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Course Title: Introduction Sociology 1301.THS1
Course Number: 1301.THS1.3628
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Lab Hours: 0
Total Contact Hours:
Term and Year: Fall 2016
Class Days & Times: M/W – 12:55 – 2:20
Classroom Location: 1603
A. COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Unfortunately, I will not have office hours this semester; however, if you are having a specific problem, or if you’d like to discuss a certain issue, for example, you might have a question about a reading you don’t understand, a concept we’ve covered in class, or something you’ve seen on TV or the Web. I would encourage you to email me with any questions you may have. Please be as specific as you can about how I can help you. In-depth questions will require us to meet face-to-face, but often times there are questions that I can answer over e-mail. I check and respond to email within 24 hours (unless I have told you otherwise in advance).
B. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance.
C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to correctly answer objective, short answer or essay questions on the following topics:
1. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology.
2. Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.
3. Describe key concepts in sociology.
4. Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.
5. Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.
D. PRE-REQUISITE COURSES:
P-DIRW/DIRR 0310 or ENGL 0310 and READ 0310
E. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS
Kerry Ferris and Jill Stein. The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology. June 2016, 5th Edition. W.W. Norton. New York. London.
ISBN: 978-0-393-26430-2
For more information about the textbooks, including details about how to order your book online and have it delivered to you, visit the ACC College Store at www.alvinccstore.com.
F. CORE REQUIREMENTS (Only required for CORE courses)
As part of the Texas and ACC Core Curriculum, students in this course will gain a foundation of knowledge in human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse work, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. The chart below details the core requirements that are applicable to this course, the activities in which students will participate to develop skills in the required areas, a determination of how students’ mastery of those areas will be assessed, and the level of expertise students are expected to demonstrate. Please note that these requirements are already included in the computation of the course grade and not a separate grade.
Core Objective / Activities / AssessmentsCritical Thinking Skills: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. / Written paper / Will analyze using the CT rubric
Communication-Written: effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas / Written paper / Will analyze using Communication rubric
Communication-Oral: effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas / One to two-minute presentation on social responsibility aspect of written paper / Part of the social responsibility paper
Communication-Visual: effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas / A graphic component appropriately added to paper / Part of the social responsibility paper
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. / Written paper / Will analyze using EQ rubric
Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different point of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared goal.
Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competency, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. / Written paper / Will analyze using SR rubric
Personal Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
*Indicates core areas required for this course
G. EXAMS AND MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
1. DATA WORKSHOP MEDIA GROUP SESSIONS:
There will be five (5) DWMGS throughout the semester. Each time you be put into groups of between 4 – 5 people in each group. You will discuss your assignment for that session. You will also turn in informal notes that you have written down based on what will be discussed in your group. All notes must be typed in Times New Roman Font and 12-point font. You must have listed between 5 – 10 questions along with your notes. **You must use Critical Analysis when writing your notes and questions.
2. EXAMS:
There will be four (4) Exams throughout the semester. Two regular exams, one Mid-Term and your Final Exam. We will discuss your Mid-Term on the first day of class.
3. PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE:
Class participation. Sign-up sheets will be provided each class session. Since this course is a cooperative one, it is vital that everyone attend and participate. You are expected to come to every class and be prepared to participate in class discussion. Your class participation grade will be determined based on your attendance, your discussion questions, and my evaluations of your participation in class discussions.
H. POLICIES ABOUT COURSEWORK AND DEADLINES
There is no late or makeup work. If you miss the due dates for any course work, you cannot make it up. You are aware of the due dates for all course requirements beginning on the first day of the semester, so please plan accordingly. Please pay attention to this policy and do not ask me to take late work!! I will refer you to this paragraph if you do happen to ask about turning in late work. This policy is for all course work, unless otherwise stated.
I. GRADING SUMMARY
CATEGORY / QUANTITY / POINTS / TOTALData Workshop Media Group Sessions / 5 / 100 / 500
Exams / 4 / 400 / 400
Attendance/Participation / 100 / 100
TOTAL / 1000
SAMPLE GRADE SCALE
Course Average / Grade100-90 / A
89-80 / B
79-70 / C
69-60 / D
59 and Below / F
*If you have any questions about your grade, please notify me and we can discuss the situation further so that we can find a resolution to any concerns you may have.
J. WITHDRAWING FROM CLASS/COLLEGE
It is recommended that the student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current course withdrawal information can be found in the printed version of the ACC Schedule for this semester or online at ACC Course Withdrawal Instructions. Students who file withdrawal requests by the published deadline and have not exceeded the withdrawal maximum will receive a grade of W. Withdrawal Deadline is November 14, 2016.
