Introduction to Sociology Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

SOCI-1301-ST11 Introduction to Sociology

Prerequisites

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

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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

Students must have access to a reliable computer, with internet and printer access.  Paper, pens, and pencils will also be needed.

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology.
2. Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.
3. Describe key concepts in sociology.
4. Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.
5. Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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.  Be respectful.

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 period.

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 and 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 you 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

This does NOT include the extra credit paper.

1.  ALL QUIZZES ARE ON LINE.

2.  Class Participation:  Class participation is mandatory.  Lack of participation will result in an entire grade deduction when I calculate final grades.

EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT:

1.  Write a 1 page paper over what you learned from the money book, double spaced, 12 font.  10 pts.

GRADING POLICY:

This is a new policy – please read carefully.

THIS APPLIES TO ALL PAPERS THAT ARE SUBMITTED.

IF I have to email you because I cannot open your paper, which can happen if they are NOT submitted in docx or rtf format, or for any other reason – ie: it’s blank, then you will lose 5 points off the paper. Your paper still needs to be resubmitted in the assignment area before the due date and time to be accepted.

IF I have to GRADE your paper via email for any reason you will lose another 5 points.

IF you do NOT send the paper INSIDE the class email, you will lose another 5 points.

For some assignments – this means you potentially are starting with an 85 out of 100 points. For other assignments, you may be starting with 35 out of 50 points! If the assignment is worth 200 points, I will be DOUBLING all the deductions.

I will NOT take late papers any longer. The due dates are posted from day 1 of the class.

Bottom line – you submit a paper not in docx or rtf and I cannot open it. I email you – you lose 5 points. Deadline has passed, the assignment is closed, you now have to get approval from ME to even submit it late. But, you now have to send it via email, You lose 5 more points. You don’t send it from inside the class email, you lose another 5 points. (or 10 points on each if assignment is worth 200 pts).

My suggestion is to go to the dollar store, buy a $1.00 calendar, and take a couple of hours with different color pens at the beginning of each semester, and mark every assignment due for all your classes on this calendar. Hang in a place you can look at every day. If the assignment is going to take a few days or weeks to do – make a note of it a week or two ahead of the due date so you can get started! 

IF you have trouble understanding how to attach, or copy/paste into the assignment area, you need to contact me DAYS before the assignment is due, not hours! Or call the ACTX help desk for help!  There is also student help found in the library.

MAKEUP POLICY:  NONE.  ALL test are done ONLINE and ON TIME.  I DO NOT turn quizzes 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 not take the quizzes.

 

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 3 pts per class in attendance.  If you are tardy, you will receive 1 pt. If you are not there when I take role, you are tardy! It is your responsibility to come up after class to let me know you are there.

You do not need to email or call me to say you will be late or will not be in class.

Calendar

Additional Information

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

All communication with me should be done through the Class email link.  My responses to you will be found in your AC gmail account. It is recommended that you check your AC gmail on a regular basis. All College emails are sent to you AC Gmail Account. If you do not know how to access it - call the AC help desk - 371-5000.