Course Title:	Social Problems
Course Prefix & Number:		SOCI1306	Section Number:	402	Semester/Year:	Spring/ 2020
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Application of sociological principles and theoretical perspectives to major social problems in contemporary society such as inequality, crime and violence, substance abuse, environmental issues, deviance, or family problems. The goal of this course is to develop a deeper understanding of selected social problems, and in particular, barriers to remedying those issues.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Textbook: Macionis, John J.  Social Problems. 7th edition. Pearson. ISBN 978-0134206325 I'll discuss the textbook and options on the first day of class, so students are welcome to wait until then to make a purchase. I support students finding the cheapest format. I also provide all Power Points, outlines, and supplemental materials, and I create all tests and assignments. If a student has an additional question or concern regarding this element of the course, feel free to email me (the instructor) the first week of the semester. I'll provide several handouts throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to get a 1-inch three-ring binder or, since they're cheaper, three paper folders to hold all of the handouts.

 

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:  8:30-9:30AM  &  12:30-1:30PM

Tuesday & Thursday:  10:00AM-1:00PM

Wednesday:  8:30-9:30AM only

Friday & Saturday: No Hours

Sunday:  7:00-8:00PM (Online only)

*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:

Describe how the sociological imagination can be used to explain the emergence and implications of contemporary social problems.

Explain the nature of social problems from at least one sociological perspective, e.g., critical, functional, interpretive, etc.

Identify multidimensional aspects of social problems including the global, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of social problems.

Discuss how “solutions” to social problems are often contentious due to diverse values in society.

Describe how the proposed “solutions” to a social problem, including social policies, may bring rise to other social problems.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
3 (out of 4)	Exams (100 points each)	300 points total
1	Course Portfolio -OR- Research Project	75 points total
1	Chapter 1 Online Quiz	30 points

 

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

Course grades are based on three (out of four) online exams (300 points total), one "Course Portfolio" or "Research Project" (75 points), and one Chapter online quiz (30 points).  Total = 405 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. 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.). 

 

CHAPTER 1 QUIZ  - ONLINE (30 points; 7% of grade):

Since Chapter 1 sets up important foundational concepts and may be the first time some students have been introduced to sociology, a Chapter 1 quiz is required. This helps students get their bearings in the course. This is an ONLINE quiz taken in Canvas. Students are allowed two attempts and 45 minutes to answer 30 multiple-choice questions.  This is the only single-chapter quiz of the semester. Some of this information may also come up on Exam 1 and again on the final exam. The Chapter 1 quiz is due before 11:59PM Wednesday,  January 29th.

 

EXAMS (300 points total; 74% of 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 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 primarily multiple-choice questions. It's possible I may also include a couple of short answer questions and/or extra credit questions, but that'll be determined as exams draw closer. Info will primarily come from our face-to-face lectures. Those lectures are built from/around the textbook, and additional concepts are also added. 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. Students are allowed ONE ATTEMPT 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 others.

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 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.

 

COURSE PORTFOLIO -OR- RESEARCH PROJECT (75 points; 19% of grade):

This section accounts for almost 20% of your grade. Students may select to complete EITHER a "Course Portfolio" OR a "Research Project." This project directly ties into the aforementioned goal of this course: developing a deeper understanding of selected social problems, and in particular, barriers to remedying those issues.

 

OPTION 1: COURSE PORTFOLIO

Students will complete a "Course Portfolio." This prompts students to pay close attention to each lecture and chapter presented this semester versus emphasizing one area. However, in the "Learning Outcomes" section of this assignment, students will select an area of their interest to discuss further.

On the first day of class, students will be given a yellow folder. In that folder, you'll place all of your completed chapter handouts and the Learning Outcomes Assignment. The portfolio consists of two required parts and one extra credit part:

1) Lecture Handouts (Required): Beginning with the second chapter of the semester (physical/mental health), students are required to complete a lecture handout (addressing factors, solutions, thoughts, etc.) for each chapter, for a total of 50 points. Students may write their answers by hand directly within the "Lecture Handout" table, but I need to be able to read everything so please be neat.

2) Learning Outcomes Assignment (Required): The second large component of the portfolio is a "Learning Outcomes Assignment" worth 25 points, printed out and placed at the back of the course portfolio folder. This section needs to be typed, single-spaced, 11-12 point font. In the yellow folder provided to each student, I've included a copy of this assignment so students can start thinking about their desired topic.

3) News Articles (Optional/Extra Credit): For two extra points per chapter, students may also attach a recent news article pertaining to any or all chapters. Highlight the most important/relevant lines in the article to show you're connecting key pieces of info to the course. In each yellow folder provided, there's an "Extra Credit: News Article" page. If you include multiple articles, you'll need to make copies and include those in your completed folder. 

DUE DATES: There are two due dates associated with the Course Portfolio assignment. In both cases, students will turn in their yellow folder in class AT THE START OF CLASS. Work is not submitted online for this assignment. Late work is not accepted.

1) Part 1: Lecture Handouts for First Five Chapters Covered due Wednesday, March 11th

2) Part 2: Lecture Handouts Last Five Chapters & Learning Outcomes Assignment Due Wednesday, May 6th

Students' work within the portfolio cannot match that of another student. If students' answers too closely replicate others, both/all will receive zeros for that section as I have no way of proving who had the original thought and who copied. Students cannot use the same news articles for extra credit either.  

 

OPTION 2--A RESEARCH PROJECT

In place of the Course Portfolio, students may submit a research project further diving into on a social problem of their choosing (with approval) in the form of a Power Point (or Google Slides). Particular emphasis will be placed on barriers to remedying this issue. Only I (the instructor) will see this project. Students will not present their Power Point to the class. Core elements of the project will tie into the five student learning outcomes listed earlier in this syllabus. The Power Point must be a minimum of 16 slides. Additional instructions will be provided for any student interested, and I'll discuss this option the first day of the semester. Students who wish to create a research project in place of the Course Portfolio must submit their TOPIC to me (via Canvas email) before Sunday, February 23rd. This allows time for me to refine any topic of choice, clarify instructions, offer suggestions, etc. 

The completed Power Point must be submitted in TWO format: 1) The project must be uploaded in the “Submit Your Research Project Here” Canvas DROPBOX before class starts on Wednesday, May 6th. 2) Students must also bring a HARD COPY (paper copy) TO CLASS on Wednesday, May 6th. Feel free to email me any questions.

 

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 assignments 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, 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 (that can remain confidential), 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 (i.e. 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.

 

GRADES:

Grades are always posted in Canvas. If you have a question about your grade, please 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 offering four exams but only requiring three. Students may also include relevant news articles/current events in their "Course Portfolio" for extra points. Students who opt for the research project may also earn a few extra points for exceptional, unique work in particular areas.

 

EMAILS SEEKING A HIGHER GRADE:

I do not offer additional work or points to raise an individual student's grade, regardless of circumstance (e.g. graduation requirements at NCTC or another college/university, personal issues, etc.). It's common for students to experience stressful situations which may occasionally interfere with a course. However, to be fair to all students, I only consider the objective math on work submitted on time. 

 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

*We'll cover chapters in a different order than as listed in the textbook. I'll discuss why the first day of class. Additionally, chapter numbers vary by textbook edition, and the newest edition (8th ed) has added a social media chapter (Ch10). Thus, pay attention to the title of the chapter more than the numeric number.

MODULE ONE

Chapter 1: Sociology and Social Problems (Quiz 1)

Chapter: Physical and Mental Health

Chapter: Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Chapter: Social Media

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

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter: Education

Chapter: Work and the Workplace

Portfolio, Part 1 Due: Lecture Handouts for First Five Chapters Covered Wednesday, March 11th

Chapter: Economic Inequality

Chapter: Racial Inequality

Spring Break: No Class March 16th-21st

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

 

MODULE THREE

Chapter: War and Terrorism

Chapter: Population and Global Inequality

Chapter: Technology and the Environment

Completed Portfolio, Part 2 option -or- Research Project option Due Wednesday, May 6th

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

 

Finals Week:

Monday, May 11th -- No Socio Lecture/Class

Wednesday, May 13th -- Final Exam (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.

 

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

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

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)

 

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

DAILY ATTENDANCE:

I take attendance at the start of each class as required by NCTC, but students do not receive a separate attendance grade in this class. However, attendance is the key to passing exams as I create exams based on what's discussed in lecture and for completing the Course Portfolio.

 

LATE ENTRY/LEAVING EARLY ON REGULAR LECTURE DAYS:

If you have to leave class early one day for another obligation, simply 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. Late entry will not be allowed after the third occurrence. In such cases, a student will be turned away and should get materials from another student.

 

CONTACT A FELLOW STUDENT IF YOU MISS/SKIP LECTURE:

If you are not present for a lecture, please 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.   

 

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

 

EMAILS, CANVAS, NOTIFICATIONS, and DUE DATES: 

Use Canvas to download lecture materials, take chapter quizzes, read class announcements, track due dates and grades, and email the instructor.

I encourage students to have NCTC emails and Canvas notifications automatically forwarded to the email account they check most regularly. Click on the Canvas "Account" icon, then scroll through both the "Settings" and "Notifications" options.

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 at least three times a week to stay on top of everything. That does not mean you'll have work in Canvas or announcements everyday.

 

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.

 

LIONALERT SYSTEM:

Sign up to receive text messages on campus closings due to inclement weather or other campus-related emergencies via the LionAlert system.

 

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.

 

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 (i.e. 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.

 

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.

 

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 quiz and/or assignment. Also, fabricated stories about not being able to access Canvas orhaving "computer issues: is considered scholastic dishonesty. 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.

 

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, AFTER SPEAKING WITH INSTRUCTOR FIRST

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	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:	940-498-6464
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu