Introduction to Sociology Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Instructor

(Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

<h4>Email me from your BLACKBOARD CLASSROOM EMAIL!&nbsp; After the semester is over, you can contact me at: djharding@actx.edu</h4>

Phone

<h4><big><strong>Cell: Best way to get me: (806) 584-7569 from 9 am to 9 pm any day.&nbsp; Call me but DO NOT TEXT ME!</strong></big></h4>

Office Location

<p>Dutton Hall 202-J</p>

Office Hours

TO SET UP A MEETING:  CONTACT ME BY PHONE: The VERY BEST WAY TO REACH ME IS AT MY CELL PHONE AT  (806) 584-7569 between 9 AM and 9 PM, any day of the week. 

 

PLEASE...NO TEXTING: Please note that I DO NOT TEXT MY STUDENTS and I DO NOT ACCEPT TEXT MESSAGES.  If you can text me, then you can call me!  AGAIN, my cell phone is 806 584-7569!  If there is an occasion where I am traveling or cannot respond to you in a timely manner by phone, I will let you know that you can text me for that period of time.  However, outside of that, PLEASE CALL!  I enjoy talking to my students! If you text me, I will not respond to you! Sorry...I want to handle all student business over the phone or in an email!

If I'm not available when you call, I will call you back so please tell me your name, the best time to call you AND WHAT CLASS YOU ARE IN!  That way, I can better answer your questions! Thanks!  Also, we can set up a face to face conference if you want to!

 

EMAIL ME: You can also email me through the BLACKBOARD COURSE EMAIL feature!   Again, if you email me outside the CLASSROOM ONLINE EMAIL SYSTEM, your email may not get to me.  It may be treated as spam. SO, USE THE EMAIL FUNCTION IN THE ONLINE CLASS! It's in the MENU to the left of the screen and it says Send an EMAIL!   Click on that and then select SEND AN EMAIL TO THE INSTRUCTORS in the CLASS!  

 

OFFICE HOURS and APPOINTMENT TIMES: 

SPRING- II - 2021:  March 22nd through May 14th:   I will be ON CAMPUS in my office in DUTTON HALL 202J Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 to 12:00 pm. I have a 9 am to 10:15 am course, as well as a Monday-Thursday 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm course.   Please call me so we can set up an appointment time that works for you. We can meet virtually or somewhere where we can socially distance effectively (not in my office!) I have a virtual office in COLLABORATE where we can also meet face to face if you need tutoring or just to chat, if you prefer. 
If you want to meet with me outside of those hours, I'm happy to do that. Please call me and we can set up a time to meet. As well, I'm happy to meet with you  on a FACETIME CALL or in our COLLABORATE MEETING PLACE ONLINE! I am happy to tutor you in any way I can so you can succeed in this course! Please call me at 806 584-7569 to meet with me on any other day.  I appreciate you calling me first on my cell phone if you want to meet with me in my office so that I can prepare to meet you in order to protect both of us from COVID exposure.  Thank you! 
SO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE COLLABORATE:  There will be a video for you to watch as to how to attend COLLABORATE MEETINGS in your COURSE MENU LIST. Go online to your BLACKBOARD CLASS and you will see it in the MENU LIST to the LEFT OF THE SCREEN. As well, please feel free to call me if you are still not sure how to use COLLABORATE for your online meeting.  I am happy to do anything I can do to assist you during this difficult semester! Please call me at 806 584-7569 and let's figure out a time to work with you!
NEED MORE HELP: Call me! I can tutor you.  If you need more help with tutoring in the class you are in, we can get you set up with the folks at the STUDENT SUCCESS TUTORING CENTER can help you. We will work online or over the phone, in COLLABORATE or we can facetime until the advisories for social distancing pass.

FOR ONLINE CLASSES or ON-CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED CLASSES:  THE BEST WAY TO SET UP AN INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT is to CALL ME ON MY CELLPHONE at 806 584-7569.

FOLKS: Please, I give you my cell phone number so you can call me between 9 am and 9 pm, 7 days a week! Feel free to CALL me OR EMAIL ME SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE AND WHEN we can either visit by phone or in person!  Please do not abuse your privilege of having my cell number.  Again, please call me or email me. ....please DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE ME!  I want to communicate with you directly!

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

SOCI-1301-002 Introduction to Sociology

Prerequisites

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

TEXTBOOKS and STUDY GUIDE

Henslin, James. Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, Core Concepts (6th Edition). PEARSON

ISBN-13: 978-0-205-99984-2

You do not need to order access codes for this book, since this instructor makes up her own study guides for the tests. However, the publisher study resources are excellent and, if you want, you can order the text with the online resources. It’s up to you. 

Supplies

STUDENT SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES

YOU MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A WORKING COMPUTER OR BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE AC COMPUTERS DURING THE TIMES THEY ARE OPEN.  If you don't have your own computer, use AC computers. We have computers for your use in the on campus COMPUTER LABS as well as the 4th floor of the library.  There are LOADS OF PEOPLE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR COMPUTER and the AC CONNECT BLACKBOARD COURSES that you will be having here at AMARILLO COLLEGE!  Be sure you ask for help if you are having a difficult time. 

If you need help to set up your AC CONNECT account, go to the second floor of the library and they will assist you in getting set up! If you need help you may also contact our Helpdesk at 371-5000 or email them at askac@actx.edu

To access AC CONNECT, you need your AC online user name and password. This class has an online courseroom that you can access by going to the AC homepage, clicking on AC ONLINE at the top of the homepage, and then putting in your user name and password when prompted.  You will see the online link to our classroom. This is where you will be able to access and print off lecture notes in power point, assignments, reminders, and study guides for the exams, and where you will take your EXAMS.  ALL OF THE AC LIBRARY COMPUTERS HAVE POWERPOINT AND MSWORD, SO YOU CAN USE THEM AT ANY TIME THE LIBRARY IS OPEN. NOTE THAT LIBRARY INFORMATION IS FOUND BELOW: YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE LIBRARY TO GET HOURS DURING HOLIDAY PERIODS. CONTACT THE LIBRARY AT:

  • WashingtonStreetCampus--WARE CENTER:  (806-371-5400, Toll-free 866-371-5468)

  • West Campus Library(6100 West 9th St.; 806-356-3627)

  • Email the library for help:   library-help@actx.edu

Please Note: Computer users must exit computers 10 minutes before closing time.

 LIBRARY OPERATING HOURS ARE:

FALL and SPRING HOURS:

Monday - Thursday..............7:30 am - 9:00 pm 

Friday.................................7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday.............................CLOSED

Sunday...............................2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

  • 4th Floor Only:

    • Monday-Thursday 9:00-6:50

    • Friday 9:00-12:50

    • Saturday Closed

    • Sunday 2:00 – 5:50

Be sure you check for Holidays and Additional Closings! 

SUMMER HOURS ARE:

Monday - Thursday..............7:30 am - 9:00 pm (On Thursdays, 4th Floor only closes at 5:00 pm.)

Friday.................................7:30 am - 12:00 noon

Saturday.............................CLOSED

Sunday...............................2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

 

WRITER's CORNER:  WELCOME TO THE WRITER'S CORNER FOR HELP WITH YOUR PAPER!!!

If you have trouble writing, we have a great support system for you at the WRITER's CORNER.  Please take advantage of this resource and have them HELP YOU WITH YOUR PAPER! They will send me a tutoring report which will help you in your grade, and I PROMISE, taking the time and making the effor tto visit the good folks at the WRITER's CORNER will be worth your while when it comes to your PAPER GRADE! This is a large part of your final grade for this course, so USE THEM! 

  • Folks, this is a GREAT RESOURCE if you are not the BEST WRITER! They will help you polish your paper and give you help with your final project for this class!  USE THIS RESOURCE!!!

  • For help with your papers: go to Writers' Corner

  • Mission and Services:The Writers’ Corner staff firmly believe that good writing is an essential skill for being successful in college. Our main goal, therefore, is to help students become more confident and effective writers.Whether drafting research papers, preparing marketing proposals, or working on writing projects for any class at Amarillo College, students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring sessions with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors.  Our tutors review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process.The Writers’ Corner is open to all students, regardless of academic discipline and skill level.

  • We Offer:*One-on-one tutoring sessions with trained tutors,  small workshops throughout the semester covering various aspects of academic writing,  in-class presenations on the role of the Writers' Corner, a waiting area for walk-ins and early arrivals, coffee and donuts for students with appointments, EMAIL US AT: writerscorner@actx.edu

  • OR stop by: LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102

  • Hours of Operation:

    • Fall & Spring Semesters:Monday - Thursday  8:00 am to 4:00 pm and ClosedFriday, Saturday, and Sunday

    • Summer Sessions:  Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Student Performance

COURSE OBJECTIVES: WHAT YOU SHOULD LEARN

STUDENT PERFORMANCE GOALS:

1)  Learners will gain a working knowledge as to how individuals impact society, social situations, culture, institutions, and groups and how society impacts and shapes individuals in the process of socialization.

2)  Learners will gain an understanding of how scientific methodology is applied to studying sociology.

3)  Learners will analyze the major concepts and theories in the field of sociology.

4)  Once learners develop these conceptual tools, they develop the ability to apply research findings and theories to real world social situations, such as dealing with race and ethnicity, culture, groups, conformity, gender issues, and family life.

5) Specific areas of study in sociology will be considered, such as crime and deviance, gender, race and ethnicity and prejudice, groups, and family life.

6)  Students will be assigned various social topics to research and/or discuss in class, including, but not limited to, the death penalty, health reform, gay marriage, and financial and political reform, as current and relevant social issues impacting their lives.

7)      By the end of this course, students will have a greater appreciation for diversity within societies, cultures and social institutions, and are able to think critically about issues in sociology that impact them. As well, students will be able to use this knowledge to better their own social relationships and society in practical ways.

  

 

 

 

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

STUDENT BEHAVIOR: What is expected of you!

IF THIS IS AN ON CAMPUS COURSE: Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class and to prepare for class lectures and discussions by reading the text and doing homework assignments. Students are expected to turn off all electronic devices (if you have a sick child, you may bring your phone and put it on vibrate). Please do not engage in side conversations during class time, texting, reading newspapers, taking naps, and any other distracting behaviors. If you miss class, you are expected to contact the instructor and/or other students in the class to get information about the class. 

FOR ALL COURSES: Since this instructor emails reminders via the AC ONLINE classroom announcement page, it's best to check into your AC ONLINE class frequently.  As well, all course notes and assignments are in the AC ONLINE classroom folders, as directed by your instructor.   It is your responsibility to get the information and printed materials, as well as take EXAMS in the AC Online classroom. If you don't have a computer, simply check the ones in the library.  You can get onto AC ONLINE from any computer anywhere!

Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty, refraining from cheating on EXAMS or plagiarism. YOUR EXAMS ARE MEANT TO BE TAKEN BY YOU!  IF THIS INSTRUCTOR LEARNS THAT YOU ARE COLLABORATING ON EXAMS, YOU WILL FAIL THE COURSE!  Plagiarism on written work will NOT be tolerated.  PLAGIARISM IS USING SOMEONE ELSES’ MATERIAL AS IF IT WERE WRITTEN OR ORIGINATED BY YOU.  If you plagiarize, you can fail the assignment and receive a 0.  Plagiarism means copying off of the internet, quoting directly without giving credit to the source, or using parts of another persons work as your own. Copying and pasting material off the internet is strictly forbidden!   YOU MUST CITE ALL SOURCES AND HAVE A REFERENCE SECTION WITH APA STYLE CITATIONS FOR YOUR PAPER! PLEASE DO NOT ENGAGE IN THIS BEHAVIOR.  We have access to a plagiarism checker program and any paper that this instructor sees is plagiarized in part or in full, will be getting a 0 on the paper, and a letter of reprimand will be filed in your academic record.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER SOMETHING IS CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM, PLEASE ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU ENGAGE IN QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIOR!  AGAIN, I CONSIDER THIS A VERY SERIOUS OFFENSE AND WILL NOT TOLERATE IT!!!

FOR ONLINE COURSES AND ONLINE PORTIONS OF TRADITIONAL AND HYBRID COURSES: Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" in the ONLINE PORTIONS of this class AT ALL TIMES.  Inappropriate online behaviors, such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the course room material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in having to drop this course, failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine!

Now, having said that, please remember that this is an COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER!  You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to sociology!  Diversity is a GREAT THING and to be APPRECIATED in this instructors opinion.  If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me.  However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about sociology, society, and people in a bigger way than you may have already been exposed to. IN THAT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! This is a part of what it means to get an education!  Obviously, learning to see the world in a different light is the goal of this course!   You are encouraged to debate others, and your instructor, in a polite BUT WELL INFORMED manner!  If you want to debate a point made, all this instructor asks, is that you bring your sources and do a good job of backing up your ideas.  In academics, we like well informed opinions!  This is KEY to analytical and creative thinking and is the hallmark of what it means to have academic freedom!  If you are not comfortable expressing your opinions in front of the class, you may obtain 10 extra credit points by WRITING a rebuttal paper.  If your instructor feels that you have backed up your point of view with sources that are informed and expert on the topic, your instructor will READ your paper to the class (with your permission of course!).  Let's enjoy the spirit of debate (and we will actually have a REAL DEBATE over the DEATH PENALTY in class...your instructor ONLY plays the time keeper and steering the discussion so that everyone is heard).  I look forward to a REAL educational experience with you all! 

If you have a complaint about this course, please contact me first.  If you are uncomfortable doing that, you may contact my supervisor, Dr. STEFANIE DECKER, at DUTTON HALL 202-L, or call her at 371-5195. 

If you have a concern that something you want to say or write that you think might offend others in the classroom or in the online course-room, run it by me first. Simply contact me via the AC ONLINE class email. As well, if you are aware of any student being mistreated or harassed in this course (including yourself), please bring it to my immediate attention.  We have zero tolerance for any student being mistreated here at Amarillo College. This will be a SAFE place for the expression of ideas and exchanges! Remember, you are an adult and differences in opinions, beliefs and ideas are a critical part of adult education!  You are expected to be an adult in this class!  Thank you for making our class a safe place to discuss ideas and to learn!   ~ Dr. Harding

•

 

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA: How to VIEW your GRADES and COMMENTS, and GRADING SCALE:

YOU CAN SEE YOUR GRADES FOR THIS COURSE AT ALL TIMES BY GOING TO THE COURSE HOMEPAGE, AND CLICKING ON the "MY GRADES" TAB in the MENU to the left of your screen.  There will be a list of items so scroll down to see what you want to look at. Also, there will be a link to COMMENTS..just click on that to see what your instructor has said about your work, and VIEW RUBRIC, to see exactly HOW I HAVE GRADED YOUR WORK! You are expected to use instructor comments to improve for the next time!   IF YOU THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR GRADE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY, SO WE CAN GET IT CORRECTED RIGHT AWAY! THANKS!

