Course Title:	Introduction to Sociology
Course Prefix & Number:		SOCI1301	Section Number:	341	Semester/Year:	Fall/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
Required 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. All Intro to Socio courses use the same textbook, and the NCTC bookstore only stocks one option. Because I do not require a special publisher's key/code, students are encouraged to research bookstores and find the cheapest version which works for them. 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
Telephone Number:	940-498-6467 (Email is preferred as I'm not always in the physical office.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email preferred.)

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Thursday	Friday	Sunday
11:00A-2:00P	9:00-9:30A & 12:30-2:30P	9:00-9:30A	3:00-5:00P (Online)	3:00-5:00P (Online)
And by appointment.

 

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 (60 pts each)	120 points total
9	Chapter Quizzes (10-15 pts each)	100 points total
1	Research Project (Power Point)	100 points total

 

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

Course grades are based on two exams (I offer three, but students are only required to take two), nine online quizzes over chapters, and one Power Point research project. Total = 320 points

 

FIRST WEEK ASSIGNMENTS: 

Students should sign in the first day of the semester. Before students can access essential modules (e.g. chapter materials, videos, project info, etc.), students must submit a required "Syllabus Statement" and an "Introduce Yourself to Classmates" discussion board. Upon submission, Canvas will allow students to access all other necessary materials for the semester. These two assignments do not receive grades; however, students cannot fully access the TONS of course materials I've provided without completing both. Both assignments can found by clicking the Modules tab. A direct link is also provided on the class home page in Canvas the first week of the semester. 

 

EXAMS (120 points total):

Students are required to take TWO out of three exams. Exams 1 and 2 cover their associated modules. 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 60 questions, and students are allowed 80 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 45 minutes, so ample time is provided. The final exam is the same format (60 questions, 80 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. All exams are TIMED. You're allowed one attempt and 80 minutes to answer 60 questions. Students who have studied and are well prepared tend to finish in around 45 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 unfair to others.

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 (100 points total):

Students are required to take NINE quizzes over chapter material. They are designed to help students gauge their comprehension and readiness prior to the larger exams. Questions are multiple-choice. Most quizzes are 10 questions, though a few have more. Students are allowed two attempts. Students are allowed between 20-30 minutes depending on the number of questions for that quiz. Although students are allowed two attempts on quizzes, students are only allowed one attempt on major exams.

 

WHEN TO TAKE QUIZZES:

Quizzes have an official due date--the day before the associated exam opens (see syllabus). However, students are encouraged to take the quizzes earlier to self-assess their comprehension of material. Many students move through chapters quite quickly while others take more time. There are also two attempts allowed per quizzes, and students may opt for some time between those attempts. To allow for such variation and provide a bit of flexibility, there is an official due date for each cluster of chapters (Quizzes 1-4 and Quizzes 5-9); however, I've provided a suggested timeline below. If you follow this timeline, you're less likely to procrastinate.

Quiz 1: Suggested the weekend of September 8th

Quiz 2: Suggested the weekend of September 15th

Quiz 3: Suggested the weekend of September 29th

Quiz 4: Suggested the weekend of October 6th

Quizzes 1-4 are officially due before 11:59PM Thursday, October 11th

Exam 1 officially opens Friday, October 12th and closes Sunday, October 14th

Quiz 5: Suggested the weekend of October 20th

Quiz 6: Suggested the weekend of October 27th

Quiz 7: Suggested the weekend of November 3rd

Quiz 8: Suggested the weekend of November 10th

Quiz 9: Suggested the weekend of November 17th

Thanksgiving week

Quizzes 5-9 are officially due before 11:59PM Thursday, November 29th

Exam 2 officially opens Friday, November 30th and closes Sunday, December 2nd 

The last week is for final exam preparation and taking the final (for those who missed a previous exam).

  

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 or four 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 lot 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, October 21st. This allows me to grade all projects prior to the last date in which students can withdraw with a "W." Feel free to email me any questions. However, I do not answer questions within 48hrs of the due date. Ask questions early.

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 FAIL this project. It takes time to navigate through Canvas and upload work. Students have been officially warned. If you email me your project within one hour after the deadline, the highest grade you could earn is a 50F, no matter how "hard" you worked. Anything that comes in after that is clearly late work and, thus, a zero.

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

 

DISCUSSION BOARDS/EXTRA CREDIT:

I offer three extra credit discussion boards. Students are not required to complete boards 1, 2, or 3. Instead, students can select up to two boards to complete for extra credit points. Each board has a set due date. Click on the Discussions tab in Canvas to see the subjects, instructions, and due dates.

 

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. 

 

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.

  

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 by way of the ability to use the comprehensive final exam to drop a lower exam grade, the two attempts offered per chapter quiz, and the extra credit discussion boards.

I do not answer emails at the end of the semester asking for more points to raise a grade. The vast majority of students understand this to be an inappropriate request to teachers. Those who do send me such emails will receive the following response: "Instructors find these types of emails highly inappropriate, as stated in my syllabus. Such emails essentially ask teachers to give some students special favors over others. An instructor cannot do so per NCTC policies regarding class integrity, nor should students reduce their own integrity via unfair requests."

 

VIDEO REVIEWS:

Because this textbook author puts out new editions quite frequently, I use the Power Points and outlines provided by the author/publisher. They are extensive but not my favorite. 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

Chapter 1: Sociology Perspective/Theory/Methods

Chapter 2: Culture

Chapter 3: Socialization

Chapter 4: Only read info on Goffman's dramaturgical analysis & presentation of self (pages ~108-111)

Chapter 5: Only read info on primary/secondary groups (pages ~124-126), group conformity (pages ~126-128), and in-groups/out-groups (pages ~128-130)

Chapter 6: Sex, Gender, Sexuality in Society

Chapter 7: Deviance

Quizzes #1-4 due before 11:59PM Thursday, October 11th

EXAM 1 opens Friday, October 12th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, October 14th

 

Research Project Due before 11:59PM Sunday, October 21st

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter 8: Social Stratification

Chapter 11: Race & Ethnicity

Chapter 13: Family & Religion

Chapter 14: Education, Health & Medicine

Quizzes #6-8 due before 11:59PM Thursday, November 29th

EXAM 2 opens Friday, November 30th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, December 2nd

 

Final Exam (Exam 3, comprehensive), Opens Sunday, December 9th & closes at 11:59PM Tuesday, December 11th

**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 should log into Canvas at least three times a week to stay on top of assignments, announcements, etc. On some days, there will be nothing new and you can log right out. I do not send extra announcements or emails reminding students of every single due date.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 8th.

 

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:

Most of my contact with students in this online section will come via class announcements and any email exchanges we share (e.g. usually student questions about their research project). Canvas email is my preferred method of contact, because it clearly identifies students/sections. Click on the Inbox tab in Canvas, choose this class and instructor. I am not online 24/7. I check email at random times, but I do not tend to check email after 5PM on weekdays. I do not check email on Thursdays or Saturdays. On Sundays, I check email during office hour times. Please allow 24 hours for responses. If you email me outside of Canvas, please identify yourself using your full name and class section (e.g. 340, 400, etc.). 

 

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 not 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.

 

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 week 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