Semester and Year st CRN - WCJC

[Pages:7]WCJC Student Syllabus Cover Sheet Revised October 17, 2016

Semester and Year CRN Course Prefix, Num. and Title Instructor Telephone Email / Webpage Office Hours / Location

Class Days / Time / Location Course Catalog Description

Instructor's Grading Formula

Instructor's Grading Scale Instructor's Attendance Policy ADA Statement

Misconduct Statement

Spring 2017, 1st 8-weeks ONLINE 21602 SOCI 1301: Introduction to Sociology

Jon K. Loessin, Ph.D. Office: (979) 532-6461 (but email correspondence preferred) JONL@WCJC.EDU (WHA Main Campus) MWF: 9:50-11:00, M,F: 11:50-12:30; SUG: T: 8:55-9:25, R: 10:0010:50, TR: after 1:30, other times by appt. Office: Science 121 Wharton Campus; TR: Adjunct area in SUG-UH LOG IN DAILY... All assignments have deadlines. Online:

SOCI 1301: The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance. Prerequisite: TSI satisfied in Reading and Writing. A series of quizzes and other online activities (25% of grade), two unit exams (25% of grade), three discussion postings w/ responses (25% of grade), and a comprehensive departmental final exam (25% of grade). All grades are counted in averages. IMPORTANT: NO MAKEUP QUIZZES, EXAMS, or DISCUSSIONS WILL BE ALLOWED REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE! If a quiz/exam/discussion deadline is missed, a zero will be averaged into the component missed. No extra credit is available in the course--insure discussions are top-quality for maximum credit. Final Exam must be completed by specified times between March 9-10, 2017.

Standard scale: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=below 60

No student should miss more than one week of classes during the semester (see college policy in the WCJC catalog). Attendance will be monitored and may serve as a grading bonus to students who attend in an exemplary fashion. No make-up work of any kind (including exams) is given in the course. For online classes, LOG IN DAILY!

The college will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students wishing to receive accommodations must contact the Office of Disability Services, located in the Pioneer Student Center, Room 313, at the Wharton campus or by phone at (979) 532-6384. Students must request accommodations from the Office of Disability Services prior to each semester. Please note that accommodations provided are not retroactive. Additional information can be found on the web at the Office of Disability Services (opens in same window/tab). Link Address: . Misconduct for which discipline may be administered at WCJC includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college

Last Day to Drop with a "W"

(plagiarism and cheating refer to the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help in a test, copying tests, assignments, reports, or term papers). February 24, 2017

SOCI 1301: Introduction to Sociology For ONLINE Sections Course Outline

Part I: The Course

Course Title: Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 Semester Hours Prerequisites: TSI reading and writing requirements met

Course Description: The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance.

Purpose and Goals: Introduction to Sociology is a course designed to familiarize students to basic social thought, ideas, and processes which have occurred and are occurring in the society in which we live. A variety of topics will be covered during the semester including the history of sociology and social thought, studies in social change, evolution, and ecology, studies in social class and other groupings, conformity and deviance, social institutions, studies in power, cultural and cross-cultural studies, urbanism and demography, and studies in alternative futures. Methods of instruction will include lectures, textbook and other readings, videotape presentations, projects, library assignments, class discussions, and other appropriate techniques as dictated by the current subject matter under review. The purpose of this course is ultimately to educate students about the social world in which we live and how various elements of our society interconnect and interrelate with others as they have an impact on our society and ourselves. The examination and awareness of cyclical phenomena, social trends, cutting-edge theories of society, issues in cultural diversity, and social prediction, as well as the development of personal perspectives and critical thinking skills are all major goals of Sociology 1301: Introduction to Sociology.

Part II: The Instructor

Instructor:

Jon K. Loessin, Ph.D. (pronounced LUH-SEEN) Wharton County Junior College 911 Boling Highway Wharton, TX 77488 (979) 532-6461 or (800) 561-WCJC, Ext. 6461 E-mail: JONL@WCJC.EDU

ONLY USE INTERNAL COURSE MESSSAGING FOR ALL COURSE ISSUES OR QUESTIONS.

Office: Main Campus/Wharton, Science Building, Office 121

Office Hours: online only in miniterms and by appointment. The instructor is generally online each day (usually midafternoons) but these times will vary, and some online weekend time (but flexible) is generally observed as well. The instructor checks the course daily (with some weekend exceptions) and will answer internal course messages within 2436 hours excepting weekends or holidays (but response times are usually sooner rather than later).

Part III: Educational Materials

Textbook: For ALL Sections: Ferris, Kerry and Jill Stein. The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology. (5th ed.) New York: W. W. Norton, 2016. ISBN 978-0393124057 [The new 5th edition is required as the page numberings, graphics, and issues in the text have been updated from earlier editions.]

Please conduct the BB 9.1 Browser Check on the log-in page before doing coursework because they work best. Also be sure to disable pop-up blockers! You may need to download the free Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer to your system to assist in viewing some course materials.

Supplies and Requirements: Notebook for taking notes, blue or black pens, No. 2 pencil (for test taking), package of Scan-Tron 882 testing forms. Students enrolled in online (WWW) sections will need access to a computer with an Internet connection and e-mail and appropriate computer skills, including the ability to do a browser check test and download/update their system to comply with BlackBoard LEARN 9.1 and the Norton Coursepack which is used as part of the course.

Part IV: The Class

Lecture: Sociology 1301 is a three-hour course which meets as a WWW section completed by distance education.

Attendance: Excellence in attendance is necessary for students to achieve the objectives of this course and is therefore expected by the instructor. As a student in Sociology 1301 WWW, you are expected to log in daily (including weekends) if possible (although all activities required in the course will have weekday times for completing them but many deadlines do occur on weekends!). Failure to log in and stay informed (tasks and messages) and complete lessons in a timely will generally result in a poor class grade for the semester. It is the responsibility of each student to log in and keep up will all class activities, and to drop or withdraw from the course should completion not be possible. (Refer to the WCJC Catalog to review the official college policy on student attendance.) Incompletes (I-grades) are only given in extraordinary circumstances such as extended illness (with consultation and agreement of the instructor) or in some cases, by failing to take the final exam provided all other work in the course has been completed satisfactorily, but the instructor is not obligated to give anyone an incomplete grade or allow a makeup of the final exam.

EACH STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIAL, WORK, ASSIGNMENTS, OR DISCUSSIONS IN THE COURSE, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE.

Special Policies and Academic Conduct for ONLINE sections:

1.

Students should maintain appropriate, mature, and respectful standards of conduct and behavior

throughout the online class. Cheating on exams, copying from other students, or plagiarism from any

source are all considered major academic offenses and will result in a penalty ranging from a zero (0)

on the assignment in which the offense occurred to being dropped from the course (or if college rules

dictate, suspension from school). Refer to the WCJC catalog to review the college's policy on student

conduct.) The instructor can see everything a student does online and there is a logged record of

everything.

2.

Cheating, plagiarism, or other major academic offenses will result in severe penalties that will affect a

student's grade or class status, ranging from a zero (0) on an assignment or test, withdrawal from the

course, failure of the course, or other penalty as dictated by college policy regarding academic

honesty. "Cheating" includes possessing and/or using a copy of the current course exam for use in

preparing for an exam or using another student's project (past or present) toward completion of the

semester project, or acquiring or sharing information toward a grade at any time by any unethical

means as determined by standard academic practice.

Pertinent College Policies: Withdrawal from the Class: The withdrawal date (last day to officially drop this course) for the semester is: February 24, 2017. Students are responsible to withdraw themselves from this class. If a student does not attend class, and/or does not complete required assignments or examinations, the student will receive a grade of "F" in the class. Under certain circumstances, the instructor may withdraw a student but is under no obligation to do so. FOR FIRST TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS as of FALL 2007: New college and university students attending public institutions

of higher education in the State of Texas are allowed a maximum of six (6) drops (W's) throughout their college and university careers regardless of their present or future institution.

Presentation and Methodology: The basic methodology used in Sociology 1301 is self-learning through multiple media and traditional means. Students are still expected to take/review notes as needed as a great amount of material presented is not found in the textbook or from available sources. Class discussion is expected online so feel free to post items to others and to me. The instructor welcomes student questions at any time during the course.

Competencies: Sociology 1301: Introduction to Sociology will be presented in three units.

Unit 1: Sociological History, Theory, and Practice Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to: a. Identify the major sociological perspectives and theorists b. Compare and differentiate between the various schools of thought within the sociological discipline including Italian sociology, counterrevolutionary, and postmodernist sociology c. Differentiate between the various sociological research methods d. Describe several classical sociological studies and the research methods they employed e. Describe flaws and shortcomings of research methods f. Recall the methods of Durkheim in his study of Suicide and Weber's historical method as used in his Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism

Unit 2: Culture, Society, Social Interactions, Groups, and Deviance Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to: a. Define culture, society, and the basic social institutions b. Cite cross-cultural differences regarding culture and social interactions c. Identify domestic norms, values, moral standards, and ethical considerations as well as global comparisons of the same d. Classify the historical types of societies as distinguished by economic activity and level of technology e. Discuss Weber's analysis of bureaucracy as well as identify other smaller forms of groups and collections of people f. Discuss theories of deviant behavior and types and functions of deviant behavior g. Discuss Merton's Strain Theory including the concept "anomie"

Unit 3: Social Stratification, Social Institutions, Politics and Economy, Population, and Urbanization Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to: a. Recognize and identify the four hierarchies of social stratification b. Understand the political implications of stratification in society c. Discuss normative differences and institutional forms from around the world as well as the role of technology in institutional forms d. Discuss classical political theory as it applies to sociology e. Cite current population statistics from the United States and around the world, including the relationship between population and the economy f. Recall current population trends and their possible influence on the future of our society g. Identify demographic tools and theories, applicable to the study of population today

Part V: Grading

Examinations and Makeup Policy: There will be quizzes and online activities, two unit exams, two discussion postings with required response postings, and a comprehensive departmental final exam. Each of the four components will count for 25% of the semester grade. No grades will be dropped but the instructor does provide a general curve at course end and takes into consideration a single missed exercise as a common occurrence, but many factors may affect one's grade--messages/postings read, times logged on, time spent logged in to the course with activity, quality of

discussion postings and responses, etc. All students MUST take the final examination. It will be a comprehensive exam which is the standardized departmental exit exam. There is also a listening skills component which must be taken as well. The grade made on the final examination will account for 25% of the course grade. If one unit exam is missed, the final exam will be doubled as a makeup grade but a zero will be temporarily assigned in the gradebook. No more than one unit exam can be missed without a zero (0) being assigned. Quizzes may not be made up and all missed quizzes receive a zero (0) grade. Generally, quizzes and exams are multiple-choice (with 4-5 choices). THERE ARE NO MAKEUP QUIZZES OR EXAMS FOR ANY REASON AS MULTIPLE DAYS ARE ALLOWED FOR TAKING EACH QUIZ AND EXAM. [The instructor does reserve the right to alter assignments and their values as necessary to make your course in BlackBoard Learn 9.1 a success.]

Grading Timeframes: All quizzes and exams will be scored automatically by BlackBoard and grades will be available immediately unless:

1. A quiz or exam was started within the allowed time period for completing but was submitted past the deadline--in which case I have to manually release the score (this grading delay can be prevented by making sure to begin all quizzes or exams so they will be submitted prior to the deadline of availability

2. A quiz or exam was submitted after the allocated amount of time for taking it expired--again, in which case I have to manually release the score and make a determination of any penalty (if any) for using an excessive amount of time to complete the exercise

NOTE: While grades will be visible immediately, the attempt showing right and wrong answers and/or missed or correct questions may not be available for all quizzes or exams until after the period expires for completing the exercise.

Discussions will be graded by the instructor after the deadline for submitting them has passed and generally these are graded from one to three days after the time for completing the discussion expires. Late initial discussion postings are noted by the instructor in the gradebook but are still allowed for grading consideration, though a late submission penalty will apply. Discussions remain open until the deadline for submitting them.

The instructor must manually insert "zero" grades for all missed work which, until done, does not reflect in the current course grade average, so be sure when viewing MY GRADES that any work that has been missed has been entered or the course grade average is not current.

Exam Notes:

The final exam MUST be taken by all students. It is a departmental final covering the core chapters Students are expected to keep up with all work individually without reminders by the instructor. Study guides or a class review are generally provided for each exam. Refer to the section entitled "Late Work

Policy" for more information regarding testing policy.

Discussion Postings: There will be two formal discussion essays to be posted and each requires two response postings as a follow-up to peers' postings as part of the grade as well. Instructions will be provided online under DISCUSSIONS. Failure to post and response post by the deadlines will result in a zero for that discussion for neither, and a significantly reduced grade for only one. Students may post as many follow-ups per assigned discussion as they like and should not limit themselves to just the two required postings per assignment necessarily. Remember that QUALITY OF DISCUSSION POSTINGS AFFECTS ONE'S GRADE--length, specificity, addressing all points, responding critically to someone else's posting in a thorough manner, etc. Think of these as mini-term papers...

Extra Credit: No extra credit is available in the course. Use the time spent on extra credit studying or doing great discussions and these have the same effect as extra credit!

Late Work Policy: ABSOLUTELY NO LATE WORK OF ANY KIND WILL BE ACCEPTED OR ALLOWED FOR ANY REASON UNLESS THE FAULT LIES WITH THE COLLEGE, PLATFORM, OR INSTRUCTOR. NO EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER THE TIME DURING WHICH THEY WERE SCHEDULED. ANY WORK NOT TURNED IN PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE FOR ITS SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR GRADED AND MAY RESULT IN A POOR OR EVEN FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE. THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS FOR ANY REASON. Grading Policy/ Discussions and Extra Credit: Discussions will be graded using the following criteria:

60% - factual presentation of ALL requirements stated in instructions 40% - neatness, creativity, format requirements, etc.

Calculation of Final Grade: The final grade for Sociology 1301 will be calculated as follows:

A. Weightings of examinations and assignments: 10 Chapter Quizzes @ 2.5% each.................................................. 25% 2 Unit Exams @ 12.5% each ................................................................... 25% 3 Discussions @ varied values................................................................. 25% 1 Departmental Final Exam @ 25% ........................................................ 25%

In the Blackboard Learn 9.1 platform, the instructor will create a viewable weighted total w/ letter grade so all students can see their standing in the course as it progresses. The point weightings of graded activities are a bit unusual, but here they are and what they mean: Quizzes are 100 points each and there are ten (10) of them for a 1000 raw point total (or 25% of the course grade--meaning each one will count for 2.5% of the final course grade). The two (2) unit exams are worth 500 points each (or 1000 points combined--again accounting for 25% of the course grade--or 12.5% of the final grade for each unit exam). The three discussions of varied grade weightings are worth a 1000 points total--yet again 25% of the course grade. The departmental final is worth 1000 points or 25% of the course grade. Therefore, the maximum total point value in the course is 4000 (100% of course grade)... see the online calendar of activities with grade weightings included for specifics.

B. Grading system: (based on the 4000 point course point maximum) including fractional roundings of close grades roughly yield this scale:

3580+.............................A 3180-3579.......................B 2780-3179.......................C 2380-2779.......................D below 2380......................F

Part VI: Class Calendar

Unit Unit Topics

Readings and Assignments

Exams & Activities

1

Sociological

Chapters 1 & 2: Theory and Research

See calendar online

History, Theory, Read notes provided which pertain to this

and Practice

section.

--study notes, demonstrations, activities

and lectures are provided

2

Culture, Society, Chapters 3, 4, 5 [insert part of 11], 6

See calendar online

Social

Interactions,

Pay special attention to Weber's,

Groups, and

Bureaucracy and Merton's Strain Theory

Deviance

in textbook and notes/activities

--study notes, demonstrations, activities

and lectures are provided

3

Social

Chapters [Parts of 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15]

See calendar online

Stratification,

Social

Sections of these chapters will be covered

Institutions,

in class without being formally or entirely

Politics and the read

Economy,

--study notes, demonstrations, activities

Population, and and lectures are provided

Urbanization

Part VII: Additional Information

NOTES:

Any student with a disability or other special circumstance requiring academic accommodations or other consideration in order to successfully complete the requirements of this course should contact WCJC's Office of Disability Services.

Misconduct for which discipline may be administered at WCJC includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college (plagiarism and cheating refer to the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help in a test, copying tests, assignments, reports, or term papers). Additionally, the instructor may employ SafeAssign and/or Turnitin or any other methods available to detect academic dishonesty for which significant grading or enrollment penalties may result.

NOTE ON PLAGIARISM: Due to an increase in the number of students submitting plagiarized papers and material (recycled papers from past semesters as well as cut and paste papers from internet sources) the instructor may require additional safeguards and checks to prevent or detect plagiarized papers. Any plagiarized paper will result in a ZERO GRADE AND/OR IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF THE COURSE. If any student plans on plagiarizing their paper/project, they should immediately withdraw from the course.

NOTE ON CHEATING: Due to an increase in the number of students cheating on exams and assignments (copying/sharing answers, texting information, cheat notes, possessing exam copies prior to the exam, colluding with others on quizzes/exams) the instructor may require additional safeguards and checks to prevent or detect cheating. Any assignment where cheating occurs as determined by the instructor will result in a ZERO GRADE AND/OR IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF THE COURSE. If any student plans on cheating in this course, they should immediately withdraw from the course.

REQUIRED ACTIVITY!! Each student, after reading and reviewing this course outline, is REQUIRED TO SUBMIT the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF COURSE OUTLINE, located under GETTING STARTED (and Lessons and Assignments) inside the course. This one-question quiz is required in order to maintain access to and remain enrolled in the course.

NOTE ON ATTENDANCE: THE PRINTABLE COURSE SCHEDULE IS FIRM...BY ENROLLING IN THIS COURSE YOU ARE AGREEING TO ABIDE BY ALL ESTABLISHED COURSE DEADLINES WITHOUT EXCEPTION. THE INSTRUCTOR DOES NOT MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS SO OFFER NO EXCUSES FOR MISSED WORK AND NEVER ASK FOR EXTENSIONS OR MAKEUP OPPORTUNITIES! YOU MAY CERTAINLY REPORT PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH THE PLATFORM, BUT BE AWARE THAT THE INSTRUCTOR CAN SEE EVERYTHING A STUDENT DOES IN THE COURSE AN WHEN THEY DID IT, DOWN TO THE RECORDING OF THE SECOND ONE CLICKS THEIR MOUSE TO ANSWER A QUESTION! IT RECORDS EVERYTHING YOU DO OR DON'T DO...

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