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, 2010
MW 2:30
- 3:50 p.m.
UH008
Course website = http://www.global-college.com/rayeve/courses/riots/
I. Text:
a) Miller,
David L. Introduction to Collective Behavior
and Collective Action. (2nd ed.).
IL.: Waveland Press. 2000.
b) There are a few online readings (pdf format) that will
also be required. See
reading list for details.
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.
This latter category is covered in a separate course (Soci 3324). The
elementary forms of collective behavior can be characterized as relatively
spontaneous, unstructured behaviors. As
such, it has collective behavior has sometimes been called "society in
becoming." It is often the way
that change enters society. Collective behavior often appears 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, fads and fashion,
and riot generation and control. Indeed
there are many other forms of collective behavior as well and we will examine
wide variety of these.
III. Attendance
Students attending
regularly and otherwise showing motivation will receive more consideration in
grading 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/or 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 4th
Last day to drop a course = November 5th
Exam 2 = 33.3% November 8th
Thanksgiving Break = November 25th – 28th
OPTIONAL: Term Paper = November 30th (Due Date)
Final Exam = 33.3% Monday, Dec. 13th (2-4:30)
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 (preferably in advance) to the Professor for the
delay. Students are required to
keep a paper or e-copy backup of any work submitted during the semester.
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