Glendale Community College (North Campus)
Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2008—Section 3074
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Jennifer Vaughn Trías
E-mail: jvtrias@gmail.com or jennifer.trias@gcmail.maricopa.edu
Phone: 623-434-4672 (home) or 623-845-3000 (North Campus to leave a message)
Class Meeting and Location: Class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00-11:15 AM at GCC North Campus Room 102
Textbook: Macionis, J. J. (2007). Society: The Basics (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Official Course Description: Fundamental concepts of social organization, culture, socialization, social institutions and social change. Prerequisites: None.
Official Course Goals and Competencies:
Define sociology and explain how it differs from other social sciences.
Explain the sociological imagination and how it operates in everyday life.
Describe the basic theoretical perspectives sociologists use to analyze social phenomena.
Name and briefly describe the importance of selected major theorists to the field of sociology.
List and explain the stages in a basic research design.
Describe and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Define the basic sociological concepts: culture, society, socialization, social structure, groups, and institutions.
Describe values and norms, including mores, folkways, and laws.
Describe societal and structural factors that can influence individual behavior.
Describe sociological/psychological theories as they relate to the development of the self.
Describe the influence of selected institutions on society and the individual.
Describe the effect of race/ethnicity, sex/gender, and age on social inequality.
Explain major sociological perspectives on social class.
Explain how conflict, functionalist, and symbolic interactionist theoretical perspectives view deviance and conformity.
Describe and explain social change, including the influence of collective behavior, social movements, and demographic factors.
Statement of Student Responsibility: As a student, you are responsible for the following:
Knowing the information in the syllabus; it is the student’s responsibility to keep and refer to the syllabus throughout the semester. It is also the student’s responsibility to ask for a new syllabus if he/she cannot find his/her copy. All handouts will also be available as Google documents.
Following the college policies included in the General Catalog and Student Handbook (both of which can be found online).
Collecting and keeping all handouts or asking for new ones if the old ones are lost.
Informing me of any absences prior to the absence, if possible.
Instructor Expectations of Students:
I expect all students to arrive on time, to enter or leave quietly if late or leaving early, and to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices not being used for taking notes.
I also expect each student to contribute to a peaceful classroom, including being considerate of other student’s personal space, to not interrupt, and to not chit chat during lecture and discussion.
Brief Description of Assignments:
Exams
There are two take-home essay exams, one at midterm and one during finals week. They are worth 150 points each. I will hand out each exam at least one week before it is due. Because the exams are take-home, there are no make-up exams and you cannot turn them in late. See Course Schedule for specific due dates. The day and time of the final exam are scheduled by the college and are not negotiable; however, you may turn your final in early.
You must turn your exam in before or during the class period indicated, unless other arrangements are made before the due date. You may work on the exam with other students, but you must write your own answers. If you submit the exact same answers as another student, you will receive an F for the course.
Observation Papers
Each student will be required to complete 5 of these short assignments. You will observe a situation or conduct a brief experiment and write a 1-2 page report. There are several options to choose from. Due dates are on the Course Schedule. See the handout for more details on each of these assignments. Each assignment is worth 20 points, for a total of 100 points.
Media Analysis Research
You will analyze the mass media portrayal of a social group of your choice. You have a choice of presenting your research as a paper or an oral presentation. Papers should be between 4-6 pages long and presentations will be 10-15 minutes long, including questions and discussion. See the handouts for more detailed instructions. Whichever you do, it is worth 100 points.
Grading Standards and Practices: Grades are based on total points accumulated. There are 500 points available: two (2) exams worth 150 points each, one (1) paper OR presentation worth 100 points(the choice is yours), and five (5) short observation papers worth 20 points each. There may be some opportunities for extra credit throughout the semester. Grades are awarded as follows:
450-500 total points = A
400-449 total points = B
350-399 total points = C
300-349 total points = D
Less than 300 points is an F
Attendance Requirements: Attendance is required and will be taken each class period. If you come to class you will be much better prepared for the exams and for your papers. The answers to exam questions will be given in the course of lectures. Some answers will be difficult or impossible to locate in the textbook.
You are allowed two (2) unexcused absences over the course of the semester. More than two (2) unexcused absences may result in your being withdrawn from the course. If you have a reason for missing class, please let me know ahead of time. I will decide if it will be excused. Note that the college does provide for religious and athletic absences, but you will still need to let me know you will be missing class.
You are responsible for the material covered in class even if you were absent. You may ask a classmate if you can copy their notes, but you may not ask for my notes.
Policy for late course work and make-up exams: The due dates for assignments are on the Course Schedule. I will remind you in class about upcoming due dates; however, ultimately you are responsible for turning work in on time even if I fail to remind you that something is due.
My policy for late work is this: I will deduct points for each class period that your paper is late. Ten points per class period will be deducted for papers worth 100 points, two points deducted for the Observation Papers. Papers can be turned in until I am done grading (with points deducted accordingly). I will not accept papers once I am done grading.
Because exams the exams are take-home, there are no make-up exams. Exams must be turned in on or before the due date. Presentations (if you choose that option) must be done on the day they are scheduled, unless there are extenuating circumstances and you notify the instructor before your scheduled presentation.
Policy for audio taping: You may tape the lectures if you like. The audiotape should be used as a supplement rather than a substitute for note taking.
Policy on plagiarism: See the GCC Student Handbook for the college's policy on cheating and plagiarism. If you turn in someone else's work as your own (for example, buying an essay online) for any assignment you will receive an F for the course. If you submit the same answers as a classmate on the exam, you will receive an F for the course. In other words, you must type up your own exam answers. You may not cut and paste anyone else’s answers onto your exam, even if you worked together. No exceptions and no excuses.
Policy for e-mailing assignments: You can e-mail any written assignment to jvtrias@gmail.com and jennifer.trias@gcmail.maricopa.edu. However, you must remember that it is your responsibility to make sure I get your assignment. If you will be e-mailing the exam, you should let me know at least one class period before it is due. If you e-mail a paper or exam and do not receive a confirmation e-mail from me within 24 hours, then you should check the e-mail address carefully and resubmit your paper. If you still do not receive a confirmation e-mail then you should call me to find out if I received your paper. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail before the next class meeting, you should bring a printout of your paper to class. Do not come to class and ask if I got your paper. Check your e-mail first, and if you do not have a reply then I did not get your paper. If you do not check your e-mail daily, then you should bring your papers in person.
Final exams must be presented in person unless I specifically give you permission to e-mail the final.
Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If you have a disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, you can notify GCC Disability Services and Resources, TDS-100, 623-845-3080.
Disclaimer: Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group. Changes will be announced in class.
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