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COURSE DESCRIPTION:An exploration of civil society from a sociological perspective. This course will serve as an entry-level into the field of sociology using the broad idea of civil society to guide the learning process. There will be an exploration of sociological ideas contrasted with positions held by political, economic, historical, anthropological, and other social sciences. Civil society focuses on the changing nature of civil membership, underlying beliefs, values, and morality that guide society and its definition of how people should behave as members of society. Basic sociological ideas, questions, and personal biography will serve to guide the learning process.
INSTRUCTOR:

R. Dean Wright
124 Howard Hall
Phone: 515/271-3618
E-mail: dean.wright@drake.edu

8:00 - 9:00 TR., 2:00 - 3:15 TR. Other times by appointment

Charles Lemert, Social Things: An Introduction to Sociological Life(New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.) 1997.

John A. Hall, Civil Society: Theory, History, Comparison(Cambridge, MA: Polity Press, 1995)

William M. Kepharat and William W. Zeller, Extraordinary Groups: An Examination of Unconventional Life Styles(New York: St. Martin's Press)

There will be three examinations during the semester. Each exam will be worth one-hundred points and will contain a series of short-answer essay questions.

There will be three projects / research endeavors / papersthat each student or a team of students will be expected to complete during the semester. These projects will range in scope and will focus on the changing images of civil society. Each project will be worth fifty points.

Students will be allowed to take make-up examinations but only under extraordinary circumstances .. such as a medical excuse from a physician. Please provide the instructor with the written excuse when you arrange the make-up examination.

Grades will be based upon total points received during the semester. The scale is as follows:

OFFICE HOURS:

TEXTS:
EXAMINATION:
PROJECTS:
MAKE-UP POLICY:
GRADING POLICY:
A = 405 -450 points B =360 - 404 points C =315 - 359 points D = 270 - 314 points F =269 points and below
Spring Semester 2000 The Quest for a Civil Society