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-1301-004 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 
SOCIOLOGY: A Down-to-Earth Approach Core Concepts 15th edition James M. Henslin ISBN-978013807820
 

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 attend class, participate in class 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. If you are sick email me that day so that you can get the assignment from class. 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 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 1050 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% = 1050-945 points A

89-80% = 944-840 points B

79-70% =839-735 points C

69-60% = 734-630 points D

Below 60% = below 630 points F

The points will be earned:

600 points for exams

150 points social responsibility learning project

200 points for assignments

100 final group project

Total points possible: 1050 points

  • 6 50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points. Your lowest exams core will be replaced with your highest exam score after all exams are taken.
  • The assignments: 200 points
    • You will be required to respond to question prompts
    • Each assignment needs to be answered completely with complete thoughts and sentences.
  • Final group project: 100  
  • 150 points for social learning project
    • You will be required to volunteer for 4 hours. The volunteer verification will be turned in for 50 points.
    • You will then 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 come to class . 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. Waitng until weeks 6-8 is too late.

Calendar

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

Class Schedule/Outline:

  Date                                                   Lesson/Lecture/ Assignments

 Tuesday Jan. 16th                          Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective                                                                                                

Wednesday Jan. 17th                      Chapter 2: Culture : Culture Assignment

Thursday Jan. 18th                           Chapter 3: Socialization  

Exam 1 opens Thursday Jan. 18th  and closes Sunday Jan. 21st  at 11:59 pm. The exam will cover chapters 1, 2 and 3. 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 Jan. 22nd                           Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social interaction       

Tuesday Jan. 23rd                             Chapter 6 Societies to Social Networks  

Wednesday Jan. 24th                      Chapter 7 Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations        

Thursday Jan. 25th                           Chapter 8 Deviance and Social Control

Exam 2 opens Thursday Jan. 25th  and closes Sunday Jan. 28th at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 4, 6, 7 & 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 Jan. 29th                              Chapter 9 Global Stratification

Tuesday Jan. 30th                             Chapter 10 Social Class in the United States

Wednesday Jan. 31st                      Chapter 11 Gender and Age

Thursday Feb. 1st                             Chapter 12 Race and Ethnicity      

Exam 3 opens Thursday Feb 1st and closes Sunday Feb 4th  at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 9, 10. 11 & 12. 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 Feb 4th                               Chapter 13 Aging and the Elderly                                      

Tuesday Feb 6th                               Chapter 14 The Economy   

Wednesday Feb 7th                         Chapter 15 Politics

Thursday Feb 8th                              Chapter 16 Marriage and family   

Exam 4 opens Thursday Feb 8th  and closes Sunday Feb 11th  at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 13, 14, 15 & 16 . 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 Feb 12th                              Chapter 17 Education  

Tuesday Feb 13th .                          Chapter 18 Religion   

Wednesday Feb 14th                       Chapter 19 Medicine and Health    

Thursday Feb 15th                           Group assignment

Exam 5 opens Thursday Feb 15th and closes Sunday Feb 18th at 11:59 pm. This exam covers chapters 17, 18 & 19. 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 Feb 19th                               Chapter 20 Population and Urbanization

Tuesday Feb 20th                             Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movements    

Wednesday Feb 21st                       Chapter 22 Social Change and the Environment  Social Responsibility assignment due     

Thursday Feb 22nd                          Instructions for final group project

                                                            Exam opens Thursday Feb 22nd and closes Sunday Feb 25th at 11:59 pm. This exam covers chapters 20, 21 & 22. 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 Feb 26th                               Work on final project

Tuesday Feb 27th                              Work on final project

Wednesday Feb 28th                       Work on final project

Thursday Feb 29th                           Present to class

March 4th-March 8th Finals week: no class.

Good luck on all your finals!! Have a great Spring Break.

Additional Information

         

  • My office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00-8:50 am or by appointment
  • The best way to reach me is by email: eerodriguez@actx.edu
  • If you email me from within the class it will take me a little longer to respond because I will have to log into Blackboard to respond to your email, If you need a quick response, please email me from the email you check. Make sure to include which class you are in and your name 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.
  • I DO NOT TAKE LATE WORK OR MAKE UP WORK. CONTACT ME AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL MISS AND WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT. CONTACTING ME AFTER THE FACT LEAVES LITTLE ROOM FOR ME TO WORK WITH YOU. CONTACTING ME TEH 7TH OR 8TH WEEK OF CLASS IS TOO LATE.

Syllabus Created on:

12/07/23 6:12 PM

Last Edited on:

01/16/24 8:23 AM