CITRUS COLLEGE

Course Syllabus: Sociology 201 – Learning Communities

Introduction to Sociology

Section 20365

Instructor: Sheryl S. Walz Tel#: (626) 914-8827

Term: Fall 2011 Email: swalz@citruscollege.edu

Time: M/W 9:55am-11:20am Classroom: LB 102 Office: CI 251

Office Hours: Mon. 1:00-3:00pm; Tues. 1:00-2:30pm; Wed. 1:00-2:00pm; Thurs. 1:00-2:00pm
You may also contact me by email.  

*Please contact me any time you have any questions about the course. When emailing me please provide your first and last name and indicate the class you are in (SOC 201 LC)

*Please allow 48 business hours (meaning not weekends or school holidays) for replies. If you do not hear from me by then please re email me. I am usually very good at responding so if you do not hear back in 48 hours that probably means I did not get it.

Text
The Real World: an introduction to sociology, 2nd ed., by Kelly Ferris and Jill Stein. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION / OBJECTIVES

Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior that is shaped by society. This class will emphasize that larger social forces shape our attitudes and behavior. Though everyone is unique, our situations fit into common patterns. With this new outlook, we can open our minds and understand how we behave and why we behave the way we do.

This course will introduce you to the discipline of sociology by examining the history of sociology, the early and contemporary sociological thinkers, important concepts and theories, and research methods. We will discuss various issues such as culture, deviance and crime, social class, race and ethnicity, gender, and family, to name a few. We will apply sociological concepts and theories to further understand these topics on a broader level. By the end of this course, my hope is that you will apply these new ideas to social phenomena, as well as your own lives in order to better understand yourselves and the world around you.

Course Overview

This course covers the text, lecture notes, videos/movies, class discussions, in-class exercises, observation assignment, exams, and other assignments as they arise. Students are expected to read the text and other material in accordance with the course timeline. A MAJOR portion of the text and other reading material are for self-study and may not be covered in class lecture; however, you may be called upon to discuss a particular topic. Not all exam questions will be covered or discussed in class. Lecture material is designed for augmentation, knowledge enhancement, class or group discussion, and may or may not be covered on the exam.

Class Policies

ASSIGNED READINGS: You are responsible for reading the text and supplementary material as assigned. Class discussion is strongly encouraged. You will be called upon to participate in class discussion, and are expected to have read the assigned material. Furthermore, not all exam questions from the text will be covered or discussed in class.

NOTE TAKING: You are responsible to take notes on the material presented in class. Examinations will include questions from the text, as well as handouts, lecture notes, and videos/movies.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: Class participation is strongly encouraged. I do keep track of those who participate, which will aid in determining borderline grades.

ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is critical to successful completion of the course. Roll will be taken daily, and attendance will affect borderline grades. You may be dropped for excessive absences. If you have more than 4 unexcused absences you may be dropped from the class. You will need to be present every day to take notes on lectures, films, and reading, as well as participate in class discussions. You are also responsible for any information given in your absence, including changes in assignments/exam dates. If a student must miss a class, he or she is responsible for obtaining material (lecture/film notes and/or handouts) from another student.

TARDINESS: I will be keeping track of tardiness, and if you are more than 10 minutes late, it counts as one-half of an absence. If legitimate circumstances prevent you from arriving on time, communicate with me in advance.

DROP POLICY: Students who do not attend the first two class meetings will be dropped to allow room for others who wish to take the course. Excessive absences will also result in a drop. If you have more than 4 unexcused absences you may be dropped from the class. Students are responsible for ensuring that they are officially dropped from the class. Discontinuing your attendance at class does not constitute an official drop. (See Citrus College catalog for details regarding program changes.)

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: The act of plagiarism, defined as “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of then as one’s own original work,” will result in serious consequences in this class (“F” grade for the assignment and possibly the course). Cheating during examinations will result in a failing grade or expulsion from the course. (See Citrus College catalog for further information about cheating.)

BEHAVIOR: Due to the nature of this course, we may discuss controversial and sensitive issues. At times you may disagree with an opinion stated in class, however, it is extremely important that you always remember to be respectful of others in the class (this includes the instructor). Everyone has something valid to add to our discussions.

· Be respectful of every person in the class.

· Arrive on time.

· Turn off cell phones.

· Refrain from talking while the instructor or another student is talking to the class.

Makeup Work: Make up work will not be accepted unless a valid excuse is presented (for example, illness, death in the family, or an issue that we have previously discussed). I require that you provide proof of absence (for example, a doctor’s note). If you must miss a class be sure to check with me or a classmate to find out what you missed (we may stray a bit from the tentative course outline). Also, be sure to get notes from a classmate.

Dismissal: Once a student has been verbally warned for disruptive behavior (excessive tardiness, frequently leaving early, constant personal conversations during lecture, etc.), the instructor reserves the right to dismiss him/her from the class. Students may be dismissed for cheating or plagiarizing as well.

Course Work

Exams: There will be four exams worth 50 points each (200 points total). The exams are not cumulative, meaning they will not cover information from previous exams. Each exam will be 50 multiple-choice questions. You will be provided a study guide prior to each exam; however it is suggested you keep up with the assigned readings each day. Bring to each exam a ScantronÓ form #882 sheet and a #2 pencil.

Important: NO MAKEUP EXAMS will be allowed.

Unless a valid excuse is presented (illness, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances discussed with me beforehand), you will not be allowed to take the exam. You must provide written documentation for your excused absence and contact me beforehand. Furthermore, on test days, if you are more than 10 minutes late to class, you will not be allowed to take the exam (unless we have spoken about it beforehand).

Data Workshop Assignments: This is a short paper (2-3 pages) designed to apply your sociological knowledge in the real world. See the "Weekly Schedule" for the due date. See handout (under Course Work) for details (25 points total). Late papers are not accepted.

OBSERVATION Assignment: (60 points: Part 1= 10 pts., Part 2 = 50 pts.) This paper will be four to five pages. This paper is designed to develop your writing skills, introduce or enhance your research skills by using the observation method, and to apply your sociological knowledge to your findings.
See handout for details.

Late papers are not accepted.

IN-CLASS EXERCISES: There will be 10 in-class exercises throughout the term. There are specific dates for each in-class exercise, but the dates may change depending on what we are covering at the moment. Typically, there will be one when we begin each chapter (so read the chapters, you will need to be prepared). These exercises are meant to help you apply real-world phenomena with what we are studying in class, and to make the connection between sociology and stories from your English 101 class. These will consist of group or individual work, and may be based on lecture, readings, and videos. These exercises will be a group effort, so your preparedness for class and willingness to openly participate is encouraged. These in-class exercises will occur on the majority of our lecture dates. You will receive points for in-class written exercises, as well verbal participation. Students will receive credit for no more than 8 of the 10 exercises. Each exercise is worth up to 10 points (40 points total).
No make-ups will be allowed for in-class exercises. If you are absent, I suggest you contact a classmate or me to find out if we did an in-class exercise that day.

Assignments	Points Possible	Grading Based on 325 points possible: 292 –325 = A 260–291 = B 227 –259 = C 195–226 = D < 195 = F
Exam 1	50
Exam 2	50
Exam 3	50
Exam 4	50
Data Workshop Assignment	25
Observation Assignment	60
In-Class Exercises	40
Total Points	325

GRADE POINT LOSS

All assignments must be turned in or presented on the assigned due date. Late papers will not be accepted. No exceptions! Please arrange to give me your paper early if you know you will not be in class the day it is due.

GRADE POINT GAIN

If your total grade points at the end of the semester are within 5 points of a higher grade, you may receive the higher grade if, and only if, you have met all of the factors below:

Your attendance is nearly flawless (maximum of 3 absences)

You are consistently “on time”

You have regularly participated in class discussion

You have had no make-up exams

No missed or late assignments

Your conduct in the classroom is excellent