Andrew Austin     

Office Phone: 465-2359

Social Change and Development

Messages: 465-2355

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Office Hours: MW 1-3; TH 2-3

Office: MAC Hall 326A

Email: austina@uwgb.edu

Web page: http://www.uwgb.edu/austina

Course e-mail: c2965@uwgb.edu

 

SOC CD 204—Spring 2008

FREEDOM AND SOCIAL CONTROL

Freedom and Social Control explores definitions, concepts, and theories used to explain and understand central features of social power and the dialectic of liberty and domination by analyzing control systems in modern western society, such as the penitentiary and the corporation, and relating them to larger social arrangements, such as social class. Themes covered include the legal and extralegal management and disciplining of people, and the mechanics of coercive and consensual controls.

READINGS

All items are in the bookstore or online.

·         Mark Colvin, Penitentiaries, Reformatories, and Chain Gangs.

·         Michael Parenti, Inventing Reality.

·         George Ritzer, The McDonaldization of Society.

·         Articles, essays, book chapters online on my web page (see schedule).

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance (25 points)

Attendance is required. I sample attendance by passing around roll sheets you sign to get credit for being in class. Never sign the roll sheet for another student. I do not record attendance everyday. If you miss a day on which I take roll, you must have a verifiable excuse documenting precisely why you could not attend that day, and you must have this excuse processed through the Office of the Dean of Students. I review excuses and accept them at my discretion. Such excuses, if acceptable to me, must coincide with days attendance was taken; an excusable absence on a day on which I do not take roll does not count for an unexcused absence on a day I do take roll. If you anticipate not being able to consistently attend class, you are advised to drop the class.

Examinations (75 points)

Exams combine multiple choice, matching, short answer, and short essay, cover all course material to date, and are taken in class without benefit of notes or texts. Bring a number two pencil to class. Note books, book bags, texts, etc., must be placed under the desk or behind the chair while an exam is in progress. No hats worn during exams. I post scores on D2L. Exams are not returned to students but are viewable by arrangement. There are two exams: the first is worth 25 points; the second, 50 points.  See attendance policy above for information on missed exams.

Institutional Analysis (50 points)

All my courses include a written component. This semester, you produce an institutional analysis guided by lecture and course texts. The research question, the specific form of which you formulate, concerns the effects of bureaucratic-corporate structures on personal freedom. The length of the analysis will be 500-750 words—no less, no more. Follow the on-line instructions for details on how to properly construct an institutional analysis. The analysis is due on the last day of class, no exceptions. You upload the essay to the course D2L site in Word format for credit. Via professor e-mail, you submit another electronic copy in Word format. Both electronic copies are required by the due date, no exceptions (you have all semester to write the paper, so there are no valid excuses for not having it done by the due date). I do not require a paper copy of the analysis; however, you prepare your analysis as if it were a paper copy. Do not use the Internet to accomplish the assignment. Use a mixture of lecture notes, assigned texts, and scholarly publications (academic books and peer-reviewed articles, but no outside textbooks). You are encouraged to supplement your analysis with news stories found in the LexisNexis database. The analysis must be in your own words; plagiarism in any amount or degree will result in a zero for the assignment. I post your grade on D2L. Essays are not returned.

Quizzes (50 points)

Quizzes accompany scheduled material, but are unannounced. You must have each week’s readings done by the first class meeting of that week. Alterations in the schedule will be announced and clarified via course email.  Note books, book bags, texts, etc., must be placed under the desk or behind the chair while the quiz is in progress. The quiz may last no more than five minutes. Students who are late, but arrive within the five-minute period, will have whatever time remains to complete the quiz. Under no circumstances will students (1) who miss the quiz (absent or late) be allowed to make it up or (2) be allowed to show up to my office and take the quiz early. If you leave class after taking a quiz do not expect to get credit for the quiz. I anticipate absences (excused or otherwise), so I count only ten quizzes. I post scores on D2L. Quizzes are not returned to students, but are viewable by arrangement. Each quiz is worth 5 points.

