COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE SOCI 1301 Online Introduction to Sociology COURSE SYLLABUS SOCI. 1301 Introduction to Sociology On-Line Course COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION Focuses on the concepts and principles used in the study of group life, social institutions, and social processes. INSTRUCTOR: Richard Kirk OFFICE: W-322 OFFICE HOURS: MWF 10:00 to 11:00; TTH 9:30 to 10:30 or by appointment OFFICE PHONE: 956-364-4758 INSTRUCTOR EMAIL ADDRESS: rkirk@tstc.edu MAJOR COURSE REQUIRMENTS: This course covers nine chapters. There are three exams covering the nine chapters. Students will be assigned discussion activities to be completed on-line. Written assignments will required throughout the semester. In addition to these student requirements, power point lecture, chapter outline, social media and video clips will be used to enhance the instructional component of the course. READING MATERIAL FOR COURSE: Students will be responsible for readings that come from the required texts (see below) and additional material associated with written and discussion board assignments. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Understand how the methods and theories of sociological research developed from the history of the discipline. 2. Examine the influence of various socio-cultural relationships (culture, socialization, society, and interaction, and social groups and organizations) on individual and social behavior. 3. Display an awareness of importance of collective action and the ability of ordinary people to alter public policy and improve society.
4. Analyze how people are rewarded differently in society. 5. Demonstrate critical thinking about society and how media and technology are used for gathering and disseminating information about the world. REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS Macionis, J. (2011) Society: The Basics. Custom Edition for Texas State Technical College. Prentice Hall Publishing. ISBN 10: 0558-96169-X NOTE ON TEXTBOOK: The textbook may be purchased from TSTC s bookstore. It is a custom edition including only the chapters covered during the semester. You may also purchase the original text on line using the following information: John Macionis (2011). Society: The Basics. 11 th edition Prentice Hall Publishers. ISBN - 10:0205003788. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE Week Topic/Lecture/Event Required/Recommended Readings/Electronic Resources to View 1 Course Information 2 Chapter 1: Sociology: Perspective, Chapter Readings: pages 1-39 Theory, and Method 3 Chapter 1: Sociology: Perspective, Chapter Readings: pages 1-39 Theory, and Method 4 Chapter 2: Culture Chapter Readings: pages 40-60 5 Chapter 3: Socialization Chapter Readings: pages 70-95 6 First Exam over Chapters 1, 2, 3 7 Chapter 4: Social Interaction in Everyday Chapter Readings: pages 96-119 Life 8 Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations Chapter Readings: pages 120-145 9 Chapter 6: Sex and Sexuality Chapter Readings: pages 146-173 10 Second Exam over Chapters 4, 5, 6 11 Chapter 7: Deviance Chapter readings: pages 174-205 12 Chapter 7: Deviance Chapter readings: pages 174-205 13 Chapter 8: Social Stratification Chapter Readings: pages 206-245 14 Chapter 11: Race and Ethnicity Chapter Readings: pages 302-333 15 Chapter 11: Race and Ethnicity Chapter Readings: pages 302-333 16 Third Exam over Chapters 7, 8, 11
GRADING POLICY The following assignments will make up the student grade for the semester: Exams Internet Exercises Discussion Topics Reflection Papers 150 points (3 exams @ 50 points each) 80 points (4 assignments @ 20 points each) 80points (4 discussion topics @ 20 points each) 50 points (2 reflection papers @ 25 points each) TOTAL 360 points A=360-324 (100%-90%) B=323-288 (89%-80%) C=287-252 (79%-70%) D=251-216 (69%-60%) F=215 and below (59% and below) ACCOMMODATIONS If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as the instructor has outlined, and/or if you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact (956) 364-4520 or visit Support Services Office located in the Tech Prep Bldg. (P Bldg.) as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements. CLASS POLICIES Copyright Statement The materials used in the course (textbooks, handouts, media files (podcast, MP3, Videos, RSS Feeds), and all instructional resources on the colleges Learning Management System (Moodle) are intended for use only by students registered and enrolled in this course, and are only to be used for instructional use, activities associated with, and for the duration of the course. By "handouts," this means all materials generated for this course, which includes but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and any additional materials. These materials may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further. They are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Teach Act. These materials may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder or TSTC. For further information contact your instructor. Communicating with your instructor (MyMail Email System) The use of Your Mymail TSTC College student e-mail account will be the only way to receive official notices from the college. When communicating with instructors and/or
employees of the college you are required to use your TSTC Mymail student e-mail address. If you choose to forward your e-mail to another account, please be advised that all communication from and within the college will use your Mymail student e-mail. "TSTC Harlingen faculty, staff, and students are asked to report all threats, perceived or real, immediately to College Police located in the Auxiliary Building. If the threat is imminent, the College Police emergency phone line at 364-4234 or 9-911 should be called. College Police will then coordinate the proper response in accordance with State and federal laws and TSTC System/College rules and regulations." Moodle Learning Management System This course will utilize Moodle as the Learning Management System. Internet exercises, discussion topics and reflection paper topics can be viewed on Moodle. Below are some guidelines to help you understand the course expectations. 1. It is the responsibility of the student to complete discussion topics, written papers and chapter exercises, on-line quizzes, and exams by the specified due dates. No late assignments, papers, on-line quizzes or discussion assignments will be accepted after the due date. EXCEPTION: Health or family circumstances that can be documented will be considered for extensions to course requirements. The type of extension will be determined by the instructor. It is expected that you have a working computer that can view videos and access the internet. You must submit all written assignments using Microsoft office suite. Be sure you have this installed on your computer. If a student misses an exam, and the reason meets the criteria for exceptions, and the reason is approved by the instructor, the student will come to TSTC to take a proctored make-up. 2. Exams There will be 3 exams during the semester. You will have 45 minutes to complete exams. You may use your book and notes. I suggest you prepare by doing the chapter reviews prior to taking the on-line exams. Missed exams will not be made-up unless the student s reason meets the criteria identified in #1 above. 3. Discussion assignments Students are to respond to each discussion topic with a minimum of 100 words. In addition to their response to the topic, students must reply to one other student response with a minimum of 25 words. Points will be awarded as follows: 10 points for student response; 10 points for student reply. Deductions will be given for less than minimum allowed words in either response or reply, not addressing the topic, or not answering the discussion assignment. You will need access to internet to complete some discussion assignments. Discussions assignments cannot be completed after the due date. 4. Written assignments Students are to complete written assignments as an attachment using Microsoft word. You will need access to internet to complete
some written assignments. All written assignments must be completed by the due date. No late assignments will be accepted. 5. There will be one bonus assignment worth 10 points. This assignment is located on the Welcome module. No other bonus (or extra credit) assignments will be given. 6. The last day to drop the course with a W is November 9, 2012. NOTE: Any changes to this syllabus will be provided in writing to the student and updated on all posted locations (HB 2504, course Moodle sites, building offices, etc.).