Class Discussion Assignment #5
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This week we began thinking about how social institutions shape our lives. In particular, we considered the economy and how it shapes our access to work, fair wages, safe working conditions, and even respect. After listening to “Working at Walmart,” respond to one of the following questions. For your response, make sure that you are connecting lecture/textbook material to the assigned podcast.
The nature of work has changed A LOT in the last 40 years. What changes are most notable, and why is it important to understand employment at Walmart (and other retailers) within the larger historical context?
Adam Reich’s discussion of Working for Respect at Walmart highlights a number of social problems related to low wage retail work. Which of these problems do you feel are most pressing? Thinking like a sociologist, what solutions might you propose?
A few things to keep in mind:
This discussion form is active Monday-Sunday. Make sure you are checking in regularly.
You are expected to monitor the discussion and weigh in several times over the course of the week.
The discussion boards are student driven. Be sure to pose questions and challenge each other intellectually.
It should be clear that you are well versed in and engaging with the course material. Put differently, discussion assignments are an opportunity to ground your opinion in the sociological perspective, to utilize information from the podcasts/documentaries, and apply course concepts.
And of course, be considerate of the perspectives of others. However, if you feel a peer is out of line, you are encouraged to politely correct/redirect them.
Reminder on Artificial Intelligence:
Use of generative text and other AI programs, including but not limited to ChatGPT and Grammarly Go, are strictly prohibited in this course. These programs are likely to deprive you of hands-on experience and learning opportunities. Additionally, AI generated assignments are frequently poor quality. Use of AI to complete assignments is a breach of the Student Code of Conduct (linked above), and violation can result in failing grades and permanent record of cheating and plagiarism. All assignments submitted in this course are reviewed by an AI detection program.
Grading Criteria:
Each discussion forum is worth 30 points toward your final grade. Responses should be thoughtful and well crafted. Your grade will be based upon the following:
Category Description Points
Frequency and Number of Posts
The students should post in the discussion forum a minimum of three times over the course of the week. This includes an initial post of at least 150 words that responds to the questions posed by Dr. Schneider. Students should also make at least two response posts, in which they respond to their classmates.
Each week in which we have a class discussion assignment, you are expected to provide an opening response by Tuesday at 11:59 pm. In the days following, you are expected to make at least two (2) additional posts in which you respond to comments and questions posed by classmates.
Your three posts should be spread across two separate days to show that you are invested in the group discussion and helping to determine its direction.
0-5
Thoughtfulness
In crafting their opening post, the student grapples with the complexity of contemporary social problems, highlights the importance of a contemporary social problem by relating the course material to a recent event, and/or poses provocative questions that drive the discussion forward.
In responding to the post of a peer, the student demonstrates comprehension of the peer’s contribution and goes beyond reiterating what the peer has said by offering new ideas. The student may advance the discussion by providing a personal anecdote to illustrate a concept, explaining why they agree or disagree with their peer, relating the peer’s argument to a previous reading, etc.
0-10
Understanding and Application of Course Material
Student demonstrates thorough comprehension of the course material in all posts.
To show comprehension of the course material, students are encouraged to apply course concepts to the supplemental course material (documentaries and podcasts), clearly articulate their position on a topic covered by the textbook, identify policy solutions to U.S. social problems, relate the course material to an example from their own life, etc.
0-15
Total 0-30
** Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful (even in disagreement) and uphold a supportive, mutually beneficial learning environment. Differences of opinion are bound to arise; that does not excuse or justify disrespect. Derogatory, condescending, or harassing remarks will not be tolerated. Should a student violate these terms, they will receive a 0 for the assignment, and additional action
