Assignments, Deadlines, and Grading:

Class participation (20% of final grade)

Writing and speaking in class is essential practice for learning new concepts. While each class will involve an element of lecture, students will be expected to participate in class discussions as individuals as well as through group work. Hence, students are required to read the readings before class. As you read the materials for class, you are encouraged to write memos for every reading. A good memo will (1) summarize the key arguments, key concepts, and the evidence provided, (2) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence and argument, (3) reflect on how the reading relates to previous readings and class discussions, (4) things that are not clear to you about the argument, and (5) pose 1-2 questions about the readings. These elements will help you participate in class discussions the next day.

In-class open-book exam (30% of final grade, March 19):

This exam is designed as a checkpoint for your learning, not a high-pressure test. It will give you an opportunity to reflect on and apply the ideas we’ve explored together.

• Format: You’ll answer three short-answer questions (300-500 words each) from a set of five.
• Content: All questions will come from the readings and discussions we’ve already covered in class. If you’ve been engaged and taken notes, you’re already well-prepared.
• Allowed reference materials: You may bring printouts of the course readings to class. Laptops or other devices are not allowed.
• Goal: The exam is about demonstrating your understanding of key concepts and making connections between readings—not memorizing details.
• Support: If you have questions or want to review strategies, please come to office hours.

Class Presentation (50% of final grade, last two weeks of class) 

Your final project is an 8-minute class presentation. You can choose to focus on offshoring or immigration. 

1. You will choose a commodity, firm, or industry as your case study and discuss how the global production or immigration links workers of a Global North country and a Global South country in this case.
2. Tell us why this case is important to you, and why it’s sociologically interesting?
3. You should find ONE academic book or TWO journal articles about your case that go beyond the course readings.
4. You must also clearly engage with the relevant concepts from the course and as well as the relevant course material.
5. Extra credit: You will analyze one primary data source (original interviews, news reports, labor market surveys, government or international agency reports, documentaries, online forums/chats/social media) about workers in a Global North country and workers in a Global South country in your chosen case.

Note that this assignment is about showing that you have engaged with the course readings and can apply what you learned to a new situation.

Points to Grades: 

A (90-100), B (80-89), C (<70-79), D (60-69), F (<60)

Late assignments

The policy for late assignments is that you will need a documented health, funeral, or university-sponsored excuse for turning in late assignments at full credit. Assignments turned in after their due dates without an excuse will receive a drop in letter grade every two days beyond their due date.

Accommodations

If you are a student with learning needs that require special accommodation, contact the Office of Disability Services at 404.894.2563 or their website as soon as possible to discuss your needs and to obtain an accommodations letter. Then, make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your learning needs.