Course Title:	Introduction to Sociology
Course Prefix & Number:		SOCI1301	Section Number:	320	Semester/Year:	Summer/2018
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): 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
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Recommended Course Materials: John J. Macionis. Society: The Basics. 14th edition.  Pearson.  ISBN 978-0-13-420632-5 Online students need to purchase/rent a textbook if you aim to do well in this course. You do not need to pay extra for an access key/code. I provide all Power Points and outlines from the publisher, and I create all quizzes, exams, and discussion boards. Students do not need a special access key/code to a publisher's canned course/shell. If a student wishes to buy/rent an older version of the textbook, I wouldn't go back more than one edition as you'll be tested on the most recent social statistics.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Stacie Stoutmeyer
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 339 (Not on campus during summer)
Telephone Number:	940-498-6467 (Email me during the summer semester as I'm not in the physical office.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email preferred.)

 

OFFICE HOURS

I am not on campus during the summer. If a students needs to meet, email me and we can arrange a time. I check email twice a day at random times on weekdays, but I am not online after 5PM. I am not online on Saturday. I check email once on Sunday, usually in the evening.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology

Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.

Describe key concepts in sociology.

Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.

Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Point Values
2	Exams (100 pts each)	200 points total
8	Chapter Quizzes (10-15 pts each)	85 points total
1	Research Project (Power Point)	100 points total
1	Syllabus Quiz	10 points
1	Introduce Yourself Discussion Board	5 points

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Course grades are based on two online exams (100 points each; I offer three, but students are only required to take two exams), eight online quizzes over chapters (most are 10 points each; the first quiz is worth 15 points), one Power Point research project  (100 points), one online quiz over this syllabus (10 points), and one "Introduce Yourself" discussion board (5 points). Total = 400 points

Grading scale: A=400-359,  B=358-318,  C=317-278,  D=277-238,  F=237-0

 

EXAMS (200 points total):

Students are required to take TWO out of three exams. Exam 1 covers Module One. Exam 2 covers Module Two. Exam 3 is the comprehensive final exam covering all chapters. Most students aim to do well on the first two exams and not worry about the comprehensive final exam.

If you miss one of the first two exams, you are required to take the third exam (comprehensive final). The final can replace the zero for your missed exam. However, if you miss two exams, the final can replace one, but you will still receive a “0” for the other and will not mathematically pass. 

If you take Exams 1 and 2, the final (Exam 3) is optional regardless of your overall letter grade. Some students who take every previous exam still opt to take the final in an attempt to replace a lower exam score. If you take all three exams, I’ll drop your lowest exam score, even if that lowest turns out to be the final exam. If you only take two exams, those scores will be used to determine your overall grade.

I provide review sheets for exams. Review sheets are thorough; however, they do not re-list every trend, statistic, or concept on which you’ll be tested. Review sheets are available at the bottom of each module. Review sheets are posted on the first day a module opens so students can pull the review sheet early and use that as they read each chapter.

Each exam consists of 50 questions, and students are allowed 60 minutes. Students are allowed one attempt on exams. (Students are allowed only one attempt because they've already been given multiple attempts on quizzes to help them prepare. Thus, the exam is measuring what the student comprehended and retained.) Questions are multiple-choice, true/false, and matching. Students who are well-prepared generally finish in about 30 minutes, so ample time is provided. The same is true for the comprehensive final exam (50 questions, 60 minutes, one attempt). 

Exams are listed in the "Quizzes" tab when they are ready to open. Do not wait until the hour before an exam closes to start the exam. I will not re-open exams for students who procrastinate and/or run out of time. Canvas allows me to see student sign-in data and logs. Each exam is open for three days, so there is no excuse for missing an exam due date. Due dates are listed in the syllabus, the "Assignments" tab, and the "Quizzes" tab. In online classes, I also put a direct link to the exam on the home page when the exam is set to open.

 

TAKING ONLINE EXAMS: 

Exams are not designed for students to casually flip through and copy off notes at their own pace. Exams are TIMED. You're allowed one attempt and 60 minutes to answer 50 questions. Students who have studied and are well prepared tend to finish in around 30 minutes, so ample time is provided. 

I do not re-open exams for students who run out of time while taking exams. Doing so would be totally unfair to other students.

Once you begin an exam, you CANNOT attempt to save it and come back later. If you sign out of an exam, that counts as your one attempt, Canvas will score all unanswered questions as incorrect, and that will be your grade. Once you begin the exam, you must complete it in one sitting.

Exams have set due dates. No late work is accepted without original documentation from a medical provider under the sole condition of a medical emergency.

 

Common reasons for online students to fail an exam or run out of time: 

*They mistakenly assume they can just lean on their notes at home, and as such, do not prepare as much as if they were taking a traditional course.

*They procrastinate. Do not wait until the hour the exam is due to start the exam.

*They run out of time because they're sidetracked trying to copy off notes or Google answers. We are trying to test for what you retained and comprehended, not what you can copy from another source.

*They do not ask instructors to explain confusing items they read. Feel free to email me anytime you would like additional help with a concept. Just be sure to email me at least 48 hours prior to the start of an exam, so I have time to answer questions.

 

IMPORTANT:  Be sure to read each assigned chapter AND all additional materials provided, such as Power Points, outlines, summaries, and videos. Exam questions primarily come from the textbook in this online class; however, questions can come from any of additional sources I provide. Pay close attention to any concept that is mentioned in multiple places (such as the textbook, AND the Power Point, AND a video clip).

  

QUIZZES (85 points total):

Students are required to take EIGHT quizzes over chapters, worth 10 points each. They are designed to help students gauge their comprehension and readiness prior to the larger exams. Each quiz covers one chapter. Due to the importance and scope of Chapter 1, the Chapter 1 quiz is 15 questions and 15 points. All subsequent quizzes consist of 10 multiple-choice questions, and those quizzes are worth 10 points each. Students are allowed two attempts and 20 minutes per quiz. (Although students are allowed two attempts on quizzes, students are only allowed one attempt on major exams.) 

  

RESEARCH PROJECT (100 points):

The research project is worth 100 points, a substantial part of your semester grade. Instead of writing a traditional paper, students will create a Power Point (or Prezi or Google Slides) showing their work. To speed things up in this summer semester, I've pre-selected topics from which to choose. Students should select their topic within the first three days of the semester and begin researching that topic by the first weekend. It is important to follow all instructions. Click on the "Modules" tab. At the top, you will see a "Research Project" module. There, you will find the "Topics List" from which to choose, the detailed "Instructions for the Project," a "FAQ" page with additional info, the grading rubric so you can see what you'll be graded on, and two student examples. I've provided lots of info in that Research Project module so students know exactly what's required and can get started early.   

The completed Power Point is due in the “Submit Your Completed Project Here” Canvas dropbox before 11:59PM Sunday, July 29th. That means students need to hit the ground running in this short semester. Feel free to email me any questions. However, I do not answer project questions sent to me within 48 hours of the project due date as students have had all semester to ask versus procrastinating.

WARNING: Do not wait until the last minute to try and submit work in Canvas. You'll likely run out of time. If your work is not in the dropbox before it closes, you will receive a ZERO. It takes time to navigate through Canvas and upload work. If you sign in at 11:52PM, for example, when a dropbox or assignment closes at 11:59PM, you’ll likely run out of time before you're able to successfully submit your work.

If you fail to submit the research project, no--the final exam cannot take the place of your missed project. The final exam and the research project are not interchangeable. They require different degrees of work and gauge different skill sets. 

 

DISCUSSION BOARDS:

I want students to focus on the research project, which I feel is more college-appropriate, so I'm not requiring traditional discussion boards. However, there is a required "Introduce Yourself" board due at the start of the semester, and there are two extra credit discussion boards offered.

 

MISSED ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE-UP POLICY: 

Make-ups are ONLY offered to students who experience a formally documented medical emergency or documented military service requirement. I require original documentation. Make-ups are not offered due to missing class for celebrations, extracurricular activities, changes in work schedules, relationship problems, arrests, or undocumented medical issues. 

Funerals: Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for students to fabricate stories of a death in the family. As such, I require original funerary documentation if you miss an assignment/exam and seek a make-up for this reason. Death is a serious matter, and to protect students who sadly do experience such an event, I do not tolerate fabrications in this area. I consider fabricating a family sickness/death for personal gain to be a form of scholastic dishonesty. As such, the student will receive an automatic zero for the work in question and may be reported to the dean.

 

COMPUTER ISSUES: 

It is well known among professors that many “computer issue" excuses are fabrications versus legitimate issues. If you contact me on the premise that you experienced a "computer issue" and I find info which suggest otherwise, I will consider that scholastic dishonesty and you will earn a zero. If you do experience a legitimate computer issue, I require THREE forms of documentation before I will even consider options: 

1) First, immediately take a snapshot IMAGE of the ERROR MESSAGE so you have something to show our IT department and me. You can either take an image using your smart phone or by hitting the "PrtSc" (Print Screen) key on a your PC. If you have a Mac, Google the process now so you are ready should something happen in the future. Without VISUAL proof of an issue, I do not consider options.

2) Second, immediately contact the NCTC eCampus HelpDesk by sending a request TICKET for assistance. Click on the word "Help" in the upper right hand corner of Canvas, near "LogOut," and follow the instructions. The phone number is (940) 668-3335, and the direct website to submit a request for technical assistance is http://www.nctc.edu/eLearning_Department/Support.aspx.

3) Third, you may then send me an email but you MUST include the snapshot IMAGE *and* the TICKET NUMBER (found in parenthesis in the automatic email response generated from the HelpDesk upon submission of your ticket and sent to your email address on file; make sure your email is up-to-date) once you submit. The only reason to then email me is to give me a heads up that the Help Desk is working on your issue. However, if there is no image and no ticket number to provide proof of your issue, I do not offer any special consideration.

  

GRADED WORK DUE THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER (15 points): 

Because this is an accelerated summer course, students should sign in the first day of the semester and begin work. Signing in days later is unacceptable in such a fast-paced course. I do not re-open quizzes/assignments for procrastinators.

A 10-point syllabus quiz and a 5-point "Introduce Yourself" discussion board are due in Canvas before 11:59PM Wednesday, July 11th. Both can found by clicking the "Assignments" tab or the "Quizzes" tab. A direct link is also provided on the class home page in Canvas. 

 

GRADES:

Grades are always posted in Canvas. Keep track of your grades as the semester progresses. If you have a question about your grade, check Canvas first. Once you have viewed Canvas, you are welcome to contact me via email in Canvas.

 

EXTRA CREDIT:

Leeway is already built into this course, primarily by way of the ability to use the comprehensive final exam to drop a lower exam grade. I also offer two extra credit options in the form of discussion boards. You can find an "Extra Credit" area inside the main module or by clicking on the "Discussions" tab. Students may do both extra credit discussion boards. The extra credit boards have set due dates, which you can see listed right under each board in the "Discussion" or "Assignments" tabs.

I do not answer emails at the end of the semester asking for more points to raise a grade. It's inappropriate to ask such of an instructor and unfair to fellow students.

 

TEXTBOOK:

Society: The Basics, 14th ed. by John J. Macionis, ISBN 978-0-13-420632-5

In the absence of a face-to-face instructor, online students need the textbook. I do not use any homework assignments from the textbook. I supply all Power Points, supplemental readings, and videos. Lectures start with textbook concepts as core components, and I expand out from there.

All Intro to Socio courses are assigned the same textbook, and the NCTC bookstore tends to stock only one version. I do not require students to purchase an access code/key from textbook publishers for this course. Students only need some version of the textbook and are encouraged to find the cheapest version. If you chose to save money by buying/renting an older edition, I would not go back any further than one addition as some important social statistics may be out of date. Students will be tested on the most recent stats, though I tend to discuss them in my video reviews.

VIDEO REVIEWS:

Because this textbook author puts out new editions quite frequently, I now use the Power Points and outlines provided by the author/publisher. They are extensive, but I do find minor errors or phrases I personally would not use. As such, I create my own video reviews for each chapter. Because I make the quizzes/exams, I design videos so students receive instruction on most of the key topics on which they'll be tested.

 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

MODULE ONE

Syllabus Quiz & Introduce Yourself discussion board

Chapter 1: Sociology Perspective/Theory/Method

Chapter 2: Culture

Chapter 3: Socialization

Chapter 4: Only read the info on Goffman's dramaturgical analysis & presentation of self

Chapter 5: Only read the info on primary/secondary groups and in-groups/out-groups

Chapter 6: Sex, Gender, Sexuality in Society

Quizzes #1-4 due before 11:59PM Friday, August 20th

EXAM 1  Opens Saturday, July 21st & closes at 11:59PM Tuesday, July 24th

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter 8: Social Stratification

Chapter 11: Race & Ethnicity

Chapter 13: Family & Religion

Chapter 14: Education, Health & Medicine

Research Project due before 11:59PM Sunday, July 29th.

Quizzes #5-8 due before 11:59PM Friday, August 3rd

EXAM 2  Opens Saturday August 4th & closes at 11:59PM Tuesday, August 7th

 

Final Exam (Exam 3, comprehensive), Opens Wednesday, August 8th and closes at 6:00PM on Thursday, August 9th. (Please note the earlier time for exam closure.)

**See aforementioned exam policy regarding the final exam.

 

I do not expect schedule changes in online classes. However, should one occur, students will be notified via a class announcement and email in Canvas.

  

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Statement Prepared By the College:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL).

The Instructor-Specific Policy:

In this online course, students are required to log into Canvas at least three times a week to stay on top of assignments, announcements, etc., though more is encouraged. On some days, there will be nothing new and you can log right out. Since summer courses are fast-paced, students should be devoting some time everyday to reading course material. I do not send extra announcements or emails reminding students of every single due date. Due dates are always listed in advance on boards/quizzes/exams, and Canvas often shows "To Do/Coming Up" reminders in red on the lower right hand side of the home page when you log in. As adults, students need to keep track of all due dates themselves.  

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is August 2nd.

 

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION________________________________________________

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES w/ COMPUTERS:

Students who experience technical issues at any point and for any reason need to first contact the NCTC eCampus Help Desk. The instructor cannot fix your personal computer issues.

To contact the Help Desk, click on "Help" in the upper right hand corner near the word "Logout." Follow the directions from there. Typically, you will need to send a request ticket to the Help Desk. The phone number is (940) 668-3335, and the website to submit a request/ticket for technical assistance is http://www.nctc.edu/eLearning_Department/Support.aspx. Also, read the "Computer Issues" section above in this syllabus.

 

EMAILS, CANVAS, NOTIFICATIONS, and DUE DATES: 

Use Canvas to download lecture materials, read class announcements, track due dates and grades, and email the instructor. For online classes, all assignments, quizzes, exams, and discussion boards are submitted in Canvas.

You might want to set NCTC emails and Canvas notifications to be forwarded to the email account you check most regularly.

Since most due dates are listed on the syllabus and/or are listed alongside the assignments/exams title in Canvas, I do not send reminders for every item of graded work. Students need to keep track of all due dates and ask questions early. 

Students also need to check class announcements regularly. If a student has not been signing in frequently, he/she should click on the "Announcements" tab to catch up.

 

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:

Canvas email is my preferred method of contact. Click on your "Inbox" tab in Canvas, choose this class and instructor. You're welcome to use my NCTC email at sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu, but I prefer Canvas. I am not online 24/7. I check email twice a day at random times during weekdays, but I do not tend to check email after 5PM on weekdays. I do not check email on Saturdays. On Sundays, I check email once in the evening. Please allow 24 hours for return emails during the week. Emails sent on Saturdays will take longer to return. Also, if you are emailing me outside of Canvas, please identify yourself/class. 

 

A NOTE ABOUT WORK SCHEDULES/FAMILIES:

The majority of students work while going to college. Many students also juggle caregiver duties. This, of course, can be quite tough at times. However, to be fair to all students, I do offer special favors/consideration due to work schedules or family issues.

 

BEHAVIOR:

I have never had a behavioral issue; however, so we’re on the same page, I expect students to be respectful to all. In online courses, students are expected to remain civil in all forms of communications, such as emails and discussion boards. Specific action taken during and following a disruptive incident will depend on the nature of the incident, but it is possible to be removed from this course for scholastic dishonesty or behavioral issues.

 

EXPECTATIONS: I expect students to do the following:

...sign in at least three times a week in this fast paced summer course.

...read all that's provided.

...ask questions the minute you're confused about a policy or concept.

...keep track of all due dates.

...refer back to the syllabus often to stay on task.

...read all class announcements and emails.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

Sign up to receive text messages on campus closings due to inclement weather or a campus emergency via the LionAlert system. Info on LionAlert: https://my.nctc.edu/ICS/Need_Help/LionAlert.jnz

  

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (e.g. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

OSD Students: Please email me in Canvas me the FIRST DAY of the semester, so I can make sure all accommodations are met. You do not have to disclose your disability/diagnosis; that's confidential. Instructors only need to know your allowed accommodations. 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______     

X       Social and Behavioral Sciences

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core) 

X   Critical Thinking

X   Communication

X   Empirical and Quantitative

o   Teamwork

o   Personal Responsibility

X   Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

X   Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online. http://www.nctc.edu/catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook/nctc-student-handbook.html

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)].” 

Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy: Canvas allows instructors to track student movements. If you email me on the premise you attempted work but experienced a “computer issue” and I find no evidence to support your claim, I will consider that scholastic dishonesty.

Students can be reported to NCTC admin and dropped from this course, with no refund, for scholastic dishonesty.

  

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Department Chair:	Crystal R.M. Wright
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 24
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731, ext. 4320
E-mail Address:	cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Bruce King
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus
Telephone Number:	940-668-4267
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu