Course Title:	Introduction to Sociology
Course Prefix & Number:		SOCI1301	Section Number:	340	Semester/Year:	Fall/2019
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 Per the department, online students are expected to secure a textbook for this course. Having said that, I support a student's right to try and find the cheapest version of a textbook. Today, there are often several formats from which to choose (hardcopy, ebook, rent, buy, etc.) If a student wishes to rent/buy an older version of the textbook, I wouldn't go back more than one edition since this course includes some recent social statistics. I don't use publisher access codes because that limits a student's ability to shop around.  I provide Power Points and supplemental materials, and I create all exams.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Stacie Stoutmeyer
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 339
Telephone Number:	940-498-6467 (Canvas email preferred.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email preferred.)

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday/Wednesday: 12:30PM-2:00PM

Tuesday/Thursday: 11:00AM-12:30PM

Sunday: 6:00PM-8:00PM (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
3 (out of 4)	Exams (100 pts each)	300 points total
1	Research Project (Power Point)	100 points
1	"Introduce Yourself" Discussion Board	5 points
1	"Your Research Findings" Discussion Board	10 points
1	"Healthy Societies" Discussion Board	10 points

 

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

Course grades are based on three online exams (100 points each; I offer four, but students are only required to take three exams), one research project in the form of a Power Point/Google Slides (100 points), an "Introduce Yourself" discussion board (5 points), a "Your Research Findings" discussion board (10 points), and a "Healthy Societies" discussion board (10 points). Total = 425 points

 

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:

Canvas email is my preferred method of contact because it clearly identifies students/sections. Click on your Inbox tab in Canvas, choose this class and instructor. I check email at random times during weekdays, but I do not tend to check email after 5PM on weekdays or on Saturdays. On Sundays, I check email during office hours only. Please allow 24 hours for return emails during the week. If you email me outside of Canvas, please identify yourself using your full name and class section (e.g. 340, 400, etc.). 

If you need to talk with me via phone and cannot call during my office hours, email me and together we'll find a time to talk which works with our schedules. 

It can be easy to fall behind or get confused in an online college course, so feel free to contact me for clarification on any requirement or concept. I'm here to help. If you're confused about any concept or assignment, please ASK QUESTIONS EARLY rather than sit in silence questioning yourself or some aspect of this course.

 

EXAMS (300 points total; ~71% of overall grade):

Students are required to take THREE out of four exams. Exams 1, 2, and 3 cover their respective modules in Canvas. Exam 4 is a comprehensive final exam covering all chapters. Most students aim to do well on the first three exams and not worry about the comprehensive final exam.

If you miss one of the first three exams, you are required to take the fourth 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 zero for the other. 

If you take Exams 1, 2, and 3, the final (Exam 4) 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 four exams, I’ll drop your lowest exam score, even if that lowest turns out to be the final exam. If you only take three 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.

TIMED, ONE ATTEMPT: Each exam consists of 50-55 questions, and students are allowed 70 minutes. Students are allowed ONE attempt on exams. Students who are well-prepared generally finish in about 30-40 minutes.

TYPES OF QUESTIONS: Questions are primarily multiple-choice but also include true/false, matching, and a few short answer questions. Approximately 80% of exam questions are from the textbook and associated supplemental resources (Power Points, outlines, etc.), and approximately 20% will come strictly from an "Applying Additional Concepts" video lecture I'll provide the week before the exam. That video will cover a few important concepts which relate to readings but were not explicitly discussed in the textbook. The purpose of the "Applying Additional Concepts" video is to take students further into a sociological subject, such as we do in face-to-face classes where dialogue is deeper. 

 

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 70 minutes to answer 50-55 questions.  I do not re-open exams for students who run out of time while taking exams. Doing so would be unfair to other students.

Once you begin an exam, you CANNOT 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 are open for three days, giving students plenty of time to find a 70-minute block which works around their other obligations.

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 as you may run out of time. 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.

 

STUDYING:  Be sure to read each assigned chapter AND all additional materials provided, such as Power Points, outlines, summaries, and videos. As stated above, questions will also come from an "Applying Additional Concepts" video. Pay close attention to any concept mentioned in multiple places (i.e. the textbook, AND the Power Point, AND a video) as that's a good indicator that concept has been deemed very important (thus, the repetition). If you have any questions or confusion about a concept, feel free to email me for further explanation; however, you'll need to email me at least 48 hours before the exam so I have time to see and respond to your questions.

