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day life. To reflect this learning, each student is required to keep a learning journal. This
journal will consist of aweekly entry (at a minimum). In each entry, students will a)
briefly describe the social problem (as presented in the media or as experienced), b) identify
any assumptions relevant to the definition of this situation as a social problem, and c)
provide some analysis in relation to what we are reading and discussing in the course.
Apart from the criteria listed above, there is not a specific style expected in the journal
entries. I expect that these journal entries will be a reflection of what you are learning from
your reading and discussion and that the journals will vary from individual to individual.
The journal entries will be evaluated weeklyon the basis of the three criteria listed above,
as well as on how well the ideas are communicated (i.e., coherence, clarity, language use).
In an effort to get some breadth in terms of topics considered, the weekly entry must relate
to the weekly readings and class discussion. This means that the topic of your journal
entry will change weekly with course topic.
Finally, in order to facilitate the weekly evaluation of the journal entries and to allow
students to share their work easily with others, the learning journals must be posted
on a personal course Web site.Details about how to set up a web site will be
provided in class. (Note:You will also be using this web site for your group project. See
note about the Web on next page.)
In-Class Presentations (5% each for total of 10%)
Each student will be responsible for two short presentations throughout the term. These
presentations will be based on the learning journal entry for that week. In other words,
you will communicate orally what you have been thinking and writing about that week in
relation to the course materials. These presentations will be evaluated as "formal
presentations" in terms of how well you communicate your ideas. Visual aids such as
overhead transparencies may be useful. Expect to present for 5 minutes followed by
discussion. Two of the main objectives of these presentations are to help develop your
presentation skills and to provide me with an idea of how well you are able to present,
discuss and explain course materials.
Because these presentations are based on weekly journal entries, I will assign these
presentations randomly (i.e., no choice). The presentation schedule will be posted on the
course Web site http://www.carleton.ca/~tpychyl/49311
Group Research Project (25% individual and group components)
The major research assignment for the course will be done collaboratively in groups of
three or four (not pairs). Details for this assignment will be provided on the course Web
site in late September of early October (and discussed in class). In sum, as a group, you
will be required to:
- choose a social problem of mutual interest
- conduct library research based on journals (e.g., PsychLIT and Uncover
database searches) to summarize perspectives, research findings, etc. related to
the social problem
- create an integrated Web site that summarizes your research (i.e., the overall
group Web site will be based on contributions from each group member's
personal Web site and research)
- present an overview of this research and Web site to the class (schedule to be
announced)
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