Sociology 101 Syllabus Instructor: Scott Thompson BA, MAT, MPA E-mail: [email protected] Class Meeting Days and Time: MWF 8:30-9:20 A.M. Room Number: SB 182 Required Book(s): Macionis, John J. Society: The Basics. (2004). Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Course Objectives: This course is designed to examine the fundamental concepts of social organization, culture, socialization, social institutions and social change. The goal of this class is to help students learn about social issues beyond the scope of popular culture and mass media reporting with the aim of achieving deeper personal understanding regarding today’s world and what the future might hold. My expectation is that you will be able to develop and utilize critical thinking skills which challenge common assumptions and be able to demonstrate sound reasoning for your conclusions. For more information regarding the goals and content of this class go to http://www.dist.maricopa.edu/cgi-bin/cpr.pl?trm=20036&crs=soc101&inst=99 . Course Requirements: Attendance is mandatory. I do not teach or test solely from the textbook. Therefore, attendance is vital to your ability to achieve success in this course. The instructor therefore reserves the right to withdraw a student from the course at my discretion after three absences. It is vital that your attendance remains in good standing in order to pass the course. My policy regarding attendance requires that you miss no more than ten classes without an official excuse (such as school athletic events) or a medical excuse. In other words, if you miss eleven classes you will automatically be withdrawn from the class. However, the last day to withdraw from the class will be November 26th meaning that I will not withdraw you from the class based on lack of attendance or for any other purpose. Also, it is important that you not be late for class as walking in late is disruptive. My belief regarding chronic tardiness is that it demonstrates a lack of organization. This class is a college level course that fulfills a general university requirement in social/behavioral sciences. Therefore, it is important that you take the class seriously and show up attentive and eager to learn. I look forward to working with you and learning more about social issues. If you are having problems with the course please see me so we can determine a course of action. Your assignments for the semester are listed on the next page.Assignments: Points ! 4 tests 400 pts (100 pts each) ! Critical thinking paper 100 pts (The content of these papers will be discussed in detail at a later date) ! Group presentation (We will discuss this in detail later) 100 pts Total Points Possible: 600 pts Grade scale: 90 - 100% A 80 - 89% B 70 - 79% C 60 - 69% D 59% or Below F Class Format: The class will be mostly a mix of lecture material and group discussions regarding social issues. My hope is that you all are eager to participate in class discussions. Many of the issues we will be discussing will challenge common perspectives and should arouse a great deal of interest. Course Expectations: You are responsible for all course material. Anything being discussed in the course can be used for testing purposes. This includes lectures, class discussions, and student presentations. As previously mentioned, I do not teach just from the textbook. It is my expectation you will attend a vast majority, if not all classes during this course. It is mandatory that you be present for the tests. I will not give a make up test without an extremely valid explanation for not being able to take the test when scheduled. (A doctors written order is such an example). The alternative to a missed test without a valid excuse usually involves a very long take home essay test or a score of “0”. If you have a time conflict with the tests please let me know in advance so the matter can be dealt with. Late Assignment Policy: My policy is to grade any late work down one letter grade per class period from the grade that would normally receive. For example, a student handing in an assignment three class periods from when it was due will receive a score three grades lower than it would have been if turned in on time; i.e. an “A” assignment would receive a “D” and a “B” assignment would receive an “F” Note: the instructor reserves the right to refuse any late work. Exceptions to this policy require a written statement from a doctor or a very reasonable and valid exception. Do not E-mail me assignments late or not. Assignments are due in paper form at the beginning of class on the date due unless otherwise stated. Students will also be penalized one letter grade on papers if they are not stapled or held together by a paper clip.Attendance: I take attendance at the beginning of every class. If you are tardy you will be considered absent for every three times you are tardy. As mentioned above, if you are absent for more than three classes (three hours of instruction) the instructor reserves the right to withdraw you from the class. Within the last two weeks if you suddenly decide you do not wish to finish the course and I do not see you again you will not be withdrawn from the course and will receive a letter grade for the course which would be most likely an F because you did not finish the required assignments. Therefore, it is your responsibility to withdraw from the course. Do not assume that the instructor will take the initiative to withdraw you based on a lack of attendance. Please refer to your student handbook concerning withdraw dates. If you are having difficulties with the course please see me. Cheating and Plagiarism: In a nutshell; DON’T DO IT. I will spend some time defining