1. an understanding of the field of sociology as reflected in its' 3 perspectives, theories,  concepts, development
2. the nature and process of the social science research process
3. an ability to create a Research Journal
4. an ability to Design a Research Project
5. an ability to create a Survey, an Interview Schedule, & other Research Instruments
6. an ability to create an Ethical Research Proposal as designated by a Human Subjects Review Committee
7. an ability to Analyze the Data collected from said Research Instruments & present in a Senior Thesis Term Paper
8. an ability to Present the Research Design, the Methods, the Data, & the Results
9. an effective social science writing style
10. and effective social science presentation style
11. the value of their own power of effective, reading.
12. the value of their own power of effective, written communication.
13. the value of their own power of effective, oral communication.
14. the value of their power of effective, creative thinking.
15. the value of their own power of making ethical choices..

All students graduating from UVa Wise must be able to demonstrate computer proficiency.  Please refer to p.79-80 of the 2004-2005 College Catalog.  If
you do not believe that you can meet this requirement, additional instruction will be provided, see your advisor.

Given that this course has all of its written work, notes, projects & so on, on the web, & given that all assignments, other than exams, are submitted in digital format, it is required that the student be able to operate effectively in the computer / web environment.  The student should be proficient in emailing, word processing, web searching, & spreadsheets. 

The course will be organized as a seminar, emphasizing the readings and discussion.  Students are expected to assist in creating a collegial, professional setting similar to one they will find in their career.  This may be done by completing all readings in advance and coming prepared to discuss and analyze the issues presented in the readings.   As a capstone course, there are four major aspects to consider. 

First, this course is intended to complete and crown the Sociology Major's education.  The student's readings for her or his term project are to explore two areas in sociology:  sociological thought, and sociological though directly related to the student's term project.   The research, writing and presentations of this course directs the student to conduct analysis in their area of specialization in such a manner that they become familiar with the research in that field in the context of their overall sociological education. 
The student will understand the social sciences holistically by exploring its' perspectives, major theories & theorists, its' major concepts and its' socio historical development. 

Second, this is a writing intensive course.  Nearly all the assignments have a strong writing component designed to enable the student to expand their writing skills in a social science context. 

Third, this is a research based course.  The primary task is to propose a research project, create several research instruments, & conduct actual research. 

Fourth, the research is to be grounded in and expand sociological analyses.

Finally, this is an oral presentation intensive course.  The major assignments have a strong presentation component designed to enable the student to expand their speaking skills in a social science context. 

Students are expected to take time to stay informed on the news and current events of the day in order to enhance their ability to analyze the social problems examined in class.

See the other sections of this syllabus for further discussion of these and other course requirements.

Rea, Louis M. and Richard A. Parker.  1997. Designing and Conducting Survey Research:  A Comprehensive Guide.  Second Edition.  Jossey Bass, A Wiley Imprint, San Francisco.

There are materials available on reserve in the library & on the internet in the Methods Webpage of the Supplements section of the Dr. W's Website.  These materials may assist the student in formulating her / his topic for their Senior Seminar Term Paper.  It is suggested that students retain & utilize several textbooks:   Intro to Sociology,  Social Problems, Statistics, & Methods.
 

See Also: Supplements

Link

All assignments are due by NOON of the due date & should be composed in Word & emailed to the prof. 

The Senior Capstone has eight major assignments and numerous additional projects due throughout the term. 

Each major assignment & many of the additional projects will require that the prof. provide the student w/ immediate feedback so that the student may continue to the next assignment. 

Because of this, tardiness & lateness will make the process of the course extremely problematic both for the student & the prof.

Given this, any late project will not be evaluated until the end of the term or when time allows.  The student will find it necessary to proceed to the next assignment w/o the evaluation & feedback provided by the prof., which may affect the grade on that next project.

Each late assignment will also be docked 10 %.

Furthermore, because each assignment's due date is clearly stated in the syllabus, only extraordinary excuses are acceptable.  The student should plan ahead & anticipate that there may be difficulties which could delay timely completion of the assignment. 

Write a survey w/ at least 30 queries. 
 

	Overview of all Methods Resources	Link
	Research Design	Link
	Overview of all Research Instruments	Link
	Research Objectives	Link
	The Survey	Link
	Constructing the Survey	Link
	Sampling for Surveys	Link

Revise the survey & convert to a master survey. 
 

