SOCIOLOGY 386 & 781 (ONLINE): PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Summer, 2009
	Syllabus Reading Assignments Team Games and Exercises Weekly Assignments for points WEBBOARD Previous Handouts/Material Final Paper GUIDELINES FOR READING CLASS MATERIAL

The concept of "justice" remains an ambiguous term. "Peace," while 
an apparently simple concept, is never as easy to define as it seems 
in practice.  Peace and Social Justice (SOCI 386-online) critically 
explores these terms as they play out in varieties of contemporary 
social and international conflict. Emphasis will be placed on "social 
justice," as we examine the philosophical, historical, legal, and other 
factors that facilitate or restrict individuals, groups, and nations in 
pursuing a common good beyond individual self-interest.  Emphasis will 
be placed on "social justice," as we address the philosophical and 
conceptual roots, ask "social justice for whom," and explore the 
relationship betweeen the "Enlightment tradition" and contemporary views 
of "justice and equality." 

Topics will include the law and crime, "environmental justice," gender 
justice, envirnomental justice, animal rights, racism and other topics 
around which social conflict emerges.

This is an online course, and students must be 
self-directed, computer literate, and be able to interact efficiently 
and consistently in email, WebBoard, and Internet exercises. 
Students should contact the instructor (Jim Thomas) 
prior to the start of class at: 
Jim Thomas - jthomas@math.niu.edu

The course will meet face-to-face during the semester. Meetings are 
mandatory.

MEETING DATES: (on-campus/Dekalb: 9 a.m. / Hoffman Estates: 2 pm)
(NOTE: Students signed up on-campus or at Hoffman can attend either
location - whichever is most convenient)

ROOMS

   NIU:  Psyc-Computer Science 203
   HOFFMAN: TBA on arrival (usually posted in front lobby)

   Meeting 1: Saturday, June 13
   Meeting 2: Saturday, July 11 
   Meeting 3: Saturday, August 8 

TEXTS and READINGS:

Avaiable at bookstore:
   --D. Sullivan and L. Tifft: Restorative Justice: Healing 
     Foundations....
   --Peter Singer: Practical Ethics

Available on class homepage:
   --Plato's Republic (Selected readings)
   --Weekly online readings

GRADING

--Class participation: 100 points (10 pct of grade)
--WebBoard:      250 points
--Midterm exam:  100 points
--Final exam:    100 points
--Class exercises, games, and involvement: 300 points
--Final Paper:   150 points
______________
TOTAL POINTS: 1,000

Grading is on a straight 90-80-70-60 pct scale

--10 (10) points will be given to those who sign up on WebBoard 
and the class email list prior to 48 hours of first class meeting 
(by Thursday, June 11).  
30 points will be deducted for those who sign up later than 72 hours 
AFTER the first class meeting.

Return to Jim Thomas's homepage

Page maintained by: Jim Thomas - jthomas@math.niu.edu