You can access your group by going to the class MyGateway site: select, "Group Areas."  You'll find folders for each group with a list of the students assigned to each group.

Read and discuss the entire project within your group. You need to decide on a topic for your group project by Monday, January 28 at the beginning of class (3:00 PM). Plan a head--final group projects will be presented to the class during the last three weeks of the semester. Presentations will be "live," but can be done in-person or via the Wimba interface. Groups must insure that at least one member is available to present the groups work to the class on the day your topic is scheduled to be covered. Adjustments to the schedule can be made, but must be worked out prior to Spring Break.

Part 1: This assignment is due Monday, February 11 by the end of the day (11:59 PM) (60 points)

Part 2: This assignment is due Monday, March 10 by the end of the day (11:59 PM) (70 points)

Part 3: This assignment is due Monday, April 14, 2007 by the beginning of class (3:00 PM) (70 points) (April 7 depending on topic)

Wiki Help and Tips

Group Activity Grading Policy:

Hopefully, your participation and collaboration in these groups will be an important source of learning and support throughout the semester. Your group provides a forum for participation, discussion, and collaboration with other group members on class topics and group activities.

A few points:

• Each group must complete all parts of the project. Your work, individual and group, should be presented in your group wiki as a series of inter-linked web pages. The wiki allows members of the group to share information and collaborate on the development of a "web site."
• Wiki Structure: There should be one report (main page) linked to the group's wiki home page for each part of the project. This synthesis of group research and discussion can and should be supported with a set of inter-linked wiki pages documenting your group's (i.e., including each individual participating member's) research on the individual components of each part of the project and your group's discussion pertaining to each part.  For an example of a wiki modeling the ideal structure for the project in the wiki, go to 'Group Areas' in the mygateway course site, click on 'An example of a group wiki and a practice wiki', and then click on 'just a wiki to play with'.  For an elaborate example of a wiki online, click here. 
• Group Members' Responsibilities: Group members must document their individual contributions for group projects in the discussion forum (all individual contributions to the forum and wiki must be completed at least three days before the activity's due date to allow the group coordinator time to finalize the wiki site, and the group to add final comments and suggestions). Group members who complete some, but not all, of their chosen/assigned component(s) of an activity may be eligible for partial credit. Students will be evaluated for the work they contribute to the project. In effect, you will be building a web site that focuses on the details of your chosen project.
• Group Coordinator Responsibilities: Group Coordinators are responsible for coordinating and finalizing group work on activities. Group Coordinators must identify themselves and post the full names of all the individuals completing the requirements for the activities.  Group Coordinators are also responsible for organizing the group's work on the wiki.  For an example of a wiki modeling the ideal structure for the project, go to 'Group Areas' in the mygateway course site, click on 'An example of a group wiki and a practice wiki', and then click on 'just a wiki to play with'. 
• Grading: Each part of the activity is grading according to:
• Documented contributions on the group blog: This refers to each member's posts in the group's blog for each part of the project.  Each message is graded on a scale of 1-3 according to the quality of the message.  Individual members must contribute to the organization of the group (including assignment of roles for each part, discussion ideas, and generally communicating with the group) in the blog at least 48 hours before that part of the project is due.  If other mediums are used to communicate with the group (e.g., meeting face-to-face or in the live classroom, email, etc.) then the meetings must be documented in the group blog to receive credit.
• Individual Contributions: This refers to each individual group member's work in the wiki for the project.  Individual contributions are grading according to the quality and quantity of work performed for the group, as well as the presentation of their work.
• Group Presentation: This refers to the final wiki presentation (style, spelling, grammar, images, links to other resources, and overall quality of the presentation) and the content of your presentation (use of course materials, demonstration of sociological imaginations, and application of course concepts, theories, and other relevant materials).
• All group members are responsible for the final presentation of each part of the project (i.e., inclusion of graphics and links, the organization of the group's work, and the inclusion of each individual member's contribution). If a group Coordinator is unable to complete an activity, another member of the group must be contacted so that the activity can be completed. For this reason, it is wise for groups to designate co-leaders or back-up coordinators for each activity. Group Coordinators can earn up to 5 additional points per activity for the extra work they take on.
• Rely on reputable studies, articles, and books. Websites that meet the criteria for reputable work (or here ) can also be used.
• Be sure to correctly cite all information used from research resources (in-text citations and a list of references for each page) using the ASA style guide (local copy with web citation guidelines or a full version).  Additional assistance with referencing online resources can be found here. Also, remember we are undertaking an academic activity, so please refrain from using opinion, unreliable or invalid resources, sensationalism, and other non-academic practices.