Your final grade for this course will be based on the standard grading percentages:

  • 89.45 - 100 = A
  • 79.45 - 89.44 = B
  • 69.45 - 79.44 = C
  • 49.45 - 69.44 = D
  • Below 49.5 - F

GRADING SCALE FOR THIS COURSE and ALL ASSIGNMENTS

YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

Syllabus Quiz: Print syllabus, take quiz required to show you are in this course = 10 points

UNIT 1 & 2 DISCUSSIONS  20 points each = 40 points

UNIT 1, 2 and 3 READING QUIZZES: Unit 1 and 2 READING QUIZZES are worth 15 points each, and UNIT 3 READING QUIZ over four chapters is worth 20 points = 50 points  NOTE: You have two attempts o each quiz

SERVICE PROJECT TOPIC SELECTED = 10 pts if you submit your "TOPIC" or agency name, and 0 points if you don't do this! See the drop box online in the SERVICE PROJECT FOLDER!

                                    

SERVICE PROJECT ESSAY (70 pts) and VERIFICATION FORM (30 pts) = 100 points (get 10 extra points by going to WRITER'S CORNER)

Units 1, 2 and 3 EXAMS and FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAm:

  • EXAMS 1 - 3 ARE REQUIRED and worth 100 points each.
  • COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM:   (replaces lower or missed grade worth 100 points).
  • If you miss an exam in Units 1, 2 or 3, you are required to take EXAM 4 which is a comprehensive FINAL exam. 
  • If you have done poorly on one of the exams in Units 1, 2 or 3 you CAN OPT TO take the fourth exam as well.  Your lowest score will be replaced by the 4th exam. 
  • PLEASE NOTE: You will see the 0 in your FINAL EXAM COLUMN.  This shows that if you DO NOT TAKE THE COMP FINAL, it's the EXAM that gets dropped out of the FOUR EXAMS.  If you do take it, your LOWEST EXAM SCORE of the four exams gets dropped. 
  • NOTE: PLEASE REMEMBER that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THIS EXAM if YOU DIDN'T MISS AN EXAM or are HAPPY WITH THE GRADES YOU GOT on UNITS 1, 2 and 3 EXAMS.
  • The grade book is designed to take the highest of these 4 exams (Units 1, 2, 3, and FINAL EXAM 4).  TRY NOT TO MISS ANY EXAMS and then you won't have to take the FINAL EXAM if you are happy with your grade!
  • Total exam points (lowest exam score of 4 exams dropped) = 300 points

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: This does not include the extra credit from going to the WRITERS CORNER

  • PRACTICE QUIZZES:  UNITS 1, 2, 3 Practice Quizzes worth up to 10 points each:  Up to 30 EXTRA CREDIT points possible
  • Or you can make a FOOD DONATION to AC PANTRY or your local food bank:  You can do one of these or combination but you cannot get more than 30 extra credit points for this course.
  • You can do the quizzes and then make up the difference with the donation. Let’s say you got 22 points on your quizzes, you could donate 8.00 of food to the pantry/food bank! BE SURE You GET A RECEIPT FROM THEM and SAVE YOUR own PURCHASE REcEIPT.  

TOTAL POINTS = 510 points  (+up to 30 EC pts from quizzes and food donations and another 10 EC pts from Writer’s Corner Tutorial)

Attendance

STUDENT ATTENDANCE:

"90% of Success is SHOWING UP": WOODY ALLEN  While it may be tempting to SKIP CAMPUS BASED COURSES or to ONLY CHECK INTO YOUR ONLINE CLASSES ONCE A WEEK, know that the #1 factor linked with good grades and SUCCESS IN COLLEGE is REGULAR and FREQUENT class attendance (Yes...it's just the same for both ON LINE and ON CAMPUS COURSES...BEING INVOLVED AND ENGAGED HELPS YOU SUCCEED!).

GET HELP RIGHT AWAY if you are not familiar with AC CONNECT and BLACKBOARD. ALL AC COURSES HAVE AN ONLINE COMPONENT, whether they are ONLINE OR TRADITIONAL ON CAMPUS COURSES or A BLEND OF BOTH CALLED HYBRID COURSES.  Be sure you use the STUDENT TOOLS and HELP WITH BLACKBOARD tutorials, and you can call the AC HELPDESK at 371-5000, as well as get help in the LIBRARY on WASHINGTON STREET on the 4th FLOOR with the staff there! You can also get help in any of the COMPUTER LABS across campus!

We want you to do great in your AC classes, so please LET US HELP YOU! If we don't know your difficulties, we cannot be of service!  Also, call me if you want some help with the course materials!  REMEMBER: The best way to get me is on my cellphone! I’m always happy to answer your questions if I can!   ~THANKS! DR. HARDING

Calendar

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 1301 SEC 002 ONLINE:  FALL-1 2019

HENSLIN CORE CONCEPTS

This is your CALENDAR and COURSE GUIDE: It's your best friend when it comes to PASSING and SUCCEEDING in this COURSE!

 PRINT IT OFF AND KEEP THIS BY YOUR COMPUTER-WORK SPACE:

 Check off items as you complete them! Keep track of your work!

REMINDER: This calendar is NOT SET IN STONE! We may have to change our timeline due to unforeseen circumstances, so be sure you frequently check your email and announcements for any changes in due dates. NOTE: Any item in your BLACKBOARD CLASSROOM that says REQUIRED will be TESTED ON THE EXAMS!

IMPORTANT: YOU CAN ALWAYS WORK AHEAD IN THIS CLASS!  GET IT DONE EARLY and DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! THAT's the WORST STRATEGY YOU CAN HAVE FOR AN ONLINE COLLEGE CLASS!

THE TEXTBOOK FOR THIS COURSE is JAMES HENSLIN's SOCIOLOGY: A Down-to-earth Approach: Core Concepts 6th edition. Pearson is the editor. You may get it at the AC BOOKSTORE as a used text or you may buy or rent it online from various book dealers.  You will also have multiple films to watch online!

IMPORTANT DUE DATES FOR THIS COURSE:

Put these in your TIME MANAGEMENT DEVICE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd by 12:00 NOON: You must have logged into the class and completed the SYLLABUS QUIZ to be counted as WORKING IN THE COURSE and to be counted on the CENSUS. Failure to do this by SEPT 3rd NOON you can be withdrawn from the course and you may lose your FINANCIAL AID!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd by 12:00 NOON:  SYLLABUS QUIZ DUE. Required to be counted on census!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th at 11:55 pm:  SERVICE PROJECT “TOPIC” due in SERVICE PROJECT TOPIC DROP BOX.  Type a line with the agency where you will volunteer in the WRITE SUBMISSION box.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th by 11:55 pm: UNIT 1 DISCUSSION and RESPONSE(s) due in Discussion area

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th by 11:55 pm: UNIT 1 REQUIRED READING QUIZ due over chapters 1, 2, and 3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th by 11:55 pm UNIT 1 optional PRACTICE QUIZ for up to 10 EXTRA CREDIT pts due

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th by 11:55 pm UNIT 1 Req EXAM on chps 1, 2  3, theories, films, short videos.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th by 11:55 pm: Unit 2 DISCUSSION and RESPONSE(s) due in Discussion area

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th by 11:55 pm: Unit 2 REQUIRED READING QUIZ due over chapters 4, 5 and 6!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th by 11:55 pm: Unit 2 OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT PRACTICE QUIZ due

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th by 11:55 pm: UNIT 2 REQUIRED EXAM due over chapters 4, 5, 6 & req. videos

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019:  LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THIS COURSE!!!! Take signed form to advisor

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th by 11:55 pm: SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT ESSAY QUESTIONS and VERIFICATION FORM (signed) due in the SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT ESSAY DROP BOX. NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15th by 11:55 pm: EXTRA CREDIT: If you donated to food bank/panty, all receipts are due in drop box along with PURCHASE and PANTRY RECEIPT..you must have both!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15th by 11:55 pm: UNIT 3 READING QUIZ (REQUIRED for everyone!)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16th by 11:55 pm: UNIT 3 OPTIONAL PRACTICE QUIZ due up to 10 extra credit points

WEDNEDAY, OCTOBER 16th by 11:55 pm: REQUIRED UNIT 3 EXAM due over CH 7,8,9, 10 & films

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17th by 11:55 pm: FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM due by 8 am: Required if you missed an exam, optional if you are unhappy with your grade.  Not needed if you are happy with your grade after UNIT 3 exam.

FINAL GRADES POSTED by noon on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18th. 

COURSE MAP: WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING IN THIS COURSE

For this course you will be completing the following in the next 8 weeks

  • 3 COURSE UNITS including:
    • Unit 1 comprised of chapters 1, 2, 3, two major films, short videos and a unit discussion
    • Unit 2 comprised of chapters 4, 5 & 6, one film and article, short videos and unit discussion.
    • Unit 3 comprised of chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10, two major films, short videos.
  • 1 SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT, SIGNED VERIFICATION FORM (30 pts) of your SERVICE, and ESSAY QUESTIONS in the TEMPLATE that is provided talking about your community service (70 pts) including:
    • Investigating, CONTACTING and informing instructor of your service project "TOPIC", which is the "AGENCY" where you will volunteer.  Submit this in the SERVICE PROJECT TOPIC DROP BOX.
    • 4 hours of volunteer community service in an agency of your choice. See instruction sheet!
    • For this assignment, you will write four short ESSAY QUESTIONS related to your experience, as well as the final 5th multi-part questions related to understanding of data found on graphs on the topic of poverty. SEE TEMPLATE FOR THE EXACT QUESTIONS you will be completing.
    • YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT the COPY OF YOUR VERIFICATION FORM online: You get 30 points for doing the full four hours! BE SURE YOU SUBMIT THE VERIFICATION FORM in the SAME DROP BOX as your ESSAY AT THE SAME TIME! Be sure you get this done early!    
    • NOTE: You can get 10 extra points on your essay by SUBMITTING YOUR ESSAY to the WRITER'S CORNER at AC for a TUTOR to assist you with your work!  Great way to maximize your grade!!!
    • TO FIND YOUR SERVICE PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS, TEMPLATE *(where you will write your answers to the essay questions, VERIFICATION FORM, and ASSIGNMENT DROP BOXES go to the SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT FOLDER link on the MENU to the left of your COURSE HOMEPAGE SCREEN.  You will see all those materials there, along with many sites to examine volunteer opportunities.
  • 3 READING QUIZZES due a few days before your UNIT EXAMS: REQUIRED for everyone!  
    • Unit 1 READING QUIZ is over chapters 1, 2, and 3: worth 15 pts (15 questions, 5 per chapter)
    •  Unit 2 READING QUIZ is over chapters 4, 5, & 6:  worth 15 pts (15 questions, 5 per chapter)
    •  UNIT 3 READING QUIZ over chapters 7, 8 9 & 10.  Worth 20 pts (20 questions, 5 per chapter)
    • The 3 READING QUIZZES are a total of 50 points.  Again, these are required for everyone! NO DROPS!
  • 3 UNIT EXAMS including Unit 1, 2 and 3 EXAMS, covering all chapters in the unit and all films, handouts (anything that says it's required will be on your exam).
    • Exams will have 40 to 50 questions, be timed and have a final closing due date. If you miss an exam, it's a 0 and that is the exam that will be dropped. It also means, if you miss an exam, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (no choice!).
    • EXAM 1 will allow you to have TWO ATTEMPTS on the exam, just in case this is your first time to take an online exam. The grade book is automatically set to take the highest score.
    • Unit 2 and Unit 3 exams will allow only ONE ATTEMPT, so be ready to take it.
    • NOTE: Including the FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (see below) you will have a total of FOUR POSSIBLE EXAM SCORES.  The grade book automatically DROPS your LOWEST OF the FOUR exams.  Please see below on the FINAL EXAM OPTIONS!

  • ONE FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM over all 10 chapters:
    • This FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM MAY BE OPTIONAL DEPENDING UPON:
      • If you missed an exam in units 1, 2, and 3, you HAVE TO TAKE THIS EXAM.
      • If you did poorly on an exam and want to better your grade, you can OPT to take this exam.
      • If you are happy with your grade as it is with taking UNITS 1, 2 and 3 EXAMS, then this final exam is a ZERO (0) and it will be the exam that gets dropped!  If you've done well on the first 3 exams and are happy, then DO NOT TAKE IT! Yeah! You are done!
  • EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES: You may earn UP TO, but NOT MORE THAN 30 extra credit points in the following ways:
    • There are 3 EXTRA CREDIT PRACTICE QUIZZES AVAILABLE worth up to 10 points each (possible 30 points). You can take these twice up to the closing date. They can help you BUT NOT HURT YOU, and will help you prepare for the exam.
    • You can also make a donation of food, gift cards or cash to the AC PANTRY or your local food bank.  To get credit, you must download a copy of the PANTRY RECEIPT AND your FOOD PURCHASE RECEIPT in the EXTRA CREDIT DROP BOX to verify your DONATION.   
    • You can do one of these or both of these in combination for UP TO BUT NOT MORE THAN 30 extra credit points. So let's say you had 15 points on the 3 practice quizzes, you could also donate $15.00 worth of food to the pantry for the rest of the 30 extra credit points, as an example.
    • REMEMBER: EXTRA CREDIT IS OPTIONAL, not required, but can help with a missed reading quiz or a low score! 
    • NOTE: The WRITER’S CORNER TUTORIAL and 10 extra points is added to your paper, so it’s not included in these 30 points!

CALENDAR OVERVIEW: WEEKS 1 - 8

Week 1:  Monday AUGUST 26th through MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th

  • MONDAY, AUGUST 26th:  UNIT 1 officially opens and will close MONDAY night, April 1st by 11:55 pm. It includes chapters 1, 2, 3 and SECRETS OF WILD CHILD video, and PARENTING IN THE 90's video, along with other short videos and the UNIT 1 DISCUSSION.
  • For UNIT 1 you will have UNIT 1 discussion, watch films and complete quizzes and exams.  REMEMBER, once the due date passes, this instructor does not take LATE WORK for any reason, other than EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.  WORK AHEAD and DO NOT PUT THINGS OFF! That's a bad strategy in ONLINE COLLEGE COURSES!  Everybody can WORK AHEAD in this class! Units will be opening early! 
  • WEEKS 1 :  ASSIGNMENTS and TASKS: AUGUST 26th through Sunday SEPTEMBER 1st
    • TASK  1: PRINT OFF THIS CALENDAR and KEEP IT BY YOUR WORK SPACE. Put the DUE DATES IN YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (your phone or calendar!)  Work ahead..that way you won’t be late. I DO NOT TAKE LATE WORK EXCEPT IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND you WILL HAVE TO DOCUMENT those circumstances!
    • TASK 2: REVIEW SYLLABUS ONLINE AND TAKE THE REQUIRED SYLLABUS QUIZ (10 pts): Note that everyone MUST take this quiz to be considered enrolled and WORKING in the class. Failure to take this quiz may result in withdrawal from the class.  Due WEEK 2, TUES, SEPTEMBER 3rd by NOON, 12 pm
    • TASK 3: Print off your study guide for UNIT 1 EXAM (in the UNIT 1 EXAM FOLDER).  Read chapter 1 in WEEK 1 and go over the THEORIES HANDOUT.  Watch all the SHORT VIDEOS that say REQUIRED!  You will find UNIT 1l by going to “GO TO UNIT 1” in the MENU LIST on the left hand of your screen.   If something says it’s required, there will be a test question over it on the exam.

