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:
 
 
Require Reader:
 
    Carl, John D. Think Sociology. (2010)
       1st Edition. Saddle River, NJ : Pearson Publishing.
        ISBN 9780131754591
     McIntyre, Lisa J. The Practical Skeptic: Readings in
        Sociology. (2011). Fifth Edition. New York, N.Y.:
       McGraw Hill.
       ISBN 978-0-07-340443-1
 
 
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 (931.540.2857) 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—931 797-7669) (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 20 points each
·        100 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 two
v regular 1hr 20 minute class. Missing first half and second
v half of a Tuesday only class counts as two misses.
No absences = 25 points   1 absence = 20 points 2 absences = 15 points    3 absences = 10 points   4 absences = 5 points   5 absences = 0 points   6 absences = -5 points     7 absences = -10 points   8 absences = Letter Grade Reduction
10 absences = No credit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • 20  possible points
  • 25 points if no absences