CCBC Dundalk

BSSWE Division

SOCL 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Dundalk, Section DDA: M,W,F 10:10-11:05

Dundalk, Section DEA: M,W,F 11:15-12:10

COURSE SYLLABUS

  1. BASIC COURSE INFORMATION
  1. Semester/term & year: Fall, 2007
  2. Instructor's Name: Kevin P. Mick, M.S.
  3. Instructor's Office Number: E104, Dundalk Campus
  4. Instructor's Phone Number(s) and/or email address: 410-285-9793; (NOTE: I do not open any emails without a "subject")
  5. Instructor's Office Hours: To Be Determined
  6. Prerequisites & Co-Requisites: RDNG 052/LVR2 and ENGL 052/LVE2
  1. COURSE GOALS
  1. Overall Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. define and assess the sociological perspective (and its development) in studying human behaviour
  2. summarize the difference between and apply the macro-and micro-sociological approaches
  3. explain and compare the major theoretical orientations in sociology and apply them, in order to understand, assess and determine ways to improve social patterns, through independent and/or collaborative problem-solving assignments
  4. describe the methods (quantitative and qualitative) and the technology used in sociological research process through either the design and/or implementation of a sociological study
  5. analyze the nature and significance of social structure and social institutions
  6. evaluate the nature of culture, subcultures, social norms, ethnocentrism, and cultural relativism through collaborative learning experiences
  7. describe the process of socialization and influence of agents of socialization on the development of the self

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 2

  1. describe and assess patterns of social interaction using the concepts: status, role, primary group, and secondary group
  2. explain and compare sociological perspectives on deviance
  3. assess the nature and significance of social stratification, focusing on variables such as social class, race, age, and gender through collaboration with others and independently
  1. Major Topics
  1. Sociological perspective
  2. Major theoretical orientations
  3. Methods of research
  4. Culture
  5. Socialization
  6. Social Groups
  7. Social Stratification
  8. Deviance
  1. Rationale

Sociology is the "science" which studies how societies are constructed and how they change, and how societies come into conflict. Sociology also studies how individuals relate to a society as a whole, and what influences individuals and societies have upon each other. This course examines social issues in the United States and compares them to social problems in other contemporary societies and historical periods. As such, SOCL 101 provides a means of examining and understanding the role that the individual student plays in society.

  1. EVALUATIONS
  1. Requirements

Four quizzes @ 50 points each…..………...... 200 points

Two written assignments @ 25 points each…….50 points

Five article reviews @ 5 points each……………25 points

Homework………………………………………10 points

Social Class Paper………………………………40 points

Comprehensive Final Exam…………………….25 points

Total points available……………………….…350 points

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 3

  1. Instructor's Grading Policy

PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS EARN THE GRADE; THE INSTRUCTOR DOES NOT GIVE THE GRADE

Grading Matrix

315 - 350 points = A

280 - 314 points = B

245 - 279 points = C

210 - 244 points = D

209 points and below = F

GRADE NOTES:

Anyone earning a grade of 60% or less (that is 30/50 points) on the FIRST quiz will be REQUIRED to complete an internet study-skills assignment which can be found at the following URL:

This must be completed and turned in PRIOR to the date of the second quiz. Failure to complete this as directed will result in exclusion from taking the second quiz.

Anyone earning a second score of 60% or less on a subsequent quiz will be required to schedule an appointment and meet with me prior to taking another quiz.

NOTE: Plagiarism will result in a grade of “0” on any written assignment.

  1. Instructor's Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class. Attendance is a factor in determining "borderline" grades ("Borderline" is defined as being within one point of the next higher grade).

At the end of the semester, anyone with three (3) or fewer absences/latearrivals will receive five (5) points toward the final grade. Please note that no distinction is made between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. Also, anyone entering the room after the designated start of class is considered "late".

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 4

Should a student miss a class, s/he is expected to obtain the notes, handouts, and other course materials from another student in attendance.

Assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class on the scheduled due date. Late assignments or re-scheduled exams WILL NOT be acceptedWITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL of the instructor (contact me in advance) and are subject to a reduction of points equivalent to the degree of lateness.

If a true emergency occurs (illness or death in the family for example) which prevents the student from taking an exam as scheduled or turning in a written assignment on the due date, the student MUST contact me within 48 hours of the exam/due date. If this responsibility is met, make-up exams and/or assignments MAY be accepted without penalty.

Failure to contact me within the 48 hour time period WILL result in a penalty of at least 50% of the available points. Documentation may be required.

"I" grades (Incompletes) must be negotiated with the instructor in advance. At least 75% of the class material must be completed and the student must not have had excessive absences/late arrivals.

If anyone has difficulty with the above, s/he is encouraged to contact the instructor to discuss.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: It is CCBC policy that is the campus opens late due to weather; classes will begin at the announced opening time. Please check local media for weather announcements or call 410-282-6700.

  1. COURSE PROCEDURES
  1. Materials

Sociology in Our Times; Current Edition; Diana Kendall

Handout Packet (to be distributed in class)

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 5

  1. Special Procedures

This is a highly interactive course. Classroom activities will include lecture, discussions, small group activities, video reviews, and presentations.

Students are expected to arrive at class on time and having completed any assigned work. Homework assignments and readings are to be completed PRIOR to class so that the student will have a basic understanding of the class content and discussion. The instructor will supplement the text content with additional classroom materials and exercises. Students will be required to access some course content via the internet.

It is expected that everyone in class (including the instructor) will behave in a civilized manner at all times. This includes being courteous to all; using language and commentary appropriate to an academic setting; respecting opinions differing from one another; and keeping an open mind. One person is to speak at a time (it is hard to listen if one is talking at the same time).

Cell phones and pagers are to be turned OFF or set to vibration during class (If you choose the latter, DO NOT lay your device on the desk/table). It is NOT acceptable to be taking and/or making phone calls during class.

It is STRONGLY recommended that students make use of the StudentSuccessCenter for assistance with written work. Academic counselors are available for assistance with other issues.

DUNDALKCAMPUS: 410-285-9666

  1. Tentative list of Dated Assignments / Course Outline

Please see the attached outline

IMPORTANT DATES

Through August 31 – Schedule Adjustments

September 3 – COLLEGE CLOSED – LABOUR DAY

September 14 – Last day to drop classes with 50% refund by 4:00 pm

October 15 – MID-TERM GRADES DUE

November 2 – Last day to withdraw with a "W" or to change to an "Audit" (AU) by 4:00 pm. NO ADJUSTMENTS ARE ALLOWED AFTER THIS DATE

November 21 – 25 NO CREDIT CLASSES SCHEDULED

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 6

December 8 - Last day of classes

December 9 - 15 – Final exams

December 18 – FINAL GRADES DUE

December 24 – January 1 – Winter Break

March 7, 2008 – Last day to complete “I” grade

CLASS PARTICIPATION

The application of Sociology course content to one's life can be a part of the learning process. Certain topics can contain subject matter of a personal nature. Students are not required to participate in any activities for which they are uncomfortable or to share any personal information unwillingly as there is a clear difference between an academic environment and other settings. The instructor will assist in establishing and maintaining these boundaries.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS POLICY

Students not attending class because they are observing major religious holidays shall be given the opportunity, to the maximum extent possible, to make up, within a reasonable amount of time, any academic work or tests they miss. Arrangements between the student and the faculty member(s) for the student to make up missed assignments or tests must be made in advance of the religious holiday.

CODE OF CONDUCT / CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students need to review and adhere to the CCBC Code of Conduct. This can be found on the CCBC website ( Click on the "site map" link at the bottom right of the home page; then the letter "C"; then "Code of Conduct". In addition, students need to review and adhere to the CCBC Code of Academic Integrity. This document is found by navigating as above and then clicking on "Code of Academic Integrity".

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 7

SOCL 101 FALL 2007

Week(s)Topic

1 (8/27)Class Introductions

Sociological Perspective

2, 3 (9/3, 9/10)Culture

4 (9/17)Socialization (QUIZ 1)

5 (9/24)Social Structure and Social Interaction

6 (10/1)Social Groups and Formal Organizations

7 (10/8)Social Groups and Formal Organizations

(QUIZ 2)

8, 9 (10/15, 10/22)Deviance and Social Control

10 (10/29)Global Stratification & Social Class

11 (11/5)Global Stratification & Social Class

(QUIZ 3)

12, 13 (11/12, 11/19)Inequalities of Race & Ethnicity

FALL BREAK

14 (11/26)Inequalities of Race & Ethnicity (SOCIAL CLASS PAPER DUE)

15 (12/3)Inequalities of Gender & Age

16 (12/9)FINAL EXAM Week (QUIZ 4 / Comprehensive Final)

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. STUDENTS WILL BE MADE AWARE OF ANY CHANGES IN A TIMELY MANNER

SOCL 101 Fall 2007, pg 8

“SOCIAL CLASS” PAPER DIRECTIONS

This assignment is to be:

  1. Typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font and 12-point type
  2. Properly organized (see below)
  3. Written with proper mechanics
  4. Documented using MLA format for references (whererequired)

ORGANIZATION

Introduction:

This opening paragraph should specifically describe to the reader the main focus of the paper and the subsections related to the main focus. A thesis is to be included.

Body:

Each of the questions/topics/issues assigned is to be discussed in a separate paragraph. Each paragraph is to have a topic and concluding sentence. The topic sentence serves as an introduction to the subject matter of the paragraph. The concluding sentence summarizes the content of the paragraph and transitions the reader to the next topic.

Conclusion:

The concluding paragraph is a summary of the main points of the paper. It is also an opportunity for the writer to state his/her conclusions about the subject matter.

Documentation:

Use the MLA style for the documentation of references. Remember, you must give credit to a source not only when it is a direct quote, but also when you are paraphrasing information from a source. Please see the related information contained elsewhere in this syllabus.

THE STUDENTSUCCESSCENTER HAS A HANDOUT PACKET FOR MLA REFERENCING.

Using resources without proper documentation is a form of plagiarism and will result in a grade of “0”points for the written assignment. Please see the page entitled “Plagiarism” for more information.