 

Total possible points for course: 200

90% A 

70% C

87% AB

67% CD

80% B

60% D

77% BC

¯ 60% is failing

EXTRA CREDIT

On each of the exams, I write extra questions. The total number of extra questions usually makes up a total of 10 points across the semester. These points are added to each exam score. You may also choose one of the following topics and write a short 500-word essay worth up to 10 points: (1) What is the Difference between Education and Indoctrination? (2) Reproductive Rights and Personal Liberty. (3) Due Process versus Crime Control: Contradictions in Criminal Justice. (4) Psychiatry and Mental Illness: A Modern Inquisition? (5) Is Religion an Institution of Control or a Means of Liberation? You must choose one of the five topics listed and you must address the question the topic poses. Papers that evade or neglect the topic will receive a zero. Your arguments must be logical and empirically supported. The format of the essay follows the on-line guide to writing research reports. Use at least two scholarly sources (there is no limit on how many sources you can use). Use only scholarly publications, that is, academic books and peer-reviewed articles. Do not use textbooks. The essay must be in your own words; plagiarism in any amount will result in a zero for the assignment. Extra credit essays are due May 1. You submit to me an electronic copy of your essay the same day, uploaded to D2L and sent to my e-mail in Word format. I post your grade on D2L. Essays are not returned.

OFFICE LOCATION AND HOURS

My office is located on the third floor of Mary Ann Cofrin (MAC) Hall, room 326A. I am eager to clarify assignments, lectures and readings, study guides, and missed exam questions. My office hours are listed at the top of this syllabus. I am available by appointment, but because of my schedule, I ask that you try to meet with me during my office hours.

TECHNOLOGY

Course Email

Associated with this course is email that provides instructor and students access to all students in the class. The address is listed at the top of the syllabus. You must have a valid UWGB account to receive mail from the course email. The course email is a requirement and you are automatically signed up for it. I use it to alert students to web page updates, events on campus of interest, emergencies, address questions about course material or other pertinent inquiries, conduct discussions concerning relevant subject matter, review quizzes and exams, and post news stories relevant to topics covered in the class. There are two basic rules to using the course email: (1) email contributions shall be thoughtful and written in a civil tone (see below for rules on class conduct); (2) course email is not for student grievances; professor email and office hours are the proper places for student grievances.

Professor Email

You will find my email address listed at the top of this syllabus. Email allows students to ask questions or voice concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I find that many issues can be resolved over email. Please note that if I answer emails after business hours (offices close at 4:30) or on weekends it is because I choose to do so, not because it is required that I answer emails beyond business hours.

Web Page

The address for my web pages is listed at the top of this syllabus. These pages contain syllabi, instructions for constructing essays, links to our library and other web pages (if relevant), study guides, on-line readings, and lectures used in class. My notes from the readings do not appear on the course web page. Lectures, when posted, appear after they are delivered in class.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND RULES OF CONDUCT

Academic Integrity

A diploma from an institution of higher learning signals to others that the holder of the degree has obtained it through honest effort. By honest effort it is understood that examinations are performed without the un authorized assistance of others or material disallowed by the teacher; that essays, term papers, and research projects are unique compositions by the student wherein great care has been taken to properly attribute all derived thought to its original authors; that any requests for special assistance or consideration in completing course work rest on legitimate grounds and are based on truthfulness. Acts of academic dishonesty will be treated seriously and in accord with this institution’s rules and procedures. See http://www.uwgb.edu/deanofstudents/policies/ch14.htm.

Classroom Behavior

To foster intellectual development and civil discourse, no behavior that disrupts the learning atmosphere of my classroom will be tolerated. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not exhausted by: disrespect shown openly toward the professor or other students; talking with others when the instructor is speaking to the class or students are involved in discussion; inappropriate or off-topic monopolization of discussions to the exclusion of other students; irrelevant questions and comments; distracting or inappropriate expressions, gestures, or body language that hamper the conduct of the class; physical behavior or language that creates a sexually uncomfortable situation that could be construed as sexual harassment. This rule applies to other targets of harassment and discrimination (race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, etc.). Anyone who disrupts the learning atmosphere in such a manner will first be warned. If the behavior does not stop, the student will be asked to leave, and if he/she does not comply, campus security will remove the student. Repeat offenders will be referred to the Dean of Students. Continued disruptive behavior may result in removal from the class and a failing grade. It is up to the professor to define what constitutes disruptive or inappropriate behavior in the classroom. Some specific rules:

·         Cell phones must be turned off at the beginning of class. This includes vibration and visual settings.

