Introduction To Sociology
Instructor: Ms. Blanche Phone: 714-992-7374
E-Mail: (Note: In the subject line of your email, state: “student”)
Class time and location: MW – 12 noon to 1:20 - Room 415
Office: 1254-01(see map in packet)
Office Hours: (it is advisable that you make an appointment):
Mon. & Weds. from 3:20 – 4:20 (I may be late due to staying to help my stat students in Rm. 721),
Tues. and Thurs. from 1:30 to 3 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces concepts, theories and vocabulary associated with the field of sociology. The major sociological perspectives are explored surrounding: social control, social interaction, social differentiation, and social institutions. The processes of social change are understood in the context of collective human behavior.
TEXTBOOK: Essentials of Sociology, by Linda Lindsey and Stephen Beach. You do NOT need to bring your text to class
SUPPLEMENTAL PACKET: Purchase a supplemental packet at the bookstore. The bookstore sells supplemental packets for all my courses so make sure that you are purchasing the packet for SOC 101. This packet contains lecture notes, study guides, and more. You will need to bring this packet to class everyday. After purchasing your packet, check to see if it is missing any pages, so that I can have any missing pages replaced before you need them.
SCANTRONS: You will need four standard Scantron Test forms (#882). BRING ONE SCANTRON TEST FORM TO CLASS FOR EACH EXAM. Don’t forget to bring No. 2 pencils to each exam, also.
GRADING POLICY: Grades will be based on the following items:
TESTS: There will be four unit exams as listed on the following calendar. Each exam will be worth 50 points, and will be 50 multiple-choice and T/F questions. The lowest score of these four unit exam scores will be dropped and not calculated as part of your grade. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS! Do not ask if you can take an exam early or make-up an exam that you miss. There will be no exceptions to the “no make-up exams” rule, because your lowest exam score will be dropped. (Total points possible: 150)
Note: students who arrive more than ten minutes late will not be permitted to take exams.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: There will be four writing assignments and each is worth 20 points. See supplemental packet for more information. (Total points possible: 80)
Notes regarding writing assignments:
· LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED (there are no valid excuses)! The coupon provided may be used to turn in ONE (ONLY ONE!) of these papers (except the 4th writing assignment) after the date that it is due, but 4 points will automatically be subtracted from your grade. After one week from the due date, the coupon is invalid and papers will not be accepted.
· Save graded assignments after they have been returned to you.
· The 4th writing assignment will NOT be accepted late for ANY reason. Also, your 4th writing assignment will not be returned to you, unless you make an arrangement with your instructor before the final exam.
· If you do not turn in one of the 4 writing assignments (or if you receive a non-satisfactory grade on any of the 4 writing assignments), in addition to receiving the grade of zero on that assignment, your total semester grade will be lowered one letter grade.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: During the semester, on unannounced days, you will receive 2 points for participating in class activities. This work CANNOT be made up if you are absent or late for class or leave early; however, there will be one extra class participation day, and these two points can go toward making up a day when you were absent (or late or left early), or used for extra credit. (Total points possible: 40.)
To facilitate taking role there will be seating assignments. On the second day of class, you will be assigned your seat for the semester (thus, sit will you will be comfortable for the rest of the semester).
If you arrive late to class or have to leave class early, do not sit in your assigned seat, sit in seats reserved for this purpose and you will not receive class participation points if they are given that day.
If you miss class it is your responsibility to get the notes you missed from another student in class (not from your teacher).
ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is critical. Attendance will be taken every class. You MAY be dropped for
poor attendance (3 or more absences); however, if you choose to drop this course, you MUST file the appropriate drop form. If you just stop attending class, and do not officially drop this course, you will receive an “F” grade for the semester.
EXTRA CREDIT: One extra credit assignment is given during the semester and you may also receive extra credit for attending approved speakers. More information will be given in class and in the supplemental packet. (Extra credit points possible: 15 points maximum)
I adhere strictly to the following grading scale.
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE FOR COURSE / POINTS TO LETTER GRADEExams I - IV (highest 3) 150 points
Papers 80 points
Class Participation 40 points
Total 270 points / A - 243 – 270 90%
B - 216 – 242 80%
C - 189 – 215 70%
D - 162 – 188 60%
F - below 162
Behavior: Do not do anything that will (1) prevent your instructor from teaching and/or
(2) prevent another student from learning.
Do Not:
Ø Be Tardy
Ø Leave Early (if you are tardy or have to leave early, sit in specified seats.)
. Reminder: if you are late for a class, or if you leave early, then you will not receive any class participation points if they are given that day.
Ø Interrupt or talk over others
Ø Bring visitors to class – your children, siblings or friends, etc. (I must enforce this rule because the school’s liability insurance does not cover visitors.)
Ø Work on homework or copy notes for this class or any other class during class time
Ø Text message during class (if you do, you will not receive class participation points for that day)
Ø Eat or drink during class
Do:
Ø Turn off cell phones before class (remember, do not send or receive text messaging also)
Ø Respect every individual in this class
Ø Refer to the Academic Honesty policy presented in the current Fullerton College Catalog.
Ø Listen quietly and refrain from talking while the instructor or another student is speaking to the class.
If you are not listening quietly and refraining from talking while the instructor or another student is speaking to the class, your instructor will give you a warning and then, if necessary, she will give you an a new seating assignment
*Respectful of Others
Due to the nature of our course work, we may sometimes discuss controversial and sensitive issues. At times you may disagree with an opinion stated in class; however, It is of utmost importance that you always remember to be respectful of others in the classroom (that includes your instructor!). Everyone in the class has something valid to add to our discussions.
