Sociology 101 - Introduction to Sociology



Sociology 101 - Introduction to SociologySpring 2013Section 1 - SSS 306 – 8:00-9:15 T, RSection 2 - SSS 306 - 9:30-10:45 –T, RSection 3 - SSS 306 - 12:30-1:45 - T,RVicky L. CraneOffice: SSS 435 Office Phone and E-mail: 836-4541, cranevl@uwec.edu(DO NOT e-mail assignments or excuses for absences unless under approved circumstances.)Office Hours: open hours 10:45-12:20 T,R - other times by appointmentStudents are encouraged to stop in during office hours!!Required Textbook (rental): Giddens, et.al., Essentials of Sociology (Third Ed.,). New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011.Required Reader (to be purchased):Schwalbe, Michael, Sociologically Examined Life (4th Ed). New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.Required Course Supplement:Desire to Learn (D2L) course online web-site:see page 4 of syllabus for details of course requirements regarding D2Lsee for online assistance for D2Lsee (715-836-5711); OL1106 for UWEC Technology Support CenterCourse 101 Goals (an integration of course, department, and university goals):Learn, understand, and apply the “sociological imagination.”Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts, theories, and scientific research of the discipline and apply them to current events as well as in one’s own personal and professional life, regardless of one’s discipline/major.Develop awareness of the macro and micro aspects of sociology as they operate in our daily lives.Participate in class and online, demonstrating critical thinking and the ability to apply sociology verbally and in writing.Respect the rights of other students to their respective values, beliefs, and opinions.Specific unit and topic goals will be articulated as we progress through the course. These goals will integrate with our course, department, and university goals.Department of Sociology, UWEC – Department Goals:Students who complete the sociology major will have:the ability to construct, evaluate, and communicate empirically based arguments about the social world;a respect for the ways of life and diverse viewpoints of others;the skills necessary to promote professional development and community engagement over their lifetimes.University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire: Liberal Education Learning Goals:Sociology 101 addresses all five of UWEC’s highest, most general goals for student learning:Knowledge of human culture and the natural worldCreative and critical thinkingEffective communicationIndividual and social responsibilityRespect for diversity among peopleStudent Responsibilities: Review this information on a weekly basis!!Attendance: This is a process-oriented class. Attendance is required. Final grades will be weighted by attendance (the measure of credits earned). Each student is allowed two absences which will not be counted, regardless of reason for the absence. Use them wisely! Students can earn extra credit for exceptional attendance. Do NOT provide excuses unless circumstances are extraordinary. Never e-mail an excuse unless authorized or under unusual/emergency circumstances. Any considerations of excused absences beyond the two allowed must be presented and discussed in person during office hours, with appropriate documentation required.Students are expected to be in class, on time, and remain attentive and respectful of others until class is dismissed.If a student does come into class late, it is that student’s responsibility to ensure he/she signs the attendance sheet before leaving class.Students are expected to attend all class sessions, per requirements in student handbook and catalog.A note from the Dean’s office is a report of communication from a student, NOT an excused absence.If extraordinary exceptions occur, students are expected to follow guidelines in student handbook and catalog. Any such exceptions must be documented, approved, and reported within five days. If a student misses class for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed notes from fellow students.If a student is unable to fulfill the basic requirements of the class, it is best for the student to withdraw. In special circumstances, an incomplete will be considered.Any student with special needs, scheduling difficulties, and/or specific concerns about grades should consult the professor before it is too late to do anything about them. Report any relevant circumstances before mid-April, unless those circumstances occur in the final two weeks of class.Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact me and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Old Library 2136 as soon as possible.In-class exams are to be taken when scheduled unless under approved circumstances discussed with the professor prior to the exam. If an exam is missed, that will be the exam grade dropped (one of four).I reserve the right to change exam dates (push them back) with one class period notice. If a student causes extra work on exams (i.e., not using #2 pencil, failing to fill out their name and/or ID#, etc.) the student will be charged five points. Also, if a student wants their opscan score rechecked, the student will receive an extra five points if they are correct but will be charged five points if they are incorrect (in my quarter century of teaching at UWEC, the opscan has NEVER been wrong!). Essay exams must be handed in in class on the day they are due. DO NOT e-mail assignments!! E-mailed assignments will not be accepted.Choir, sports trips, etc. are NOT an excuse to hand a paper in late. If you have such a trip scheduled, be sure to hand