WEEK 2:  Monday, SEPTEMBER 2nd to MONDAY, SETPEMBER 9th

  • TASK 4: Take the SYLLABUS QUIZ by TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd by NOON!. You must take this to be counted as attending the course. FAILURE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ may result in you losing financial aid and being administratively withdrawn from the course!
  • TASK 5: in WEEK 2: THURSDAY, SETPEMBER 5th by 11:55 pm:  Research your agencies where you will volunteer for your SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT, and pick one. SUBMIT your SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT "TOPIC" CHOICE in the SERVICE PROJECT DROP BOX.
      1. INSTRUCTIONS: You will be completing a REQUIRED SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT which includes 4 hours of community service. Then you have a REQUIRED ESSAY which includes 4 ESSAY QUESTIONS and one SERIES OF QUESTIONS OVER DATA ON POVERTY.  You will need to complete this as a requirement for the STATE OF TEXAS, and as a major ASSIGNMENT for this course worth 100 points with 30 points being from your VOLUNTEER SERVICE itself, and the 70 points towards the 5 QUESTIONS you will be completing in your ESSAY assignment.    
      2. Please go to the SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT FOLDER online and read all about it there in the INSTRUCTIONS.  GO TO THE HOMEPAGE and SELECT THE SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT FOLDER from the MENU LIST on the LEFT OF YOUR SCREEN!  FOLLOW THE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS.
      3. YOUR “TOPIC” is due BY THE SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT "TOPIC" DUE DATE,  THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th by 11:55 pm, and you need to have

a)  Read instructions about the project, AND investigated, CONTACTED and SELECTED your SERVICE AGENCY.  There are lots of choices for you to participate in that you will see ONLINE on the AMARILLO VOLUNTEER MATCH SITE.  We have representatives on campus that can also help you locate a PROJECT!  Do not assume that an agency can accommodate you! CONTACT THEM FIRST! SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS AND LINKS online to find that agency. See that contact information on the INSTRUCTION SHEET in the SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT FOLDER. You will access the SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT FOLDER hat from the MENU LIST on your COURSE HOMEPAGE!

b) Go to the SERVICE PROJECT "TOPIC" DROP BOX:  Click WRITE SUBMISSION and write "I will volunteer at NAME OF AGENCY".    CLICK SUBMIT to post this. You either do this or not and it's worth 10 points if you do, 0 points if you don't!   If I have questions about your project, I will send you an email and you will get a 0 until we discuss your project choice! CALL ME when I email you.