	Master Survey	Link
	Example:  Master Survey:  Firefighting	Link
	Example:  Master Survey:  The Elderly	Link
	Example:  Master Survey:  Divorce & Children	Link

Revise the survey & the master survey.
 

	ALL HIC Reports	Link
	Consent Form	Link

Each student shall write a Research Paper.  In the Research Paper you are to fully carry out what you proposed to do in the Research Proposals.  The Outline on the Research Paper, below, summarizes what is required on the Research Paper that you have already completed from the Theory Course, & what will be completed in the Capstone Course.  See the Webpage on the Research Paper for more information
         Length:             36 pages in the body  (not including table contents, intro, conclusion, biblio, etc.)
         Bibliography:  minimum  10 scholastic references from your Lit Review
         Due Date:        See the syllabus section above:      6. Course Schedule, Test Dates & Other Assignment Due Dates

20. Outline on the Research Paper Assessment	Indicates the Sections of the Term Paper that are new for this Capstone Course, & those Sections that will be updated from the work done in the in the Theory Course	Approximate  Page Requirement
1. Title Page	Update from Theory Course Term Paper	1
2. Table of Contents	Update from Theory Course Term Paper	1
3. Thesis statement or hypothesis	Update from Theory Course Term Paper,  address changes from Research	1/4
4. Introduction & summary	Update from Theory Course Term Paper,  address changes from Research	2
5. Body	NA	36 total
5.1.  Literature Review	Update from Theory Course Term Paper	10
5.2.  Methods	Required	3
5.3.  Summary of Results/Data	Required	2
5.4.  Analysis / Discussion	NA	16
a. Other Subsections based on Topics     or	Update from Theory Course Term Paper, or	--
b. Other Subsections based on Types of Analysis	NA	--
i.  Socio historical analysis	Update from Theory Course Term Paper	--
ii. Other Type of Analysis:  Narrative, Descriptive, etc.	Update from Theory Course Term Paper	--
iii.  Data Analysis if Primary Data Collection was conducted	NA	--
a)  Statistical Analysis, if utilized	Required	--
b)  Other type(s) of analysis, if utilized	Required	--
iv.  Expectations for the Future	Update from Theory Course Term Paper,  address changes from Research	2
v. Recommendations of Social Policy	Update from Theory Course Term Paper,  address changes from Research	2
6.  Summary & Conclusion	Update from Theory Course Term Paper,  address changes from Research	2
7.  Appendices:  HIC Proposal, Survey, Interview Schedule,  Coded Survey, etc.	Required	7
8.   Bibliography	Update from Theory Course Term Paper	10+ refs

Before this assignment is due, the student will be asked to hand in the Data Table & Stats Runs as they believe appropriate for their research.  This will be credited as an a class Project grade.  Then the student shall be critiqued & instructed on how to finish the Data Table & Stats Runs.  Thus, as soon as the student is ready, she or he shall email to the professor a Data Table & Stats run which they have compiled.  Once the professor receives this, the student shall receive further instruction on the assignment if they wish
 

The student is to write in the research journal every week, preferably, several times a week. 

The research journal should be emailed to the professor at the end of every second week during the term for twelve weeks, for a total of 6 journals.  The research journals should be emailed each Friday, on the even numbered weeks per the Course Outline & Review Notes List. 

See the link below for the content of the research journal. 
 

The Research Journal

Link

In the Senior Seminar Presentation you are to respond to the feedback given by the Professor & Students &  transform your Field Research & Senior Thesis Term Paper into an oral presentation,  & present it to the Community.  .      Length:   15-20-25  minutes  ( Does not include question & answer period )
         Bibliography:    minimum  5 scholastic references
         Due Date:          See the Course Outline & Review Notes section
       See the Webpage on the Term Presentation for more information
 

	Presentations	Link
	Presentation Assessment, Long Form	Link
	Presentation Assessment, Short Form	Link

The student shall complete the HIC Approval Form, the Consent Document, the Check Off Form & the Final Report, but not the HIC Protocol Form
 

	ALL HIC docs	Link
	HIC Approval Form	Link
	Informed Consent Document	Link
	HIC Check Off Form	Link
	HIC Final Report	Link

Final revision!  This is in the same format as the Draft Senior Thesis Term Paper, as seen above.
 

The Term Paper

Link