Introduction to Sociology

Syllabus

Fall 2008

Columbia State Community College

Instructor: Humphrys

Instructor Contact Information
 

Instructor:

Gene E. Humphrys
 

Email:

ghumphrys@columbiastate.edu
 

Instructor Website:

http://www.ghumphrys.columbiastate.edu
 

Student Academic Support Center

http://academicsupport.columbiastate.edu/

Phone/Voice Mail:

931 540-2763 Clement 127

Fax:

931 540-2796
 

Office Location:

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

Weather Information:

931  540.2515
 931 766-1600  Clifton: 931 676-6966

Office Hours:

Office hours are located at

http://www.ghumphrys.columbiastate.edu/Office_Hours.htm

and on office door at Clem #127

Academic Success Center 

Writing Assistance

Writing Assistance Available

The Academic Success Center offers tutoring free of charge for all students enrolled at Columbia State Community College. Assistance is available for all writing assignments, for most math courses, and some science courses, as well as for specific courses as the need arises. Tutors are available at all five campuses, and online tutoring is offered as well. 

Locations

Walk-in visits are welcome, but to ensure prompt service, students should schedule an appointment. Please visit the Academic Success Center web page for information regarding staff, hours, tutoring, etc: www.academicsupport.columbiastate.edu.

• Columbia campus
  Warf 237
  931.540.1302
• Franklin campus
  Located next to the library
  615.790.5671

 
Course Information
 

Course Description:

Sociology is the systematic study of human society. This introductory course will provide an assessment of how social forces, institutions, and inequality influence human interaction. Topics of study include: culture, crime, economy, government, media, family, poverty, and gender.

Course Objectives:

For the student to acquire:

v      A thorough understanding of core concepts, history, and definitions in the study of sociology

v      Insight into his/her place in society

v      A broader understanding of racial and ethnic, gender, and economic inequality

v      An understanding of societal forces and institutions such as economy, family, politics, religion, and culture

v      A more open mind when dealing with other social groups as well as social issues

Textbooks and Other Course Materials
 

Required Textbooks:

Supplemental  Reader:

    Schaefer, Richard T. Sociology: A Brief Introduction

       (2008). 7^th Edition. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill.

        ISBN 978-0-07-352805-2

     McIntyre, Lisa J. The Practical Skeptic: Readings in

        Sociology. (2009). Fourth Edition. New York, N.Y.:

       McGraw Hill.

       ISBN 978-0-07-338003-2

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 personal 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.

Avoiding Plagiarism
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

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—931 797-7669) (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 late to class
• No packing-up
• Laptops used only for note taking – Surfing the internet is prohibited

Evaluations 

 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.

* 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 on examinations will not be tolerated !!

• 100 points each
   
• 400 total points

Assignments

Reading assignments-It is expected of college students that they will keep up with chapter reading assignments. Unannounced quizzes may occur at the discretion of the instructor if students are not reading assigned chapters.

 Essays : Essay assignments covering selected topics will be announced in advance. The Reading will involve analysis of selected reading material in The Practical Skeptic.

 Critical thinking exercises will be accomplished as group activities.

  Five essays will count 10 points each

·        50 possible points

 Class Participation

ATTENDANCE POLICY: ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED!!!  The majority of learning occurs in the normal interchange of classroom activities. A student will be counted present only if he/she is present and awake during the entire class period and is focused on in-class activities. Surfing the internet during class will result in one absence

v      There are no absences that do not count in the chart below except death in the family or personal hospitalization.

v      Students in a class that meets once a week is equal to a class that meets twice a week. For our class that meets twice a week (TR) the following chart will apply:

v              Misses                                    Points

v              0                                              25

v              1                                              20

v              2                                              15     

v              3                                              10

v              4                                               5

v              5                                               0    

v              6                                              -5

v              7                                              -10

v              8                                              Letter grade reduction

v              9+                                            No credit

Once a week classes - no misses 25 points; 1 miss 15 points; 2 misses 5 points; 3 misses -5 points; 4 misses letter grade reduction; 5 misses of once a week classes = no credit

v  Do not leave in the middle of class as this behavior is very disruptive to the instructor and co-students. Once a week classes will have a break about midway in the class. 

• 20  possible points
• 25 points if no absences

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.

Grading Scale:

Final Grade By Point Totals

A          423-470

B          376-422

C          329-375

D         282-328

F         281-    0

Important Notice – Last Date to Drop Class is November 5, 2008