SYG2000 -1113– Introduction to Sociology :FALL 2016

Instructor / Dr.Jason M. Laguna
Dates of semester including week of Finals / Aug. 15 – Dec. 9, 2016
OfficePhone / 727-341-4246
E-mail / (the best way to reach me)
CourseCredits / 3
Notes / You are advised to complete your work early in the week as many things can go wrong at the last minute (your PC breaks down, a sudden illness, loss of connectivity). The most common cause of failing the course is missed work and most of the time by students who habitually postpone work for the last day!

Texts

Sociology in Modules

Richard T. Schaefer

3rd Edition

Special Edition for St. Petersburg College

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to 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 Requirements.

Tentative Schedule

Chapters/Topics / Assignments
Week 1 / Aug. 15-21 / No chapters are assigned this week. Make sure to complete the first discussion board assignment for attendance purposes and so I can learn a little about all of you. / DB #1
Week 2 / Aug. 22-28 / Ch. #1: Understanding Sociology / DB #2
Test #1 (Ch. #1)
Week 3 / Aug. 29-Sep. 4 / Ch. #3: Culture / DB #3
Test #2 (Ch. #3)
Week 4 / Sep. 5-11 / Ch. #4: Socialization and the Life Course / DB #4
Week 5 / Sep. 12-18 / Ch. #6: The Mass Media / DB #5
Test #3 (Ch. #6)
Week 6 / Sep. 19-25 / Ch. #7: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control / DB #6
Week 7 / Sep. 26-Oct. 2 / Ch. #8: Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States / DB #7
Test #4 (Ch. #8)
Week 8 / Oct. 3-9 / Ch. #9: Global Inequality / DB #8
Week 9 / Oct. 10-16 / Ch. #10: Racial and Ethnic Inequality / DB #9
Test #5 (Ch. #10)
Week 10 / Oct. 17-23 / Ch. #11: Stratification by Gender / DB #10
Test #6 (Ch. #11)
Week 11 / Oct. 24-30 / Ch. #12: The Family and Human Sexuality / DB #11
Week 12 / Oct. 31-Nov. 6 / Ch. #14: Religion / DB #12
Test #7 (Ch. #14)
Week
13 / Nov. 7-13 / Ch. #15: Government and the Economy / DB #13
Week
14 / Nov. 14-20 / Ch. #16: Population and Urbanization / DB #14
Test #8 (Ch. #16)
Week
15 / Nov. 21-27 / Ch. #17: Social Movements and Social Change in the Global Community / DB #15
Week
16 / Nov. 28-Dec. 4 / There are no assigned readings this week. Make sure to work on your paper. DO NOT wait until the last second to turn it in. / Written Assignment Due by Sunday, Dec. 4 at 11:59pm

Course Requirements

  1. Tests (120 points):In this course you are required to take 8 multiple choice open-book and timed exams (60minuteseach). Each test is worth15points and consists of15 multiple choice questions. Tests appear on a Monday morning and expire the following Sunday evening at 11:59pm, 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.

As this is a Gordon Rule course you need to pass with at least a 70% the following writing components (discussions and written assignment)

2.Discussions (180 points). There will be 15 discussion board assignments opening nearly every week (opens on Monday, closes on Sunday night at 11:59pm). You need to answer the question with at least 250 words and comment to a classmate with at least 50 words. Each discussion is worth a maximum of 12 points (10 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 your responses and replies!

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

3.Written assignment(100 points). 1000-2000 words, dueSunday, Dec. 4 by 11:59pm. Penalty for late submission is 5 point deduction per day. Instructions for written assignment will be provided on a separate document on MyCourses.

Course Prerequisites

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

GRADING POLICY

Grades for the course will be based on the following scale:

A=360-400

B=320-359

C=280-319

D=240-279

F=below 239

TEACHING MODE

The course will be taught using a variety of methods. There will be power point presentations and discussions on interesting and controversial topics that will encourage civil debates and development of critical thinking. There will be tests that assess your understanding of the course material and a 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, 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 during the week following the last date to withdraw with a “W” (as posted on the Academic Calendar). A grade of “WF” will be assigned to students who are not actively participating. 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” (seeAcademic Calendar) 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 should consult 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. Please see .

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).
If you would like more information, you can learn more about Disability Resources on our website:

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