 

RESEARCH PROJECT (100 points; ~24% of overall grade):

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 Google Slides showing their work. (Note: If a student would like to write an 8-10 page essay paper instead, email me within the first three weeks of class, and I'll discuss requirements for that format. Students need special permission for the essay option, and it's usually only used by students in the Honors Program who must submit a research paper for that department anyway.)

Students may work alone -OR- in groups of two (maximum).

For Students Who Want to Work In Pairs: If two students wish to work together and submit one shared project, both of those students must email me directly in Canvas by Sunday, September 22nd. In the email, students must tell me their partner's name. Then, I'll send both students a brief statement regarding shared work (i.e. students handling their own conflict, etc.). Both students must return the email acknowledging they accept the potential pitfalls of choosing to work in groups. That email must be returned to me within five days or group work will not be allowed. Given the potential for problems, most students in my courses opt to work alone. Students working in pairs will receive the same grade on their shared project as I have no way of knowing who did what.

INSTRUCTIONS/RESOURCES: I've provided extensive instructions, a detailed FAQ page, a rubric, past examples, and topics from which to choose in a module dedicated solely to the project. Students are required to read everything in that module!  

The completed Power Point is due in the “Submit Your Completed Project Here” Canvas dropbox before 11:59PM Sunday, November 10th. Feel free to email me any questions. However, I do not answer questions within 24hrs of the due date. Ask questions early!

 

LATE PROJECTS: Do not wait until the last minute to submit work in Canvas. You may run out of time. Students who submit their project late will see the following minimum point deductions:

If the project is submitted less than two hours after the dropbox closing deadline (i.e. less than two hours late), the student will lose a letter grade (-10 points). If the project is submitted 2-4 hours past the deadline, the student will lose two letter grades (-20 points). Given that the dropbox will be closed by that time, the student will have to email me the project via Canvas. If the project is submitted 4-6 hours late, the student will lose three letter grades (-30 points). If the project is submitted 6-8 hours late (emailed via Canvas), the student will lose four letter grades (-40 points), meaning the highest possible grade is a D. No late work is accepted after eight hours, and those students earn an automatic F/zero regardless of any slides submitted.

Blocked from Related Discussion Board: Students who do not earn a C or above on the project will also receive an automatic zero on the project-findings discussion board. Students who earn Ds and Fs on the project usually submit incomplete projects with little actual research and, thus, cannot honestly complete a discussion board which asks what was learned/concluded from one's research.

If you fail or do not submit the research project, no--the final exam cannot take the place of the research project. The final exam and the research project gauge different skills and are not interchangeable.

    

DISCUSSION BOARDS (25 points; ~5% of overall grade):

I want students to focus on the research project, so there are only three required discussion boards. First, there is a required "Introduce Yourself" board due at the start of the semester worth 5 points. Students will not be able to open chapter modules until the "Introduce Yourself" board and a Syllabus Statement are submitted. Second, students will complete a "Healthy Societies" discussion board (10 points) mid-semester. Third, there is a required discussion board which will open after the research projects have been submitted that will ask students to share their project findings with the class (10 points). I may also offer an extra credit discussion board, but that topic remains to be determined. Additional details on each board will be listed in the instructions section of the board.

 

MISSED ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE-UP POLICY: 

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

Medical Emergencies: Students who experience a medical emergency (e.g. ER visit, unexpected surgery, etc.) which interferes with an assignment must contact me within five days of that documented emergency so we can determine how to proceed. Students need to attach an image of the hospital documentation along with their initial email. I do not need to know the specifics of any diagnosis, so an image of the hospital bracelet simply showing the student's name and date of admission will usually suffice. A portion of the discharge instructions sheet hospitals must provide patients--the section showing the name of the patient and date(s) of service--will also usually suffice.

Funerals: Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for students to fabricate stories of a death in the family. As such, I require documentation if you miss an assignment/exam and seek a make-up for this reason. As above, students must contact me within five days of the death so we can determine exactly how to proceed. 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.

Military Service: The military service stipulation for late work is only offered to the military personnel himself/herself since that student's access to a computer may be temporarily disrupted. It does not extend to significant others who, albeit a stressful time, still have home/school access to computers. Students who need to meet a military service requirement during the semester should contact me in advance of leaving for service so we can determine how to proceed with schoolwork. If a student is unexpectedly called into service to assist with a crisis/disaster (as some of my students were for Hurricane Harvey), please notify me via email as soon as the word comes down so I can anticipate any necessary adjustments. Usually, there is not a problem making adjustments, so do not worry. However, feel free to email me any questions on this matter.

 

COMPUTER ISSUES: 

It is well known among professors that many “computer issue" excuses are fabrications versus legitimate issues. If a student contacts me on the premise that he/she/they experienced a computer issue and I find info which suggest otherwise, I will consider that scholastic dishonesty and the student will earn a zero. If you do experience a legitimate computer issue, I require THREE forms of documentation before I 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 https://ecampushelpdesk.nctc.edu/hc/en-us/requests/new. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

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, primarily by way of the ability to use the comprehensive final exam to drop a lower exam grade. I will also offer one extra credit discussion board or assignment (to be determined) during the semester. I do not answer emails asking for more extra credit or extra points to raise a grade. The vast majority of students understand this to be an inappropriate request.

 

VIDEO REVIEWS:

I create my own video reviews for most chapter. They aren't professionally produced by any means, but I do focus on concepts which will come up again on exams and concepts students frequently find most confusing. Each semester, students report the videos are very helpful in preparing for exams.

 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

MODULE ONE

Syllabus Statement  & Introduce Yourself discussion board

Chapter 1: Sociology Perspective/Theory/Method

Chapter 2: Culture

Chapter 3: Socialization (You will not be tested on Freud, Piaget, and Gilligan)

Chapter 4: Social Interaction (Focus on info re: Goffman, dramaturgical analysis, presentation of self, pp. ~108-111)

Chapter 5: Groups (Only read the info on primary/secondary groups [pp. ~124-126] and in-groups/out-groups [pp. ~128-130].)

Applying Additional Concepts video

EXAM 1 opens Friday, September 20th and closes at 11:59PM Sunday, September 22nd

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter 6: Sex, Gender, Sexuality in Society

Chapter 7: Deviance

Chapter 8: Stratification

Chapter 10: Gender Stratification

Chapter 11: Race & Ethnicity

Applying Additional Concepts video

EXAM 2 opens Friday, October 25th and closes at 11:59PM October 27th

 

Research Project due before 11:59PM Sunday, November 10th.

 

MODULE THREE

Chapter 13: Family & Religion

Chapter 14: Education, Health & Medicine

Chapter 15: Population, Urbanization, and Environment

Applying Additional Concepts video

EXAM 3 opens December 6th and closes at 11:59PM December 8th.

 

Final Exam (Exam 4, comprehensive). Opens Monday, December 9th and closes at 11:59PM Wednesday, December 11th. *The only students required to take the final exam are those who missed a previous exam and must replace that zero. See aforementioned exam policy.

 

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 be signing in 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, so please keep track of all due dates. Due dates are usually listed in advance on assignments, and Canvas often shows "To Do/Coming Up" reminders in red on the class home page.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 1st.

 

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES w/ COMPUTERS:

Students who experience technical issues with their computers need to contact the NCTC eCampus Help Desk. Typically, you will need to send a request ticket to the Help Desk. 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 frequently. Click on your profile icon to add info/change settings, and you'll see the word "Notifications."

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/they should click on the "Announcements" tab to catch up.

 

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 asap 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: Plagiarism, cheating, and/or collusion of any type will result in a zero for that assignment, exam, or project. Also, a few students have fabricated stories about not being able to access Canvas and wanted make-up work for missed assignments. Be aware that Canvas allows instructors to track student log-in's, work, etc. Fabricating stories of any kind for personal gain is also a form of scholastic dishonesty. Any form of scholastic dishonesty will result in a zero and may be reported to administrators at NCTC.

  

QUESTION OR CONCERNS AFTER SPEAKING WITH INSTRUCTOR FIRST:

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