Course Title: Introduction to Sociology

Course Prefix & Number: SOCI1301          Section Number: 403      Semester/Year: Spring 2019

Semester Credit Hours:                 3              Lecture Hours:                   3              Lab Hours:           0

Classroom Location: Corinth 315                Time: 11:00 am - 12:20 pm      Start Date: 1/22/19

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: None

Required Course Material: John J. Macionis. Society: The Basics: 14^th edition. ISBN: 978-0-13-420632-5

Instructor Information:

Name of Instructor:                         Ben E. Dickerson, PhD

Campus / Office Location:             Corinth Campus, Room 201

Telephone Number:                       940.498.6467 (In person is preferred method of contact)

Email Address:                                  bdickerson@nctc.edu (canvas email preferred)

Office Hours:                                      Mondays 10-10:50 am  Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 pm  &  by                                                                       appointment

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

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

Course grades are based on three in-class exams (100 points each), one research project (120 points; submit via Canvas), Student Self Evaluation (100 points), Class Participation (80 points).

TOTAL = 600 possible points.

EXAMS (300 Points):

Students are required to take Three out of four exams. Exams 1,2 and three cover their associated modules (chapters and all additional material presented). The fourth exam is a comprehensive final exam covering all chapters discussed this semester. Students are required to take three out of four exams. This provides some leeway should you miss an exam or score lower than expected on one exam. Most students aim to do well on the first three exams and not worry about the comprehensive final exam.

Exams consist of approximately 50 multiple choice questions. Exams are given in the classroom, and students need to be ON TIME on exam days! Bring a pencil and SCANTRON.

I will provide a review sheet on Canvas prior to each exam. Review sheets do not list every trend, statistic, concept, etc. on which you will be tested. Exams can include any information discussed during lecture. The Review Sheet is not inclusive.

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. Celebrations, extracurricular activities, changes in work schedules, relationship problems, arrests or undocumented medical issues will not be acceptable reasons for make-up.

RESEARCH PROJECT (120 points):

Click on the “Modules” tab from the Home Page. Once in, the top module is a specific “Research Project” module with detailed instructions. Students are required to read the instructions. Students will select a topics from a list provided.

• 10 Points of the project: Students will select a topic provided by the instructor:
  1. How is the reliance on technology influencing the quality of relationships between and among people in the American society?
  2. What are the consequences of people in a society relying too heavily on labels then their individual characteristics as social beings?
  3. What are the consequences of McDonaldlization on the social institutions in American Society?
  4. Post modernism impacts behavior in the American society in both positive and negative ways. How does one deal with the behavior effected by this philosophy?
  5. Societies’ emphasis on secularization can affect spirituality in the members of society. How can a balance be achieved between the sacred and profane?
• 100 Points of the project: Students will create a Microsoft Power Point detailing their research question and findings. (Students may also use Google Slides or Prezi, but be careful – I must be able to access/view your presentation) This portion forms the core of the assignment. This is due March 27th, no later than 5 pm in the drop box.

GRADES:
Grades are posted in Canvas. If you have a question about your grade, check Canvas prior to contacting me.

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.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

MODULE ONE

Chapter 1: Sociology Perspective / Theory/Method

Chapter 2: Culture

Chapter 3: Socialization

Chapter 4: Social Interaction

Chapter 5: Groups (and Leadership)

Research question selection due in Canvas before February 27th, no later than 5 pm

EXAM 1 in-class, February 20th (Be on time with a pencil and scantron.)

MODULE TWO

Chapter 6: Sexuality in Society

Chapter 10: Gender Stratification

Chapter 11: Race & Ethnicity

Chapter 7: Deviance

EXAM 2 in-class, March 25th, (Be on time with a pencil and scantron.)

Completed Power Point Research Project due in Canvas no later than 5 pm on March 27th.

MODULE THREE

Chapter 13: Family & Religion

Chapter 14: Education, Health and Medicine

EXAM 3 in-class, November 28th,(Be on time with a pencil and scantron.)

May 2nd is a review day for the final exam.

Final Exam, TBA.

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities provides support services for students with disabilities. North Central Texas College is committed to making its degree and certificate programs accessible to all qualified persons in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112), the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2009). To afford each of our students every reasonable opportunity for success, the OSD offers academic advising, class registration assistance, and a variety of support services to enable students with disabilities and/or special needs to participate in the full range of college experiences. Services are coordinated to fit the individual needs of the student and may include the following: sign language interpreting, note-taking, tutoring, mobility assistance, audio taping, large print materials, readers, scribes, and other reasonable accommodations.

As a resource for the ADA, as well as other legislation regarding disability-related issues, the OSD staff serves as liaison among students, faculty, and college staff to help determine appropriate accommodations in the College environment. If a student has a learning, physical or mental disability, and would like accommodations, they should contact the OSD Department staff to determine if they qualify for services. A student with a disability is not required to disclose this to college officials if the student is not requesting accommodations.

Disclosure of Disability - In accordance with the ADA, NCTC is committed to making reasonable accommodations for any student who provides appropriate documentation verifying her/his disability. Appropriate documentation is current and includes a diagnosis made by a certified health professional in education, medicine, psychology or other related area. Additionally, documentation should indicate the presence of a learning, physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. For more information or to disclose a disability, contact information for the OSD Department is listed below.

Wayne Smith, M.S., CRC, LPC, CBIST
OSD Coordinator
Corinth Campus, Room 170
(940) 498-6207
kwsmith@nctc.edu

Yvonne Sandmann, M.S.
OSD Advisor
Gainesville Campus, Room 110
(940) 668-7731, ext. 4321
ysandmann@nctc.edu

Robbie Baugh
ADA Compliance Officer
1525 W. California Street
Gainesville, Texas 76240
(940) 668-7731
rbaugh@nctc.edu

Please refer to the OSD Website for more information: osd.nctc.edu

CORE CIRRICULUM 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

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/student-handbook.pdf

 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to aiding, abetting, conspiring, soliciting, inciting of, or attempting to commit the following: cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonest, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  See student handbook page 29 for further detail of consequences due to violations.

EMAIL, CANVAS, NOTIFICATIONS, and DUE DATES:

Use Canvas to download lecture materials, read class announcements, track due dates and grades, and email me. Several assignments are also placed in Canvas(submission of research topic, student self evaluation and submission of completed project).

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 the due dates and ask questions early.

In a traditional, face-to-face setting, I still recommend students sign into Canvas at least twice a week just to stay on top of everything and remind yourself of what’s coming up. This does not mean you will have work in Canvas or announcements everyday. Link to Canvas is found at the very top of the main NCTC home page (www.nctc.edu        (http://www.nctc.edu)). Direct link to sign-in page: https://nctc.instructure.com/login/canvas

EXPECTATIONS: I expect students to do the following:

…show up to class on-time and not disrupt others.

…read all that’s provided

…ask questions the minute you’re confused about a policy

…keep track of all due dates on your own.

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

…read all class announcements and emails.

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, 100 Bldg

Telephone Number:                                940-668-4267

E-mail Address:                                         bking@nctc.edu