Challenge and Change in Society - HSB 4MI
This course uses theories from the social sciences (mainly anthropology, psychology, and sociology) to help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.
Can't find what you're looking for? This page is an overview of the course. Use the dropdown menu to see Daily Lesson including current assignments and due dates, some useful alternative media sites, how to cite sources using APA formatting, everything about the major experiment project, and tons of articles and videos about each topic we study.
Major Assignments (I generally choose from this list):
- Article Assignment (it starts early, but it counts as a final evaluation) - the choices for the first assignment are here: on sex, drugs, OR rock and roll, and here's
the sample article to see what I'm looking for.
- The Experiment (topic ideas, using periodicals, report rubric,
and seminar rubric - each item has a separate link)
- Selfing Paper and Exemplars
- Hate Crimes and Genocides
- Global Social Challenges
- Change the World
- Open Topic Project
Challenges & Reflections:
#1 - Norms
#2 - Prejudice
#3 - Fear
#4 - Free-Riding
#5 - Persuasi0n
#6 - Roles
#7 - Rites
APA Style - for citations in the social sciences (also see drop down menu)
**Submissions** can be handed in at the start of class on the due date, OR e-mailed by midnight on the due date - please use your name as the first word of the file name OR make a private blog of all your assignment and give me the link!
Facebook page - for questions or to put up a link (whatever really)
To get a library card to access books from WLU or UW, click this link
Bonus Paper Challenge: 1% if you don't use any new paper for this course, and 2% if you don't use any new paper for any course all year.
Due Dates for Jan - June 2017 Semester
(Approximate Dates - See "Daily Lessons & Reminders" for up-to-date dates. This list doesn't include minor challenges and responses.)
- If you think you can't submit something on time, see me BEFORE the due date for an extension.
Sep. 11 - Experiment Topic DUE (an idea of what you'll do and a hypothesis)
Sept. 14 - Article 1
Sep. 18 - Experiment Research DUE (summarize and source four peer-reviewed
experiments that has some connection to your experiment topic and complete
the Reference page using APA format)
Sept. 21 - Article 2
Sep. 25 - Experiment Pre-Lab Due (Introduction, Method, and Survey) -
once approved, you should CONDUCT the experiment on participants
Sept. 28 - Article 3
Oct. 2 - Selfing Paper (which will help you study for the test)
Oct. 5 - Test #1
Oct. 6 - Experiment Raw Data Due (all surveys - so I can help make graphs)
Oct. 16 - Experiment Results (explain what happened and draw a graph - hand draw
is fine - you don't need data management for this part); connect to research
Oct. 19 - Article 4
Oct. 23 - Experiment DUE (write up the discussion section, correct any errors
made along the way, and put it all together)
Oct. 25-27 - Hate Crime Class Discussions
Oct. 26 - Article 5
Oct. 30-Nov 3 - Experiments Presented (approximate dates)
Nov. 2 - Article 6
Nov. 7 - Test #2
Nov. 16 - Article 7
Nov. 23 - Article 8
Nov. 27 - Corporate Corruption Assignment
Nov. 30 - Article 9
Dec. 5 - Test #3
Dec. 14 - Article 10
Dec. 21 - Article 11
Jan. 18 - culture jams
Jan. 11 - Article 12
Jan. 8 - Change the World Assignment
Jan. 16 - Test #4
Jan. 17 - Open Topic Assignment
Jan 26 - Exam
Course outline:
A printable version of the course outline is here.
See how each assignment fits with the curriculum here.
This course focuses on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours and their impact on society. Students will critically analyse how and why cultural, social, and behavioural patterns change over tie. They will explore the ideas of social theorists and use those ideas to analyse causes of and responses to challenges such as technological change, deviance, and global inequalities. Students will explore ways in which social science research methods can be used to study social change.
See how each assignment fits with the curriculum here.
This course focuses on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours and their impact on society. Students will critically analyse how and why cultural, social, and behavioural patterns change over tie. They will explore the ideas of social theorists and use those ideas to analyse causes of and responses to challenges such as technological change, deviance, and global inequalities. Students will explore ways in which social science research methods can be used to study social change.
Essential Learning and Evaluation Breakdown
The due dates for essays are the cut-off dates. If it’s unlikely you’ll be able to finish the work by the assigned date, then please see me to negotiate a possible extension before the due date. Plan accordingly.
Units of Study:
The essential learning criteria will be covered throughout the semester as we explore the following units of study: See the Ontario Curriculum (pp. 318-326):
1. Social Science Theories and Methodology – Our lens of exploration: what are the theories? Students will create their own experiment following social science methodology, and will compare and apply major social science theories.
2. Demographics, Deviance and Discrimination – Why we hate others: from deviance and bullying to trends in invasions and war and how hatred interacts with mobility, poverty, and technology.
3. Global Exploitation: Economics, Employment, and the Environment: Does Size Matter? - What’s our involvement in exploitation created through the current globalization process?
4. Corporate Corruption and Conformity – Are subtle cultural rituals and media teaching or brainwashing societies to behave in the best interest of corporations or of citizens?
1. Social Science Theories and Methodology – Our lens of exploration: what are the theories? Students will create their own experiment following social science methodology, and will compare and apply major social science theories.
2. Demographics, Deviance and Discrimination – Why we hate others: from deviance and bullying to trends in invasions and war and how hatred interacts with mobility, poverty, and technology.
3. Global Exploitation: Economics, Employment, and the Environment: Does Size Matter? - What’s our involvement in exploitation created through the current globalization process?
4. Corporate Corruption and Conformity – Are subtle cultural rituals and media teaching or brainwashing societies to behave in the best interest of corporations or of citizens?
