Download SOCI 470 A Contemporary Social Theory

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SOCI 470 A
Contemporary Social Theory
June Session 14/55
June 1 – July 25, 2015
Course Description
Survey of contemporary social theory, beginning in post-World War II era through the current era of
post-structuralism, feminist sociology, critical race theory and queer theory. Includes the study of C.
Wright Mills, Jurgen Habermas, Pierre Bourdieu, Immanual Wallerstein, Anthony Giddens, Michael
Foucault, Theda Scocpol, Dorothy Smith, Adrienne Rich and Patricia Hill Collins.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Proctored Exams: Midterm & Final
Textbooks
Allan, K. (2013). Contemporary social and sociological theory: Visualizing social worlds (3rd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-1-4129-9277-0
Textbooks for the course may be ordered from MBS Direct. You can order:
 online at http://direct.mbsbooks.com/columbia.htm (be sure to select Online Education
rather than your home campus before selecting your class)
 by phone at 800-325-3252
For additional information about the bookstore, visit http://www.mbsbooks.com.
Course Overview
This course is an upper-level sociological theory course, one of two theory requirements for the
sociology degree at Columbia College. Theory can be difficult. The readings are dense and cannot
simply be skimmed. This course asks that you become engaged in conversations with some of the
greatest minds of the post-WWII era. While this can be intimidating, keep in mind that at a less
formal level, you are already a social theorist. Each of us theorizes about the world we live in every
day. Whenever we try to make sense of, understand, and/or explain our social world, we are engaged
in social theory. What differentiates us from the thinkers we will be reading is systematic thought
about the world in which they lived.
Technology Requirements
Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all online classes at Columbia
College:
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A computer with reliable Internet access,
a web browser,
Acrobat Reader,
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Microsoft Office or another word processor such as Open Office.
You can find more details about standard technical requirements for our courses on our site.
Course Objectives
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To grasp an understanding of modern social thought, from the post-World War II era to the
current era.
To investigate the social and cultural conditions that forced theorists to critique the
applicability of Marxism and develop new theories, such as critical theorist Jürgen
Habermas, world systems theorist Immanuel Wallerstein, and the work of C. Wright Mills, as
a response to new conditions.
To study the move from objective, universalistic theories to an embrace of subjectivity and
localized explanations for human behavior.
To study the emergence of poststructuralist thought, primarily the work of Foucault and
Baudrillard.
To explore the current theories of Anthony Giddens, Pierre Bourdieu, and Theda Skocpol.
To study the postmodernist turn in the social sciences and the emergence of identity politics
such as feminist sociology, queer theory and critical race theory through the works of
Dorothy Smith, Patricia Hill-Collins, and Adrienne Rich.
To encourage theoretical application.
Measurable Learning Outcomes
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Describe and explain the major contemporary theoretical traditions in sociology and the
emergence of each of their particular socio-historical contexts.
Identify and describe the theoretical perspectives of the following contemporary social
theorists: Foucault, Giddens, Skocpol.
Explain the development of post-Marxist thought through an analysis of the work of C.
Wright Mills, Jürgen Habermas, and Immanuel Wallerstein.
Describe and explain the major developments in contemporary sociological theory: critical
theory, post-structuralism, feminist sociology, and queer theory.
Describe and explain theoretical application and the current relevance of sociological theory.
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Grading
Grading Scale
Grade Weights
GRADE
POINTS
PERCENT
ASSIGNMENT
A
540-600
90-100
B
480-539
POINTS
PERCENT
Discussion
100
16.7%
80-89
Papers
300
50%
100
16.7%
C
420-479
70-79
Midterm Exam
D
360-419
60-69
Final Exam
100
16.7%
F
0-359
0-59
Total
600
100%
Schedule of Due Dates
WEEK
ASSIGNMENT
POINTS
DUE DATE
1
Introduction
4
Wednesday
Discussion 1
6
Wednesday
Discussion 2
6
Sunday
Discussion 3
6
Wednesday
Discussion 4
6
Sunday
Paper 1
100
Saturday
Discussion 5
6
Wednesday
Discussion 6
6
Sunday
Discussion 7
6
Wednesday
Discussion 8
6
Sunday
Midterm Examination
100
Sunday
Discussion 9
6
Wednesday
Discussion 10
6
Sunday
Paper 2
100
Saturday
Discussion 11
6
Wednesday
Discussion 12
6
Sunday
Discussion 13
6
Wednesday
Discussion 14
6
Sunday
Paper 3
100
Saturday
Discussion 15
6
Wednesday
Discussion 16
6
Friday
Final Examination
100
Saturday
Total Possible Points
600
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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Assignment Overview
Readings and activities: It is critical that weekly readings and activities be completed prior to
submitting other assignments or participating in discussion. Mastering the weekly reading
assignment is absolutely essential for your success in the course.