Part 1: This assignment is due Monday. February 11 by the end of the day (11:59 PM). (60 points)

• Find your group and open the group pages.
• Click on the group's blog link and start your group discussion--introduce yourselves, decide what topic you will be researching, assign group roles.
• Decide group roles (2 or more people per role):  Coordinator, Synthesizer, Editor, and Webmaster
  • Coordinator's Role- In charge of overseeing assignment distribution for group work and setting deadlines for individual work; insuring each part of the project is completed according to the guidelines.
  • Synthesizer's Role- In charge of summarizing group work and discussion on the discussion board in an academic, organized, and clear manner; similar to a mini-paper with introductions, content, conclusion (in paragraph form) and provided a list of group members who actively participated in completing the work over the duration of the activity.
  • Webmaster's Role- Putting the synthesizer's work on the wiki and adding some flash (hyperlinks, images, etc.).  The content should be academic (including references) but the layout does not have to be traditional.
  • Editor's Role- Making sure the work is clear, organized and free of grammatical and spelling errors.  

• The first thing you need to accomplish as a group, besides introducing yourselves, is to decide which substantive area of deviance your group will focus on (Main topics:sexual deviance, cognitive deviance, mental disorder, physical deviance. Crime, Violence, and deviant organizations are possible topics, but a project on these would need to be completed April 7). You will be building a wiki (web) site focusing on this subject, its history, individuals and groups involved (both "deviants" and control agents), and social policy. Part of the group project will involve observing people engaging in this "deviant" behavior or controlling it, I am not asking or encouraging you to involve yourself in any illegal activity.
• Once the group decides which topic will be researched throughout the semester, group roles and assignments should be determined. Set up specific meeting dates for work throughout the semester--either face-to-face or online (all communications must be documented in the blog to receive credit for 'documented contributions'). Work together as a group!
• Access the group wiki, and each group member must create their own wiki page providing a bit of information about yourselves and other interests you might have.  Experiment with the different features of the wiki--add external links, internal links (link back to your "home page") add an image or two--especially a picture of yourself. Update this page throughout the semester--adding links to your individual contributions to the project your group chooses.
• Create Group Wiki Home Page: Should include a group name, list of individual names hyperlinked to their personal pages, list of group assignments for the semester hyperlinked to pages set up for each part of part of the assignment, and a list of group roles and who's going to do what for which assignment.  The pages designated for for part one should detail the information that follows.
• Individual Assignment: Literature Review- (Everyone must do all of this!  Should be about 1-2 pages in length.  Create a new page in the wiki for each individual's review, and insure these pages are linked to and from the "Part 1" page and each individual's personal page. Make sure to include references and citations in ASA style documentation (local copy with web citation guidelines).
  • Literature Review (2 sociological sources focusing on your group's chosen topic: Sociology Books (not textbooks), Edited Books, Journals, Databases) Need help, ask TA or the local librarian!  The library has a handout on sociological resources. Don't know what a literature review is all about? Ask,
  • What's a literature review?  If you don't know, don't guess.ask the professor or TA before, during or after class (or do some investigation--here's one web site: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html)!  This assignment should have an introduction, body, and conclusion; should define key terms; and relate it to the research the group is discussing on the group blog.  What are sociologists saying about deviance.
• Group Assignment: What makes you topic "deviant?" Discuss and debate the issues of essentialism and constructionism related to your topic. Analyze the variety of definitions of deviance we have covered in the class and apply them to your topic. Create a set of pages in your wiki that reflect the group's discussion and analysis. Make sure to include references and citations in ASA style documentation (local copy with web citation guidelines or a full version).

Scoring for this part of the project (60 points possible):

• 25 points for individual contributions (literature reivew) (documented work on the group wiki).
• 15 points for documented contributions to the group discussion via the group blog and wiki comments.
• 20 points for the group presentation. This includes the final wiki presentation (style, spelling, grammar, images, links to other resources, and overall quality of the presentation) and the content of your presentation (use of course materials, demonstration of sociological imaginations, and application of course concepts, theories, and other relevant materials).  

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Part 2: This assignment is due Monday, March 10 by the end of the day (11:59 PM) (70 points)

Each group member needs to develop an analysis that focuses on the ways positivistic theories of deviance (specific to your chosen topic) are inadequate or incomplete, according to the constructionist approaches. Address the ways in which constructionist approach more adequate or complete. In what ways are the positivist approaches stronger than the constructionist approaches?  Each member must highlight their analysis by comparing two different sociological theories that represent these approaches to investigating and understanding the social reality of deviance.  You will need to display an understanding of the basic assumptions of these theories, their central concepts, and an example of how they would analyze and explain a particular form of deviance. These individual analyses should be completed and made available to all group members no latter than Monday, March 3, 2008--though it might be useful to get them done even earlier. Post these individual analyses as pages in your group wiki.

Next, the group needs to review and discuss the various analyses, and come up with a synthesis of views and examples focusing on two of the sociological theories addressed (one positivistic and one constructionist).

Then, each group's coordinator should post the group synthesis of this activity in the group wiki (create a new page in your wiki, post the analysis, and then link to this new page from your group wiki's "Home page").  Group members should add additional pages, linked to this assignment's page, that provide commentary, their individual analysis, and other resources.  

Finally, using the material in chapter 5 of Goode's book, and the research you have done so far this semester, develop a research question concerning your topic and design an observational research project to seek answers to your question.

