Social Problems Soc 203

Syllabus

Fall 2006

Columbia State Community College

Instructor: Humphrys

Instructor Contact Information
 

Instructor:

Gene E. Humphrys
 

Email:

ghumphrys@columbiastate.edu

Instructor Website:

www.ghumphrys.columbiastate.edu
 

Sociology Website:

Academic Support Center

www.columbiastate.edu/sociology
 

http://academicsupport.columbiastate.edu/

Phone/Voice Mail:

931 540-2763 Columbia Campus 

Fax:

931 766-1603
 

Office Location:

Clement 127 (Columbia Campus)
 Room #147  (Lawrenceburg Campus)

Weather Information:

931  540.2515
 931 766-1600

Office Hours:

Office hours are located at http://www.ghumphrys.columbiastate.edu/Office_Hours.htm and on instructor's office door.

Course Information
 

This sociology course examines quality of life issues and contributing factors of social problems with a focus on deviance and inequality. 

For the student to acquire…

• An ability to use sociological imagination
• An understanding of the characteristics of social problems and their consequences
• An evaluation of social problems from the theoretical perspectives of functionalism, conflict, and interactionism
• A grasp of what needs to be done to lessen a social problem

Textbooks and Other Course Materials
 

Henslin, James M. Social Problems. (2006). Seventh Edition. Upper

      Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson Education, Inc. 

Email Access:

All students have access to an email account through Columbia State Community College. It is imperative that you access and check this email for  this course. In addition, your PVT Username and Password will be necessary to access any other course materials, such as WebCT and/or articles from the library. For assistance in looking up your PVT Username please go to http://helpdesk.columbiastate.edu. For more information on computer labs and student email accounts, please refer to: Student Email Accounts
 

Supplementary Materials:

Assigned articles are on reserve in the Columbia State Library. Instructions for accessing articles:

• You may access the articles online accessing the following link: http://www.columbiastate.edu/library.
• Under "Find Articles," click on "E-Reserves,"
• Enter the required information for accessing the article (course name, instructor name, etc).
• You must have a PVT username and password before you can access the articles.
• The articles can be read online or printed off for a copy.

General Course Information
 

American With Disabilities Act:

In compliance with ADA, students are encouraged to register with the Office of Counseling/Disability Services for possible assistance with accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability. Students requesting special accommodations are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Counseling/Disability Services (931.540.2572) at the beginning of the semester.

Cellular Telephone/Pager Policy:

The use of cellular telephones and pagers in the classroom is prohibited at Columbia State Community College. All phones and pagers must be either turned off or set to silent/vibrate mode.  Students are not excused from class to answer the telephone or a page unless there is an emergency that the student has notified the instructor of before the start of class.

Academic Misconduct:

Any student involved, either directly or indirectly, in the act of plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty will be subject to receiving an “F” for the course.

Plagiarism:

The “borrowing” of another author’s words or ideas, without giving credit to the author, is considered plagiarism. All quotes from articles must be cited as well as any paraphrasing. Students should adhere to all citing and quoting guidelines when writing papers to prevent a charge of plagiarism. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course or the assignment.

Emergency:

In case of emergency please follow all directions of instructor and refer to the Emergency Procedures Guide listed in each classroom.
(Columbia State security-- 931.540.2370) (Lawrence County Center—931 766-1600 and Clifton Center --- 931 676-6966 )

Classroom Rules

• Courteous and respectful behavior should be demonstrated toward the instructor and fellow classmates
• Have an open mind during classroom discussions
• No pagers, cell phones, weapons, drugs, food or drinks
• Children are not allowed in the classroom.
• Do not leave during class
• Avoid coming in late
• No packing-up

Course Content
 

 Exams

Exams will cover sociological terms reviewed in class, assigned readings, and group discussions. Study guides will be given in order to guide the student in test preparation; however, the student is responsible for all chapter, lecture, and discussion information included on a particular exam.

There will be five exams, the last will be the Final Exam the week of December 12, 2006.

·         Tests will NOT be made up unless the student has notified the instructor in advance of the absence OR if there is a documented (e.g. doctor’s note) emergency for the absence. In the event of a makeup exam, the student will take a different test from the one given on the day of the original exam.

Cheating will not be tolerated!!!
 

• 100 points each
   
• 500 total points

Essays and Oral Presentation

Oral Presentation

Each student in Social Problems will give an oral presentation to the class on a social problem in society. There should be three sources of research and your presentation to the class should be between 10 and 15 minutes. A question and answer session with the class should be allowed after the presentation. Examples of subject matter and assigned date to give presentation will be announced.

Critical thinking exercises will be done as group activities.

• 10 points each for essays (30 total pts.)
• 100 points for oral presentation

Attendance is Required!!!

ATTENDANCE POLICY: All unexcused absences will have five(5) points deducted from class participation/attendance grade. Once a week classes will be counted as two class periods. Roll will be taken at beginning of class and after mid-class break.

v     Consideration will be given for three documented absences: (1) personal illness; (2) immediate family hospitalization; or (3) death in family.

v      Acceptable excused absences MUST be documented the day the student returns to class. Instructor will not accept late excuses.

v     If more than eight (8) classes are missed for any reason, the student will receive a final grade of “F”. Essential learning takes place in class activities and class discussions. If the limit will be exceeded, even for illness, you should withdraw from the course. Plan to take the course at a later time when attendance can be maintained.

v     You are expected to be in class the entire period . An attendance sheet will be signed every class period so that your presence can be recorded. If you come in late, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have signed the attendance sheet.

v     Tardiness: Please avoid coming late to class. Excess tardiness (more than two) will count as an absence. If more than four, two absences will result.

v     Please take care of personal business before coming to class such as bathroom breaks. Once a week classes will have a break about midway in the class.

v     Leaving in middle of class is very disruptive to the professor and fellow students.           

   ACTIVE PARTICIPATION: It is not enough to be present
in class—be alert, be respectful of others’ opinions, engage in discussion, ask questions, etc.
 

• 20 possible points

     **points will be deducted for
        excessive absences or
        unsatisfactory class
        participation

Grades
 

Final Grades:

Grades are not mailed to students. Students may access grades via Web for Students (www.columbiastate.edu) five (5) working days after grades are required in Admissions. Students may print a copy of their grades from Web for Students.

Grade Confidentiality:

The student's grades are kept in confidence. No disclosure of grades will be given to family members, employers, etc. In addition, grades cannot be provided to a student via email or phone.

Final Grade by Point Totals
 

                                                                             A          585-650

                                                                             B          520-584

                                                                             C          455-519

                                                                             D          390-454

                                                                             F           389 -0