Discussions: There will be two discussion topics per week during the course, as well as an
Introduction discussion in Week 1. With the exception of the Introduction, which requires only one
post, each discussion requires a minimum of two posts – a primary post and a peer response, both to
be completed by the deadline indicated. Your first Discussion each week is due no later than 11:59
PM CT on Wednesday. Your second Discussion is due no later than 11:59 PM CT on Sunday of the
designated week. All work for each Discussion must be completed no later than 11:59 PM CT on the
designated day, either Wednesday or Sunday. The standard-of-work for the Discussions is articulated
below. Grading criteria in the form of a rubric can be found in the Content Area of the course in D2L.
Initial Post: Each of the discussion topics requires an essay-like response to the questions
posed. Your answers should be based on your reading of the course materials, as well as my
instructions provided. The questions in these discussions are designed to help you
understand the selected key concepts in the assigned chapter. In order to get full credit for
your discussion posts, you must answer the discussion topics thoroughly and your answers
must show your knowledge of the assigned readings. In almost all cases, I am not asking for
an opinion, but instead an informed answer. In particular, note that your initial post should
be formatted with an essay-like response covering all the issues. The expectation is that
you will write a minimum of 200 words on your primary answer (initial) post. This is
approximately 15 lines – three or four paragraphs.
Peer Response Posts: Our discussions are the vehicle for class interaction. Since this is not
a correspondence course, we should all take on responsibility for creating an active learning
community. We often learn from the posts submitted by others. Therefore, you are strongly
encouraged to read posts from your fellow classmates and all of the posts from the
instructor. You are required to post at least one peer response post in each discussion, but
you are certainly encouraged to post more often. The expectation is that you will write a
minimum of 100 words on your required peer post. If you choose to write additional peer
posts, each should be a minimum of three sentences.
Your posts/responses will be graded based upon timeliness and quality, by which I mean how well
you demonstrate that you can understand, integrate, and apply the concepts under discussion. Posts
must have the following components in order to be eligible for the maximum credit:
1. Relevance to the topic
2. Fully addresses the topic
3. Submitted by its designated deadline date
4. Posts an initial post in an essay-like format (minimum of 200 words)
5. Paraphrases and/or directly quotes the required text
6. Properly uses APA citation format for in-text citations and reference to the required text
7. Contains few or no grammatical errors
8. Adheres to the conventions of online etiquette
9. Posts at least one peer response post per discussion (minimum of 100 words each)
Papers: You will write three papers in this course. The minimum length for each of these papers is 4
double-spaced pages. You can find more details about each paper in the Course Schedule section
below and in the Content area of the course.
You must utilize the course text book as well as at least one other authoritative resource. I will
describe authoritative resources at length in the News of D2L. In brief, peer-reviewed academic
journal articles are authoritative sources. Books authored by Sociologists are also considered
authoritative sources. Sociology textbooks are considered authoritative sources as well. So, your
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second, or “outside,” resource must be scholarly work. Newspaper or magazine articles are not
scholarly because they are not authored by Sociologists and they are not peer-reviewed.
APA format is required for each paper, including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Title Page
Abstract
References properly cited according to APA within the body, and also in the References
listing at the end of the paper.
Be careful not to plagiarize (refer to the Plagiarism section below for specific details).
Each paper should be double-spaced, using a 12-point font, Times New Roman or Arial preferred,
with one-inch (1”) page margins. The title page, abstract, and reference list do not count toward the
page requirement (4 page minimum).
Papers should be written in proper English, free of errors in spelling and grammar. Only written
assignments that are complete, succinct, detailed, clear, and relevant to the subject matter assigned,
(a “model paper”) are eligible for the maximum points. Poor or incomplete writing in content and
format, along with tardiness, will result in substantial point deductions and may result in total
forfeiture of points. Please proofread your work before submitting and, if possible, have someone
else proofread as well.
All work for this course should be original. Papers submitted in other classes (former or current) are
not acceptable and will not receive credit.
Exams: Midterm and Final Examinations are required in this course. Both examinations are
administered in the D2L course environment with an approved proctor.
Each examination contains four essay questions, 25 points each, totaling 100 points for each exam.
You will have 2 hours (120 minutes) for each. No notes, textbooks, reference materials, or mobile
telephones are allowed during the examination.
The Midterm Examination will be available from Tuesday to Sunday of Week Four. The Final
Examination will be available from Tuesday to Saturday of Week Eight. The timeframes designated
for each examination is to accommodate the scheduling needs of the proctors. Students should
directly arrange the specific appointments with their proctors. See Proctor Policy below.
Course Schedule
Week 1 – Modernity and Two Defining Moments for Contemporary Theory in
the Twenty-First Century
Readings
Introduction (to be Read): The Real You
Chapter 1 - In the Beginning was Modernity
Chapter 2 – Defining Moments in Twentieth-Century Theory: Talcott Parsons and the
Frankfurt School
Discussion Assignments
Introduction: Introduce yourself. Please tell us more than your name. Include, if you wish,
your interests, hobbies, occupation, geographical location, and any other information that
you want to share with us to help us get to know you. Due by midnight CST on Wednesday.
Discussion 1: Explain the most important cultural and structural roots of modernity. What
are they and how are they connected to positivism? Second, briefly identify and discuss the
three basic pillars of scientific understanding. Due by midnight CST on Wednesday.
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Discussion 2: Compare and contrast the approach to Sociological theory adopted by Talcott
Parsons and the Frankfurt School theorists. Be sure to address positivism, empiricism, and
the role of the Enlightenment. Also discuss critical theory’s assessment of positivistic theory.
Due by midnight CST on Sunday.
Week 2 – Studying Social Interaction – Symbolic Interactionism (Herbert
Blumer), Dramaturgy (Erving Goffman) and Ethnomethodology (Harold
Garfinkel)
Readings
Chapter 3 – The Language of the Self -- Herbert Blumer
Chapter 4 – Imagining the Self -- Erving Goffman
Chapter 5 – Achieving Social Order -- Harold Garfinkel
Discussion Assignments
Discussion 3: How does pragmatism inform symbolic interactionist theory? Second, what is
the importance of meaning, and how is it achieved? Finally, what are the mind and self, and
what kind of behaviors are engaged by the mind and the self? Due by midnight CST on
Wednesday.
Discussion 4: Discuss Harold Garfinkel’s approach to explaining social order and social
structure. Second, how are situations reflexively organized – how do accountability,
indexicality and the documentary method function to reflexively organize social events? Due
by midnight CST on Sunday.
Paper 1: Erving Goffman, Dramaturgy and Imagining the Self
Write a paper (4 pages minimum length) that analyzes Erving Goffman’s approach to imagining
the self. First, discuss how the theory of dramaturgy explains social interaction and social order,
and how the concept of the self is critical to this theory. In your paper, explain how a front is
managed, as well as the difference between focused and unfocused encounters. Also, discuss the
three identity-types in Goffman's model. Finally, provide a pertinent example of dramaturgy
from your own everyday experience and discuss the social roles involved.
Be sure to review the requirements for the papers before beginning your paper. The
requirements are articulated above as well as in D2L. Grading criteria in the form of a rubric can
be found in the Content Area in D2L. Please submit this assignment as a Microsoft Word
document to the appropriate folder in the Dropbox area of the course. Due by midnight CST on
Saturday of Week #2.
Week 3 – Social Structural & Systems Analyses: William Julius Wilson, Janet
Chafetz, and Pierre Bourdieu
Readings
Chapter 7 – Structures of Racial and Gender Inequalities: William Julius Wilson and Janet
Chafetz
Chapter 8 – Structuring Class: Pierre Bourdieu
Discussion Assignments
Discussion 5: First, explain why William Julius Wilson argues that a concern for racial
equality needs to move from a focus on race to a focus on class? What does he offer as
evidence for his claim? Second, explain why the workforce of women is so important to
Chafetz’s theory. According to Chafetz, which two characteristics of gender make change
difficult, and why? Due by midnight CST on Wednesday.
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Discussion 6: Drawing on the work of Pierre Bourdieu, explain the approach called
constructivist structuralism. According to Bourdieu, how is class structured in the body? Be
sure to draw upon: habitus, cultural capital, symbolic capital, and fields. Due by midnight CST
on Sunday.
Week 4 – Social Structural & Systems Analyses (continued): Michel Foucault,
and Immanuel Wallerstein
Readings
Chapter 9 – Structures of Power: Michel Foucault
Chapter 10 – World System’s Theory: Immanuel Wallerstein
Discussion Assignments
Discussion 7: Explain how Foucault connects power and knowledge. How does he
conceptualize power, and how does knowledge function as power? What are the unique
characteristics of modern power? Second, following Foucault, describe how ideas about sex
and sexuality have changed between ancient Greece and our current “Westernized” society.
Due by midnight CST on Wednesday.
Discussion 8: According to Wallerstein, what are the central features that link national
economies to a global system? Second, beginning in 1968, explain Wallerstein’s crisis of
modernity – what are the structural and cultural signs that the system is failing? Due by
midnight CST on Sunday.
Midterm Exam:
This examination will review course materials from Weeks 1-4. You are required to take the
Midterm exam between Tuesday and Sunday of Week #4. It can be accessed through the
Quizzes area of the course, and must be administered under the supervision of an approved
Proctor. Please refer to the Proctor Policy in this syllabus and in the Content Area in D2L -course Instructors are the approving authority for all proctors.
Week 5 – The Network Society and Runaway Modernity: Manuel Castells &
Anthony Giddens
Readings
Chapter 11 – The Network Society: Manuel Castells
Chapter 14 – Runaway Modernity: Anthony Giddens
Discussion Assignments
Discussion 9: Explain how three major technological advances have fundamentally
influenced knowledge and information. According to Manuel Castells, how is the sovereignty
and legitimacy of the state challenged by the development of a network society? Due by
midnight CST on Wednesday.
Discussion 10: How does Anthony Giddens reformulate the problem of order with his
structuration theory? Due by midnight CST on Sunday.
Paper 2: The Problems of Modernity: Submit this assignment as a Microsoft Word document to
the appropriate folder in the Dropbox area of the course. In writing your paper, be sure to follow the
paper requirements articulated above and in D2L. Grading criteria in the form of a rubric can be
found in the Content Area in D2L. Due by midnight CST on Saturday of Week #5.
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Option #1: Anthony Giddens’ and the Problem of Modernity
Write a paper (minimum length 4 pages) explaining Anthony Giddens’ argument about how
modernity radically changes structurations and time-space distanciation. Be sure to cover the four
factors that produce the dynamism of modernity: radical reflexivity, emptying time and space,
institutions and disembedding mechanisms, and globalization. Finally, remember to use examples in
your paper.
Option #2: Manuel Castells and the Network Society
Write a paper (minimum length 4 pages) describing Castells' theory of the network society and apply
this perspective to discuss what he calls the "crisis in democracy." In your paper be sure to discuss
how Castells' conceptualizations of power, class, identity-types and politics help explain the crisis in
democracy. Finally, remember to use examples in your paper.
Week 6 – Modernity -- Possibilities and Problems: Jürgen Habermas and
Jeffrey C. Alexander
Readings
Chapter 12 – Reason and Democracy: Jürgen Habermas
Chapter 13 – Civil Society and Democracy: Jeffrey C. Alexander
Discussion Assignments
Discussion 11: What does Jürgen Habermas mean when he argues that “democracy has
been disabled through the colonization of the lifeworld and public sphere?” Due by midnight
CST on Wednesday.
Discussion 12: Following Alexander, explain how civil society is created through
communicative and regulative institutions. Choose at least two of the factors Alexander
discusses – fictional media, public opinion, office, law, etc. – and discuss how each
contributes to the problem. Due by midnight CST on Sunday.
Course Evaluations
Course evaluations are available and will remain open until Thursday of Week 7. A link sent
to your CougarMail will allow you to access the evaluation. Please note that these
evaluations are provided so that I can improve the course, find out what students perceive to
be its strengths and weaknesses, and in general assess the success of the course. Please do
take the time to fill this out.
Week 7 – Contemporary Political Identities: Patricia Hill Collins & Cornel West
and Dorothy Smith
Readings
Chapter 15 – Black Feminism and Intersectionality: Patricia Hill Collins
– Commodification of Black Experience: Cornel West
Chapter 16 – Text, Power, and Women: Dorothy Smith
Discussion Assignments
Discussion 13: Explain Patricia Hill Collins’ conceptualization of black feminist thought. Be
sure to include the concepts matrix of domination and standpoint epistemology in your
response. Second, explain Cornel West's view of how Black existence has changed since the
1960's -- in your answer, focus on West's views of Black Nihilism and Black leadership. Due
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by midnight CST on Wednesday.
Discussion 14: How is it that Dorothy Smith’s approach, which she characterizes as
institutional ethnography, is a method of inquiry (a theoretical method) instead of a
totalizing theory? Be sure to address texts and ruling relations. Due by midnight CST on
Sunday.
Paper 3: Sociology and the Relations of Ruling: Submit this assignment as a Microsoft Word
document to the appropriate folder in the Dropbox area of the course. In writing your paper, be sure
to follow the paper guidelines articulated above. Grading criteria in the form of a rubric can be found
in the Content Area in D2L. Due by midnight CST on Saturday of Week #7.
Option #1:
Write a 4 page paper that explains Dorothy Smith’s feminist approach to accounting for the
fault line of gender. How is it that men generally don’t sense the disjuncture between daily
life and what they know of the world? What important work do women do to negotiate the
break for men? What does this tell us about the prospects for masculinist sociology that does
not engage seriously with feminist ways of knowing to identify and challenge textuallymediated ruling relations?
Option #2:
Write a 4 page paper answering the question: what does Patricia Hill Collins refer when she
speaks about a Black Feminist epistemology? First, identify and describe the four tenets of
Black Feminist epistemology and outline how the tenets compare to Eurocentric, positivistic
knowledge. Second, following Collins discuss the three primary implications of Black
Feminist thought. Describe each implication and provide examples from your own life and
knowledge that match Collins’ argument: what is the tension to which she refers, and how do
you relate to this tension in your own life? Next, describe what Collins means by the term
"safe spaces;" again, provide a personal example. Finally, describe the struggle for identity
that is framed by the dialogue between group standpoint on one hand, and experiences as a
heterogeneous collective on the other – again, provide an example.
Option #3:
Write a 4 page paper which features West’s thoughts. In your paper, be sure to address the
following: first, explain how the experience of oppression has impacted the standpoint of
your chosen group, creating a nihilistic culture. Here, be sure to use the concepts of
commodification, Black cultural armor and existential angst. Second, discuss the crisis in
Black leadership, and how nihilism can be “treated.” Here, be sure to use the concepts of
politics of conversion, racial reasoning and prophetic leadership. In your paper, you may
discuss race in U.S. society as a whole, or in a specific *sub-culture.
*Examples of applicable sub-cultures include the Hip-Hop culture, a specific
gang sub-culture (i.e. the Crypts), or a similar subculture. Be sure that the
subculture you choose fits West’s model as explained in Allan, pp. 355-359.
Week 8 – Exposing Sex: Judith Butler
Readings
Chapter 17 – Embodying Sex: Judith Butler
Conclusion: Post-Thinking
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Discussion Assignments:
Discussion 16: This Discussion focuses on the work of Judith Butler. In your discussion,
describe how the body becomes inscribed with heterosexuality. Second, discuss Butler's
concept of performity and how it creates the reality in which we live. Finally discuss Butler's
concept of "the haunting" and how it relates to queer theory. Due by midnight CST on
Wednesday.
Discussion 16: Discuss Jean-Francois Lyotard’s critique of knowledge, focusing on his
comparison of knowledge and narrative forms with science. Why does Lyotard compare the
pursuit of science to terrorism – in your (educated) opinion, is this an appropriate
comparison? Due by midnight CST on Saturday.
Final Exam
This examination will review course materials from Weeks 5-8. You are required to take the
Final exam sometime between Tuesday and Saturday. It can be accessed through the
Quizzes area of the course, and will be administered under the supervision of an approved
Proctor. Please refer to the Proctor Policy in this syllabus and in the Content Area in D2L.
Course Instructors are the approving authority for all proctors.
Course Policies
Student Conduct
All Columbia College students, whether enrolled in a land-based or online course, are responsible for
behaving in a manner consistent with Columbia College's Student Conduct Code and Acceptable Use
Policy. Students violating these policies will be referred to the office of Student Affairs and/or the
office of Academic Affairs for possible disciplinary action. The Student Code of Conduct and the
Computer Use Policy for students can be found in the Columbia College Student Handbook. The
Handbook is available online; you can also obtain a copy by calling the Student Affairs office (Campus
Life) at 573-875-7400. The teacher maintains the right to manage a positive learning environment,
and all students must adhere to the conventions of online etiquette.
Plagiarism
Your grade will be based in large part on the originality of your ideas and your written presentation
of these ideas. Presenting the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form as your own is
plagiarism. Students who fail to properly give credit for information contained in their written work
(papers, journals, exams, etc.) are violating the intellectual property rights of the original author. For
proper citation of the original authors, you should reference the appropriate publication manual for
your degree program or course (APA, MLA, etc.). Violations are taken seriously in higher education
and may result in a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of “F” for the course, or dismissal from
the College.
Collaboration conducted between students without prior permission from the instructor is
considered plagiarism and will be treated as such. Spouses and roommates taking the same course
should be particularly careful.
All required papers may be submitted for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection
of plagiarism. All submitted papers may be included in the Turnitin.com reference database for the
purpose of detecting plagiarism. This service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on
the Turnitin.com site.
Please also note that work completed in a previous course, in whole or in part, will not be
accepted for a grade.
You will find all the pertinent information regarding plagiarism in the Content Area in D2L, to
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include the web links and site addresses for the tutorial and quiz.
You are strongly encouraged to complete the plagiarism tutorial and quiz, which can be found
in the Quizzes section of the course in D2L.
Non-Discrimination
There will be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation,
religion, ideology, political affiliation, veteran status, age, physical handicap, or marital status.
Disability Services
Students with documented disabilities who may need academic services for this course are required
to register with the Coordinator for Disability Services at (573) 875-7626. Until the student has been
cleared through the disability services office, accommodations do not have to be granted. If you are a
student who has a documented disability, it is important for you to read the entire syllabus before
enrolling in the course. The structure or the content of the course may make an accommodation not
feasible.
Online Participation
You are expected to read the assigned texts and participate in the discussions and other course
activities each week. Assignments should be posted by the due dates stated on the grading schedule
in your syllabus. If an emergency arises that prevents you from participating in class, please let your
instructor know as soon as possible.
Attendance Policy
Attendance for a week will be counted as having submitted a course assignment for which points
have been earned during that week of the session or if the proctoring information has been
submitted or the plagiarism quiz taken if there is no other assignment due that week. A class week is
defined as the period of time between Monday and Sunday (except for Week 8, when the week and
the course will end on Saturday at midnight). The course and system deadlines are all based on the
Central Time Zone.
Cougar E-mail
All students are provided a CougarMail account when they enroll in classes at Columbia College. You
are responsible for monitoring e-mail from that account for important messages from the College and
from your instructor. You may forward your Cougar e-mail account to another account; however, the
College cannot be held responsible for breaches in security or service interruptions with other e-mail
providers.
Students should use e-mail for private messages to the instructor and other students. The class
discussions are for public messages so the class members can each see what others have to say about
any given topic and respond.
Late Assignment Policy
An online class requires regular participation and a commitment to your instructor and your
classmates to regularly engage in the reading, discussion and writing assignments. Although most of
the online communication for this course is asynchronous, you must be able to commit to the
schedule of work for the class for the next eight weeks. You must keep up with the schedule of
reading and writing to successfully complete the class.
No late assignments will be accepted without extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the
student and with instructor notification prior to the due date (Columbia College Catalog).
Discussions may not be made up.
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Course Evaluation
You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. Course evaluations
will open on Sunday of Week 5 and will remain open until Thursday of Week 7. A link will be sent to
your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Be assured that the evaluations are
anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are
submitted.
Proctor Policy
Students taking courses that require proctored exams must submit their completed proctor request
forms to their instructors by the end of the second week of the session. Proctors located at Columbia
College campuses are automatically approved. The use of Proctor U services is also automatically
approved. The instructor of each course will consider any other choice of proctor for approval or
denial. Additional proctor choices the instructor will consider include: public librarians, high school
or college instructors, high school or college counseling services, commanding officers, education
service officers, and other proctoring services. Personal friends, family members, athletic coaches
and direct supervisors are not acceptable.
Additional Resources
Orientation for New Students
This course is offered online, using course management software provided by Desire2Learn and
Columbia College. The Student Manual provides details about taking an online course at Columbia
College. You may also want to visit the course demonstration to view a sample course before this one
opens.
Technical Support
If you have problems accessing the course or posting your assignments, contact your instructor, the
Columbia College Helpdesk, or the D2L Helpdesk for assistance. Contact information is also available
within the online course environment.
[email protected]
[email protected]
800-231-2391 ex. 4357
877-325-7778
Online Tutoring
Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to all Columbia College students.
Smarthinking provides real-time online tutoring and homework help for Math, English, and Writing.
The Writing Center can be used for writing assistance in any course.
Smarthinking also provides access to live tutorials in writing and math, as well as a full range of study
resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, and study skills manuals. You can access the
service from wherever you have a connection to the Internet. I encourage you to take advantage of
this free service provided by the college.
Access Smarthinking through CougarTrack under Students->Academics->Academic Resources.