| To
successfully complete this course, students need to fulfill a series of
writing assignments and tests, as well as a cumulative final exam. The
writing assignments should enable students to get a feel for the sociological
relevance of issues pertaining to the role of law in society. Some of these
writings are empirical, others will make an attempt to apply some of the
sociological theories we discuss in class. The in-class tests measure students'
command of issues explicitly addressed in class or in the readings.
1)
The
writing assignments are type-written reports of original research
done by the students. Each of the assignments addresses a clearly defined
question which the instructor will introduce at least one week before the
assignment is due. Papers should follow the citation style and reference
format of the American Sociological Association (see ASA
reference style ).
A more detailed explanation of these various assignments will be provided
in class. Here is a brief explanation:
Journal
article summary (3 pages): look up an article that is cited in Deflem’s
Sociology of Law book from the following LIST
OF ARTICLES
and summarize the article.
Theory
analysis (3 pages): apply a theory discussed in class to the sociological
journal article from the prior assignment.
2) The
tests
are spread out over the semester and always cover a specific section of
the course. Note that the final exam is cumulative. There are four
tests during the semester and there is a cumulative final exam. I will
give more explanations of the assignments and exams during the semester.
I hand out assignments, instructions, and other materials only during the
class. Failure to comply with the University’s regulations concerning academic
integrity (such as through cheating and plagiarism) will automatically
result in a failing grade for the course and will be dealt with on the
basis of the USC
Honor Code (see also the FAQs
page).
The
grade for this course is calculated on the basis of the tests, writing
assignments, and the final exam, which is cumulative. The assignments count
for a total of 200 points, distributed as follows:
Tests:
Test 1: 25 points
Test 2: 25 points
Test 3: 25 points
Writing
Assignments:
Paper 1 (summary): 25 points
Paper 2 (analysis): 25 points
Final
Exam (cumulative): 75 points
TOTAL:
200 points
Grading:
A = 90% or more; B+ = 86% or more; B = 80% or more, C+ = 76% or more, C
= 70% or more, and so on. There is no grading curve nor is there the possibility
of an extra-credit assignment. Late assignments will receive a grade penalty
except when students notified the instructor during office hours or by
email of an emergency situation. Students cannot receive a passing grade
unless they have completed all assignments.
Please
note that the
USC
Undergraduate Studies Bulletin states: "Students are obligated to complete
all assigned work promptly, to attend class regularly, and to participate
in whatever class discussion may occur. Absence from more than 10 percent
of the scheduled class sessions, whether excused or unexcused, is excessive
and the instructor may choose to exact a grade penalty for such absences...
It is the student's responsibility to keep informed concerning all assignments
made. Absences, whether excused or unexcused, do not absolve the student
from this responsibility... Students' grades in their courses are determined
by class standing and examination grade, combined in such proportion as
the professor may decide."
If
students know they will miss or already have missed a class, I appreciate
very much that they let me know. Students are very much encouraged to talk
with me about any emergency situation that may arise! It is the students'
responsibility to retrieve whatever information and/or hand-outs that they
may have missed when they did not attend class. Further specifications
of class policies may be determined during the semester. Failure to comply
with the University’s exam regulations will automatically result in a failing
grade.
FINAL
EXAM: Check the Final Exam Schedule on the Registrar’s Office webpages:http://registrar.sc.edu/html/calendar/default.stm.
CLASS
CONDUCT CODE
In
terms of my teaching philosophy, I believe that a useful education must
involve qualification on the part of the instructor as well as serious
effort on the part of the student. This means that you can expect me to
do my job as much as I expect you to do yours. Therefore, I expect you
to adhere to the following class rules: 1) when you choose to come to class,
you arrive on time; and 2) when you choose to come to class, you pay attention
for the entire time the class meets and you do not engage in disorderly
conduct as defined in USC’s Student Code of Conduct Policy.* Once you have
left the classroom during the class, you are not allowed to reenter. The
use of cell phones in the classroom, for whatever purpose, is prohibited.
Any
infraction of these rules will result in a failing grade (F). This
rule is enforced without exception and without warning. Further classroom
conduct and exam regulations may be specified during the semester.
* Our
university’s Student
Code of Conduct Policy includes this provision: “Disorderly Conduct:
Individual or group behavior that interferes with the freedom of expression,
movement or activity of others, or with the educational mission of the
University is prohibited. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to,
unwelcome physical contact, harassment, or classroom behavior that interferes
with either: (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or instructional
program; or (b) the ability of other students to profit from the class
or instructional program.”
There
is no attendance policy beyond the University’s regulations in this matter.
Should you wish to do well in this course, attendance will be useful. When
you choose to attend the course, I expect that you adhere to the classroom
policies and that you attentively participate in the lectures, rather than
just try to copy what is written down on the white board.
I very
much welcome your visit during my office hours or by appointment to talk
about anything that you think is useful for your education. When you email
me, you are expected, in order to receive a response, to use the course
number in the subject line and to start the message with a formal greeting.
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Professor
Mathieu Deflem, Ph.D., Office:
Sloan
College 217
Office
Hours: M-W 10:00-11:00 a.m. & F 3:00-5:00 p.m. Messages via email deflem@sc.edu
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This
course is designed for upper-level undergraduates majoring or minoring
in sociology and is also open to graduate and law-school students. It reviews
the most important developments, both theoretical and empirical, in the
sociology of law. The goal of the class is to understand some of the specific
characteristics of the manner in which sociologists study law as well as
to explain some of the patterns and dynamics of law in a variety of social
settings.
