Social and Behavioral Sciences Department
Principles of Sociology Online
SOC*E101 crn: 3667 sec: 14
fall 2009 semester 08.31.09 to 12.13.09
Instructor: Sandra Enders, MS, SYC
203-468-6277 (available 7 days 9:00am to 4:00pm)
Please use the course email system for routine correspondence!!!
Personal email for emergency use only: endersusa@comcast.net
EndersUSA Website: {http://endersusa.home.comcast.net}
Welcome to SOC101 at Housatonic Community College Distance Learning Division. This course is an introduction to the study of sociology, emphasizing the nature of social groups, institutions, interaction, and change in modern society. Sociology looks at the external social environment and its impact on individual behavior. The course will cover culture, socialization, gender, race and ethnic relations, social stratification and inequality, education, the family, crime, aging, politics and the state, religion, and the economy. Discussion and examples will focus primarily on the United States but with a strong global and multicultural component. This course is a three credit course, which I instruct online consecutively in the traditional 15 week format for the fall and spring semesters and also in a five week format through the summer. All three courses cover the same 15 chapters, one per week for fall and spring and three per week in the summer session. This fall course consists of 15 weekly discussion board assignments and 15 quizzes which pertain to a chapter a week from the assigned textbook. These weekly assignments consist of 60% of the course grade (30% discussion board & 30% quizzes), and close dates are posted with the assignment below. The course is fairly self paced and I allow three full weeks after the week begins before it is closed. I will not accept work on the weekly lessons nor open a quiz after the close date. All assignments and discussion boards are open at the start of the course and you are welcome to work ahead on all lessons, so please plan accordingly, because there is no Thanksgiving break. The 15 quizzes are all multiple choice. They are linked in the weekly lessons area and in a folder on the homepage. There are also two ongoing discussions throughout the course both worth 10% each. One is the Self Discovery assignment which is concerned with various social problems in society and how you can relate to them personally in your own life. You will choose two from the ten problems listed. The other is the Choose a Sociologist assignment which is focused on a specific sociologist of your choice in history. The last assignment is a Course Reflection assignment for the remaining 20% on the three major schools of thought discussed throughout your textbook readings and your interpretation of them. I will accept the Self Discovery, Choose a Sociologist, and Course Reflection assignments late, however they will be downgraded. All written assignments are informal essay based, however please be sure to post outside resources and websites at the bottom of your posts. Please DO NOT post file attachments on the discussion board. The Course Reflection is the only assignment which gets individually submitted as a file attachment through the assignment itself. The course is based on a 1000 point grading criteria, which is found below along with assignment and grading details.
Textbook:
Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society
Comprehensive Paperbound, 4th Edition, 720 Pages
Margaret L. Andersen & Howard F. Taylor
ISBN-10: 0495007420 | ISBN-13: 9780495007425
Thomson Wadsworth Publishing © 2008
General Education Objectives:
A thorough study of the course should enable the student to:
1.2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the behavioral and social sciences and their methods.
2.1 State a problem clearly.
2.2 Observe data accurately.
2.3 Analyze and organize facts and ideas.
2.4 Draw reasonable inferences from facts and ideas.
3.2 Receive and comprehend written and oral information.
3.3 Develop and explain a main idea.
3.4 Develop an argument to persuade an audience.
5.1 Recognize ethical issues, both personal and public.
5.2 Understand the consequences of a decision or a course of action.
Course Specific Objectives:
A thorough study of the course should enable the student to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the discipline of sociology, as related to the United States and other societies. Chapter specific objectives are listed under each weekly assignment lesson.
