SYG2000–2559 Introduction toSociology:Spring 2016

Instructor / Dr.Athena Smith
Datesof semester / Feb 8-May 6
HomePhone / 813-465-8801
E-mail /
CourseCredits / 3
Notes / Assignments open on a Saturday and close the following Friday at 11:30 pm. You are expected to have access to a PC during this online course. Early release of material is possible only for documented medical issues of military deployment or jury duty. Please do your work early and do not postpone it for Friday. If you do, then you do so at your own risk.

TEXT

SOCIOLOGY IN MODULES, by Richard Schaefer, third edition, McGraw Hill,ISBN:978-0-07-802708-6

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is the study of society and its effects upon individual behavior. Emphasis is placed on the group basis of society, points of conflict within societies, and societal trends in regard to increased growth and changing institutions. This course partially satisfies the Gordon Rule writing requirements outlined in the General Education

Tentative Schedule

Chapters / Tests / Discussions
Feb 8-12 / Ch 1.: Understanding sociology / Test ch1 / Dch1
Feb 13-19 / 3. Culture. / Test ch3 / Dch3
Feb 20-26 / Chapters 4 and 5: Socialization and life course. Social Interaction, Social Structure and Groups. / Test ch4. Test ch 5 / Dch5
Feb 27-March 4 / Chapters 7 and 8: Deviance, Crime and Social Control. Stratification in the US. / Test ch7, test ch8 / Dch7
March 12-18 / Chapters 9 and 10: Global Inequality. Racial and Ethnic Inequality. / Test ch9, testch10 / Dch10
March 19-25 / Chapters 11 and 12. Stratification by gender. Stratification by age / Test ch11, test ch12 / Dch12
March 26-April 1 / Chapter 13: The family and human sexuality / Test ch13 / Dch13
April 2-8 / Chapter 14: Education. / Test ch14 / Dch14
April 9-15 / Chapter 15: Religion / Testch15 / Dch15
April 16-22 / Chapters 17and 18: Health, population, Environment. Social movements and social change in the global community. / Test ch17, testch18 / Dch17
April 23-29 (late submissions possible with a penalty until May 1 / Written assignment

IMPORTANT DATES

Please consult the Academic Calendar at

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  1. Fifteen tests, the lowest one drops (350points):In this course you are required to take 15multiple choice open-book and timed exams, with the lowest grade dropping.Each test is worth25points and consists of25multiple choice.Tests appear on a Saturday morning and expire the following Friday evening at 11:30pm, ET. The correct answers will be released after the deadline expires so please go back to check your answers and see where you went wrong. Do study the chapter(s) and readings before taking the test.

2.Ten Discussions, the lowest one drops (90 points).There will bea discussion forum opening every week (opens on Saturday, closes on Friday night at 11:30).You need to answer the question with at least 200 words and comment to a classmate with at least 50 words.Eachdiscussioncan give you 10 points (8 points for the answer and 2 for the comment.).Your answers will be graded on content, grammar and syntax. So please make sure you use a spell checker and review carefully your answers!

The discussion forum welcomes the free but civil exchange of diverse points of views. Comments containing personal/groupattacks or inappropriate language will be deleted.

  1. Written assignment(60points):You need to get at least a 70% in this assignment to pass the course, as this is a Gordon Rule course.1000-2000words, dueApril 29 at 11:30 pm.Late submissions are possibleuntil May 1at 11:30 pm with a loss of4points off per day.

You have to watch one of the following documentaries

FAT, SICK AND NEARLYDEADHYPERLINK(also on NETFLIX) or

or

GROWING UP TRANS

Or

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

Or

POOR KIDS

Then answerthe following questions. Make sureyounumber the answers..You will need at least three academic references besidesthe video. Make sure you use in text parenthetical references, APA style, and a works cited page, also APA style.

1. Give a summary in no more than 100 words

2. What are the causes of the problem thevideo describes? (You need to research the topic for this question. Writeyour intext references by using APA style).

3. Which segments of society benefit from this situation? (Do not answer that nobody benefits. Some societal segments, do. Please think deeply about this and answer as a functionalist would).

4. Conflict theorists would say that this problem is the result of competition between social groups or social classes and the resulting inequality. Please point to parts of the video thatexemplify the conflict approach.

5.What social changes are needed to alleviate the problem?

.

The assignment will be graded as follows

Question 1:5points

Question 2:10 points

Question 3: 15 points

Question 4: 15 points

Question 5:5 points

Correct Documentation:10points(simply adding the URL will not get you any points).

Lack of documentation will cause the essay to be sent back to the student. Only when the student resubmits with correct documentation, will the essay be graded. The submission date will be considered the date of submission with documentation. If the student does not resubmit, then the essay will be graded with zero points. You need at least a 70% on this assignment to pass the course.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

Prerequisite: (ENC 0020 and REA 0002) or EAP 1695 or satisfactory score on the SPC placement test.

GRADING POLICY

450-500A

400-449 B

350-399 C

300-349 D

Below300 F

TEACHING MODE

The course will be taught using avarietyof methods. There will be power point presentations,online lectures by the professor that give you some extra thoughts on the chapter, anddiscussions on interesting and controversial topics that will encourage civil debates and development of critical thinking. There will be quizzes that test your learning of materialanda written assignment that will evaluate your analytical and writing skills.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendancein this course will be registered through either taking a week’s exam or participating on the discussion forum during a particular week, or submitting the written assignment.Emailing the professor does not constitute participation. Students classified as “No Show” for both of the first two weeks will be administratively withdrawn from any class which they are not attending. The student’s financial aid will be adjusted based on their updated enrollment status. If a student is administratively withdrawn from a class because they were a “No-Show” during the first two weeks of class, financial aid will not pay for the class and the student will be responsible for paying for that class.

Active participationis defined asNOT having more than two weeks of unexcused absences.Accordingly, students who more than 2 unexcused absences will be reported to the Administration at the 60% point of the course and a grade “WF” will be assigned. Students will be able to withdraw themselves at any time during the term. However, requests submitted after the last date to withdraw with a “W” will result in a “WF.”

Withdrawing after the “Last Date to Withdraw with a Grade of ‘W’” can have serious consequences. If the student withdraws from a class after the deadline posted in the academic calendar, the student will receive a final grade of ‘WF,' which has the same impact on the student's GPA as a final grade of “F.” A “WF” grade also could impact the student's financial aid, requiring repayment of financial assistance. Students shouldconsult with an academic advisor or financial assistance counselor prior to withdrawing from a class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

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.

Plagiarism (copying or paraphrasing without citing the source) or cheating in an exam or an assignment will result in an F (0 points) for the particular exam or assignment. Requesting answers to the test from classmates or distributing answers to classmates will result in an F in the course.

DISABILITY POLICY

Disability Resources staff can be reached at 791-2628 or 791-2710 (CL), 341-4316 or 341-4310 (SP/G), 394-6289 (SE), 712-5789 (TS), 341-3721 (HEC), 398-8284 (AC, MT), or 341-7913 (DT, EPI).

MISCELLANEOUS

WHAT ABOUT MISSING DEADLINES?

For a successful online course, uninterrupted access to a PC and internet, and adherence to course structure and deadlines are strict prerequisites. Most of the students who fail, do so because of missed deadlines. There will be no extension for the exams or discussions. The only time students may miss a deadline is when they are ill and they can provide me with a doctor's diagnosis (not a receipt of the office visit) within three days after the deadline expires. In case of a different type of emergency, please contact me within 1 day after the deadline to discuss what type of documentation is needed. No situation can be classified as an emergency unless it can be documented. Ifyou go out of town on a business or personal trip, make sure you have access to a computer. This is an online course after all. If your PC breaks down you should use one in a library or a friend's house or an internet cafe. This is why it is extremely important to do your work early in the week as many things may happen the last day. Early release of material is not possible.

EXTRA CREDIT

There are no extra credit assignments in this course. You have ample opportunities to build up a good grade. Please remember thatthe gradebookcalculates the grades according to the given formula and I do not interfere with the process.

SYLLABUS ADDENDUM

For more information on withdrawal policies, academic honesty, complaints policy and emergency policies please go to " \t "_blank"