Schedule and Assignments:  Sociology of Communications, Spring 2008
Instructor's email:  goertzel@camden.rutgers.edu
 Course Syllabus - SAKAI

Assignments for the rest of the term.
Due April 17.   1.  Input Path Diagram Due Thursday, April 17.   This should illustrate the causal links between three of your variables, the same variables to be used in the Multivariate Crosstabs assignment.  For information on how to do an input path diagram, see Principles of Path Analysis.  Draw the diagram using the drawing toolbar in Word or Excel. 
2.   Multivariate Crosstabulation.  Due Thursday, April 17.   Prepare a multivariate crosstabulation table relevant to your research topic.  This means a table with an independent variable, a dependent variable and a test or control variable.   An example with some explanatory material is available here.  An additional example, adapted from Linda Anderson's paper, is here.   There should be a paragraph describing the table. 
Due April 23.  Quiz Twelve covering the readings listed for week twelve will close late Wednesday night April 23 (actually 4 a.m. Thursday morning).  You have three chances at this quiz.
Due April 25, 5 p.m..  Excel Time Series graph with data from the Statistical Abstract as proposed in your proposal.  Technically, this is the same as the  Time Series Graph Assignment  we did in Week Four.    Do the graph in Excel, copy it into Word and add a paragraph.
Due April 27.  1.  A word file with pages:  the Multiple Bivariate Table, the Multivariate Table and the Time Series Graph.  These are the same ones you did for previous assignments, but any problems should be corrected.  These should be suitable for presentation, not pasted in from SDA.  Each item should be at the beginning of a page (use Ctrl-Enter to start a new page).
2.  A separate one page word file with THREE bullet points summarizing the main findings in your research.  Each bullet point should be no more than 25 words and include one or two numbers.  Use nice big print.  These will be the notes you will use for your presentation to the class.  They will NOT be show on the screen.  The Word file will be used for that.
April 28, 30 or May 5:  Oral presentation of research findings to the class.   The Word file with  the Multiple Bivariate Table, the Multivariate Table and the Time Series Graph will be projected on the screen.  You may use the one-page bullet points as notes for the talk - you should bring a printed copy.  These will be in Armitage 106.  I will operate the computer so you can focus on your talk. 
Due May 8.  Final Paper modeled on the one in the Penguin Manual in form.  It should include:
  1. Title page
  2. Abstract
  3. Introduction and Literature Review (two pages)
  4. Results section including the Multiple Bivariate Table, the Multivariate Table and the Time Series Graph and explanatory text for each (six pages)
  5. Conclusions section (one page)
  6. References

Grading Formula (subject to revision).
Average score on quizzes and assignments  and attendance = 50%
Midterm Examination =  20%
Final Paper = 30%

There will be regular weekly assignments and quizzaes.  Unless otherwise specified, all work is to be submitted to SAKAI.   Although our face-to-face class meetings are on Monday and Wednesday, most assignments will be due on Sunday to allow the option of working on them over the weekend.  Of course, you may submit them earlier.  Click on the links below to find the material and assignments for each week.

Weeks One and Two  -  January 23 to February 3

Week Three -  February 4 to February 10

Week Four - February 11 to 17.  On Wednesday, Feb 13, we will meet in BSB117.

Week Five -  February 18 to 24

Week Six - February  25 to March  2  -  We will meet in BSB117 both days this week to work on time series analysis and other things.

Week Seven -  March 3 to  March  7  -  We will meet in BSB117 both days.

Week Eight -   MIDTERM EXAM  Wednesday March 12. We will meet in BSB 117 both days.

Spring Break Week - March 16 to 22. 

 Week Nine -  March 24 to 28 - 

For the rest of the semester we will meet in Armitage on Mondays and in BSB117 on Wednesdays.  The Wednesday classes will be lab classes to work on assignments.  Students who complete the next week's assignment BEFORE the lab session may be exempt from attendaing if they wish.  They may also wish to come and get help working on the next assignment.  For the rest of the semester, we will be strict about deadlines:  10% penalty for one day late, 20% for two days, 30% for three days, 40% for four days.  No credit for assignments later than four days.

Week Ten -  March 31 and April 2

Week Eleven    April 7 to 11

Week Twelve -   April 14 to 17

Week Thirteen  -  April 21 to 25

Week Fourteen -   April 28 to May 1  -  Tenth Annual Poster Session -

Week Fifteen -  Last Class May 5

There will be no final examination.  The class will be complete with the submission of the Final Paper on May 8.