Six Drop Limit
The Texas Legislature passed a ruling that limits the number of classes a student can drop during their years as an undergraduate student to six. This policy applies to any student who was a first time college freshmen fall, 2007, or later, who attends a Texas public institution of higher education. Courses dropped while attending a private or out of state college do not count toward the six drop limit. For further information, refer to the ACC Catalog or contact Student Services.
K. GRADE APPEAL PROCESS
Students have one year from the date of the grade assignment to challenge a grade. Refer to the grade appeal process as published in the ACC Catalog at http://www.alvincollege.edu/Programs-Degrees/Course-Catalogs.
L. CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Alvin Community College students are required to attend classes. If an absence is unavoidable, the student is responsible for completing all work missed during the absence. Instructors will not withdraw students for non-attendance, except in developmental courses. Absences in excess of two weeks are to be reported to the Office of Advising Services, along with appropriate recommendations. Departments and faculty may have other attendance policies for their course.
Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class and to prepare for class lectures and discussions by reading the text and doing homework assignments. A student, who is late, may be marked absent. If you have any concerns about attendance or punctuality, please communicate with me outside of class time. If you miss class, you are expected to contact the instructor and/or other students in the class to get information about the class. Class attendance is it is part of your participation grade. The class format is lecture and discussion based. You should prepare for class discussion by carefully reading and writing notes/outlines on the assigned readings before
coming to class. It is very important that you read the assigned material for each class, as you will have a hard time following the lecture and the discussion if you do not. Class attendance is necessary to complete the course successfully. You should make every effort to attend class.
Should you have a problem or special reason, please email me at and let me know prior to
the event so that you may turn in your work ahead of time.
M. CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
Alvin Community College students are members of an institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through a formalized program of instruction and learning. At the heart of this endeavor, lie the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, truth, and freedom from lies and fraud. Because personal integrity is important in all aspects of life, students at Alvin Community College are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom. Incidents of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and students guilty of such conduct are subject to severe disciplinary measures.
PLAGIARISM IS USING SOMEONE ELSES MATERIAL AS IF IT WERE WRITTEN OR ORIGINATED BY YOU. If you plagiarize, you WILL fail this class. PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE IN THIS BEHAVIOR!! Plagiarism means copying off of the internet, quoting directly without giving credit to the source, or using parts of another person’s work as your own. Copying and pasting material off the internet is strictly forbidden! YOU MUST CITE ALL SOURCES AND HAVE A REFERENCE SECTION WITH APA STYLE CITATIONS FOR YOUR PAPER!
N. CLASSROOM PROTOCOL
It is the right of each student to participate in his or her learning, and it is the responsibility of each student to not interfere with the learning of other students. It is the expectation of the college that each student assumes the responsibility to follow college policies and procedures governing classroom conduct on campus and online. This information is published in the ACC Student Handbook on page 42.
Classroom Etiquette:
1.) We start and end class on time. 2) Students are expected to turn off all electronic devices (if you have a sick child, you may bring your phone and put it on vibrate). 3) If you use a laptop in class, please make sure to only use it to take notes. If you are checking email, sending IMs, or surfing the web, it can be very distracting to your classmates, as well as to me. If I see that you are using your laptop for any other purpose than to take notes, I will ask you to turn it off. 4) Check your email account and Blackboard daily! 5.) Please do not engage in side conversations during class time, texting, reading newspapers, taking naps, and any other distracting behaviors. **Please remember that this is a COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER! You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to sociology! Diversity is a GREAT THING and should be APPRECIATED. If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me. However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about sociology, society, and people in a bigger way than you may have already been exposed to. IN THAT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!
O. EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTION
Alvin Community College is dedicated to student success. As part of its ongoing improvement efforts, students will provide input for each course prior to the end of the semester enrolled. Evaluations will be completed in either online or paper format as directed by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Research.
P. ACC ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES
The ACC Tutoring/Learning Lab, located upstairs in building A, provides students with a variety of services including tutoring (math, writing, and other disciplines); computers and printers; and tables/carrels. Call 281-756-3566 or visit the ACC Tutoring/Learning Lab Website for more information.
The ACC Library is an excellent source for research and writing help. Quiet rooms are available for studying and doing class work. For more information, visit the ACC Library Website or call 281-756-3559.
ACC Counseling Services assist students with issues that may negatively impact academic success. To contact a counselor, call the office of Advising Services at 281-756-353.
Americans with Disabilities Act
ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations must register first with the Office of Disability Services, A-136, or call 281-756-3533. Instructors are not able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed.