion Board responses
Reply to other students’ responses in the Discussion Board
Assignment: Response Essay to The Corporation
Module 6 Feb. 22-28
Readings: Rosenberg Ch. 7, Hospital Slang for Patients: Crocks, Gomers,
Gorks, and Others; Babbie Ch. 11 Videos: Lectures – Research in Linguistics, Content Analysis and
Unobtrusive Research, Correlation, Lost in Translation clips
Post Discussion Board responses
Reply to other students’ responses in the Discussion Board Task: conducting a short content analysis - Table
Module 7 Feb. 29-Mar. 4
Readings: Rosenberg Ch. 8, Babbie Ch. 8 Videos: Lectures – Research in Psychology, Experiments, Linear
Estimation, Super Size Me clips
Post Discussion Board responses
Reply to other students’ responses in the Discussion Board
Assignment: Super Size Me Experiment Response Essay
Module 8 Mar. 14-20
Readings: Rosenberg Ch. 9, Ethnography for the Digital Age, Babbie Ch.
10 Videos: Lectures – Research in Anthropology, Qualitative field research,
iPoll Demonstration
Assignment: Your Place in History – Research and Essay in Word
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Module 9 Mar. 29-Apr. 3
Exam Week
Module 10 Apr. 4-10
Readings: Rosenberg Ch. 3, 12, Fashionable Nonsense [Excerpt], Babbie
Ch. 15 Videos: Lectures – The Postmodern Challenge, Does Social Science
Change in the Digital World?, Dissemination: writing, presenting, data and
library resources, APA citations, plagiarism
Post Discussion Board responses
Assignment: Research proposal – essay in Word
Reply to other students’ responses in the discussion board
Assignment: Project Outline
Module 11 Apr. 11-17
Readings: Rosenberg Ch. 10, Ch.14-15, Babbie Ch. 12 Videos: Lectures – Basic Statistics Review, Historical Comparative
Research, Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Assignment: Excel Skills (if statements, recoding, graphing), Project
Graphics
Module 12
Apr. 18-May 1 Final Projects Meetings Mandatory online meeting with Professor Gray or Professor Wiggins
Module 13
Apr. 25-May 1 Final Projects Papers due May 14
