Minority Studies Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

SOCI-2319-003 Minority Studies

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

Course provides a sociological analysis of American racial and ethnic groups. Focus on conceptual tools of analysis, background information of various groups, demographics, intergroup relations, policy and trends.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

\ A reliable computer with internet and printer access is necessary.  Pens, paper, pencils.

Student Performance

1. Provide specific information, both background and contemporary, about particular racial/ethnic groups and their relationship to the larger culture.

2. Engage in critical analysis and creative thinking in considering the study of racial/ethnic groups, and in understanding the influence of prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping on various groups.

3. Use what in sociology is called a "sociological imagination" in considering racial/ethnic relations.

4. Examine and understand governmental policies and programs as they affect various racial/ethnic groups, as well as to examine developing trends in these policies and programs.

5. Analyze and integrate knowledge about various demographic changes and trends related to racial and ethnic immigration patterns, as they are occurring nationally and globally.

6. Utilize, when appropriate, a comparative or cross-cultural approach to enhance understanding of the students own racial/ethnic group or groups.

7.  By the end of this course, students will have a greater appreciation for diversity within societies, cultures, social classes, racial, ethnic, and religious groups, as well as within social institutions, and are able to think critically about issues in multicultural sociology that impact them. As well, students will be able to use this knowledge to better their own social relationships and society in general, in relating to and working with people from diverse groups and all walks of life.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1.  Come to Class prepared.

2.  Listen when others are speaking.

3.  Avoid side conversations.  They are distracting to me and to others who sit close by.

4.  Arrive on time for class and stay for the whole class

5.  Take care of personal needs before class.  Movement about the room is disrupting.  If this poses a problem for you please talk to me.

6.  Do not bring food or drinks into the classroom. 

7.  Cell phones should be turned off before class begins.  If you feel that you have a reason for an exception, please speak to me.

8.  If I find you sleeping, "resting", I will tap you on your arm and y ou are leaving for the rest of the class.

9.  Cheating or Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in an 'F' for the course, not a 'W'.

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA/GRADE SCALE:  there are 470 pts for the quizzes, 30 for discussion and 45 for attendance for 545 total possible points. I drop one quiz, not the videos and not the HS quiz. This does not include the extra credit assignment.

545 – 490 = A; 489 – 436 = B; 435 – 381 = C; 380 – 327= D; 326 down = F.

Throughout the class – you can calculate on your own where you stand. Take the points you could have up to that point and divide it by the points you DO have, - move the decimal over 2 and walla!

1. ALL QUIZZES ARE ONLINE.

2.  Class Participation:  Each student will be assigned a chapter that they will prepare a discussion question from. This question will need to be mailed to their group so there are no duplicates and then to me prior to class. You will be required to start and lead the discussion until I step in. This is worth 30 points. If you end up not being in class that night for whatever reason, you are still required to have the discussion question to your group, then to me. You can write a 1 page, double spaced, 12 font, times new roman, paper on the question (why is this a good question? how would you have answered it) for 15 points.

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT: “What WE Should Have Learned in High School About Money Sex and Marriage”. Write a 2 page, double spaced, 12 font times new roman, standard margin (1"), paper regarding what you learned from this book. (There is also a quiz over this book that is required.) This paper is worth 30 points.

Attendance

Class attendance is very important and I hope that you will make the choice to be in class on a regular basis. There is no doubt that students who attend class do better than those who do not.  Students will receive 5 points per class in attendance for a possible 45 points. If you are late/tardy, you will receive 2 ½ pts.

It is your responsibility to see me on break or after class to let me know you have arrived.

If I take role after the break or at the end of class and you are not there, you will be marked absent for the entire class period. If you have an emergency, you need to let me know.

Makeup Policy:  None – All quizzes are done ONLINE and ON TIME.  I DO NOT trun quzzes back on.  Do not wait until the last minute; something will go wrong (Murphy's Law!!).  Excuses will not be accepted, sickness, weather, computer problems, work - it is your choice to take or to not take the quizzes.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ ****The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus if circumstances warrant****