St. Petersburg College (ECampus)
SGY 2221 Women and Society (on-line)
Debbie Cross
Fall 2017
Office: Virtual
Office Hours: By Appointment
E-mail:
***An e-mail is always the quickest way to reach me. E-mails during the week will be returned within 24 hrs.***
Academic Department: Social Sciences
Course Description
According to Lee Rainwater, sociology tries to "get at the guts of human behavior", a formidable task since our behavior can be very complex and it may vary greatly depending on the social setting. Everything we do and feel is shaped by a multitude of social forces. Within this perspective, the course will analyze the effects of gender on shaping our western culture. We will assess women’s roles through the evaluation of politics, religion, culture, health, and the economy. We will examine the significance of gender from a comparative and an international perspective, as the multi-disciplinary approach will allow us to evaluate the effects that various cultures, diverse economies, distinct historical backgrounds, unequal levels of education and health parameters have on shaping gender, feminine roles and women’s position. The course will combine perspectives from the social sciences, incorporating sociological theories, with anthropological observations and psychological explanations, while it will build on history and international relations
Course Objectives
By the end of the course the students should be able to evaluate:
• The methods we use to study gender and women
• The women’s position from a cross-cultural perspective
• The theoretical approaches that explain women’s position
• The problems of defining masculinity and femininity
• The major psychological differences between the sexes.
• The connection between race and gender
• The perspectives on education and health
• The role of the media, law and government.
• The forces that shape sexuality
• The causes behind violence against women
• The changing nature of parenthood and work.
Required Texts:
Andersen, M (2011). Thinking about Women: Sociological perspectives on Sex and Gender. (9th edition). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 13: 978-0-205-84095-3.
Articles under Course Content in myCourses.
STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
All course work must be completed by the appropriate due dates. A grade of zero will be assigned to any course requirement not completed.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Course Policies and Procedures: The student is responsible for knowing all course policies listed in the syllabus and discussed in class.
Class Participation and Etiquette: The student is responsible for participating in class. The student will respect the rights of other students to learn. The student will communicate with others in a courteous and respectful manner at all times, including the instructor.
Assignment Due Dates and Procedures: The student is responsible for knowing when assignments are due, the formats required, and the procedures for completing and submitting assignments.
Academic Honesty: The student is expected to know the SPC Academic Honesty Policy and to act above suspicion at all times with regard to academic issues.
Attendance: The student is responsible for logging on to an online class and participating in the prescribed manner. The student is responsible for reviewing the attendance record in MyCourses for inaccuracies and excessive absences.
SPC ATTENDANCE POLICY (SHORT VERSION):
Instructors will verify that students are in attendance at least once each week during the first two weeks of class. Students classified as “No Show” for both of the first two weeks will be administratively withdrawn.
Immediately following the 60% point of the term, each instructor will verify which students are actively participating in class as defined in the course syllabus. Students classified as not meeting the criteria for active class participation will be administratively withdrawn with a “WF”. Students will be able to withdraw themselves at any time during the term. However, requests submitted after the 60% deadline will result in a “WF”. Students and instructors will automatically receive an e-mail notification to their SPC email whenever a withdrawal occurs.
The deadline for students to withdraw themselves with a grade of “W” is October 19, 2017.
FROM SPC ADMINISTRATION (LONG VERSION)
ATTENDANCE/ACTIVE PARTICIPATION/WITHDRAWAL POLICIES
In January of 2008 the college implemented a new attendance policy. Revised Board of Trustees rule 6Hx23-4.30 replaces the information found on pages 136 and 137 in the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the 2008/2009 Student Planner and Handbook.
Each instructor must exercise professional judgment to determine if you are actively participating in class. Faculty will publish their own personal participation/attendance policies in their syllabi. This policy will be used to determine grades. If you are not actively participating in class as defined in an instructor’s syllabus, you will be reported to the Administration during the week following the voluntary withdrawal date.