Course Grading:
|
Assignment |
Format |
% of course |
Points |
|
15 Weekly Chapter Questions |
discussion board |
30% (2% each week) |
300 (20 pts each week) |
|
15 Weekly Chapter Quizzes |
open quizzes with closing dates |
30% (2% each week) |
300 (20 pts each week) |
|
Sociologist Assignment |
discussion board |
10% |
100 |
|
Self Discovery Assignment |
discussion board |
10% |
100 |
|
Final Course Reflection |
submitted individually |
20% |
200 |
|
|
|
|
1000 |
College Grading Scale:
|
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
GPA |
|
|
|
|
|
A |
93-100% |
4.0 |
|
A- |
90-92% |
3.7 |
|
B+ |
87-89% |
3.3 |
|
B |
83-86% |
3.0 |
|
B- |
80-82% |
2.7 |
|
C+ |
77-79% |
2.3 |
|
C |
73-76% |
2.0 |
|
C- |
70-72% |
1.7 |
|
D+ |
67-69% |
1.3 |
|
D |
63-66% |
1.0 |
|
D- |
60-62% |
.7 |
|
F |
0-59% |
0 |
On Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a legal violation and schools will often fail, or expel students for this type of behavior. Please be aware that plagiarism will not be tolerated and points will be deducted (under the research & knowledge learned area), or papers refused, if I find this does occur. If you are unsure of using the proper writing format or have any uncertainty of what plagiarism is, please review the Enders Writing Lab link below. Although there is no formal research paper due in this course, I will still be aware of the importance of this issue which shows poor academic behavior. In-text notation does not mean you can cite exact wording, it means that you are citing the original authors "idea" not the wording. You are to interpret the information and then paraphrase it "in your own words". If you are taking information straight from an Internet site, please make sure you clearly let us know.
On Netiquette:
Netiquette is network or Internet etiquette, the proper manner to which you conduct your online communications. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal rules of cyberspace. Although the concept and its application by the nature of the Internet remain in a state of flux and vary from community to community, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) develops and promotes most of the standards. The Enders Writing Lab also includes information on this topic. Please briefly read through the link to familiarize yourself with what is available to you here. Some of my own annoyances are using all caps or no caps at all. I prefer using proper Standard English grammar in discussions rather than abbreviations in the classroom. Please be conscience that the topic of the course often deals with issues that may be sensitive to some, such as race, ethnicity, lifestyles, etc. I will tolerate derogatory remarks or bullying of your opinion. A strive for equality, a respect for diversity, and compassion for others is the essence of the study of sociology.
I have created a list of over 200 reliable research links for the social sciences. Keep in mind many of them are think tanks or university sites and may be biased. Remember almost everything on the Internet probably holds a bias of some kind, even government sites may tend to portray the current administration in a good light, however the sites listed at the link below all should have good strong current information.
Weekly Chapter Questions: (300pts/20pts per wk)
You will see 15 lesson assignments which are linked to 15 weekly discussion threads, and also found on the left hand menu. Each week includes chapter objectives, lecture notes, and essay questions. You are to choose two essay questions each week and answer them on the appropriate discussion thread (approximately 150 to 250 words each) which will be locked three weeks after the start date. They are based on the topic of the week and are worth 20pts each week toward your grade. This assignment can be completed with the textbook or any other outside resources available. This is an informal writing assignment, but please make sure to include any outside resources at the end of your post and backup your opinions with cited facts. You have access to all discussions in advance and you are allowed to work ahead, however three weeks after the weekly start date the discussion thread will be locked. Please see below for the 15 weekly lessons schedule dates. Participation and interaction with other students posts is highly recommended and is included in the grading criteria below. This semester long assignment is worth 30% of the total grade!
Grading criteria for the weekly chapter discussion assignments:
|
grading criteria |
possible points |
|
participation in discussions |
30 / 2 |
|
textbook cited or outside resources noted |
30 / 2 |
|
content knowledge learned and research done |
210 / 14 |
|
proper use of grammar, spelling, organization, and staying on topic, submitted by duedate |
30 / 2 |
|
|
300 / 20 |
Weekly Chapter Quizzes: (300pts/20pts per wk)
You will see 15 chapter quizzes linked in the weekly lessons area, on the assessments link on the left hand menu, and also in the folder on the home page labeled as such. All questions are multiple choice (20 per week) and you will have access to all quizzes at the start of the course. There is no time limit which means that you can go in and out of the exam and the course until you click the "submit" button. Make sure you click the save button on each question after you have chosen an answer. You have the option to change answers as long as you click the save button again. Make sure you click "submit" after you have completed each quiz or you will not be graded. You should see your grade instantly, however the correct answers will not be released until after the close date of each quiz. Remember that the quizzes will be locked three weeks after the lesson begins. The schedule is below for both the weekly discussion threads as well as the quizzes.
