Soc142 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)If you do not find the answer to your questions in the following list, please ask John. He will try to answer your questions (and post the answers here).
How many questions will there be on the quizzes and final?
There are 6 questions on each midterm, and you will be asked to answer 5 and either skip or X-out one. There are 12 questions on the fall quarter final, and you will be asked to answer 10 and either skip or X-out two. You only need to X-out a question if you answer all 6 questions and need to indicate the one you do not want graded. Do not X-out a question early in the test, since you may decide to answer it later; and the X already indicates that you do not want that question graded. Only X-out a question if you answer all 6.Do the test questions come primarily from the reading or the lecture?
About half the questions on each test come from the readings and the other half come from lectures. Some students think they can skip the Xeroxed readings, assuming that they can skip the question on such reading; but this is unwise, since you may not know how to answer all of the other questions.How much do the quizzes and final count as a percent of my grade?
In fall quarter, each quiz counts for 20% of your grade and the final counts as 40%. In summer session, each quiz counts for 30% of your grade and the final counts as 40%.What is the most common error that people make when taking the tests?
Some students focus all their attention on all part of a question and fail to answer all the points that are mentioned in the question. John tries to hint to you all the important parts of each question by underlining key words. You might want to circle all these key words and be certain that you discuss each one (rather than getting off target and rambling redundantly about one part of the answer). The following is an example question: Note how the key words are underlined.
"From Chapter 3 of BPEL, define the word reinforcement. How do cumulative records show the effects of reinforcement on behavior? Give a clear example that demonstrates this."Who grades the test?
Several students (who earned very high grades during a previous quarter) grade your test. In fall quarter, there are 3 or 4 graders per test, since the class is large that quarter. In order to guarantee maximal fairness, the graders divide up the test and each grader specializes on one or two questions to grade. Thus, if there is a question about reinforcement and cumulative records, one and only one grader will read and grade this question. This helps assure that everyone in the class is graded by the same standards. (This fairness would not be as well guaranteed if the graders simply took separate piles of tests and graded each pile according to their own criteria.)What are the main criteria that the graders use for allocating points when they grade?
John instructs the graders to look for all the valid chunks of information that students put down in their answers. The graders are to give more points when they see more valid statements drawn from the readings or lectures. The more that students prove to the graders that they have studied the readings and lectures, the more points they receive. The top grade for any test question is 6 points, and the graders determine what kind of answer deserve 6 points by seeing how well the best students can answer each question.Are plus and minus grades given in Soc 142?
Even though John only gives you hints about the boundaries between A, B, C, and D grades, he will add plus and minus signs to all the A, B and C grades at the end of the course. He does not put plus or minus signs on D and F grades.Will John give sample test questions for all the tests?
John gives you a list of all possible test questions that come from the readings for the first quiz -- so you can see how he designs his questions and be prepared to do well on the first quiz. But he does not give out questions for the rest of the course. You should have figured out by the first quiz how he designs his questions. (Click this link: How does John create test questions?)Are there study groups I can join before each test?
Each quarter, various students who like to prepare in study groups tend to locate other students in the class with whom to study. If you like to work with study groups, find fellow students who want the same thing, exchange phone numbers or e-mail addresses, and make it happen. You can also go to CLAS (in Building 300) and sign up for sessions that teach you better study skills. CLAS teaches study skills that are very valuable in learning how to master the material. Or go see John in his office hours: He can give you tips about creating file cards to study from, or using your personal computer to create better notes and study pages. (Click this link: Study Tips.)Do I have to use a pen to answer the test questions?
No. You can use a pencil. However, if you want to qualify to have your test regraded (if you think it was graded unfairly), you must answer with a pen -- preferably using blue or black ink. Too many students have tried to erase or modify pencil-written answers; and the ease of cheating with pencil has made it essential to deny regrades for pencil-written tests.How do I get a regrade?
Please see the page of instructions that answers this question. It is located in the early part of the Xerox Readings that you purchase from the Alternative Copy Shop. You must follow the instructions fully if you want a regrade. This includes your having to examine the KEY that is posted at John's office before asking for a regrade. (John's office is at Ellison 2810).How can I become a grader for Soc 142?
During the last weeks of the quarter, John will bring a sign-up sheet to class so that everyone who would like to be a grader can put down their name, address and phone number. After all the grades are tabulated (after the final exam), John will pick the top 3 or 4 students who have volunteered for the job and send them letters that offer the job to them. The job pays more than $10 per hour, and the graders work as a team, splitting the work among the group.What if I find an error in the reader or the book?
Tell John. He is always eager to improve the quality of the readings, and that includes detecting any and all errors -- so they can be corrected. If you think any of the material, including examples, are poorly chosen (or know of a better example), please tell John because he is constantly working on upgrading the written material.What if I see someone cheating during a test?
Please walk down to the front of the auditorium and tell John. It is not fair to you or the other students for someone to be cheating. Even though it is easy to say, "Well, the person is only hurting himself/herself," John does not want you or other students to be demoralized by seeing cheating here at UCSB. John would love for all children to be socialized to be honest and trustworthy; and he is willing to take corrective action if some student has not already learned those habits by the age of 18 or 20 or 22.July '01BACK TO HOME