This course will introduce students to the basic logic and methods of social research. In particular, it will demonstrate how social researchers collect and analyze data in order to answer important questions about social problems and public policies. Through a series of exercises, students will learn the basic skills required to conduct and present social research.
Only one textbook is required for this course. Copies of this textbook are available at the Student Bookstore and at Crimson and Gray. It is:
Although attendance at lectures is not mandatory, students will be held accountable on the tests for all material presented in the lectures. The lecture notes will be posted on the web site for this course prior to each lecture. Moreover, attendance will be taken every class period and those students who attend lectures on a regular basis or who participate in classroom discussion, either by asking or answering questions, will receive extra credit.
There will be three tests, one every five weeks. Each test will cover only the material assigned or presented since the last test. The tests will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions worth two points each and one computational question worth ten points for a total of 70 points. Half of the questions will be taken from the lectures and the other half will be taken from the readings. All of the questions on the tests will be based on study questions that will be posted periodically on the course website.
Five exercises will be assigned during the course of the semester. These exercises will be completed outside of class and will be due one week after the day they are assigned. Late exercises will be accepted for partial credit only. Each exercise will be worth ten points for a total of 50 points. You should do your own work on these exercises because they prepare you for questions on the tests. You will normally receive all of the points available on the exercise, even if you make mistakes, as long as you make a good faith effort to complete it.
A term paper, three to four double-spaced typewritten pages in length, will be assigned in closed week. It will be due at the beginning of finals week. It will require each student to design a research project to answer a theoretical or policy question of their choice. This term paper will be worth 40 points. Students must submit this paper via e-mail to allen@mail.wsu.edu as a Word or RTF attachment.
The final grade will be based on 300 points: 210 points for the three tests, 50 points for the five exercises, and 40 points for the final paper. The grades on each test will be curved from highest score (i.e., 90 percent of highest score is the lowest A, 80 percent of the highest score is the lowest B, 70 percent of the highest score is the lowest C, and 60 percent of the highest score is the lowest D). In addition, students may receive a maximum of 12 extra credit points for attendance at lectures and classroom participation
Carrying on conversations with other students during lectures or leaving class during a lecture, without notifying the instructor in advance, constitutes disruptive behavior. Students will be penalized, at the discretion of the instructor, the equivalent of one letter grade on the next test for each instance of disruptive behavior. Students who commit plagiarism by submitting papers that contain material taken from other sources, without proper attribution, will be summarily failed on that paper.
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Disability Resource Center. Additional information is available on their website (Disability Resource Center ).
Each student is entitled to take one make-up test during the semester. There is no need to provide an excuse. Students must apply to take a make-up test by sending me an e-mail message within three days of missing the original test. All make-up tests are scheduled at 8:00 in the morning exactly one week after the date of the original test. All make-up tests are administered in Wilson 201. Students will automatically be penalized one letter grade on any make-up test unless they provide a documented excuse from a university office.
The university has taken steps to insure the safety of students on campus. You can obtain information on campus security by going to the WSU Alert website. On this website, you can sign up to be notified by e-mail of any campus emergencies.
My normal office hours will be from 10:30 to 12:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You should notify me, in advance by e-mail, if you plan to meet me during my office hours. If that time is inconvenient, you may arrange to meet me by appointment. I will also be available in the classroom after each lecture. My office is located in Wilson 250. Students can reach me via e-mail (allen@mail.wsu.edu) anytime. You are encouraged to meet with me if you have any problems with the course.