your paper in one class period prior to leaving.Excuses related to faulty printers, etc., are not acceptable.Assignments are expected to be college-quality. (See “Writing Guidelines” in Content section of D2L). Any personal considerations should be discussed personally during office hours (NOT via e-mail). I am not able to attend to such issues immediately before or after class when my concentration is otherwise focused and I do not have my office records at hand. I am available to students, whether in person, by telephone, or via e-mail, during my office hours. I am not on 24-hour call.I am not responsible for e-mails sent to me by students. Any e-mails that are sent should always include the course and section number for which the student is enrolled. Basic civility and academic integrity are assumed. I will not hesitate to ask students to leave and/or to report violations. Activities/attitudes not allowed include: cell phones - they must be kept out-of-sight, turned offsleeping - if you are tired, stay homecoming to class under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol, being hung-over disruption of any kind – including talking to other students at inappropriate timesdisrespect for your professor, teaching assistant, and/or other classmatesplagiarism, lying and/or doing any other work while in the classroomDesire to Learn (D2L):Our D2L course online web-site should be attended to regularly. Students are expected to read and be aware of postings to our home page. There is no excuse for being unaware of such information. Students are responsible for missed postings of information. Our course calendar, syllabus, assignments, study guides, handouts, and pdf files for topical power points are all available in the “Content” section (and, no, I do not offer such pdf files “cafeteria style” in different formats to satisfy the desires of all students!!).The discussion area is the place to ask any questions about the course (not by e-mail). If you have any personal questions that you feel uncomfortable asking online, come directly to my office and speak to me personally. You need not have an official appointment. Just drop by during my office hours.There may be short assigned discussions, quizzes, etc. throughout the semester. You will informed if/when this is the case. Be sure to submit any assigned work to the appropriate drop-box (information will be provided in class) before the assigned deadline. Make sure you have receive documentation of your submission.There will also be two or three general discussion questions each week regarding topics we are currently covering in class. Participating in such discussions is generally optional, but very helpful to students. In the “Links” section you will find links to our textbook study guide, the American Sociological Association’s information about careers in Sociology, the New York Times, and a variety of news articles relative to topics we are studying.Your grades for various exams, assignments, etc. are also available on D2L. Be aware that the “Initial Grade Average” is NOT your final grade. This is the average before your grade is weighted for attendance. You can also gauge how you are doing in comparison to the class at large.Grading:Three highest of four exams – maximum 100 points @ +Two essay exams (2-3 pages @) – maximum 100 points @ +Occasional assigned discussions = participation consideration +Total initial points (maximum of 500) 5 =Initial grade point average x % of classes attended =Final grade point average94 and above -A90 – 93A-87 – 89B+84 – 86B80 – 83B-77 – 79C+74 – 76C70 – 73C-67 – 69D+64 – 66D60 – 63D-59 and underFExample - student has missed three classes beyond the two allowed - 30 - 3 = 27; 27/30 = .9 (student attended 90% of classes) - student initial average of 84%, therefore .84 x .9 = .756 = final grade of CNo student who misses more than two classes (other than university approved) can earn an A. No student who misses more than four classes can earn a B.The grade a student receives is the grade the student has earned. Be aware that there are excellent students in every class and those students will receive excellent grades. Mediocre work will not be rewarded with an excellent grade. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the Academic Skills Center throughout the semester. English majors are available at University Writing Center (836-2644), OL 1142, to assist with papers and check for appropriate grammar and spelling for any writing assignments on campus. In-class exams will be multiple-choice. They will cover the text, class discussions, and any supplementary readings assigned. Students are encouraged to form study groups to study for exams. In general, exams are more difficult than students expect and there will be students in every class performing exceptionally well.There will be two essay exams relative to our reader to complete during the semester. No late papers will be accepted (if a student if unable to complete course work, it is advisable to drop the course). This is where the students can demonstrate their ability to apply the sociological concepts discussed in class. Readings, Assignments, and Exams:Read the assigned chapters and readings prior to attending classes. Unannounced quizzes will focus on reading and lecture material. I reserve the right to change exam dates (push them back) with one class period notice and/or to adapt reading assignments for educational and/or professional purposes. Assigned readings from the reader (not the textbook) noted with "R." ................
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