Professor: Raymond A. Eve, Ph.D.
Office: 442 UH
Hours: 3:30 – 4:30 MW, and by appointment
Phone: 817-272-3764 (office)
email: eve@uta.edu
Riots, Fads,
Cults, and Social Movements
Sociology 3323.001
Fall, 2008
MWF 10 - 10:50 p.m.
LS Room 102
Course website = http://www.global-college.com/rayeve/courses/riots/
I. Texts:
a.
Miller, David L. Introduction to Collective Behavior
and Collective Action. (2nd ed.).
IL.: Waveland Press. 2000.
b.
Goldstone, Jack A., Revolutions: Theoretical,
Comparative, and
Historical Studies. 3rd ed.
Thompson/Wadsworth Publishers. 2003.
II. Course
Description:
The course will
investigate human behavior that is generated or shaped by the influence of the
collectivity to which individuals respond. The elementary forms of collective
behavior include riots, panics, fads, crazes, and so forth. The complex forms
of social behavior are usually defined as social movements -- such as
environmentalism ("The Greens"), the religious right, gay rights, revolutions,
political campaigns, and so forth. Collective behavior is relatively
spontaneous, unstructured behavior. As
such, it has been called "society in becoming." Collective behavior often looks wild and
spontaneous, but such behavior is nonetheless predictable to a degree. However, the rules for such behavior are not
the rules that govern individual behavior. Thus, we tend to view such behavior
as chaotic or mystical when, in fact, it is reasonably regular. Concepts to be
examined in light of actual past or present episodes of collective behavior
include: epidemic hysteria, the emergence of normative behavior, the use of
symbols (Swastikas, for example, or crosses), public opinion, riot generation
and control, and political revolution -- with special emphasis on recent
revolutions in the mid-East, Latin America, and
III. Attendance
Students attending
regularly and otherwise showing motivation will receive more consideration than
will those attending seldom.
IMPORTANT: NOTE THAT ARRIVING AT AN EXAM MORE THAN
10 MINUTES LATE WILL REQUIRE THE STUDENT TO SCHEDULE A MAKEUP EXAM AND PRODUCE
A VALID REASON FOR MISSING/BEING LATE TO THE EXAM!
IV. Grading
Practices:
Your grade will be
based on three non-comprehensive exams (counting 33.3% each) and an optional term paper. (If you choose to
do the optional term paper, the three exams and the term paper will each count
25% of your grade).
Reasons for excuses
from exams must be very serious and should be checked in advance with the
Professor. (Written medical excuses will be accepted).
Important dates:
Exam 1 = 33.3%, October 6th
Last day to drop a course = October 31st
Exam 2 = 33.3% November 10th
Thanksgiving Break = November 27nd
– 30th
OPTIONAL: Term Paper = 25% November 25th (Due Date)
Final Exam = 33.3% Monday, Dec. 8th (8-10:30)
Important!!! Any assignments which are turned in late
will have their scores reduced by 5% each day they are late unless the student
has shown serious reasons in advance to the Professor for the delay.
VI.
Disabilities:
If you require an
accommodation based on disability, I would like to meet with you in the privacy
of my office, during the first week of the semester, to make sure you are
appropriately accommodated.
VII. Drops from
the Roll:
The Professor will
not automatically drop any student from the roll. Students wishing to drop must
make their own arrangements to do so.
VIII. Academic
Honesty:
Students are
expected to conform to the university’s policy on academic honesty. That policy
is clearly stated in both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs and should be
reviewed by each student.
IX. Student
Success Programs
The