Also, remember that being respectful of others includes not engaging in behaviors that will stop the teacher from teaching or stop another student from learning (talking while another student or the teacher is talking, being tardy, leaving cell phones on, etc…..). Remember: everyone has the responsibility of creating a comfortable classroom environment.
Reminders:
Fullerton College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities upon request of the student (in a timely fashion) and upon verification of disability.
Please take note of the safety features in and close to your classroom, as well as study the posted evacuation route. The most direct route of egress may not be the safest because of the existence of roofing tiles or other potentially hazardous conditions. Similarly, running out of the building can also be dangerous during severe earthquakes. During strong quakes the recommended response is to duck-cover- and hold until the shaking stops. Follow the guidance of your instructor. You are asked to go to the designated assembly area. Your cooperation during emergencies can minimize the possibility of injury to yourself and to others.
Note from your instructor:
I believe that I have the greatest job in the world, because I get to (1) work with students which is a great joy for me, and (2) teach a fascinating subject that I’m passionate about!
I have created the above behavior guidelines (and I am very strict about them), because I want this course to be the best possible experience for you.
I created the grading system presented in your syllabus because I wanted to create a course in which the student: (1) learns as much of the subject matter as possible, (2) has diverse opportunities to perform well (exams, writing assignments, and class participation), and (3) can succeed if they are willing to work hard (for example, the student has opportunity for extra credit, and is provided study guides for each exam).
It is my hope that you use every opportunity to LEARN and DO WELL! Please come by my office, or send me an email, or leave a phone message with any concern that you may have. Have a great semester!
Please do not ask your instructor how you are doing in class, as it is your responsibility to keep up with your progress during the semester. To help you in this process, the following is provided for record keeping.
After each exam and writing assignment, please record your grades.
Exam I ____ pts. ____ letter grade
Exam II ____ pts. ____ letter grade
Exam III ____ pts. ____letter grade
Exam IV ____ pts. ____letter grade
(Remember, one of the four unit exams will be dropped.)
Paper I ____ pts. ______letter grade
Paper 2 ______pts. ______letter grade
Paper 3 ____ pts. ______letter grade
Paper 4 ______pts. ______letter grade
(Remember, if you do not turn in a study guide, in addition to receiving a zero for that assignment, your total semester grade will be dropped one letter grade, also.)
Extra Credit
(record any extra credit points that you receive)
______
Class Participation
(record days that you are absent, late, or leave early):
______
Grading scale for exams / Grading scale for papers45 – 50 A
40 – 44 B
35 – 39 C
30 – 34 D
<30 F / 18 - 20 A
16 – 17 B
14 – 15 C
12 – 14 D
<12 F
The following is a tentative calendar for this semester. There may be some variations due to the needs of the class.
Start reading Chapters 1 – 2 and working on study guide
W – Aug. 22nd / On the second class, sit where you will be comfortable for the rest of the semester as seating assignments will be given
---Bring supplemental packet to class (today and everyday)--
M – Aug. 27th / - Report any pages that are missing from your packet -
M – Sept. 3rd / Holiday
M – Sept. 24th / EXAM I on Chapters 1 – 2 Intro to Sociology, The Scientific Method, Founders and Culture &
TURN IN STUDY GUIDE
Start reading Chapters 3, 4, & 6 and working on study guide
W – Oct. 24th / EXAM II on Chapters 3, 4 & 6 Social Structure, Socialization and Deviance, &
TURN IN STUDY GUIDE
Start reading Chapters 8 – 10 and working on study guide
Nov. 12 / Holiday
Nov. 14 / LAST DAY to Turn in the Movie Extra Credit Assignment
W – Nov. 21th / EXAM III on Chapters 8 - 10 Inequality: class, race and gender &
TURN IN STUDY GUIDE
LAST DAY that ALL extra credit is accepted
Last day to withdraw from classes
Start reading Chapters 11 – 13 on working on study guide
Weds. Dec. 12th, 11:am / EXAM IV on Chapters 11 – 13 Family, Religion, Education, Health and Government , &
TURN IN STUDY GUIDE
Note: Your final is at 11 am, NOT 12 noon.
Sociology 101 - Contract of Understanding Class Policies and Guidelines
This contract is to be signed and turned in on the first day of classes. A copy of this contract is in your supplemental packet.
ü I have read the syllabus and understand all of the policies and guidelines within.
ü I am aware that late papers will not be accepted for any reason (see the syllabus for additional information regarding the coupon provided).
ü I understand that there are no make-up exams (the lowest unit exam score will be dropped).
ü I am aware that students who arrive more than ten minutes late will not be permitted to take exams.
ü Also, I understand that if I choose to drop this course, that it is my responsibility to file the appropriate drop form, and that if I do not officially drop myself from this course, I will receive an “F” grade for the semester.
ü Also, I agree to abide by appropriate behavior guidelines.
ü For example, I will arrive to class on time and stay until class is dismissed. I understand that if I am late for a class, or if I leave early, that I will not receive any class participation points if they are given that day.
ü Also, I will turn off all cell phones (including text messaging) before class. I am aware that if I am text messaging during class, that I will not receive class participation points that day.
ü In addition, I will not bring visitors or food and drink to class.