Instructors will verify that you are in attendance during the first two weeks of class. If you are classified as a “No Show” for both of the first two weeks, you will be administratively withdrawn.
Immediately following the 60% point of the term, each instructor will verify which students are actively participating in class as defined in the course syllabus. If you are classified as not meeting the criteria for active class participation, you will be administratively withdrawn with a “WF.” You will be able to withdraw yourself at any time during the term. Requests submitted after the 60% deadline, however, will result in a “WF.” Both you and your instructor will automatically receive notification through SPC email whenever a withdrawal occurs.
FEDERAL GUIDELINES RELATED TO FINANCIAL AID AND TOTAL WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE
The U.S. Department of Education has implemented rules for students who obtain a Pell Grant, Stafford Loan, and/or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and subsequently totally withdraw from the College. The rule requires you to refund to the Department of Education a portion of your financial aid if you completely withdraw from St. Petersburg College prior to the 60% point in the term. You also may be required to repay funds to the College if you are identified as not actively participating in all of your classes, or if you do not receive at least one final passing grade (D or higher). Should you consider totally withdrawing from all classes before the published withdrawal date, it is important that you consult the Financial Assistance Services office on your home campus to understand your options and the consequences of total withdrawal.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION FOR THIS CLASS:
Active class participation for this class is defined under the schedule above headed, "Class Participation Activities."
Internet Access: Students are required to have Internet access, and the software needed to complete all assignments. Access issues are not accepted as an excuse for lack of completion or participation. If there are computer issues that prohibit the completion of assignments or participation, students are expected to find the appropriate access elsewhere, and therefore should have a plan in place to take care of these responsibilities.
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Course Policies and Procedures: The instructor is responsible for providing a syllabus that clearly explains all course policies. The instructor will provide a Student Survey of Instruction for fall and spring semesters. The instructor will post grades in MySPC by the end of the semester.
Class Participation and Etiquette: The instructor will create a learning environment that engages students and facilitates learning. The instructor will enforce the right of all students to learn. The instructor will communicate with students in a courteous and respectful manner at all times. The instructor will respond to emails within 48 hours, 5 of 7 days per week.
Assignment Due Dates and Procedures: The instructor will provide clear guidelines and information regarding when assignments are due, the format required, and the procedure for completing and submitting assignments. The instructor will grade all assignments within 14 days of each due date, with additional time for late assignments, if accepted.
Academic Honesty: The instructor will enforce SPC Academic Honesty policies at all times.
Attendance: The instructor will maintain student attendance records in ANGEL for students to access and review.
~ASSIGNMENT, PARTICIPATION, AND GRADE INFORMATION~
STUDENTS SHOULD EXPECT TO SPEND ABOUT 9-10 HOURS A WEEK DURING THE REGULAR SESSION
Students will be reading one (1) chapter a week in the textbook as well as readings from the supplementary reader. The weekly reading assignments can be found the schedule listed below.
Regular weekly participation and activity is expected from each student and will be evaluated as a part of the Discussion Board grade.
All discussion posts and assignments are graded for original thought and must be in your own words. However, if you wish to use a borrowed fact from an expert source to add strength to your argument or thesis, the borrowed idea—whether quoted or paraphrased--must be cited with proper citations and references using the MLA format. Limit your borrowed information to less that 20% of your total essay. Credit will not be given for any copied or plagiarized work, even if cited.
Logging on frequently and reading your email is very important because if I have an important issue to discuss with you, I will send an email. You are responsible for information sent this way. Reading emails regularly helps you stay abreast of what is happening in the course, and consequently is essential to your success. When you have mail, you will see a notation on the course when you log onto MyCourses.
Weekly Discussion Forums (DF). Each week you will have required postings.
· Students are expected to log in every week and post an original thought in reaction to the course activities/readings and to engage in conversation with a minimum of three (3) of your classmates throughout the week. Exploring your own original thought and reacting to another's ideas are both important. Postings should be carefully considered and reveal substantive contemplation concerning the assigned topics.
THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A “DISCUSSION”. IF SOMEONE COMMENTS ON YOUR POSTS, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO RESPOND BACK – HENCE DISCUSSION. YOUR POSTS SHOULD INSPIRE THOUGHT AND FURTHER CONVERSATION.
TO RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM POINTS POSSIBLE, PLEASE REFER TO THE DISCUSSION BOARD RUBRIC BELOW.
· Go to the Weekly Discussion Forums Module to find the topics given. You MUST upload your posting in the appropriate discussion forum for it to count. The DFs count as class participation and will appear and disappear as required on Sundays. Once the DF assignment is gone, you will not be able to access it or make it up, so make sure you do this EVERY WEEK.
NO LATE DISCUSSION BOARD POSTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON
GRADES
Student’s performance in this class will be based on the earning of up to 1400 points. These points may be earned in the following manner: Class Participation (Discussion Boards)– 800 points; Three (3) Papers – Each paper is worth 100 points and the Final Paper is worth 200 points; Rubric Test – 100 points
Rubric Test (100 points) – Students must read the Discussion Board Rubric found under “Course Content” and complete the Rubric Test within the first two weeks of class.
Discussion Boards (16 at 50 points each) - This is the most important part of this course. As you can see, the Discussion Board grade is over half of the total grade. This is our classroom. I firmly believe that we learn more from the sharing of thoughts and ideas than we do in reading a text.
Each week, there will be a discussion topic. This may consist of one or more questions, especially if there is an assignment reading from the Reader as well. Your responses should be well thought out, well written, addressing all elements of the question(s) posed and reference the material found in the text - a minimum of 3 paragraphs. This response should be posted on Sunday or Monday of each week.
Then throughout the week, students will be expected to engage in meaningful conversation about the topic with a minimum of three (3) of their classmates. These posts should be a minimum of two (2) paragraph (“I agree” is not considered a post). These posts should be spread over the entire week (not made on a single day – that is not conversation).
This means that for each week, you will be making a minimum of four (4) posts to the Discussion Board.
Each Discussion Board will be worth up to 50 points.
See the attached rubric for this assignment.
· Required Papers - You will have three (3) paper and a final paper. The first three papers are worth 100 points and are to be a minimum of three (3) pages each.
· Final Paper (200 points) – Your final paper consists of extensive research as well as personal interviews so it is imperative that you start this early. YOU MUST EMAIL ME YOUR TOPIC BY THE THIRD WEEK OF CLASS! This paper is to be a minimum of 6, double-spaced, with one inch margins on all sides using a 12 point font.
NO FINAL PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
NO EXCEPTIONS
ALL PAPERS MUCH BE IN PROPER MLA OR APA STYLE
ALL PAPERS MUST INCLUDE A SEPARATE COVER PAGE AND REFERENCE PAGE
**ANY LATE PAPERS WILL BE PENALIZED 5 POINTS PER DAY **
** NO EXCEPTIONS **
All papers and your Final Paper must be submitted through Turnitin in the drop box. If the Turnitin report is greater than 20% possible plagiarism, the student will receive a zero (0) for the paper.
GRADING SCALE
1260 - 1400 – A 1120 - 1259 – B
980 - 1119 – C 840 - 979 – D
below 840 – F
WITHDRAWING FROM CLASS
It is your responsibility to ensure that you withdraw from this course if you do not plan on completing the course requirements. Simply not attending class will not be sufficient to withdraw from this course. Any student appearing on the final grade sheet who does not have any grades (because they did not fulfill the class requirements and did not withdraw from the course) will be given the grade of “F”.
The last day to withdraw from this course with a “W” is: October 19, 2017.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Those who celebrate religious holidays that are not on the SPC calendar and who plan to take those days off, must present this excuse within the first two weeks of class to be excused.