Sociology+Spring+2011+Announcements

Friday May 27
A. All students should bring their textbooks to the next class so they can be returned to the book room. B. The research project unit wrap-up is due for seniors on either Monday (socioloGy) or Tuesday (soCiology). The instructions are located here: Sociology major project unit wrap-up C. Finally, a detailed Sociology class survey is posted here. This is of huge importance as Mr. Duncan has tried many new teaching methods and would like to know their effectiveness so he can be a better teacher and so students will learn more and enjoy learning more in the future. Plan on taking your time in filling out the survey.
 * // 1. Assignments for this weekend //**
 * Note: Mr. Duncan's presentation notes have been emailed to each senior who has presented. He will email to the underclassmen early next week.

Wednesday May 11
A. Many of you are unfamiliar with Chicago Style citations. While similar in its purpose to MLA, Chicago Style is a different way of sharing what resources have been used. To learn how to use Chicago Style, please see the screencast and the related documents on this page. The PROJECT DESCRIPTION + INFO also has a link to the same page.
 * // 1. Writing Using Chicago Style //**

Thursday April 28
A. The schedule for May, dedicated primarily to the major sociology project, is posted here: @Major Sociology Project Spring 2011 Schedule. It includes what is happening each class, important due dates (including the upcoming marriage/family wrap-up!), and presentation times. There is much to do, so plan ahead!
 * // 1. Major Individual Project/May Schedule //**

A. While much class time will be dedicated to major project work, Mr. Duncan also plans on spending 1:1 time with each student helping them achieve their individual learner goals (such as becoming a better writer). Be thinking of how you can use this time in class wisely to accomplish what you hope to do.
 * // 2. Individual Goals //**

A. Sometime on Fri 4/29, Mr. Duncan will email each marriage/family debate group the notes he took from the debates. While some of the notes are incomplete/rushed, the teacher tried to take notes as thoroughly as possible. If you have questions about any of them, please ask Mr. Duncan as they are designed to help you in Part IV of the marriage/family unit wrap-up.
 * // 3. Marriage/Family Debate Notes //**

A. The marriage + family unit wrap up requires a longer reflection than previous wrap-ups. Use this information to help you plan ahead for writing it.
 * // 4. Marriage/Family Unit Wrap-Up //**

Wednesday April 20
A. Get into pairs B. Read either of the following articles by the //New York Times'// David Brooks: C. After reading, briefly discuss the article with your partner, making sure you both understand it and then seeing (a) if you both agree with what it is saying and (b) figuring out what his main and/or best point is. D. ***The teacher will give the instructions for this part in class. This is the best part of the lesson! (at least it is Mr. Duncan's favorite...)**
 * // 1. Today's Class (part of it, anyway) //**
 *  The Power Elite
 * For this article, define these terms beforehand: echelons, blue blood, WASP, Protestant Establishment, chasm, meritocracy, party hacks, empathy
 * [|The Experience Economy]
 * For this article, define these terms beforehand: low-hanging fruit, iceboxes, outhouses, horse-drawn buggies, monetized (While reading, use context to understand: materialist, postmaterialist)

// 2. Final Korea-Illinois Project Wrap-Up //** A. While each person has already filled out a detailed project reflection, all students must fill this short unit wrap-up in class today. It should take 5 minutes or less. Despite its brevity, it is quite important so please take it seriously.

Monday April 4
A. Many students have posted files in Apple software formats (e.g. Keynote) that may not be accessible for your partners in Illinois. If you have not already done so, EXPORT your files into formats (such as PPT or .pdf) that are accessible to most computer users. If this change needs to happen, please take care of it before leaving school TODAY as many of your partners will start presenting tonight (Korea time).
 * // 1. Project Formatting //**

Tuesday March 29
A. See below for what is coming up for the next few classes. **Note that the Unit III Wrap-Up due date has been postponed 1 class day.**
 * // 1. The Next 2 Days of Class //**
 * Wed 30 Mar (Both classes)
 * Nothing due today
 * Spend all class working on either completing your Unit III Wrap-Up or on your USA/Korea presentation.
 * Note: The Unit III Wrap-Up will not include any work related to either of the two major projects
 * Note: If you have a KIS partner for the USA/Korea, you may work with him/her. Otherwise, you should be away from everyone else.
 * Note: This is the last day in class to work on the USA/Korea project.
 * HW: Finish Unit III Wrap-Up
 * Thu 31 Mar (SocioloGy), Fri 1 Apr (SoCiology)
 * Turn in Unit III Wrap-Up @ beginning of class
 * Read Ch. 16 on "Marriage and Family" (class's choice for extra unit)
 * While reading, write down (on paper!):
 * 3 questions related to marriage/family that you want answered---these questions should be ones where people can take 2+ sides with their answers
 * 10 things you learned from this chapter that you found interesting. Put a star by the 1-3 you found MOST interesting
 * This is due in class
 * HW: Finalize presentations (see schedule below)

A. The presentation schedule is posted HERE. B. Even though some groups are not presenting until later in the week, ALL students should be reminded that the research report and final product is due on the wiki by 12:00pm on Monday April 4 (Sunday April 3, 10pm Illinois time). C. Be sure to go back over the project description while making final preparations: D. Presentations should be about 5-7 minutes long with 6-8 minutes following each presentation for audience feedback.
 * // 2. USA/Korea Project Presentation Schedule //**

Friday February 25
A. Hopefully all of the Skype conversations went well. Based on what was posted on the wiki, I copied/pasted your research questions HERE. The biggest issues are: B. One important change has been made: Students should post **TWO** research questions instead of one. One should be the "big picture" question which addresses the main idea behind the research and the other should be the "specific" question which focuses on how the Korea/USA research will be conducted. Below are examples of both types of questions for one Hawthorne experiment: C. In today's class (SocioloGy) or Monday's class (SoCiology), we will peer edit some project plans and work on research questions. Remember, as stated in the project description, the project plans are due posted on the wiki by Monday. Also, today in class, we will begin reviewing the literature.
 * // 1. USA/Korea Project Research Questions //**
 * Many of the topics listed are not posted in question form.
 * Most of the tentative hypotheses do not have the reasons WHY each group made their hypothesis.
 * Big picture: How does human behavior change when one knows he/she is being observed?
 * Specific: How will holding up a sign saying "I am conducting a sociological experiment on jaywalking" impact the number of people who jaywalk on a busy city street?

A. "Reviewing the literature" will be due by 10pm on Tuesday Korea time on our day off. It would be great to finish it before then. The process/expectations will be explained more in class, but the following is expected:
 * // 2. Reviewing the Literature Explanation //**
 * Each person will summarize two scholarly articles related to your topic.
 * Each summary should be 1/3 to 1/2 pages single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1" margins.
 * The summaries should conclude with an explanation of how the article relates to the group’s research question.
 * The reviews should be posted on the wiki with the student reviewer's name clearly posted.

A. As you make changes in class or out of class to the wiki, be sure to let your group members from Illinois know about them and ask what they think. B. FYI: From March 2-4, we will peer review other groups' project plans, lit reviews, and tentative hypotheses.
 * // 3. Communicating with UHS Students //**

Friday February 18
A. In class today (Fri Feb 18), KIS students will make their first contact with their partners for the group project. Each student should create a Google Doc and share it using the email address sent to you today. The Google Doc should:
 * // 1. USA/Korea Introductions/Brainstorming //**
 * be
 * titled "_ USA/Korea Project Intro & Brainstorming," with the blank including all 2-3 names of the group members (Illinois school student listed 1st)
 * placed in your Google Docs Sociology folder (if 2 KISers are in a group, it should be in both folders)
 * include
 * 1st section
 * a paragraph introduction (who you are/background info, interests) for each person involved
 * your Skype address (so the Illinois partner and Mr. Duncan) can see it
 * 2nd section
 * a distinct space for students to post project ideas...at this stage, put as many as you may be interested...ideas will be refined later