You will be evaluated on your final wiki presentation (images, links to other resources), the content of your presentation, as well as your activity in the group in the discussion forum.  If you have any questions, contact either the TA or Prof. Keel.   We expect about the equivalent of a three-page summary from the group and documentation of individual analyses.  Be sure to include the names of all group members that participated in this group project in the post of findings. 

Rely on reputable studies, articles, and books. Websites that meet the criteria for reputable work (or here ) can also be used.

Be sure to correctly cite all information used from research resources (in-text citations and a list of references for each page) using the ASA style guide (local copy with web citation guidelines or a full version).  Additional assistance with referencing online resources can be found here. Also, remember we are undertaking an academic activity, so please refrain from using opinion, unreliable or invalid resources, sensationalism, and other non-academic practices.

GA 2 Grading Rubric

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Part  3: This assignment is due Monday, April 14, 2007 by the beginning of class (3:00 PM) (70 points) (April 7 depending on topic)

Each group member must engage in "data collection" based on the research design developed in part 2. DIsplay your data in separate pages on your group wiki and detail a specific theoretical argument and explanation as they relate to this data.  Provide concrete examples from the readings, or other relevant sources.  Your analysis must contain examples/theories and social policy implications. These individual analyses should be completed and made available (post these individual analyses as pages in your group wiki) to all group members no latter than Monday, April 7, 2007--though it might be useful to get them done even earlier.

Next, the group needs to review and discuss the various analyses, and come up with a synthesis of views and examples focusing on your chosen substantive area. In effect, your group needs to develop a wiki site that presents a comprehensive sociological analyses of the substantive area you chose.

Then, each group's coordinator should post the group synthesis of this activity in the group wiki (create a new page in your wiki, post the analysis, and then link to this new page from your group wiki's "Home page").  Group members should add additional pages, linked to this assignment's page, that provide commentary, their individual analysis, and other resources.  

Groups must insure that at least one member is available to present the groups work to the class on the day your topic is scheduled to be covered. Adjustments to the schedule can be made, but must be worked out prior to Spring Break.

You will be evaluated on your final wiki presentation (images, links to other resources), the content of your presentation, as well as your activity in the group in the discussion forum.  If you have any questions, contact either Rachel Craft or Prof. Keel.   We expect about the equivalent of a three-page summary from the group and 2-3 pages from each individual.  Be sure to include the names of all group members that participated in this group project in the post of findings. 

Rely on reputable studies, articles, and books. Websites that meet the criteria for reputable work (or here ) can also be used.

Be sure to correctly cite all information used from research resources (in-text citations and a list of references for each page) using the ASA style guide (local copy with web citation guidelines or a full version).  Additional assistance with referencing online resources can be found here. Also, remember we are undertaking an academic activity, so please refrain from using opinion, unreliable or invalid resources, sensationalism, and other non-academic practices.

"Thinking Points" for Part 3 (by no means complete bor all inclusive)

GA 3 Grading Rubric

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Here are some guidelines for using the wikis:

Here's a link with detailed instructions for using the wiki: http://support.learningobjects.com/help/campus_pack/2.7.4/wiki/wiki.htm.  You can access this link from your group's wiki by clicking on the "?" button in the upper right-hand corner.

To Create (or edit) a page:

1. Do not edit any other student's page.  Pay attention to "where" you are when you do your editing.
2. From any page in the wiki, click on "New" (or "Edit" if you have already created it and are returning to edit).
3. Give your page a name.  Format: Your last name, Your first name: short page title.
4. You'll see a variety of "tools" to help you edit your page--you can choose different fonts, and font sizes, format your text, and add tables. You can also add images and links to other web pages (internal to this wiki, as well as to outside web pages). Click the Image or Link buttons, and follow the simple instructions).
5. There's no spell check in the wiki, so I recommend typing your essay in MS Word and saving it.  Then, copy the text.  Once you've copied text from a Word, come back to your wiki page (make sure you are in the "edit" frame), click to place your mouse cursor in the page, and then use the "Paste from Word" button.   
6. If you know html, you'll find a button that allows you to edit the source code.
7. Be sure to click the "Save" button when you are done!
8. You'll be evaluated for content, style, and presentation.
9. One member is responsible for editing the 'home' page (first page you access when you enter the wiki), and to go through and link all of the other pages together.

Rely on reputable studies, articles, and books. Websites that meet the criteria for reputable work (or here ) can also be used.

Be sure to correctly cite all information used from research resources (in-text citations and a list of references for each page) using the ASA style guide (local copy with web citation guidelines or a full version).  Additional assistance with referencing online resources can be found here. Also, remember we are undertaking an academic activity, so please refrain from using opinion, unreliable or invalid resources, sensationalism, and other non-academic practices.

Contact Rachel or Mr. Keel if you have any questions.

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URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/GroupActivities/ga.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel: rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated: Friday, October 17, 2008 8:36 AM

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