  • DUE SUNDAY, SEPTMEBER 15th by 11:55 pm:  UNIT 1 DISCUSSION INCLUDES a PERSONAL INTRODUCTION of YOURSELF & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS related to the chapter 2 and 3, two of the films you will watch and the concept of NATURE VS NURTURE. You will write this DISCUSSION in your BEST COLLEGE LEVEL WRITING!  This is NOT a TEXT MESSAGE or an EASY DISCUSSION. It's a COLLEGE LEVEL ESSAY! Be sure you respond to AT LEAST ONE other students post in a substantive manner!  CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR and SPELLING and read your post out loud before you submit it!
    • This discussion is over CHAPTERS 2 and 3, the two CHAPTER 3 movies that you will watch online, including SECRETS OF WILD CHILD Film, and PARENTING in the 90's WITH LOVE & LOGIC by FOSTER CLINE film, as well as the other shorter videos on CULTURE and WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY in the REQUIRED VIDEO FOLDER for UNIT 1 (Go to UNIT 1).  You have 3 weeks to complete this! REMINDER: No late work accepted for any reason!  Read your DISCUSSIONS over and edit them well.
    • SCORING FOR DISCUSSIONS include A=18 to 20 pts, B= 16-17 pts, C=14 to 15 pts, D=12 to 13 pts and F is anything below that.
    • HOW TO GET AN A (18-20 points is an A) on your UNIT 1 and UNIT 2 DISCUSSIONS: 
      1. PREPARE: Be sure you read the chapters and watch the movies completely! NOTE: THERE ARE EXAM QUESTIONS ON THE MOVIES YOU ARE REQUIRED TO WATCH!!!
      2. ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS BEING ASKED in a COHERENT "ESSAY". BE SUBSTANTIVE, use critical reflection and share your thoughts!
      3. EDIT YOUR WORK carefully for spelling, grammar, meaning. NO TEXTING LANGUAGE MAY BE USED ("I" is a proper noun and is capitalized, no LOL or other initials, use proper grammar and complete sentences!) DO NOT, I REPEAT, do not use TEXTING LANGUAGE AND STYLE IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN COLLEGE WRITING! You will fail the assignment!
      4. RESPOND to at least ONE OTHER STUDENT in a SUBSTANTIVE WAY that engages them and their work.  Comments like, "Nice post, I agree" are NOT IT!  ADD VALUE TO THE DISCUSSION. ..just like if we were in a REAL CLASS TOGETHER! 
  • UNIT 1 QUIZZES and EXAM:  ALL READING QUIZZES are required for everyone.  The UNIT PRACTICE QUIZZES are OPTIONAL and for EXTRA CREDIT POINTS, and the UNIT EXAMS are ALL REQUIRED, but you get to drop your LOWEST of the four exams. 
    • ALL 3 READING QUIZZES ARE REQUIRED!  Missing one will count as a zero and you may not drop any of the reading quizzes!  To prepare for all reading quizzes, BE SURE YOU FILL OUT YOUR STUDY GUIDES as you read and outline the chapters! NOTE: I MAKE THE EXAM and then MAKE up my study guides for you so, take advantage OF MY WORK!
    •  Due SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 15th by 11:55 pm:  REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE!!! NO DROPS! For UNIT 1 READING QUIZ, you will have a 15 QUESTION SHORT QUIZ over your chapter 1, 2 & 3 readings.  You can take it twice. Unit 1 READING QUIZ is worth 15 pts.  The quizzes ARE REQUIRED to encourage you to read your chapters, outline them and fill out your study guide!!  THIS WILL INSURE YOU MAXIMIZE YOUR GRADE AND DO GREAT IN THIS CLASS
    • DUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th by 11:55 pm:
      1. The UNIT 1 EXTRA CREDIT PRACTICE QUIZ (worth up to 10 extra credit points). You can take the practice quizzes for this course twice to increase your score.  It can't hurt you, only HELP YOU!  The grade book takes the highest score of your attempts.   NOTE: I have to add in extra credit manually, so you when you take the quiz, it won't automatically better your final score, but I will get it done after each unit closes! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THESE PRACTICE QUIZZES...strictly extra credit!
      2. The UNIT 1 EXAM is ALSO DUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th at 11:55 pm.  UNIT 1 CLOSES at this time and the exam will not be reopened!  PLEASE KNOW this means everybody:  I don't do LATE WORK! If you miss an exam it's a 0 and you get to then take the FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM to make that up!
        • EXAM 1 is over Ch 1, 2, 3, all films, nature nurture, the information over Science and the Sociological Theories handout.
        • UNIT 1 EXAM has TWO ATTEMPTS, but the other 3 exams only have ONE ATTEMPT so be ready when you sit down to take the exam!  
  • REMINDER:  TIME'S PASSING!  YOUR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT HOURS with VERIFICATION FORM AND ESSAY ARE DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th by 11:55 pm:  BE SURE YOU ARE WORKING ON YOUR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT VOLUNTEER HOURS~  That's in 4 weeks!!!  Get it done early. You can turn it in early...don't wait and procrastinate. It is WORTH 100 points of your final grade! It takes time to do this project and it’s required for everyone, so don’t wait until the last minute to get it done!
    • UNIT 2 OPENS OFFICIALLY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th in WEEK 4 (it will be open early so you can work ahead if you want so you can work ahead!) &  covers chapters 4, 5 & 6, the HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERIMENTS FILM and other short videos, the Bryan Stevenson TED TALK on crime, as well as questions related to the UNIT 2 DISCUSSION. Remember, you can work ahead!!! This UNIT goes fast!  ONLY 2 weeks!!!!!
    • NOTE: if a handout or movie or YOU TUBE says required, it's on the exam!  HONEST!
    •  You have just 14 days to finish UNIT 2 tasks, discussion, exams, quizzes and assignments!  This unit goes by fast so don't delay!
    • BE SURE YOU FILL OUT YOUR STUDY GUIDES as you read and outline the chapters!! 
  • Due SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th by 11:55 pm:  UNIT 2 DISCUSSION (20 points) is over CHAPTER 5 and THE HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERIMENTS film, as well as the other required short videos. 
    • READ your UNIT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU WATCH THE MOVIE AND READ THE CHAPTERS! This will help you prepare for your writing as you read and watch!
    • REMINDER:  No late work accepted for any reason!  Read your DISCUSSIONS after you write them and edit them well.  Please, use proper ENGLISH GRAMMAR and NEVER use TEXTING language or phrases in your writing for your discussions. These are COLLEGE LEVEL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS!  Spell and grammar check before you post!
    • Discussions are scored 18-20 (A), 17-18 (B), 15-16 (C), 13-14 (D) and below is F.
  • DUE SUNDAY, SETPEMBER 29th, 11:55 PM:  The UNIT 2 REQUIRED READING QUIZ over chapters 4, 5 and 6 is DUE.  For UNIT 2, you will have 15 questions over chapters 4, 5 and 6 (5 per chapter)!  You can take them twice times to up your score worth 15 points.  THIS IS REQUIRED!
    • BE SURE YOU FILL OUT YOUR STUDY GUIDES as you read and outline the chapters!!  !   NOTE: I MAKE THE EXAM and then MAKE MY STUDY GUIDES! You will do SOOOO MUCH BETTER ON THE EXAMS!
  • DUE MONDAY, SETPEMBER 30th by 11:55 pm:  UNIT 2 EXTRA CREDIT PRACTICE EXAM (worth up to 5 extra credit points).
    • You can take it twice to increase your score. The grade book will take your highest grade.
    • Remember, I have to add the extra credit points to your score manually, so it won't immediately change your grade, but I will get it done! These can only help your grade, not hurt you in any way! PLUS: IT HELPS YOU PREPARE FOR THE EXAM! You don't have to take them however!
  • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th by 11:55 pm:  UNIT 2 EXAM CLOSES (100 points) and SO DOES UNIT 2. The exam will be over chapters  4, 5, 6, HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERIMENTS and other short films & BRYAN STEVENSON TED TALK.  Remember, you have ONLY ONE ATTEMPT on this exam, so be ready for it by reading, filling out the study guide and outline your chapters as you read.  
  • Just ANOTHER QUICK REMINDER:  GET YOUR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT DONE~!  You can get 10 extra points on your essay if you VISIT OUR WRITER'S CORNER for help with your ESSAY!   Take advantage of this great SERVICE and getting extra points!  Go to the LINK on the MENU LIST to contact WRITER'S CORNER for help!  Due FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th by 11:55 pm: That's 9 days!
  • UNIT 3 (will be open earlier so you can work ahead) but OFFICIALLY opens TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1st over chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10 and includes 2 documentaries including the PEOPLE BOMB film in CHAPTER 7, the CLASS DIVIDED film in CHAPTER 9, and other short videos that say required. 
    • You have just 16 days left to finish your UNIT 3 assignments and reading and practice quizzes along with the UNIT 3 EXAM and, if you take it, THE FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM. As well, you will be turning in your SERVICE PROJECT ESSAY and any other Extra credit.  THIS UNIT and THIS COURSE WILL CLOSE THURSDAY NIGHT FOR YOU OCTOBER 19th by 11:55 pm!  NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th by 11:55 pm: Your SIGNED VERIFICATION FORM and your REQUIRED SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT ESSAY including your 4 essay QUESTIONS and your 5th question over DATA ON POVERTY, will be due IN THE PROVIDED TEMPLATE. Be sure you submit YOUR signed COMMUNITY SERVICE VERIFICATION FORM in the SAME DROP BOX at the same time (70 points essay, 30 points verification form = 100 pts). 
    • This essay needs to be well edited and complete, SAVED AS A WORD or RICH TEXT FORMAT DOCUMENT and UPLOADED INTO THE SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT DROP BOX by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th  by 11:55 pm.  Follow your instructions and check your WORD COUNTS, and don't forget to cite your references in item #3.  #3 is the BIG TICKET ITEM..lots of points!
    • YOU MUST HAVE A PHOTO JPG file (take a picture of it with your phone!) of the VERIFICATION FORM and UPLOAD it as well into the DROP BOX.  IT MUST BE SIGNED by your volunteer supervisor!  REQUIRED: worth 30 points!!!
    • Remember: You can get up to 10 extra points on your SERVICE PROJECT ESSAY by going to the WRITER'S CORNER (yes you can do it online! CLICK ON THE MENU LINK!).  Your tutorial will give you 10 extra points on your paper.
  • DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15th by 11:55 pm: Any EXTRA CREDIT RECEIPTS for DONATION POINTS DUE in online DROP BOX: 
    • To get UP TO BUT NO MORE THAN 30 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS: You may donate the remainder of your points UP TO 30 POINTS BUT NO MORE, by donating to the AC PANTRY, if you choose. 
    • IF you took all some of any of the three practice quizzes (UNIT 1, 2 and 3 PRAC QUIZZES), you could possibly have made up to 30 extra credit points. You can then donate the remainder to the PANTRY (for example, if you earned 23 practice quiz points, you could donate another $7.00 worth food or gift cards to the AC PANTRY) to get UP TO, but no MORE THAN 30 points.   This is an example!
    • TO GET POINTS:  Take a jpg phone shot of your PURCHASE RECEIPT and AC PANTRY RECEIPT (I want both!) and then UPLOAD these in the DROP BOX for EXTRA CREDIT by Tuesday, OCTOBER 15thh by 11:55 pm for points.  If you didn't take the practice quizzes you can still get up to 30 points by making a donation to the Pantry. Remember...no more than 30 points will be given!
  • DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17th by 11:55 pm UNIT 3 READING QUIZ over chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10. (REQUIRED).  This UNIT 3 READING QUIZ is worth 20 points and is meant to encourage you to read your chapters, outline them and fill out your study guide so you can ace these tests!
    • BE SURE YOU FILL OUT YOUR STUDY GUIDES as you read and outline the chapters to help with your reading quiz!   NOTE: I MAKE THE EXAMS and then MAKE up my study guide so take advantage of my work! 
  • DUE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16th by 11:55 pm:  UNIT 3 EXTRA CREDIT PRACTICE EXAM closes (worth up to 10 extra credit points). You can take it as many times as you like to increase your score, but strictly voluntary.
  • DUE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16th by 11:55 pm:  UNIT 3 EXAM closes. This exam is over chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, as well as THE PEOPLE BOMB and A CLASS DIVIDED films & any required handouts.
  • DUE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17th by 11:55 PM:  The FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM CLOSES and so does UNIT 3 and this course! 
    • If you are happy with Units 1-3 Exam grades AND DID NOT MISS AN EXAM, you do not have to take the FINAL!  If you missed an exam or want to better your grade, take the FINAL EXAM.  The grade book is set to take the highest of your four exams! The final exam would get dropped out!
    • This exam has comprehensive questions over all the material.  The FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM covers All UNITS 1, 2 and 3 and chapters 1 - 10, along with all films we watched and all required handouts! It's the whole deal! 
    •  If you MISSED AN EXAM in UNITS 1, 2, or 3, YOU MUST TAKE THIS EXAM! If you want to increase your grade you can CHOOSE TO TAKE IT!  If you DO NOT TAKE it, you get a 0 and IT IS THE EXAM SCORE THAT GETS DROPPED from the FOUR EXAMS you will take! 
  • FINAL GRADES SUBMITTED FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18th by noon.