A. Students should be logged on to their Skype accounts by 10:00 pm on Thursday February 24 (7am Illinois time). Around 10:10-10:20, you should be contacted via Skype from your group partner. If you have not heard from your partner by 10:20 pm, then please contact Mr. Duncan immediately on [] and wait for a response. B. The goal for tonight is as follows: C. Each group should post their research question HERE by Friday February 25. In addition to adding the question on the main page, groups should use their own links to post (a) their basic research plan and (b) tentative hypothesis. Students from both schools will have access to the wiki so any person can post the information as long as it is posted by Friday's class (prior to Thursday evening 5pm USA time). D. Note: Each group should keep their brainstorming ideas (perhaps on the Google Doc) for research questions, especially if a/both teacher(s) suggest/require an alternative.
 * // 2. Thu 2/24 - Skype Plans //**
 * Meet each other
 * Finalize research question (a.k.a. topic)
 * Plan research method
 * The same research method (use Ch. 5 for ideas if necessary) should be utilized by both schools.
 * Form tentative hypothesis
 * Figure out how you will stay in touch throughout the duration of the project

A. The project description has been posted at the bottom of this page. Please download and consider this as you are working with your group. B. Some notes about the project:
 * // 3. USA/Korea Project Notes //**
 * Be sure to consider many factors if possible/appropriate. For example, if studying gender differences, do not forget other factors that may play a role such as age differences, individuals v. groups, etc.
 * While the experiments should be the same, be aware of the differences in settings of the two experiments in your analysis.
 * [|University High School] is our partner high school for the project. The classes of Ms. Gorski of UHS and Mr. Duncan of KIS have worked together on various activities since 2007.

Saturday February 12
A. For the Unit 1 Wrap-Up/Grade Proposal, create the document using Google Docs. Place it in your folder (this copy will not have the grade on it). You will still need to print it out and bring it to class with the grade proposal on the back. B. For the "mastery of content" section, do not actually answer each essential question. Instead, address how well you know all of the essential questions in a limited, general section of your overall reflection. C. There are no more updates as of right now. However, if a student asks me a question via email that I think is worth answering for everyone, I will post it below this announcement without sending an email to everyone. Bottom line: Feel free to check this announcement later this weekend to see if more information has become available. Have a great weekend!
 * // 1. Unit 1 Wrap-Up Clarifications/Updates //**

Monday February 7
A. SoCiology (for Tue) & SocioloGy (Wed for G): B. SoCiology for Wed: C. SocioloGy for Thu: None
 * // 1. Homework //**
 * Read p. 64-68, 73-86, 87-91 (including boxes on p. 65 & 77). Consider:
 * nature v. nurture
 * where we learn our gender roles
 * how people are trained to behave certain ways based on their age
 * Read p. 49-52
 * In a Google Doc journal (put in your folder, include both your name and "Journal" in the title), list as many subcultures that you can think of that you are a part of
 * Read p. 57-58
 * In the same Google Doc journal, write a paragraph where you apply the controversy between sociobiologists and sociologists to another situation (besides homosexuality). Do not look up an example on the internet...use your own brain!

Friday January 21
A. Log into Google Docs. Create a folder with the following title: "SoCiology " (your name) or "G-Soc _" (your name). B. Share that folder with Mr. Duncan via his kduncan@kis.or.kr email address. C. For any document in that folder, put the document title followed by your name (e.g. "Unit I Reflection Dave Thompson.")
 * // 1. Setting up your Google Docs Folder //**

A. While this semester will focus on more important writing traits (formulating research questions, developing a quality thesis, arguing a point based on research, etc.), please see the attached document for some basic grammar tips and practice sentences to improve your skills:
 * // 2. Writing Expectations //**