We will be watching the movie silent running and reflecting on the decision of one man with the social back drop of humanity and culture.  We will discuss the relative worth of Human life as opposed to animal life, robots or AI, and deep felt personal convictions. We will discuss the ethical conflicts that occur when a persons deep held beliefs conflict with societies decisions. 

This week we will begin our first GURPS scenario the setting will be the distant future where sociality has collapsed and a selected group must attempt to correct social wrongs. The initial encounter will be with a feudal society which is experiencing a food shortage. The class is divided into 4 groups three groups represent the feudal society and the last is our group of adventures. The feudal groups must role play according to their castes interests and limitations the team must seek to find a solution by interacting, negotiating, and training the three groups.

Welcome Sociology Students,
Sociology is the study of human interactions, social structure, institutions, stratification, and collective behavior. During our 18-week adventure, we will develop a basic understanding of sociology as a science, and I hope a much deeper understanding of human interactions and the complexity of individual perspectives, desires, and skills.
The tools we will use in this class are your Textbook, a Role-Playing Game System most likely G.U.R.P.S, and most importantly your imagination, emotions, and reasoning ability. The Text Book will provide the background and terminology of sociology, The Role-Playing System will put you in various situations that you will have to work thru to solve social dilemmas. Your imagination and reasoning will be required to help you understand alternative outcomes and the ramifications of social action.
I expect all students to participate in classroom discussions, and come to class prepared, tests will be scheduled one week in advance and projects will be assigned at least two weeks before the due date.
Class rules are very simple.
1. Be on time.
2. No food or drink in the classroom.
3. Come prepared for class each day.
4. If your head is down you are asleep.
5. School rules are class rules.
6. The use of electronic devices is prohibited without my expressed permission.

School supplies.
1. Pencil and pen (not red) Your text book is to be brought to class unless I tell you not to.
2. Notebook paper (any kind as long as it is white)
3. Chrome Book

Grading System
Tests 60%
3 to 4 vocabulary tests per 9 weeks
1 individual project or Essay per 9 weeks
1 Group project per 9 weeks
Daily Work 40%
1 quiz per week (normally pop quiz) this can take many forms
Weekly participation grade (rule violations reduce this grade)
Home-work (very infrequent)
Class work assignments
This is the normal grading system there may be some six weeks with fewer grades.
Absences
Excused absence: you may make up missed work with no penalty but you need to ask for the work, don’t wait for me to find you and remind you.
Unexcused absence: NO makeup allowed 0.00.
I look forward to meeting each of you, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Clifford L Barnes Jr.
903-291-2049