Social Problems Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Phone

Office Location

Office Hours

 

 

For online classes: All communication will be done through email. Email me THROUGH the class email  USING THE LINK ON THE LEFT OF THE PAGE IN BLACKBOARD. (not the one listed above). This is the best way to contact me. 

 Emails should be done THROUGH the class email (not the one listed above). This IS the best way to contact me.

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-1306-001 Social Problems

Prerequisites

Course Description

Application of sociological principles and theoretical perspectives to major social problems in contemporary society such as inequality, crime and violence, substance abuse, environmental issues, deviance or family problems.

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

 
ISBN: 9780135215395
You can buy this book direct through Pearson Revel,(cheaper)  or get an access code from the bookstore. 

Supplies

Students must have access to a reliable computer. Access to some word processing software, such as MS Word (preferred). Internet access is a must.

Open Office is a free download if you do not have a word processing system. 

Students using MACs should save and submit papers in PDF> 

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Describe how the sociological imagination can be used to explain the emergence and implications of contemporary social problems.
2. Explain the nature of social problems from at least one sociological perspective, e.g., critical, functional, interpretive, etc.
3. Identify multidimensional aspects of social problems including the global, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of social problems.
4. Discuss how “solutions” to social problems are often contentious due to diverse values in society.
5. Describe how the proposed “solutions” to a social problem, including social policies, may bring rise to other social problems.

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

All Students are expected to follow the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct. Any violation of this will be dealt with appropriately.

Grading Criteria

Students will be evaluated on the bases of the all the quizzes and assignments. Quizzes MUST be done by the due date and due time. Quizzes will NOT be turned back on once the due time has passed. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to complete 2 extra credit assignment that is detailed in the class syllabus. Quizzes have equal weight and value for the course.
 

 A    2880 - 2592

 B     2591 - 2304

 C     2303 - 2016

 D     2015 - 1728

 F     1727  down

All work is done online according to the calendar due dates.

Quizzes,chapter assignments are done ONLINE at Pearson Revel. Other assignments are found IN Blackboard.

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, pdf 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!

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 , pdf or rtf. I cannot open it. I email you – you lose 5 points. Deadline has passed, the assignment is closed, 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.

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! 

Attendance

This is an online class. All work is done online.

Calendar

Mod soc problems FALL 1 2021 1306-001     All assignments are due by Friday 8pm

This class moves VERY QUICKLY! Do NOT get behind! You may work ahead. All quizzes and assignments are on.

Due Date

Assignment

Aug 23

Class Begins 

Chapter assignments are found in Pearson Revel. You MUST log in, and click through the chapters

to find your mini quizzes, the chapter quizzes, and the writing assignment. (The writing assignments DO count) 

If you do NOT complete each portion in the chapters, you will receive a 0 for that portion.

Check out your Service Learning project and start making plans for your volunteer work.

If what you want to do is NOT listed, you MUST get it approved through me.

Normal church volunteer work does NOT count!

Aug 27

Chapter 1: How Sociologist View Social Problems 166 points

Chapter 2: Interpreting Social Problems 148 points

Chapter  1 & 2 Assignments due Aug 27 10pm   

Not doing these assignments will result in you being dropped from this class due to lack

of participation.

Sept 3


 


 

 

Chapter 3: Social Problems related to Sexual Behavior 160 points

Chapter 4: Alcohol and other areas  203 points

Chapter Assignments  due Sept 3, 10 pm    

Sept 10


 

 

Chapter 5: Violence in Society : rape and murder 189 points

Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice 193 points

Chapter 7: Economic Problems: Poverty and wealth 162 points

Chapter 5, 6, 7 Assignments  due 10pm Sept 10

 

Sept 17

"Just the Basics Please" Appendix Due  Attach by midnight   200 pts

Extra Credit Assignment Due  attach by midnight  (25 extra points)

Sept 24


 


 

Chapter 8: Racial and Ethnic Relations  193 points

Chapter 9: Inequalities of Gender and sexual orientation 186 points

Chapter 10: Medical Care: Physical and mental illness  177 points

Chapter 8, 9,10 Assignments  due Sept 24 10pm   

Oct 1

Service Learning Project  due by Midnight    200 pts Located in 'common assessment'

Oct 5

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Oct 8

Chapter 11: The Changing Family  150 points

Chapter 12: Urbanization and Population 211 points

Chapter 11, 12, Assignments due Oct 8, 10pm   

10/11/21

Finals Week

Oct 12


 


 

 

Chapter 13: The Environmental Crises 171 points

Chapter 14: Violence, War and Terrorism     171 points

Chapter 13 & 14 Assignments  due Oct 12 TUESDAY, 10pm  

 

Census 8/30

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.

Syllabus Created on:

08/02/21 10:36 AM

Last Edited on:

08/02/21 10:55 AM