Frederick Community College

`        SO101-NET Introduction to Sociology

Summer 2011– 8 Week Session

 

Class begins: June 4

        Class ends: Aug 1

             

         Last Day to Drop: July 13

                 

 

You must send your email address to the instructor before class begins

 

Instructor Information:

 

 

Name:  Alexa Kauffman

Office:  no office

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:  0 required

On-campus Exams:  1 required

Prerequisites:  EN 52 & ESL99

Co-requisites:  n/a

 

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:

 

Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate

 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 (1)

·       interpreting written texts and video presentations pertaining to  

psychology (2)

·       participating in small group and class discussions (3)

 

2.         (Goal II)  Demonstrate critical thinking skills by

·       evaluating evidence by differentiating among facts, opinions, and inferences through comparing/contrasting major paradigms of psychology (4)

·       demonstrating a disposition toward critical thinking through an understanding of the basic principles of human behavior (7)

3.               (Goal III)  Display general knowledge and historical awareness by

·       displaying historical awareness and demonstrating an understanding of contemporary issues in the field of psychology within their historical and cultural context (10)

 

4.               (Goal VII)  Understand and be able to interpret social and educational

          values by

·        identifying and evaluating moral issues and conflicts, including basic forms of

social influences from an ethical and moral perspective (22)

·       displaying academic honesty and adhere to professional standards in the field of psychology (23)

·       Recognizing and understanding the relationship between the individual and society from a psychological perspective (24)

 

5.         (Goal X)  Value the emergence of a multicultural society by

·       acknowledging a plurality of cultural and personal values and demonstrating respect of the right of others to express their viewpoints (30)

·       examining psychological issues from multiple perspectives (31)

·       working cooperatively in groups with diverse membership and contribute to the group’s efforts with ideas and suggestions (33)

 

 

 Instructional Methods:

 

Reading assignments with weekly quizzes, unit tests, online project assignments, online discussions and reactions, and one on campus proctored exam.

 

 

 How is this course organized?

 

This section of Sociology is taught on the INTERNET. Selected text and internet-based readings, viewing of on-line streaming videos, individual learning assignments with written responses, as well as class discussions/presentations will facilitate student learning. Additionally, a variety of on-line research/reaction assignments will prompt you to become a more active learner.  You will have the opportunity to interact with your classmates via the Discussion Board and via email.  I will interact with you via the Discussion Board, emails, and office meetings where appropriate.

 

 

Text(s) for Course:

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

 

Progress Report:

 

By the end of the fourth week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course.  Assignments are graded and posted online either immediately after the evaluation, or within 48 hours if an extensive evaluation is required, so a student can be constantly aware of his/her standing in the course.

Evaluation Methods:

Tests / Papers / Projects                                                                   Point Value    

Midterm Exam (1 essay)                                                                                200

 

2 Projects: (50 pts. each)                                                                                 100

 

14 chapter-practice quizzes. Not graded.                                                      70 (+30)

(5 pts each for completing each quiz /30 points extra credit for completing all 14)

 

4 Discussions (up to 25 pts. each)                                                                 Up to 100

 

Class Participation / Muddiest Point Post (12.5 pts each)                                  100

 

4 Multiple Choice Tests (50pts. each)                                                                 200

 

On-Campus: Final Exam (2 essays)                                                                   200

 

Final Grade Scale 

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.

 

  

 

Student Services

 

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

 

 Participation Policy:

 

This section of Sociology is offered as an asynchronously, totally online course.  Selected text and internet-based readings, viewing of on-line streaming videos, individual learning assignments with written responses, as well as posted class discussions/presentations will facilitate student learning. Additionally, a variety of on-line research/reaction assignments will prompt you to become a more active learner.  You will have the opportunity to interact with your classmates via the Discussion Board and via email.  I will interact with you via the Discussion Board, emails, and office meetings where appropriate.  These activities require an active attitude toward learning, so it is expected that a student will log onto the course website at a minimum of at least two times a week.  Work submitted after the posted deadline will receive reduced or no credit at the discretion of the professor. In case of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, students remain responsible for completing the requirements of the course.

 

 

 Email Policy:

 

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. 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.

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.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

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

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm

 

 

 

 

Topical Outline:

 


     

Week

Topical Outline

Textbook Reading

 

1

Theory and Research Methods

1

Culture

Who’s Who Introduction Post

Discussion #1

Muddiest Point #1

2

2

Socialization Theories, Integration, Individuation

3

Test #1  (Chapter 1,2,3)

 

 

Roles, Status, Social Construction of Reality

Discussion #2

Muddiest Point #2

4

3

Groups and Formal Organizations

5

Sexuality

Project #1

Muddiest Point #3

6

4

Deviance: Theories, Social Control and Norms

7

Test #2  (Chapter 4,5,6,7)

 

 

Midterm Essay

Muddiest Point #4

 

 

5

Stratification: Class System and Poverty

8

Global Inequalities

Discussion #3

Project #2

Muddiest Point #5

9

6

Gender Inequalities

10

Racial Inequalities

11

Test #3  (Chapter 8,9,10,11)

Muddiest Point #6

 

 

7

Economics: Theories, The Power Elite

12

Family and Religion

Discussion #4

Muddiest Point #7

13

8

Population and Environment

15

Test #4   (Chapter 12, 13, 15)

Final Essays

Muddiest Point #8

 

 

 

 

 Students are responsible for checking their grades online, both during and at the end of the course.