Weekly Chapter Discussion and Quiz Schedule:
Week 1 |
08.31 to 009.06 (closes 09.20) | Developing a Sociological Perspective (ch1) |
Week 2 |
09.07 to 09.13 (closes 09.27) | Doing Sociological Research (ch2) |
Week 3 |
09.14 to 09.20 (closes 10.04) | Culture (ch3) |
Week 4 |
09.21 to 09.27 (closes 10.11) | Deviance (ch7) |
Week 5 |
09.28 to 10.04 (closes 10.18) | Crime and Criminal Justice (ch8) |
Week 6 |
10.05 to 10.11 (closes 10.25) | Social Class and Social Stratification (ch9) |
Week 7 |
10.12 to 10.18 (closes 11.01) | Global Stratification (ch10) |
Week 8 |
10.19 to 10.25 (closes 11.08) | Race and Ethnicity (ch11) |
Week 9 |
10.26 to 11.01 (closes 11.15) | Gender (ch12) |
Week 10 |
11.02 to 11.08 (closes 11.22) | Age and Aging (ch14) |
Week 11 |
11.09 to 11.15 (closes 11.29) | Families (ch15) |
Week 12 |
11.16 to 11.22 (closes 12.06) | Education (ch16) |
Week 13 |
11.23 to 11.29 (closes 12.13) | Religion(ch17) |
Week 14 |
11.30 to 12.06 (closes 12.13) | Economy and Work (ch18) |
Week 15 |
12.07 to 12.13 (closes 12.13) | Government and Politics (ch19) |
*Chapters 4, 5, 6, 13, 20, 21, 22, & 23 will not be covered in this course!
This course ends on 12.13.09 and grades will be submitted on 12.18.09!
Sociologist Assignment: (100pts)
(duedate 11.08.09)
Choose a sociologist from the list below.
Research the topic using multiple reliable sources (at least three sources).
Write an informal essay (approximately 600-800 word) and post it to the appropriate discussion thread.
Examine two other students essays and post responses to their essays
Addams, JaneBerger, PeterCooley, Charles Horton Comte, Auguste Cox, Oliver Cromwell Darwin, Charles de Tocqueville, Alexis Du Bois, W. E. B. Durkheim, Emile Frazier, E. Franklin Gans, Herbert Goffman, Erving Hirschi, Travis
|
King, Martin Luther Lewis, Oscar Malcolm X Martineau, Harriet Marx, Karl Mead, George Herbert Merton, Robert Mills, C. Wright Park, Robert E. Parsons, Talcott Perrucci, Robert Reiman, Jeffrey
|
Rodney, Walter Simmel, Georg Spencer, Herbert Sumner, William Graham Sutherland, Edwin Thomas, W. I. Wallerstein, Immanuel Ward, Lester Frank Washington, Booker T. Weber, Max Wilson, William Julius Wysong, Earl Znaniecki, Florian
|
Grading criteria for the 10% Sociologist Essay:
(duedate 11.08.09)
|
grading criteria |
possible points |
|
participation in discussions |
20 |
|
textbook cited or outside resources noted |
10 |
|
content knowledge learned and research done |
60 |
|
proper use of grammar, spelling, writing organization, and staying on topic |
10 |
|
|
100 |
Auguste Comte Emile Durkheim Karl Marx Max Weber
Self Discovery Assignment: (100pts)
(duedate 12.06.09)
Choose TWO student activities below (50 pts each) from the various topics covered in this course.
Research the topic and ponder it in reference to your own life.
Write a short informal essay (approximately 300-400 words) for each and post it to the appropriate discussion thread.
Examine two other students essays and post responses to their essays.
Developing a Sociological Perspective (wk1ch1)
The Sociological Imagination: Select a personal problem that you or someone around you is currently grappling with, like juggling work and school, peer pressures, finding adequate childcare, dealing with drug or alcohol abuse or other addictions, or securing school financing. First explain how you or they are coping with the problem as a “personal trouble,” and then have them consider how the problem is a “public issue,” and explain how sociologists analyze it as an issue.
Culture (wk3ch3)
Student Cultures: Describe the culture of a social group you are part of, or were a part of at one time, taking into account the characteristics and elements of culture described in the text. Explain whether the culture is the dominant culture, a subculture, or a counterculture, and describe its material and nonmaterial aspects.
Deviance (wk4ch7)
Being Deviant: Write a reflective essay of a time when you engaged in deviant behavior, or declined to participate in deviant behavior despite heavy peer pressure or other factors. Describe your feelings and thoughts while you were engaged in the behavior and afterwards, indicating whether or not you were “caught” or “labeled” for the behavior. What sociological theory of deviance best explains your behavior? What about your social characteristics (race, ethnicity, class, gender, and age) do you think that had an effect on how others reacted to your behavior? If you resisted the deviant behavior, how do you explain that? How did others react to you?
