Introduction to Sociology Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202L

Office Hours

Email or through Blackboard Collaborate 

By appointment if contacted by email eerodriguez@actx.edu

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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

 
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach Core Concepts 6th edition James. M Henslin ISBN 0-205-99984-0
 

Supplies

  • Pen or pencil, your book and something to take notes on.
  • 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 Ware Student Commons and the Underground which is located in the basement . 
  • 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
  • All notes, assignments, quizzes and exams will be given online

Student Performance

Student performance and learning outcomes for SOCI 1301:

  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

  • I expect you all to look at the class online each day to make sure you are completing the assigned readings, complete assignments, quizzes and exams, be prepared for class exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. You are responsible for contacting me about missed assignments. After the fact is never a good way to handle situations and I do not take make-up work. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although the exams are online you should be doing your own work. I whole heartedly expect you to use your notes and books on all assignments and exams, you just may not use your friend or classmates. All assignments should also be completed by you. The purpose of college is to learn and if someone else does your work for you then you have learned nothing. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students’ responses within class. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment!! I want this to be an environment everyone can learn and feels safe!!

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria:

  • There will be a total of 900 possible points for the semester. I do not plan on changing the amount of points possible, but please check your points often and check online often in case there is a change. If the amount of points possible changes the amount of points needed to earn a certain grade will also change. You will be able to check your grade on AC Online. To calculate your grade you will divide the number of points you have earned (usually the smaller number) by the number of possible points that you could have earned in the class (the larger number). Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% = 900-810 points A

89-80% = 809-720 points B

79-70% = 719-630 points C

69-50% = 629-450points D

Below 50% = below 450 points F

The points will be earned:

500 points for exams

150 points social responsibility learning project

250 points for online assignments

Total points possible: 900 points

  • 5 50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points
  • The online assignments: 250 points
    • You will be required to respond to question prompts
    • Each assignment needs to be answered completely with complete thoughts and sentences.
  •  150 points for social learning project
    • You will be required to volunteer for 4 hours. You will need verification for your volunteer hours and that will be turned in online.
    • You will answer 4 short essay questions reflecting on your experience. Question 5 will require you to read graphs and answers a few questions. This portion is worth 100 points.

Attendance

  • It is extremely important that you stay on top of this class online. This is an 8-week online course so we move through topics/chapters every day.  If you miss any due date you will possibly miss an entire chapter of material and that could be very damaging to your grade. Please check online for updates and assignment due dates. If you miss an announcement or due date it will hurt your grade. I understand things do come up so please contact me as soon as possible so that we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves little room for me to help you and I do not take late work or make-up work.

Calendar

Instructor reserves the right to change or alter class schedule and assignments if needed.

Class Schedule/Outline:

  Date                                                   Lesson/Lecture/ Assignments

 Monday August 21st                          Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective  

Tuesday August 22nd                          Ethics assignment due Wed. August 23rd by 11:59 pm

Wednesday August 23rd                      Chapter 2: Culture

Thursday August 24th                         Exam 1 opens Thursday August 24th and closes Sunday August 27th at 11:59 pm. The exam will cover chapters 1 & 2. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

 Monday August 28th                          Chapter 3: Socialization   

Tuesday August 29th                           Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction

Wednesday August 30th                      Review chapters for exam

Thursday August 31st                          Exam 2 opens Thursday August 31st and closes Sunday 3rd at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 3& 4. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Sept. 4th                                  Labor Day

Tuesday Sept. 5th                                Chapter 5: Societies to Social Networks

Lord of the Flies assignment Wednesday Sept. 6th  by 11:59 pm

Wednesday Sept. 6th                           Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control

                                                            Deviant assignment due Thursday Sept. 8th  by 11:59 pm

Thursday Sept. 7th                               Exam 3 opens Thursday Sept. 7th and closes Sunday 10th at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 5 & 6. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Sept. 11th                               Chapter 7: Social Stratification

Tuesday Sept. 12th                               Finish Chapter 7

Wednesday Sept. 13th                         Poverty Assignment due Thursday Sept. 14th  by 11:59 pm

Thursday Sept. 14th                             Poverty Assignment due Thursday Sept. 14th  by 11:59 pm

Monday Sept. 18th                               Chapter 8: Sex and Gender

Tuesday Sept. 19th                              Social Responsibility assignment due Wed. Sept. 20th   

Wednesday Sept. 20th                         Social Responsibility assignment due. This assignment is located in the common assessment tab  

Thursday Sept. 21st                             Exam 4 opens Thursday Sept. 21st   and close Sunday Sept. 24th at 11:59 pm. This exam covers chapters 7 and 8. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Sept. 25th                               Chapter 9: Race and Ethnicity

Tuesday Sept. 26th                              Finish chapter 9

Wednesday Sept. 27th                         Race and ethnicity assignment due Thursday Sept. 28th

Thursday Sept. 28th                             Race and ethnicity assignment

Monday Oct. 2nd                                 Chapter 10: Marriage and Family 

Tuesday Oct 3rd                                   Finish chapter 10       

Wednesday Oct. 4th                             Marriage assignment due

Thursday Oct. 5th                                Exam 5 opens Thursday Oct. 5th and closes Monday Oct. 9th at 11:59 pm. This exam covers chapters 9 & 10. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00pm on Monday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Oct. 9th -12th  Final Exam week

Good luck on all your finals!! Enjoy your Fall Break!

Additional Information

                

  • My office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00-8:50 am
  • The best way to reach me is by email: eerodriguez@actx.edu
  • If you email me from within the class, when I respond it will send the email to your Gmail account. If you do not check your Gmail account make sure to email me from the email address you do check. Make sure to let me know what class you are enrolled in and your names as it appears in the class.
  • If there is a major issue, we can set-up a time that works best for you and me.

Syllabus Created on:

08/21/23 8:47 AM

Last Edited on:

08/22/23 12:11 PM