SOC 1020 - Introduction to Sociology

Course Structure

This class includes both classroom and online activity. Nearly all graded activities occur online, in the cjcampus classroom, so please take the time to get to know how everything works in the online classroom. However, this is NOT an online class. We will meet in the classroom each week and classroom attendance is expected.

Course Description

UNCP Catalog description: An introduction to scientific study of human society and social behavior.

Readings

Henslin, J.M (2009). Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 8th ed. Pearson. (ISBN:0205578705 )

Although this text is not available in an electronic version, the soft cover edition should be widely available online, probabaly for less than $50. In fact, this edition was recently replaced, so you may be able to find great deals on the 8th edition. The good news is that I stuck with the 8th edition for another semester to save you money. The bad news is that you may not be able to resell your text at the end of this semester.

Please consider buying a used textbook. A recycled text is a more sustainable option and this choice will not have a negative impact on your learning.

Evaluation Criteria

Mastery Exams (50%)
Internet Activities (30%)
Classroom Attendance and Engagement (20%)

A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89.99%
C = 70% - 79.99%
D = 60% - 69.99%
F = 59.99% or below

Assignments

Mastery Exams: (50%)

Fifteen multiple choice "mastery exams" will be given throughout the semester (one for each assigned chapter). An exam will be scheduled each week, with a due date of 11:55 PM Friday night. Each mastery exam will be completed online, in the cjcampus classroom. The same format is used for each exam - 20 questions, 30 minutes for each attempt, multiple attempts allowed. The highest score on each exam will be used to compute final grades. Each exam will select from a larger set of questions, so every attempt will be different.

The format of the mastery exams provides partial credit for missed responses, so be sure to closely review information regarding format. In an effort to understand the exam format and scoring, the practice exam should be taken prior to attempting Exam 1. Remember that the cjcampus calendar and clock is ruthless and will not allow you to take late exams or extend the time for any exam. Missed exams are recorded as a zero. Make-up exams are not available. Students who miss exams should plan to take the optional final exam. The highest score on the final exam will replace up to three lower scores on previous mastery exams.

Please keep up with your assignments. Pace yourself. Prepare in advance. Do not wait until the last day to begin your exam attempts. Your goal is to master the materials, even if multiple attempts are required. Fewer attempts will be needed if you prepare in advance. Ideally, everyone will earn 100% for all exams, although some students will (ligically) choose to accept slightly lower scores rather than continue their efforts to earn 100%.

Internet Activities: (30%)

Six internet activities will be posted in the cjcampus classroom. Assignments typically include internet activities that direct you to content that you will review and respond to in writing. These assignments will vary in difficulty and format, but one recurring goal is for your to improve your research and writing skills while demonstrating an understanding of the subject matter.

In general, students will be expected to formulate an informed response to a discussion question and post in the discussion area designated for the activity. Each students should also post at least two comments in response to other students. Posts must demonstrate the ability to recognize scholarly sources, use these sources to support your arguments, properly reference all sources, and properly use APA citation style. Posts must demonstrate your understanding of the readings and/or your analysis of assigned reading, videos, or other media content. Posts that are limited to personal opinion are not acceptable.

Each of these activities will be completed in the online discussion forum, with submissions evaluated and commented on by classmates. The rating of these activities, on a scale from 1 to 5 stars, is an important component of the class participation score. More information, including a discussion rating rubric, is included in the classroom.

Classroom Attendance and Engagement: (20%)

Students are expected to attend each class fully prepared to discuss the reading material assigned for that day. I will call on different students to share what they have learned from the readings. Each student is expected to come to class with notes on the themes and main points of each of the readings. Attendance will be taken regularly and will be included in the computation of grades, but remember that the focus is on active participation rather than attendance alone.

This course will be better if you talk more and I talk less. I prefer not to dominate the discussion, so each of you will need to remain active throughout the course. You all have interesting ideas and viewpoints and we learn more by sharing and trying to understand various views. The assumption is that you will participate and remain engaged throughout the class. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of up to 10 points from the final grade.

Note that this criteria includes participation and engagement. While we may be able to assess participation through a simple count of posts, we are also interested in active engagement throughout the course. Engagement is demonstrated by remaining active each week, submitting assignments on time, joining discussions at the beginning of each week, and helping each other create a vibrant learning environment.

As noted above, online activities are evaluated by classmates. The rating of these activities is an important component of your class participation score.

Teaching Strategies

This course has been designed as a "learning environment." You are all familiar with the dynamic of the classroom - the professor lectures while students listen and occasionally interact. The reality is that most classrooms are designed as "teaching environments." Students may not be an integral part of a teaching environment and in some cases the class could be held even if no students were in attendance.

In contrast, a learning environment requires student engagement, especially when the course content includes online elements. In fact, the environment fails to function if students are not engaged. The course design includes materials that if consumed, will result in learning. Like the story of "leading a horse to water," this course environment is the water. To make it work, you must each "take a drink."

You are all expected to help each other. Your professor has a great deal of knowledge about the subject matter. Each student in this class also has knowledge that can help us learn. For example, if a student posts a question to the discussion forum we do not need to wait for an "official" response from the professor. Help each other learn as we make our way through the materials.

Course Policies

Deadlines

Deadlines are not suggestions. All written material will rapidly lose points in the days following the due date. Zero points will be awarded for missed assignments.

ADA

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, Room 107, or call 910-521-6695 for an appointment. See http://www.uncp.edu/dss/ for more information.

Religious Holiday Policy

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has a legal and moral obligation to accommodate all students who must be absent from classes or miss scheduled exams in order to observe religious holidays; we must be careful not to inhibit or penalize these students for exercising their rights to religious observance. To accommodate students’ religious holidays, each student will be allowed two excused absences each semester with the following conditions:

1. Students, who submit written notification to their instructors within two weeks of the beginning of the semester, shall be excused from class or other scheduled academic activity to observe a religious holy day of their faith. Excused absences are limited to two class sessions (days) per semester.

2. Students shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance.

3. Students should not be penalized due to absence from class or other scheduled academic activity because of religious observances.

A student who is to be excused from class for a religious observance is not required to provide a second-party certification of the reason for the absence. Furthermore, a student who believes that he or she has been unreasonably denied an education benefit due to religious beliefs or practices may seek redress through the student grievance procedure.

Class Withdrawal

Class withdrawal is your responsibility. If you disappear, we will wonder where you are. However, we will not drop you from the class. Withdrawals should follow University procedure. The student is responsible for obtaining all necessary signatures on drop slips.

Academic Misconduct

A very high price can be paid when you are caught cheating. Too high to risk. All written material must be your own composition. It is not appropriate to submit work originally completed for another course. Appropriate credit must be given for sources used in developing your ideas and arguments. You must provide appropriate citations, following APA Style guidelines. It is easy to see when large sections of text have been lifted from web pages or other sources. This is quite easy to verify as well. Penalties for engaging in any of these acts of academic misconduct will be determined on a case-by-case basis but will follow general university guidelines. The UNCP Academic Honor Code information is available in the UNCP Faculty Handbook, Student Handbook, or online at: www.uncp.edu/sa/pol_pub/

Classroom Climate

Classroom climate is not solely the Professor's responsibility. We encourage each of you to engage in conversation on any issue. The University is a place for free speech, limited through individual choice. These choices may be altered with awareness of the real or potential reaction of others. However, you should not be intimidated into keeping quiet. We do not condone racist, sexist, homophobic, or other hateful speech. You are all adults, capable of understanding generally accepted rules of conduct and modifying your behavior in an effort to comply with these social or legal expectations. You are responsible for your behavior.

Final Grades

If grades are made available online, be advised that if there is any error the grade you receive from the registrar is your official grade. Grade changes will be made only in cases of data or computation error. Please do not ask, beg, or otherwise attempt to change a properly computed grade.

Course Outline

This course outline is intended to define much of what will happen throughout this course. Changes are possible. Any changes will be clearly presented to the class and will often include class discussion. Changes will apply to all students enrolled in this course, without regard to whether they were involved in the discussion.