Please continue to see the WEEKLY TASK LISTS!

WEEKLY TASKS, READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS:  WEEKS 1 through 8

In WEEK 1 you will need to

  1. Print your calendar, Unit 1 Exam Study guide, THEORY HANDOUT, power point lecture notes if you want, and the SERVICE PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS SHEET.
  2. Review your online syllabus and then take the REQUIRED quiz BY THE DUE DATE! Failure to take this quiz may result in being withdrawn from the course!  YOU HAVE TO BE WORKING in the class to be counted as attending! It's not enough to simply log in.
  3. Investigate the SERVICE PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES by the END OF NEXT WEEK.  PLEASE, remember, you only have 7 weeks to do this!
  4. TAKE a LOOK AT UNIT 1 DISCUSSION this week, so you can be thinking about your discussion answers as you read chapters 1, 2, and 3!
  5. READ CHAPTER 1. Fill out study guide and outline your chapters! WOW!  1/8th of the way there!
  6. Watch all the short videos that say required.  TAKE PARTICULAR TIME with CH 1 and the information on SCIENCE and SOCIOLOGY!  There are several questions over SCIENCE on the quizzes and EXAM!

In WEEK 2 you will be

  1. Selecting your AGENCY and letting your instructor know what you selected in the SERVICE PROJECT TOPIC DROP BOX. You will find that in the MENU LIST on your COURSE HOMEPAGE online!
  2. Read Chapter 2 as you fill out your study guide!  CULTURE IS A COOL THING!  Again, be thinking about how your CULTURE is reflected in you and your behaviors!  This is part of Unit 1 Discussion.

 

In WEEK 3, it's a busy week and it's time to

  1. Consider getting your volunteer hours done this week!  It's a great idea! EARLY BIRDS GET THE A's!
  2. Read Chapter 2 & 3, REVIEW THE CONCEPTS ON THEORY HANDOUT and CONSIDER the issue of NATURE VS NURTURE, as proposed in chapter 3!  Then, once you read the chapter, watch the two longer films in this unit entitled SECRETS OF THE WILD CHILD (this will blow your mind!) and PARENTING IN THE 90's with FOSTER CLINE! Each of these is about an hour long. There are also several shorter videos in this unit you are REQUIRED to watch. REMEMBER, if something says REQUIRED, it will be on the exam. NOTE: Most of the exam questions over the films you will watch require you to WATCH THE WHOLE MOVIE, not just the beginning!
  3. TAKE THE UNIT 1 READING QUIZ over chapters 1, 2 and 3!  REQUIRED! 15 questions over the reading!
  4. WRITE your UNIT 1 DISCUSSION due at end of this week on SUNDAY.  If you are a weak writer, use our WRITER'S CORNER TUTORS to help you! THIS IS A COLLEGE LEVEL ESSAY! It must be well written, substantive, and you need to make a meaningful connection with at least one other student and their post! PLEASE, BE SURE YOU ARE NOT USING TEXTING LANGUAGE (like, small "i" when it should be "I").

In WEEK 4 you are halfway home, so you will

  1. Take the UNIT 2 EXTRA CREDIT PRACTICE QUIZ by due date and time if you WANT (helps, can't hurt!)
  2. Take the UNIT 1 EXAM by due date and time.  Remember, this exam is the only one where you get 2 attempts to take it.  Don't wait until the last minute...that way, if you don't do well, you can restudy and take it again. Grade book is set to take the HIGHER of your TWO ATTEMPTS!
  3. UNIT 2 opens TUESDAY over chapters 4, 5 and 6.  THIS UNIT GOES REALLY FAST!  SPEED UP!!!!!
  4. PRINT OFF YOUR UNIT 2 STUDY GUIDE, and fill it out while you read.  Print off ppt slides if you want, and any other required handouts.
  5. Read your UNIT 2 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS about the MOVIE and ARTICLE you will be looking at BEFORE YOU READ THESE CHAPTERS and WATCH THE HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERIMENTS film!
  6. Read chapter 4 and chapter 5, and watch THE HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERIMENTS DOCUMENTARY, as well as the REQUIRED SHORT VIDEOS for this chapter! 

In WEEK 5, you are over the hump, but you have a CARLOAD of work!  This week so you will NEED to:

  1. Stay focused; finish up reading chapter 5 and read the ABU GHRAIB ARTICLE, along with watching THE ENTIRE CHAPTER 5 films, including THE HUMAN BEHAVIOR EXPERIMENTS!  Compose your UNIT 2 DISCUSSION as you watch the film and do your readings!
  2. Finish your UNIT 2 DISCUSSION and UNIT 2 READING QUIZ by SUNDAY of this week, 11:55 pm. Be sure you edit your discussion well and DO NOT USE TEXTING LANGUAGE!

In WEEK 6, YIKES!  KICK IT IN GEAR!  You will need to

  1. Take UNIT 2 PRACTICE QUIZ by due date and time for 10 EXTRA CREDIT pts (optional) and 2 attempts
  2. Take UNIT 2 EXAM due date and time!  Remember, this exam has ONLY 1 ATTEMPT! 100 pts
  3. UNIT 3 opens up on TUESDAY!  Keep moving by printing off your UNIT 3 study guide, your ppt lecture notes, if you want!  Remember, you have only 16 days for this whole unit!  DO NOT SLOW DOWN!!!!!
  4. Read chapter 7 and watch the PEOPLE BOMB film along with the TED TALK on POVERTY! Print off the fact sheet if you like for the PEOPLE BOMB MOVIE!  There will be many questions on UNIT 3 exam over this IMPORTANT FILM!  It's an amazing look at population, poverty and how the world really is!
  5. Don't forget to outline your chapters and fill out the study guides!  You will ace that exam!
  6. REMINDER: Finish your SERVICE PROJECT HOURS, and be sure you get your VERIFICATION FORM signed!!! START YOUR ESSAY!  It's DUE AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK! I don't take ANY LATE WORK FOR ANY REASON!  Get it done! NO EXCUSES!

In WEEK 7, you WILL BE

  1. Reading chapters 8 and 9 over GENDER and RACE-ETHNICITY! 
  2. Watch the documentary A CLASS DIVIDED for CHAPTER 9! It is a great movie! It will surprise you!
  3. FRIDAY of this week: YOUR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT and SIGNED  VERIFICATION FORM are DUE by 11:55 pm...No exceptions! 
    1. UPLOAD your SAVED TEMPLATE WITH YOUR ESSAY QUESTIONS and the GRAPH QUESTIONS IN #5 in the SERVICE PROJECT DROP BOX by the DUE DATE AND TIME!  Worth 70/100 pts
    2. SUBMIT A JPG photo of your VERIFICATION FORM!  MUST HAVE IT DOCUMENTED AND SIGNED!  THIS IS REQUIRED TO GET POINTS ON YOUR ESSAY!  NOTE: Your VERIFICATION FORM and ESSAY are both SUBMITTED IN THE SAME DROP BOX!  Worth 30/100 points 
    3. This assignment is worth a total of 100 points towards your grade! GET IT DONE!

