ESOn4011 Writing Sociology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Bernadette Nadya Jaworsky, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Dr. Werner Binder (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Bernadette Nadya Jaworsky, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 12:00–13:40 U41
Prerequisites
! SOC776 Writing Sociology
none
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 12 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 14/12, only registered: 0/12
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
At some point in their academic life, students of sociology must develop their own voice to express their thoughts and knowledge – to convey the products of their sociological imagination. One of the primary ways in which they do so is through their writing skills. This course is intended to help students improve their academic writing skills and to practice exchanging their work with their peers. First and foremost, this is a writing-intensive course that provides training in writing sociological essays in several different styles. Further, special attention is given to learning effective methods of research and norms for proper citation of sources. Students also gain experience in organizing the writing process, offering and receiving constructive criticism and revising first drafts of their work. The ultimate goal is to boost students’ confidence in their academic writing skills and prepare them for future endeavors both inside and out of the university.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, a student will be able to:
- Organize and plan the writing process
- Give and receive constructive criticism
- Evaluate and revise first drafts
- Demonstrate knowledge of and practice proper citation
- Prepare and discuss in-class presentations on their writing
- Write the following types of sociological texts: book/article reviews, social issue reaction papers, and articles on quantitative and qualitative research according to social science journal guidelines
Syllabus
  • The thematic schedule of seminar meetings is as follows:
  • Week 1 - Introductions and course orientation
  • Week 2 - What is sociology and what can we do with it?
  • Week 3 - How do we write a good expository or opinion essay?
  • Week 4 - What is bad writing and how can we recognize it?
  • Week 5 - How do we help one another constructively? (Peer Review)
  • Week 6 - How do we review a book or an article?
  • Week 7 - No class- READING WEEK
  • Week 8 - How do we begin sociological research?
  • Week 9 - How do we conduct research and engage the literature?
  • Week 10 - How do we finish sociological research and begin writing?
  • Week 11 - How do we get published?
  • Week 12 - How do we finish writing a research essay?
  • Week 13 - Discuss First Drafts of Research Essay
Literature
  • See syllabus for additional articles
  • TURABIAN, Kate L. A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations : Chicago style for students and researchers. Edited by Wayne C. Booth - Gregory G. Colomb - Joseph M. Williams - Joseph Bizup. 9th edition. London: The University of Chicago Press, 2018, xv, 462. ISBN 9780226430577. info
  • American Sociological Association style guide. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Sociological Association, 2014, xiv, 122. ISBN 9780912764214. info
  • A guide to writing sociology papers. 6th ed. New York, NY: Worth Publishers, 2007, xv, 230. ISBN 9780716776260. info
  • BECKER, Howard S. and Pamela RICHARDS. Writing for social scientists : how to start and finish your thesis, book, or article. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007, xiv, 197. ISBN 9780226041322. URL info
  • JOHNSON, William A. The sociology student writer's manual. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006, xii, 260. ISBN 0131928511. info
Teaching methods
The planned learning activities and teaching methods used in this course involve weekly seminar meetings, reading of literature, homework exercises and several formal writing assignments.
Assessment methods
Student evaluations are based on several writing assignments and class attendance and participation, as described below.

Formal Writing assignments
- Social issue opinion essay (1000-1200 words)
- Book or article review (650-800 words; 1000 for edited volume)
- Final research essay (4000-5000 words; 12-15 pp. double-spaced; up to 8,000 words for PhD students)

Class participation

Attendance: All students are required to attend every seminar meeting. Any absence must be documented (for example, due to family or medical emergency). Your attendance is important because the course is organized around classroom discussion and giving feedback to each other.

Discussion: Active participation in classroom discussion is an important part of your grade. You are required to read the assigned literature before the seminar meeting to facilitate discussion.

Peer Review: We will engage in the written and oral in-class critique of each student’s first draft of the formal written assignments. Each student will be assigned to read another student’s draft essay and give a presentation about suggested revisions.

Students receive a final letter grade (A-F) based on the following criteria:

30% - Essay assignments (welcome essay = 3%, social issue essay = 12%, book review = 15%)
35% - Class participation (each class = 2%; PR1 and PR 2 = 3% each; PR3 = 5%)
10% - Final Essay draft
25% - Final Essay
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
General note: The courseis intended only for students of English programs.
Information on course enrolment limitations: The courseis intended only for students of English programs
Teacher's information
B. Nadya Jaworsky

Room 3.66

jaworsky@fss.muni.cz

The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2025.
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