Course Title:	Introduction to Sociology
Course Prefix & Number:		SOCI1301	Section Number:	400	Semester/Year:	Spring/2020
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
Textbook: Society: The Basics. 14th edition by John J. Macionis.  Pearson.  ISBN 978-0-13-420632-5 The department expects students to secure the textbook. Having said that, I support finding the cheapest version of the textbook, and students are welcome to wait until after our first class--in which I'll discuss the text. If a student wishes to rent/buy an older version, I wouldn't go back more than two editions as you'll be tested on the most recent social statistics. However, I test on stats I directly discuss in lecture. I provide all Power Points and supplemental handouts, and I create all exams and assignments.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Stacie Stoutmeyer
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 339
Telephone Number:	940-498-6467 (Canvas email is my preferred method of contact as I am not always in the physical office.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email preferred.)

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday:  8:30AM-9:30AM  &  12:30PM-1:30PM

Tuesday & Thursday:  10:00AM-1:00PM

Wednesday:  8:30AM-9:30AM only

Friday & Saturday: No Hours

Sunday:  7:00PM-8:00PM (Online only)

*And by appointment

 

 

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 online office hours. 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.). 

 

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)	Online Exams (100 pts each)	300 points total
--	(*Option: Students may complete Exams 1 and 2 plus construct a research project in place of Exam 3.)
1	Learning Outcomes Assignment	50 points
--	(*Students who opt for the research project are also exempt from the Learning Outcomes assignment.)
	Attendance	25 points total

 

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

Course grades are based on three (out of four) online exams (100 points each), one Learning Outcomes Assignment (50 points), and attendance (25 points total). Total = 375 points

OPTION: Students are welcome to construct a research project over a topic of their choosing (with instructor approval) in place Exam 3 and the Learning Outcomes Assignment. See additional information below.

 

ONLINE EXAMS (300 points total;  80% of overall grade):

I give four exams, but students are only required to take three. Exams 1, 2, and 3 cover their associated modules, and they are ONLINE exams given in Canvas. The fourth exam is a cumulative final, and that is given IN-CLASS on finals day. Most students aim to do well on Exams 1, 2, and 3 and not worry about the final (fourth exam).

The only students required to take the comprehensive final (Exam 4) are those who missed a previous exam and must replace that zero. All students who take Exams 1, 2, and 3 are exempt from the final regardless of their overall letter grade heading into finals week. For example, if a student has taken Exams 1, 2, and 3 (i.e. has not missed any previous exam) and has an overall C average heading into finals week, that student is still exempt from taking the final. The exemption is not reserved solely for "A" students. Additionally, students who are very close to possibly moving up a letter grade may opt to take the final if they would like to try and replace a lower exam score. 

Exams are multiple choice and short answer/essay format. Info will come from textbook material and concepts solely added/discussed in lecture. Thus, attendance is important. I'll provide a review sheet the week of an exam.

 

TAKING ONLINE EXAMS:

Online 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 ATTEPMT and 70 minutes to answer 45-55 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 four days, giving students plenty of time to find a 70-minute block which works around their other obligations. Exams open at 8:00AM on Thursdays and close at 11:59PM on Sundays. 

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. I also put a direct link to the exam on the home page when the exam is set to open.

 

COMPUTER ISSUES: 

It is well known 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 consider that scholastic dishonesty and that student will earn a zero. Students who experience a legitimate computer issue need to provide three forms of documentation before make-ups will be considered: 

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.

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.

 

*OPTION -  EXAM 1, EXAM 2, and A RESEARCH PROJECT:

I've typically required all students to submit a research project. However, I am giving students the option to construct a research project in place of TWO requirements: Exam 3 and the Learning Outcomes Assignment. As such, this project is worth 150 points, the same as the exam and the learning outcomes assignment together. On the first day of class, I'll show students a few examples and can provide instructions for any student interested in this option.

Students who wish to create a project in place of Exam 3 and the Learning Outcomes Assignment must email me in Canvas before Sunday, February 23rd. This allows time for me to refine any topic of choice, clarify instructions, offer suggestions, etc. If multiple students choose this option, I'll also open up a lecture day (February 24th) specifically to discuss projects, ideas, requirements, etc. That will be determined based on response.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSIGNMENT (50 points; ~13% of grade):

A "Learning Outcomes Assignment" is required for all students (expect those who opt for the research project). The assignment will be given IN CLASS AT THE START OF CLASS on Wednesday, May 6th. Students will be given the entire class time to answer five questions. This will be an OPEN NOTES assignment but NOT open textbook.  Students are expected to draw on knowledge gained throughout the semester. It's designed to assess whether students grasp learning outcomes of the course and meet core objectives as required by the department and the state. Students just need to bring a pen/pencil and their semester notes. I'll provide the handout on which students will write. I'll also show students the assignment during class lecture the week prior so they can begin thinking about the topic(s).

No late work accepted, so class attendance is essential this day!

 

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, undocumented medical issues, etc. 

Medical Emergencies: Students who experience a medical emergency (e.g. ER visit, unexpected surgery, delivery, 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 showing the student's/patient'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. Having worked in a hospital myself for nearly a decade, if anything appears sketchy, I may request additional information or documentation.

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. 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 is only offered to the military personnel himself/herself since their 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 (e.g. as occurred during Hurricane Harvey a few years ago), please notify me via email as soon as the word comes down so I can anticipate any necessary adjustments. Feel free to email me any questions on this matter.

 

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.

 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

Any schedule changes will be announced in class and via an email and class announcement in Canvas.

MODULE ONE

Chapter 1: Sociology Perspective/Theory/Method

Chapter 2: Culture

Chapter 3: Socialization

Chapter 4: Social Interaction (only info assoc. with Goffman, dramaturgical analysis, impression mgmt, presentation of self)

Possibly Chapter 5: Media -- To be determined if time allows

EXAM 1  (Online) - Opens 8:00AM Thursday, February 20th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, February 23rd

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter 6: Sexuality in Society

Chapter 7: Deviance

Chapter 8: Social Stratification

Chapter 10: Gender Stratification (selected points)

Chapter 11: Race & Ethnicity

EXAM 2  (Online) - Opens 8:00AM Thursday, April 2nd & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, April 5th

 

Spring Break: No Class March 16th-21st

 

MODULE THREE

Chapter 13: Family and Religion (plus selected points from Ch6: Sexuality)

Chapter 14: Education & Health/Medicine

Chapter 16: Modernization and Social Change

Learning Outcomes Assignment - Due IN CLASS at the START of CLASS Monday, May 6th

EXAM 3  (Online) - Opens 8:00AM Thursday, May 7th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, May 10th

 

Final Exam Day--Monday, May 11th (IN CLASS, same time, room). *The only students required to attend class and take the cumulative final exam are those who need to make-up a previously missed exam. See aforementioned exam policy.

  

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:

DAILY ATTENDANCE  (25 points; ~6% of grade):

Attendance is graded in this class. I take attendance at the start of each class. This class meets 29 days this semester. Students receive one point per day for attendance. Given attendance is worth 25 points, students could miss four days without it impacting their attendance grade. Thus, some leeway is already included in this requirement.

 

LATE ENTRY/LEAVING EARLY ON REGULAR LECTURE DAYS:

If you have to leave class early one day for another obligation, please be courteous and let me know in advance at the start of class. In that case, it's usually fine. However, this should not be a frequent occurrence. Entering late is particularly disruptive to the flow of lecture. An infrequent late entry is not a big deal. However, after the third late entry, that student will lose attendance points and will not receive any extra credit opportunities. (Side Note: This has never been an issue in my Corinth courses, which is much appreciated.)

 

CONTACT A FELLOW STUDENT IF YOU MISS/SKIP LECTURE:

If you are not present for a lecture, contact a fellow student to see what you missed. It's not logistically possible for me to re-lecture or type email summaries for each student who misses class. 

Additionally, since there's a four-day buffer in the attendance grade, students do not need to email me each time they miss a class. 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Friday, April 3rd.

 

EXTRA CREDIT:

Leeway is already built into this course, primarily by way of the ability to use the final exam to replace a lower exam score and the ability to take exams (1, 2, 3) online. 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.

 

EMAILS, CANVAS, NOTIFICATIONS, and DUE DATES: 

Use Canvas to download lecture materials, submit the research project, read class announcements, track due dates and grades, and email me.

I encourage students to have NCTC emails and Canvas notifications automatically forwarded to the email account they check most frequently. Click on your profile icon to add info/change settings, and you'll see the word "Notifications."

I do not send reminders for every item of graded work. Students need to keep track of all due dates and ask questions early. I recommend signing into Canvas multiple times a week to stay on top of everything.

 

BEHAVIOR POLICY:

I have never had a behavioral issue in class; however, so we are on the same page, I expect students to be respectful to all and refrain from classroom disruptions. Students may briefly and occasionally check cell phones during class. However, frequent texting (defined by eyes fixated on the phone for multiple minutes and/or multiple times a class) or usage that distracts fellow students counts as a disruption. In such cases, the student will lose all extra credit opportunities for the semester and may be asked to leave the classroom for the day. Specific action taken during and following other disruptive incidents will depend on the nature of the incident, but it is possible to be removed from a course for behavioral issues.

 

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

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, in the past few semesters, a few students fabricated stories about not being able to access Canvas. Upon quick investigation, Canvas logs showed they, in fact, had access and had been signing in. Be aware that Canvas allows instructors to track student log-in's, work, etc. Fabricating stories of any kind for personal gain is a form of scholastic dishonesty, will result in a zero, and may be reported to administration.

 

LIONALERT SYSTEM:

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

 

TRANSCRIPTS:

At the end of the semester, transferring students occasionally ask teachers when grades will be updated on their official transcript. Instructors enter final grades into the MyNCTC system but do not have access to college transcripts. Students should go to https://www.nctc.edu/current-students/transcript-request.html for more info.

 

ADDITIONAL 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