What you don't know and might be interested to use in your own teaching syllabi, is that I use market dynamics to encourage students to branch out on the pathways to social knowledge by giving students 'profits' for their 'investment of points, time, energy and understanding.

For example, in order to move students to more difficult menu items; items which require more work and more integration of class content, I might 'sell' an assignment for 20 points and 'buy' it back for 22, 23, or even 25 points...if it were well done.

In most syllabi using market dynamics, students get 200 points to 'spend;' they must spend 100 pts on objective tests...they may spend all remaining points on such menu items as movie labs, field research, dramaturgical analyses, special projects, soap operas and such.

For example, I 'charge' 20 points for the first movie lab but make it possible for a student to earn up to 25 points on the first movie lab...just to break the ice...after the first movie lab the profit margin goes down to 10% or 2 points.

I set profit margins for items on the menu which encourage students to explore emancipatory knowledge in field assignments, special projects, outside events or music, poetry and theater.

In one interesting case, I gave an assignment on The Drama of the Holy for Spring Break and restricted it to 20 students [of 95] who have not yet spent more than 20 points.

One student, Bill, wanted to do the assignment...he has already spent 180 of 200 points...I told him, No...he might do very well and yet not earn his 'profit.'   Unfair to him.

He wrote back and offered to buy the assignment at 20 pts and accept a two-point penalty for taking...first time I ever had a student offer to buy assignments knowing s/he would take a loss.

You might want to use this market socialist scheme for your own classes. If so, you are welcome to download syllabi.

Intro to Sociology
Mass Communications
Criminology: Criminal Justice

TR Young