Intro to Social Science Course Syllabus

Intro to Social Science Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Niznik

Office/Classroom Location: Room 235

Email:

Course Description

By focusing on the related fields of sociology, anthropology, economics, and psychology, students will have an opportunity to investigate areas of current interest to the social scientist. Topics may include the following: culture and ethnicity, the changing family, social class and the American dream, conformity and deviance, gangs and organized crime, death, dying and old age, as well as minority and group relations. Through this course, students will be exposed to the study of human behavior and will have an opportunity to gain an understanding of modern day society.

Textbook and Required Materials

Textbook:

Coon, Dennis. Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior World. 2004.
Kendall, Diana. Sociology in Our Times. 2003.

Required Materials: Chromebook, notebook, handouts, and pen/pencil

Grading Policy

In calculating marking period grades, each student will be evaluated on a point system. Each assessment is worth a set amount of possible points.

Total Points Earned

Total Points Possible

The following will contribute to the student’s grade: tests/quizzes, individual and group projects, class work, homework, and the final examination.

Tests will always be announced beforehand; however, quizzes will not always be announced.

Homework is based on a “two strikes you’re out” policy. Students will have one dayto complete unfinished homework assignments for half credit; no credit will be given for homework thereafter.

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student proved guilty of such activity will automatically receive a zero for that specific item.

Make-up Work

If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to get missed notes and/or assignments from the teacher and/or his/her classmates.

Tests, quizzes, and assignments missed due to absences must be completed within one week of their original due date, unless otherwise denoted by the teacher. In addition, it is the student’s responsibility to coordinate make-up test and quiz dates with the teacher. Any assignment that is missed will appear as a zero in Home Logic, until the time it is made up by the student.

Disciplinary:

Disciplinary actions are at my discretion. I will always give a warning to most behavior issues. After the warning, I will ask you to go to the history hut. If that happens, you will serve detention with me after school. Failure to serve my detention by the end of the week will result in going through the main office.

Classroom Rules/Expectations

Be on time!

Be prepared!

I dismiss you - not the bell!

RESPECT yourself, others, and school/classroom materials and procedures!

Ask questions as well as express ideas and concerns!

Have fun and smile!

Movie Clips/documentaries:

Throughout the school year, I will use a variety of films to aid student learning. These films are used with professional discretion and strongly assist visual learners. While some of the scenes may contain brief moments of violence, profanity and/or nudity, students have always taken a great deal away from these lessons.

Sample of films:

Brain Games (National Geographic)
A Beautiful Mind(PG13)
Concussion (PG13)
Monk with Tony Shalhoub
Green Street Hooligans (R)
Secret Wild Child (Nova)
Crash (R)
28 Days (PG13)
American Beauty (R)

There may be times where I will want to show another film/documentary that is not on this list. By signing the syllabus below, you are granting me permission to use professional judgment on movies that may be rated PG-13 or R.

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By signing this syllabus, I am agreeing that I have read and comply with the contents and expectations of this class.