SOCI 2035

Carleton University
Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology

Winter 2005
Wednesdays 2:35 - 5:25 pm
Southam 417

course syllabus (pdf)
course weblog

Instructor

Anne Galloway
anne.galloway@gmail.com
Office Loeb A701
Tuesday 10-11:15 or by appointment

Themes

Science and technology as culture and practice - from the laboratories of high energy physicists to street uses of mobile technologies.

Schedule & assigned readings

Assignments

Students will be evaluated on a major research project, a film essay and class participation.

Assignment details & due dates

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Assignment & evaluation details (pdf)

Film Essay - 10% - Due Feb 2

Students will watch Minority Report in class, and submit a short essay discussing the ways the film presents the role of technology in future society. Students will be provided specific essay questions to answer. Plot summaries or movie reviews will not be accepted.

Research Project Proposal - 15% - Due Feb 16

This assignment is intended to jumpstart students into thinking about their project topic. Students will break into groups of 3 or 4 for their final project. Each group will submit a single proposal and each member of the group will receive the same grade. Proposals must include the names of the students in the group and the role that each student will serve in the presentation of the final project. The proposal should describe the overall project and explain why it is important in light of the topics and issues covered in class, as well as provide descriptions of each individual project component and its relevance to the whole. It should also cover what sources the students intend to use in their research of the topic or issue, and what written form (paper or web-based) the final project will take. Class time will be dedicated to discussing the assignment and working together in groups.

Final Research Project - 35% - Due Mar 16

The final project will address a major theme of the class and will be completed by groups of 3-4 students as established in the proposal. Groups will bundle 3-4 projects on a single topic where each group member contributes a component and receives a separate grade. In addition, a short (2 page) introductory essay needs to explain how each of the projects relates to the others. Each component of the project should be the equivalent of 8-10 double-spaced typed pages, and requires at least three sources not on the assigned reading list for the course. The final project will be evaluated on the quality of critical engagement with the topic and its relation to class themes, clarity and mastery of the form of expression, and creativity in project choice.

Final Research Project Presentation - 15% - Due Mar 23 & 30

Each group of students is required to present its research project during the last two weeks of class. Each group will have 20 minutes to present its results and discuss them with the class. Please note: a laptop and data projector will be provided for use with presentations. All presentations using a computer must be written to CD in formats discussed with the instructor prior to the presentation. If you require a VCR or DVD player, please discuss this with the instructor prior to the presentation.

Class Participation - 25% - ongoing

Students are expected to do all the required readings for the course; to attend classes each week, having done the reading in advance; to actively participate in small group discussions and post to the course weblog. Special recognition will be given to students who demonstrate consistent improvement over the course of the term.