Social Class and Social Stratification (wk6ch9)
Social Class/Social Mobility: Write an essay describing the social class status of your parents and your own social class status, if you are not living with your parents. In addition to using the three indicators of social class, describe the lifestyle and other cultural features of your social class experience. What impact does race, gender, and age have on your experience and that of your family? Has your family, or particular members, experienced social mobility? What structural factors do you think contributed to this mobility? Compare your personal findings with national trends.
Race and Ethnicity (wk8ch11)
Ethnic Identity: Research and write an essay about your ethnic identity. If you have no strong ethnic identification, focus on the reasons why you have not developed such an identity and the implications of the lack of ethnic identity. Alternatively, if you have no specific ethnic identity, but identify as “White,” explore “Whiteness” and “white privilege” using some of the suggested resources in the textbook.
Gender
(wk9ch12)Gender Socialization: Reflect on the process of your own gender socialization. What were the expectations and influences of parents, peers, schooling, religious training, mass media, and other agents of socialization? How were gender-linked behaviors reinforced? Did they experience contradictory influences? Do they recall any particular events or turning points that marked a significant transition in your gender identity? What do your current interests, skills, interpersonal style, and occupational aspirations say about your conformity or deviation from the gender expectations that you grew up with? Do you experience pressure to conform, or experience negative consequences from over-conformity to gender expectations? What effect do race, class, age, sexual orientation, and other social factors have on your gender identity?
Families (wk11ch15)
Families and Social Policy: Select a major issue confronting U.S. families that interests you and argue for a policy direction to address the issue. Examples of projects might include the following: Should gay and lesbian marriages be legalized? What can be done to improve children’s adjustment to divorce? What can communities do to assist working families with children? How can the problems confronting female-headed households be addressed? What can be done to reduce or prevent domestic violence?
Education
(wk12ch16)Educational Autobiography: Following the introduction of educational issues and the reading of this chapter, write your educational autobiography. How were you schooled? What did you notice about inequalities in the school, about tracking, about the hidden curriculum, and teacher expectations? How did your educational experience affect your self-esteem and aspirations? How did you arrive in college? Writing this and sharing experiences with other students will set the stage for a serious consideration of educational policy.
Religion
(wk13ch17)Exploring Religious Traditions: Write a sociological description of a religious group that you know well or are interested in researching. Your description should include a discussion of how the religious group illustrates the six elements of the definition of a religion, the religious form, religious socialization processes of the group, and its type of organization. Also address how the group relates to social and political issues and tendencies toward racial prejudice, homophobia, anti-Semitism, or other forms of intolerance.
Economy and Work (wk14ch18)
Employment Outlook: Investigate the employment outlook for the occupation that you plan to enter. How are current trends in economic restructuring, demographic changes, globalization, and technological change affecting the field? How do you expect your own race, gender, class and other stratification factors to affect your advancement and experience in the workplace? In addition to consulting labor statistics and employment profiles through state and local employment offices or websites resources, you may also want to interview people currently working in the field.
Grading criteria for the Self Discovery Assignment:
(duedate 12.06.09)
|
grading criteria |
possible points |
|
participation in discussions |
20 |
|
textbook cited or outside resources noted |
10 |
|
content knowledge learned and reflection |
60 |
|
proper use of grammar, spelling, writing organization, and staying on topic |
10 |
|
|
100 |
Final Course Reflection: (200 points)
(duedate 12.13.09)
Write an informal essay (approximately 1400 to 1800 words) on what you have learned throughout this course concerning the three major schools of thought in the discipline of sociology; Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interaction. You do not need to bring the three interpretations of every chapter topic into the paper. However, y
ou should bring a few of the specific chapter topics into the discussion, especially concerning culture and stratification. Previous students have created a table and inserted a few notes into the table each week which related to the readings and later submitted it along with the last reflection. If this will help you learn by all means feel free to do something like that. Try to reflect on the course for your own use. What did the course mean to you on a personal level? Which theory did you seem to gravitate to throughout the course and why? What will you take with you in your life, from this course to help you better understand your surrounding relationships and own environment? This is an informal essay so no particular format is asked for. However, basic 11-12 point font and double spacing is always a must in any college writing, along with your name. Save it in a doc file and submit it through the proper assignments submission area found in the folder on the home page.