Week 1: What is Public Sociology?



Sociology 105Sociology LaboratoryInfluencing Public PolicySpring 2020Instructor: Fabio RojasSection: 12291SW 103Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 AM to 10:45 PMContact Information: My office is 759 Ballantine Hall. Office hours will be 11 am to 12 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment. My Indiana University email address is frojas@indiana.edu. There is no TA for this course, but we will have a “helper” who will come in and be available for helping you (and me!) with software and audio craft. This is Philip Choong of the IU Department of English.Summary: Every year, sociologists write thousands of books and journal articles. But which ones are relevant for the public? This course explores this issue by having students read sociological research and then “translate it” into written expression, public speaking, and podcasting. We will also do some reading about the sociology of the media and who counts as “the public.” This course is a proud participation in the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Experience (ASURE) program.Reading Assignments: There is one main text: Michael Schudson’s The Sociology of News. That book will give us an overview of how the media works and then we can ask how sociology enters the news ecosystem. Then we will read various articles that you can find in Jstor, IU Cat, or other free sources.Grades and Assignments: These are the assignments that we will do:Get “set up.” If you have problem acquiring these, please see me (10%):text book (used copy ~$30)headphone that covers the ears (~$30)a small thumb drive to back up your work (~$10)download the Adobe Audition software free from IU ware (free)Reliable access to a smartphone or audio recorder (we’ll get one for you if needed)Reliable access to a decent microphone if your smartphone or audio recorder needs it (we’ll get one for you if needed)Reliable access to a desktop or laptop that can run Adobe Audition (we’ll get one for you if needed)Get a Monroe County Public Library card (free)Use your MCPL card to sign up for a account (free)Policy brief writing. (15%) You will compose a short written explanation of a single policy found in a sociology journal. Public speaking exercise. (15%). You will compose a short policy talk and present it in class.Short self-podcast. (15%). You will write and produce a short podcast where you explain a policy/sociology issue in fun “radio friendly” terms.Team exercise #1: Interview the teacher. (15%). Group project where I will be your guinea pig. Come to my office, record a conversation and produce something interesting.Team exercise #2: Interview a faculty member + Poster session based on interview. (15%). Same as above, except that we will identify some folks around campus to be the subject of the interview. The Poster Project will be presented at the ASURE meeting in late April. Class participation (10%) I will give you an overall grade for how well you are prepared for each class and your contribution. I can’t call on every student in every class, but I will call on everyone eventually and often – be prepared.Exams: There are no exams, finals, or quizzes for this class. Life is the best teacher. Doing is learning.Class Participation: I will call on people for class participation. It is not an “attendance grade” where you get points just for showing up. I will often call on students to prepare questions and lead discussion. Show me you learned something and you are engaging in the material. Also: Since this is a small class about public sociology, you must participate! Students who fail to participate will receive an incomplete. Grades: There are only four grades in the class: A (80%-100%), B (60-79%), C (50%-59%), F (all other grades) Course Policies: These rules apply to all my courses unless otherwise noted. Read them carefully.Office hours: I will announce my office hours the first day of class. If you can’t make them, email me. If we have an assistant, he or she will announce office hours during the section.Cheating: If you copy an answer from another student during an exam or quiz, you will automatically receive an F for the entire course. This is not negotiable. It is better to ask the teacher for a hint or to guess than to cheat. At least you can pull up a bad grade, while the F is permanent.Plagiarism: If you use the work of another person, you must cite them properly with a footnote, end note or quotation. Submitting the work of another as your own is theft and will be punished with an F for the course. I consider extensive and uncited copying from other sources (books, newspapers, websites, etc.) a form of plagiarism.Attendance: I do not take roll during class. You are adults. If you need to be absent, that is fine with me. If you are absent, get notes from other students. You are still responsible for all the course materials and you still need to take the exams and do the papers.Class room behavior: Be nice. Even if you think I am completely wrong, do not shout or otherwise show disrespect toward your teacher or your fellow students. There is to be no foul language or disruptive behavior.Old Papers: I keep the papers from a course for one year then I throw them away. If you want your graded exam, send me email and I will give it to you.Missed exams: You can take a midterm exam late if you are sick or have another emergency. Get your undergraduate advisor to send me an email if you are sick. I also accept doctor’s notes and notes from the student health service. You will take the make up exam at a time that is convenient for me or the teaching assistant. If you do not have a legitimate excuse, then you will receive an F (0%) on the exam.Missed quizzes: See above. Incompletes: There are no incompletes unless you have a medical emergency or other legitimate excuse. Have your advisor contact me if you require an incomplete.Late papers: You can hand in a late paper but you will get a reduced grade – 1/3 grade per late day (i.e., A A- for 1 day late, A B+ for two days late, etc.) Poor grades: If you did badly on an exam, paper or quiz, please see me or the teaching assistant. You can also consult other professors, your academic advisor or get a tutor. The university has various services where you can get help. Remember, a bad grade does not mean that we don’t like you. It only means that we think you can do better. Grade changes: If you think I or the reader marked a paper incorrectly, please bring it to office hours. If I am persuaded that the grade should be changed, then email me a note saying “you changed my grade from X to Y.” Double check with me at the end of the semester to make sure I recorded the new grade. Cell phones – at the beginning of class, turn your cell phone off or set it to vibrate. No laptops – there are no laptops (or other electronic devices) allowed in class, unless we are using it for an in class exercise. Sorry.You can’t submit the same paper for two classes unless you get permission from me at least two weeks before the paper is due. Course Readings: EVERY WEEK YOU MUST HAVE IN CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS READY. ALL READINGS SHOULD BE DONE BY TUESDAY. YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE READINGS WILL BE INCLUDED IN YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE.READINGS ARE DONE ON TUESDAY AND ACIVITIES ON THURSDAY. IN THE LAST WEEKS OF THE COURSE, WE DO ACTIVITIES TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.Week 1: What is Public Sociology?Readings: Burawoy, Michael. 2005. “For Public Sociology.” American Sociological Review 70: 4-28.Brady, David. 2004. “Why Public Sociology May Fail.” Social Forces 82.4: 1629-1638.Week 2: Sociology of the News – What is the News?Readings: Schudson Chapters 1 and 2.Week 3: Sociology of the News – Media BiasReadings: Schudson Chapters 3 and 4Week 4: Sociology of the News – Did the Internet Destroy the News? Readings: Schudson Chapter 5, Read the policy briefs from Contexts magazine (years 2018 and 2019). Access through or IU Cat.Week 5: Sociology of the News – Where Does News Come From?Readings: Schudson Chapter Six and SevenWeek 6: Sociology of the News - The Audience for NewsReadings: Schudson Chapter Eight and NineWeek 7: Sociology of the News – The News as NarrativeReadings: Schudson Chapter 10-12Week 8: Who is “the public?” Readings: Habermas’ The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere. Chapters 1-3 (uploaded to Canvas)Week 9: The theory of the public sphereReadings: Habermas’ The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere. Chapters 4-5 (uploaded to Canvas)Week 10: Critiquing the public sphere model Readings: Michael Dawson’s “Black Counterpublic” article ()Nancy Fraser’s “Rethinking the Public Sphere” (uploaded to Canvas)Week 11-16: In class workshops/practicumActivity ScheduleWeek #TopicActivity1Public SociologyGet equipment2Media TheorySelect a journal article (one paragraph assignment)3Media TheoryBreaking down journal article 4Media TheoryLearning to Write a Policy Brief5Media TheoryPublic Speaking6Media TheoryDo in class public speaking. Memorize speech and deliver in class.7Media TheoryWrite a script for self pod cast/story8Theory of the PublicPodcast basics, "Level Up" lab visit, 1 page "break down memo"9Theory of the PublicProduce -self-podcast10Theory of the PublicChoose teams/arrange time to interview teacher11 PracticumConduct interview. "Level Up" lab visit, advanced.12 PracticumProduce teacher podcast13 PracticumIdentify social scientist on campus to interview14 PracticumRecord interview, produce draft of poster session15 PracticumPresent rough draft of faculty interview and then edit. Round 2 of poster edits16 PracticumPoster presentation, wrap up sessionReading and Writing ScheduleWeek #Writing - in addition to weekly notes on readingsReading1NoneBurawoy and Brady21 paragraph summarySchudson 1 and 231 page outline of selected journal article, notes on short podcast 1Schudson 3 and 441 page policy brief dueSchudson 5, Contexts policy briefs51 Page ScriptSchudson 6 and 76Revise and deliver speech, notes on short podcast 2Schudson 8 and 97Outline for 2-3 minutes of audioSchudson 10-128Write out script for audioHabermas part 19Final script + upload audio to CanvasHabermas part 210NoneCounter public article11NoneNone121 page break down of a longer podcastNone13Provide list of questions to teacherNone14Draft of text for poster sessionNone15Revise text.None16Produce final poster and present.NoneListening/Viewing ScheduleWeek #Listening1?2?3Short podcast 14?5?6Short podcast : Podcast Production. Sections 2 and 3.8?: Audition CC essential training, part 4 and 5. 10?: Audition CC essential training, part 6.12Long podcast 113Long podcast : Audition CC essential training, part 7.15In class critiques of pod cast drafts16?List of Sample PodcastsPodcastTopicTwitter/WebsiteSociology AnnexSociology Trends@socannexEcon Talk Long Form Economics @EconTalkerCode SwitchRace and Identity@NPRCodeSwitchPlanet MoneyShort Form Economics@planetmoneyThis American LifeAudio Essays on America@ThisAmerLifeHidden BrainShort Form Psychology@HiddenBrainScience VsPopular science@sciencvsThroughlineHistorical and Headlines@throughlineNPR99 Percent DesignDesign @piorgNo JargonVaried Social Science@NoJargonPodcastingNPR InvisibiliaSocial Science for the Public@NPRinvisibiliaDolly Parton's AmericaCulture form popular science Books in SociologyReviews of recent sociology books@NewBooksSocThe Social BreakdownLong form sociology@socbreakdownBside PodcastFocus on African American Sociology@bside_podcastSociología con AcentoSociology in Spanish@socioconacentoAttachedRelationships/Psychology@AttachedPodcastThe Society PagesSociology in long and short formats@TheSocietyPagesTalking about OrganizatiosnOrganization Theory/Sociology@talkaboutorgsWe Live HereRace in the Midwest@welivehereSTLPushin IndustriesSocial Issues@pushkinpodsFear NotComedy sociology.@FearNotOfficialThe Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies Latin America Focus@SECOLAS_orgLatino Media CollectiveLatino Media@LMC_showScene on RadioPodcast of the Duke Center for Documentaries@SceneOnRadioEarl HustleEarl hustle talks about incarceration@earhustlesqSocial Science BitesDavid Edmonds Does Social Science@socialscibitesVox WebsiteVarious podcasts on social science and policy@voxdotcomAn Arm and a LegHealth Care@armandalegshowAmerican SuburbSocial Life from a Journalism Perspective@sandhyadirksHalf Hour of HeterodoxyIdeological Diversity InformationBias Reporting:As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to create a positive learning environment for all students. Bias incidents (events or comments that target an individual or group based on age, color, religion, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or veteran status) are not appropriate in our classroom or on campus. Any act of discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability can be reported through any of the options: 1) email biasincident@indiana.edu or incident@indiana.edu; 2) call the Dean of Students Office at (812) 855-8188; or 3) use the IU mobile App (m.iu.edu). Reports can be made anonymously if desired.?Disability Services for Students:Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities (e.g. mental health, learning, chronic health, physical, hearing, vision neurological, etc.). You must have established your eligibility for support services through the appropriate office that services students with disabilities. Note that services are confidential, may take time to put into place and are not retroactive; captions and alternate media for print materials may take three or more weeks to get produced. Please contact Disability Services for Students at or 812- 855-7578 as soon as possible if accommodations are needed. The office is located on the third floor, west tower, of the Wells Library, Room W302. Walk-ins are welcome 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. You can also locate a variety of campus resources for students and visitors that need assistance at: Misconduct:As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to create a positive learning environment for all students. Title IX and IU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy prohibit sexual misconduct in any form, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and dating and domestic violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. ?If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with: The Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) at (812) 855-8900 (counseling services) Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at (812) 856-2469 (advocacy and advice services)IU Health Center at (812) 855-4011 (health and medical services) ?It is also important that you know that Title IX and University policy require me to share any information brought to my attention about potential sexual misconduct, with the campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator. In that event, those individuals will work to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available. Protecting student privacy is of utmost concern, and information will only be shared with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist. I encourage you to visit stopsexualviolence.iu.edu to learn more.?Digital Access:?Digital devices (like laptops and cell phones) are becoming increasingly important to success in college. In this course, you may need digital devices to access readings, complete and submit written assignments, complete online quizzes, verify your attendance, take in-class polls, coordinate with other students regarding group projects, complete and submit group projects.?I recognize that some students are unable to afford the cost of purchasing digital devices and that other students rely on older, more problem-prone devices that frequently break down or become unusable. I also recognize that those technology problems can be a significant source of stress for students. Given those challenges, I encourage students to contact me and/or the teaching assistant if they experience a technology-related problem that interferes with their work in this course. ?This will enable me to assist students in accessing support.?I also encourage students to be aware of the many technology-related resources that Indiana University provides, including:·???????? Free on-campus wireless internet (wifi) access through the “IU Secure” network. Free software for download and for cloud-based use. Free unlimited, secure online storage through Box (a great way to back up files). Free 24/7 IU tech support (e.g., email, Canvas, wifi, printing, device setup, etc.). Free in-person tech support at the Learning Commons in the Wells Library and in IMU room M089. Students can borrow laptops and tablets from the Learning Commons in the Wells Library (click here for hours). Discounts on devices from leading technology companies, including Apple, Dell, and Microsoft.? ................
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