Frederick Community College

SO101-NET Introduction to Sociology

 Spring 2012

Please remember you must use your FCC Student Email address for this course. Sign into your account via the login page: https://myfcc.frederick.edu

Instructor Information:

Name:   Alexa Kauffman

Office: N/A

E-mail:  AlKauffman@frederick.edu

Phone Number: 301-846-2400

Office Hours:  By appointment only. 

Campus Mail Box #:  991

Course Information:

Credits:  3

On-campus Meetings: None

On-campus Exams:  One

Last day to Withdraw: 04/16

Course Description:

With instruction on the INTERNET, this course provides a general background in Sociology for students in all programs of study. It introduces contemporary social theory and research in areas such as culture, social structure, socialization, deviance, groups, social stratification, social institutions, sexism, racism, the family, population and the environment. Social processes are examined at various levels of human relationships both local and global.

Core Learning Outcomes:

1.                  (Goal I) Demonstrate college-level communication skills by writing and speaking effective, organized, clear, and grammatically correct English appropriate for a specific subject, purpose, and audience in using and explaining basic sociological terminology (1)

 2.                  (Goal II)  Demonstrate critical thinking skills by researching, analyzing, comparing, synthesizing, and drawing inferences from readings and other research materials in order to make valid judgments and rational decisions in applying the sociological perspective and theoretical paradigms to various social issues and problems  (6)demonstrating a disposition toward critical thinking by articulating and appreciating an increased awareness of the connection between our personal identities and the social influences that help formulate it (7)

 3.                  (Goal III)  Display general knowledge and historical awareness by demonstrating a general knowledge of history, culture, society, and of relationships among various disciplines of study by identifying and explaining the function of major social institutions, their historical significance, and their impact on society (8)

 4.                  (Goal VII) Demonstrate an understanding of and be able to interpret social and educational values by identifying and evaluating moral issues and conflicts relevant to the study of sociology (22)  displaying academic honesty and adhere to the professional standards in the field (23)

 5.                  (Goal X)  Value the emergence of a multicultural society by acknowledging a plurality of cultural and personal values and demonstrating respect for the right of other o express their viewpoints through explaining and describing how the environment we occupy, the culture in which we participate, and the ethnic, racial, gender, age, and class groups to which belong result in different live experiences and the level of opportunities available  (30)

 Instructional Methods:

This section of Introduction to Sociology is taught fully online. Selected readings and class discussion will facilitate student learning. Additionally, a variety of weekly on-line research assignments will prompt the student to become a more active learner.

Text(s) for Course:

• "Society - The Basics", by John J. Macionis, Prentice Hall, 2009, 10th edition

Please call the FCC bookstore 301-846-2463 or go to the bookstore website http://www.frederick.edu/html/discover_fcc/bookstore/ for credit card purchase and delivery.

Progress Report:

By the end of the 7th week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress in this course and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course.

Evaluation Methods:

Tests / Papers / Projects

Maximum Point Value

Final Grade Scale

 Midterm Exam (1 essay)

Research Project:

Topic

Outline

Final Paper

13 chapter-practice quizzes.

(5 pts each for completing each quiz with a score of 4 or greater)

+30 points extra credit for completing all 13.

4 Discussions

(Up to 25 pts. each).

Class Participation / Muddiest Point Posts

(6 points each x 15 weeks)

4 Multiple Choice Tests (50pts. each)

Final Exam (2 essays)

200

5

10

100

65 (+30)

100

90

200

200

A = 900 - 1000

B = 800 – 899

C = 700 - 799

D = 600 - 699
                               F = below 600 points

Details on the all course related work are offered within the Blackboard course.

If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade average for proctored assignments, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

All written assignments must feature one inch margins with readable font no larger than 12 pt. All assignments are expected to be free of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Ideas should be expressed with clarity and papers should include proper language usage, sentence structure, and paragraph structure. Students who have difficulty with written assignments should contact the Writing Center for assistance.

Attendance/Participation Policy:

Weekly attendance in this class is required. Students will participate in weekly muddiest points on blackboard.

 Email Policy:

• Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course. However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.
• Students who are concerned about the privacy of their personal email address are reminded of commercially available products that allow them to create unique email addresses specifically for the purpose and duration of this course.
• The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

• The college’s official means of email communication is via the FCC-issued email addresses. The instructor uses these FCC-issued email addresses and BlackBoard to communicate with students throughout the semester about projects, homework assignments, extra credit opportunities, etc.  It is the student’s responsibility to read these email messages and to check BlackBoard. Students must use their FCC email accounts when sending an email to the instructor.
• FCC has computers available for student use; home computer problems will not result in a deadline extension.

Academic Honesty:

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times.  Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx