<ol>
<li><p>I'm taking LS C180, which is Sociology. It's cross listed with another course, and that course happens to have discussion sections, whereas the LS class doesn't have any listed. It's not that they are full, they just don't seem to exist. Are discussion sections going to be assigned to us later, or are there just no discussion sections? </p></li>
<li><p>I know discussion sections probably vary by the type of class and the GSI, but... Generally, what do you do in discussion? What would happen if you went to a different discussion section than the one you were signed up for? Just curious. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Cheers. :)</p>
<p>Social psychology (Sociology C150A) doesn’t have discussion sections. Are you sure you’re not accidentally looking at ESPM C180 on the schedule website (instead of Soc C150A)? The sociology department used to have discussion sections for its decade courses, but many of them were cut from the budget.</p>
<p>You’re right in that discussion sections vary by class and by GSI. Generally, in discussion sections where attendance is mandatory (part of your grade), we go over lecture/homework material, turn in assignments, and are marked for attendance. This means you can’t go to a different discussion section than the one you signed up for. There are limits to how many students a GSI can teach.</p>
<p>However, if discussion section isn’t graded, most people don’t go to them. You can attend any section you’d like to if this is the case.</p>
<p>Ahh, I think that’s what I was doing. Thanks for your help on that one! I was puzzled… </p>
<p>And alright, that’s kind of what I was expecting, as far as turning in assignments and such goes. Is attendance mandatory in most discussion sections?</p>
<p>Yup, for the most part. If the department has enough money to afford discussion sections and GSIs, why not make them an integral/graded part of the class?</p>
<p>The graduate student who runs the discussion sections is going to be the one who gives you your grade in the end. You would be well-advised to attend if you are trying to earn a high grade.</p>