·         No laptop computers in operation during lecture. Studies show that laptop computers interfere with student learning and are distracting to other students.

·         No listening to anything through headphones during class time.

·         No reading material (newspapers, etc.) other than assigned course material during class time.

·         No talking amongst yourselves unless instructed to do so by the teacher. This includes note passing, laughing, or any other form of communication.

·         I would prefer that you did not eat in class. If you are going to eat, select quiet foods and packaging and sit in the back of the class.

In sum, in order to do my job, I need your full attention and concentration. If you do not want to learn the material presented in my classroom, then you are advised to drop the class.

Classroom Discussion

To foster intellectual development and civil discourse, discussion in the classroom will abide by the following rules: (1) questions seeking clarification will be addressed during the course of the lecture; (2) questions or comments appropriate to discussion of the material covered in class will be addressed in time allotted either before lecture begins or after the lecture is completed.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

As required by federal law and UW-Green Bay policy for Individuals with disabilities, students with a documented disability who need accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at 465-2841 or 465-2849. Reasonable accommodations can be made unless they alter the essential components of the class. Contact the instructor and Disability Services Coordinator in a timely manner to formulate alternative arrangements.

On the Use of Audio and Video Recorders in the Classroom

The Board of Regents of the UW system has determined that a teacher, for reasons concerning pedagogical practice and academic freedom, may forbid the use of tape recorders in the classroom. The professor of this course expressly forbids students to make audio and video recordings in the classroom. Exception to rule: Regent Resolution 1556 provides that prohibitions of tape recorders in classrooms may not be imposed upon qualified students with disabilities who must utilize tape recorders because of the nature of their disability to effectively participate in a class provided such students have signed agreements that they will not release the tape recording or transcription to others.”

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Week 1 (Jan. 22, 24)

Liberalism Compact Classics: Hobbes, Rousseau, Hayek, Mill (online)

Week 2 (29, 31)

Hayek’s Liberalism Hayek, 126-139 (online) Democracy & Socialism Marx, 188-195 (online)

Week 3 (Feb. 5, 7)

Modernity and its Discontents: Marx and Durkheim Colvin, ix-27 (text)

Week 4 (12, 14)

The Panopticon Foucault, 397-411 (online) Elias, Weber

Week 5 (19, 21)

Carceral Nation Colvin, 267-273 (text) Theories of Crime Austin, 801-807 (online)

Week 6 (26, 28)

Social Reality of Crime Quinney, 3-25; Rusche & Kirchheimer, 362-371 (online)

Week 7 (Mar. 4, 6)

The Penitentiary Colvin, 29-128 (text) -

Week 8 (11,13)

Overflow.  EXAM ONE on Thursday March 13

Week 9 (18, 20)

Spring Break

Week 10 (25, 27)

Racial Caste & Violence Feagin, 37-67; Kennedy, 30-69 (online) Penal Slavery Colvin, 199-266 (text)

Week 11 (Apr. 1, 3)

The Reformatory Colvin, 129-198 (text); Defective Women Gilman, 152-162. Ehrenreich & English, 270-84 (online)

Week 12 (8, 10)

Mass Media and Propaganda Parenti

Week 13 (15, 17)

Modernity & its Discontents Revisited: Weber and McDonaldization Ritzer (first half)

Week 14 (22, 24)

Do We Live in an Iron Cage? Ritzer (second half of book)

Week 15 (29, May 1)

Overflow

Week 16 (6, 8)

Overflow

Tuesday, May 20

EXAM TWO 10:30-12:30