In WEEK 8, you are ready to crash and burn, but a few more things to finish up. such as

  1. Read chapter 10 over the family and fill out that study guide!
  2. Turn in EXTRA CREDIT DOCUMENTATION by TUESDAY, if you are going to donate to the pantry! I need your AC PANTRY receipt along with your food purchase receipt!  Take a phone photo and upload into the EXTRA CREDIT DROP BOX. See the link on the MENU to the left of your HOMEPAGE online! 
  3. Finish up your UNIT 3 READING QUIZ over chapters 7, 8 9 and 10 by TUESDAY, and see calendar for exact due date and time on calendar.  It's worth 20 points!  You are almost there!!!
  4. By the due date and time on calendar, finish up UNIT 3 PRACTICE QUIZ for up to 10 extra credit points!
  5. By WEDNESDAY of this last week, at the due date and time, UNIT 3 EXAM IS DUE!  If you are happy with your grade, you are done!
  6. By THURSDAY, 11:55 pm, if you missed an exam, THE COMPREHENSIVE FINAL IS DUE! If you had a bad exam score, you can take this exam for a replacement grade!  OR, if you are happy with your grade as it stands with exams 1, 2 and 3...then OPT OUT! YOU ARE DONE!
  7. YOUR FINAL GRADES WITH EXTRA CREDIT COLUMN in your MY GRADES is the GRADE YOU GET IN THIS CLASS! 
    1. If you are on the "line" between two grades, I always give the higher grade IF YOU HAVE DONE ALL YOUR WORK, taken advantage of the extra credit practice quizzes and are a student in good standing!  If you've slacked off a bunch and are missing assignments, your grade will be the lower of the two!  GET IT DONE! TAKE PRIDE IN EXCELLENCE!

HOW TO VIEW "YOUR GRADES & FEEDBACK" in "MY GRADES: Keep track of your GRADE!

Keep up with your grades. To see your grades and any feedback from me on your assignments (discussions and your service project essay) do the following:

  1. Click on MY GRADES in the MENU list to the left of your COURSE HOMEPAGE online!
  2. Go down the list of items to find the ASSIGNMENT or TEST, etc that you want to look at. It will show you your grade there.
  3. To view comments from your instructor, click on COMMENTS. To view the grade scoring system (CALLED A RUBRIC), click on VIEW RUBRIC.  You will want to view this when you look at your SERVICE PROJECT ESSAY!
  4. Keeping up with your grades can inspire you to work harder and find better ways to study!
     

A FEW TIPS TO SUCCEED IN ONLINE and ON CAMPUS COURSES

  • We know a lot about what allows students to succeed in college courses! Here are a few tips for you to consider:
    • FOLLOW YOUR CALENDAR and have some type of TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM that reminds you of due dates!  I send out reminders to your email, but you should be in the habit of GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS. Develop something that works for you!  Our technology gives us a natural advantage in that!
    • WORK AHEAD: In this class, units will be opened early. WORK AHEAD. Get things done early in the class!  DO YOUR SERVICE HOURS AND WRITE YOUR ESSAY BY WEEK 3!  I promise PROCRASTINATION IS THE WORST STRATEGY YOU CAN HAVE FOR COLLEGE LEVEL CLASSES and ONLINE COURSES ESPECIALLY! 
    • BE THERE! CHECK IN: Go online, if this is an online course, at least 2 to 3 times a week.  Studies show that people, who frequent their online classes, do better than those that check in infrequently.  PRETEND THIS IS A REAL CLASS, even if it's "VIRTUAL"!  If this is IN CLASS as an on campus course, BE IN CLASS!  Attendance and success in the class are POSITIVELY RELATED! The better the attendance, the better the grade!
    • NEW TERRITORY: Forget how you studied in high school! If you are new to college, throw away your "HIGH SCHOOL ROAD MAP".  It won't work here!  It takes some time to get these skills!  We can help you!  We want you to be successful and achieve your DREAMS!
    • LOTS OF FOLKS WANT TO HELP: Use our resources including our WRITER'S CORNER, COUNSELING SERVICES, and RESOURCE CENTER (if you need social services, we have somebody to help you with all that with the AC PANTRY and other things!), and FINANCIAL AID. 
    • HELP WITH BLACKBOARD:  If you do not understand HOW TO USE BLACKBOARD, go to the WARE CENTER on WASHINGTON STREET CAMPUS and get with the SUPPORT CENTER folks who will TEACH YOU HOW TO DO THIS!  You have to know how to access things to be successful!  We have lots of people to help you with this!
    • BE PERSISTENT!  Only 1 in 4 AMERICAN ADULTS has a college education. This is not meant to be easy!  It's hard and it takes building skills, and STICKING TO IT!  YOU CAN DO IT1
    • CALL ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: You have my cell phone number at 806 584-7569. Call me between 9 am to 9 pm and I'm happy to talk with you (I might have to call you back but leave me  your NAME, the CLASS YOU ARE IN, and the QUESTION YOU HAVE, so I can be prepared to assist you when I call you back!  Remember, I DO NOT TEXT!  Please call or email!

Additional Information

ADDITIONAL INFO: IMPORTANT RESOURCES and HOW TO REVIEW YOUR EXAMS & QUIZZES, and VIEW GRADES, INSTRUCTOR's FEEDBACK COMMENTS AND RUBRICS FOR YOUR LABS AND DISCUSSIONS:

IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR YOU:

  • Social Services Office at Amarillo College: Resources for social services or emergency services for students are available at - http://www.actx.edu/resources/.  If a situation arises that interferes with your performance in the class, please notify your instructor and be sure to take advantage of the many resources available through the Social Services Office.
  • Open Computer Labs: The Business Systems and Emerging Technology Department hosts an open computer lab on the 2nd Floor of the Byrd Business Building. Labs are open 7 days a week.  Assistance with this course and/or technical assistance are available in the computer labs.
  • CIS Web Site: http://cis.actx.edu
  • Direct link to AC Connect portal and courses as well as your AC Connect email- https://acconnect.actx.edu/. You will log in with the same ID and password you use for WebAdvisor.  Contact AskAC (806-371-5000) for help if you have trouble with your log in.
  • AskAC -  http://www.actx.edu/contact/-   Please contact AskAC for technical help. Contact your instructor for help with this class. 
  • Student Help Center -  http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=178-   Offers technical help to AC students 
  • Writers' Corner: If you feel you need help organizing and writing course work, check this out. Writers’ Corner: Tutoring with Pizzazz - http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=36. Writers' Corner is a great resource for help with writing papers and assignments. They can't help you with the content of your work, but they can help you write your work in the proper format.
  • AC Distance Education Home Page -  http://www.actx.edu/de/-   Information on requirements and taking an online course. 
  • Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:

HOW TO REVIEW YOUR EXAMS AND QUIZZES, and GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:   You can REVIEW YOUR EXAMS AND QUIZZES ONCE THE DUE DATE AND TIME HAS PASSED. In order to review your exams, click on MY GRADES TAB, go to the exam or quiz in the list that you want to review and Click on the exam.  It will show you what you missed.  In order to view your assignments, discussions, papers, and other work for YOUR INSTRUCTOR’s FEEDBACK, again, go to MY GRADES tab in the left hand menu, click.  Find the item you want to look at in the LIST (they are not necessarily in order...sorry!).  Click on that and you will see a place that says RUBRIC and COMMENTS.  Click on comments to see anything your instructor has said, and click on RUBRIC to view the rubric grading system and how your instructor graded you.  PLEASE...this instructor SPENDS A LOT OF TIME to give you CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK...USE IT and make corrections accordingly! If you keep making the same error time and again, YOUR GRADES WILL CONTINUE TO GO DOWN!  I expect you to USE THE FEEDBACK I GIVE YOU TO BECOME A BETTER STUDENT and to IMPROVE IN YOUR SCHOOL WORK!  

Syllabus Created on:

08/22/19 7:08 PM

Last Edited on:

08/21/20 7:36 PM