Sociology 1301: Introduction to Sociology
Instructor: Alfred C. Maldonado, Ph.D.
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- Instructional Mode: Lecture & Interactional Discussions
- Spring Semester 2003: January 13, 2002May 7, 2003
- Class Meets Monday & Wednesday
- Where: Classroom 1055
- When: Class Period: 4:15am5:30am
- Synonym ID: 48948
- Section ID: 015
- Office: Building 2000, Office 2111.
- Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 3:10pm-4:10pm or by Appointment.
- Appointments: Can be scheduled for any mutually-acceptable time and day.
- Primary Phone: (H) 512-837-2935
- Secondary Phone: Use Only During Office Hours: 512-223-4828
- Email Address: alfredcm@austin.rr.com
- Fax: 512-837-2935
- Web Site: http://alfredcmaldonado0.tripod.com/acm
- ACC BlackBoard: http://acconline.austincc.edu/
- Holiday: Monday, January 20, 2003: Martin Luther King Day
- Spring Break: Monday, March 10, 2003-Sunday, March 16, 2003
- Deadline to Withdraw from Course with grade of W: Monday, April 21, 2003
- Sunday, May 11, 2003: ACC Spring Semester 2003 Classes End.
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SOCI 1301 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (3-3-0). Introduction to theoretical perspectives and research pertaining to society and to the relationship between society and the individual. Covers the basic elements of society, such as culture, social structure, social groups, social class, race, gender, social institutions, social processes, and social change. There is an emphasis on developing oral and written communication skills.
Required Textbooks Package.
John J. Macionis, Society: The Basics, 6th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Alfred C. Maldonado, Readings in Sociology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Custom Printing, 2002.
Required Texts are purchased as one package. Package includes free study guide, 2000 Census, etc.
Email Account Required. You can get a web-based email account through Yahoo.com or Hotmail.com. You can read your email at a computer in any ACC Library if you do not have an internet connection at home or work. You can check your email at any ACC Library any time they are open.
Office for Student Disabilities. Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester. (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14).
Scholastic Dishonesty. Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students should be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32).
A student caught cheating will earn a failing grade (F) and will be dropped from the class. Using someone else's ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as your own, either on purpose or through carelessness, is Plagiarism, a form of Theft. Ideas or phrasing" includes written or spoken material, from whole papers and paragraphs to sentences, and phrases, but it also includes statistics, lab results, artwork, etc. Someone else" can mean a professional source, such as a published writer or critic in a book, magazine, encyclopedia, or journal; an electronic resource such as material we find on the Web; another student at our school or anywhere else; a paper-writing service (online or not) which offers to sell written papers for a fee.
Student Freedom of Expression. Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many different viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students sometimes disagree not only with each other but with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
SOCIOLOGY COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:
- Student retention and academic success.
- Student Comfort in seeking instructor assistance and engaging in class participations.
- Student Responsibility for meeting course deadlines and assignments.
- Critical Thinking Skills as an indispensable component of Sociology.
- Sociological Perspective: social science application of core concepts and research to everyday life.
- Student Mastery of the scientific method and its application to the larger societys social relationships.
- The Essay as the articulation of integrated Sociological knowledge to a larger audience.
- Historical Contexts for concepts, research, class discussions and assignments.
- Public Presentation of Sociological knowledge and research.
- Intellectual Analyses: less provincialism, parochialism, common sense, rote learning, and passive note-taking. More critical thinking skills.
- Critical Analyses of US institutions as a first step toward acquisition of critical thinking skills.
- Recruiting students to the discipline of Sociology.
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Sociology, A Social Science Based on the Scientific Method: Constructing Social Reality
Sociology emerged in the 19th century as a result of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, and the major sociocultural changes brought by these two historical processes. Philosophers and other thinkers sought systematic
answers to the massive changes in societies that could use methodology from the new biological sciences. Sociology is one of the younger behavioral sciences. Sociology has important intellectual and philosophical linkages to Psychology, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology, and other social sciences.
Sociology is the scientific study of social relationships in societies. Sociology is a Social Science that uses the Scientific Method. Science is a process that never ends and does not know Final Truth because it is not a closed system. It is also critical that we include Historical Analysis to understand Institutional relationships and changes in their Historical Contexts. Ahistorical Sociology is not only weak inquiry, but it is not very illuminating.
Sociological research and knowledge is not based on sacred scriptures, faith, myths, divine truth, revelation, intuition, conventional wisdom, what everybody knows, common sense, revealed Word from deities, visions, inspiration, awakenings or instincts.
IMPORTANT: This is a social science course based on the scientific method. This course is NOT a course whose knowledge and research methods are based on Church, Sect, or Cult Theology or Sacred Scripture or Divine Truth. While we do study the Sociology of religion, it is within the discipline of Sociology and its methodology that Religions and Religious institutions are comparatively studied, described, analyzed, and critiqued to see how they develop and change over time in relation to the other institutions of society in the world.
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ATTENDANCE POLICIES
- How many unexcused absences (cuts) are permitted during the semester? Four.
- What happens if a student exceeds four cuts during the semester? Guess.
- What if the fifth cut occurs before the Withdrawl deadline (Monday, April 21, 2003)?
- What is the Definition of Excused Absences?
- Can a relative die and rise from the dead and/or die more than once per semester? No, its extremely rare..
- Stop me if you have heard this one? Unexcused Absences (Cuts) and Lame Excuses.
- Consequences of Persistent Tardiness.
- What is the Deadline to Withdraw from the Course with a grade of W. Monday, April 21, 2003.
- What are the Criteria for Makeup Exams?
- What are the Criteria to Request a grade of Incomplete?
- Is there a Cell Phone Policy? Uh Huh. There sure is.
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HOW MANY TIMES MAY I CUT (UNEXCUSED ABSENCES) THIS CLASS: FOUR times.
WHAT IF THE FIFTH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OCCURS BEFORE THE OFFICIAL WITHDRAWL DATE? The student will be dropped with a W (Withdrew) regardless of his or her academic standing at that time in the class. Deadline for Withdrawl with W: Monday, April 21, 2002.
WHAT IF THE FIFTH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OCCURS AFTER THE OFFICIAL WITHDRAWL DATE? The student will not be dropped. The student remains on the class roll, receiving the grade that she or he earns the entire semester to the end. Deadline for Withdrawl with W: Monday, April 21, 2002
Excused Absences. You must provide me with a timely written and acceptable reason on letterhead from the relevant professional (doctor, court administrator, insurance adjuster, etc.) clearly stating why you had to be elsewhere at the time of the class or exam or why you were too sick to attend. Written excuses from family, spouse, employer, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, parents, and lawyers are not acceptable. Remember: if you cannot satisfactorily document an absence that I will accept, the absence is a cut or unexcused absence.
Death & Resurrection. Any one close relative (parents, siblings, grandparents, spouse, children, cousins, in-laws, uncle, niece, aunt) can die only once per semester. You must provide me with written proof that you are a close family relative (the deceased is your son, daughter, father, mother, grandparent, sibling, in-law, aunt, nephew, niece, etc.) of the deceased by providing me with an acceptable obituary memorial program(s) or similar written document with your name listed as one of the surviving family members. Remember: if you cannot document an absence, that absence is not excused.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
I have heard so many bad excuses. SUGGESTION: Save your four permitted cuts for when you really need them. If you cannot document an absence, the absence becomes an unexcused absence.
Consistent Tardiness. You will be counted absent if, in my opinion, you are consistently tardy (more than twice per month) come to class late and disrupt my lectures. Understand that coming in late disrupts the class, including me. I have to stop the
lecture to see who it is. A student who leaves during class and do not return to class will be counted absent.
Make Up Exams: Only those students with acceptable excused absences may make up an exam and the exam must be made up within one week of the students return to the class. All make up exams will be taken at the Testing Center during their normal operating hours.
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INCOMPLETES: Criteria used to assess a student request for a grade of Incomplete:
- A student has made semester-long positive progress. The student has a realistic chance of passing.
- The student makes the request before the final exam or I offer the Incomplete to the student.
- All previously assigned work has been completed satisfactorily and on time.
- No failing grade on more than one major exam (60% correct or above).
- I will evaluate all other academic factors that are relevant for me to make a determination.
- A documented and acceptable sudden major student or close family emergency or catastrophe.
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Cell Phones In Class: Cell phones, beepers, etc., must be turned off during class. Never have your cell phone on in my class. I never want to hear cell phones going off in my class. No exceptions. One cell phone disruption will result in the student being excused from class and counted absent. Two cell phone interruptions will result in the student being dropped from the class.
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EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES
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CLASS ATTENDANCE REWARDS:
1. Students with NO unexcused absences or cuts during the semester earn 50 Extra Points of Credit.
2. Students with ONE unexcused absence or cuts during the semester earn 35 Extra Points of Credit.
3. Students with TWO unexcused absences or cuts during the semester earn 20 Extra Points of Credit.
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Reader Articles: Up to 25 Points Per Individual or Student Group ( up to two students) for 20 minutes. There are about a dozen articles that will be discussed in class and that will have to be integrated into the exam essays. Why not volunteer to make a 20 minute report as part of a small student group? Group presentations will be given priority over individual presentations and Reader Articles will receive priority over other non-Reader materials.
See the handout for Presentations Grading Criteria.
Class Presentations of Non-Reader Articles. Students who volunteer for individual or group class presentations, time permitting, can earn up to 35 Extra Points per presentation of 30 minutes, depending on the amount of work required and how well the report is presented to the class and to me. See the handout of Books that are Available for Reports. I will consider your own favorite social science book or work not on my list. Subject to my approval, you could make a presentation on that work. See the handout for Presentations Grading Criteria. Group presentations will be given priority over individual presentations.
Four Optional Monthly Quizzes (January [1), February[2], March [3]), April [4] worth a Total of 120 Extra Credit Points. See the dates under Important Dates, below, for the four scheduled quizzes, which students may take for extra credit. Each Quiz consists of 30 Multiple Choice Questions, with each question worth one point, from Chapters 6, 9, 12, & 16: Deviance, Global Stratification, Economics & Politics, and Social Change.
Extra Credit Activities Deadline: Monday, May 5, 2003.
Instructor-Awarded Extra Credit: I may reward a student with any number of extra credit points and/or exemption from the final exam or other assignments without loss of points or grade if, on the basis of consistently excellent performance, I conclude that the student has earned the extra credit and/or the exemption.
Exemption from the Final Exam, Other Assignments: I may exempt a student from the Final Exam without penalty of loss of points or loss of grade. Exemption from the final may include extra credit points to elevate a student to a higher grade or to enable a student to pass the course. This will be used sparingly. A student with an A average going into the Final Exam will be automatically Exempt from the Final Exam. A student with a B, C, D, or F average going into the Final Exam may want to first meet with me and get a written agreement from me that clearly outlines what Final Exam score will have to be earned by the student in order to receive a higher or passing grade. It is up to the student to initiate this meeting in a timely fashion.
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CURVING GRADES:
Class grades will not be curved. Individual student grades may be curved depending on the semester-long academic performance of the student making the request.
EXAM INFORMATION
If necessary, we will adjust exam date(s) to reflect changed circumstances. Students will have plenty of notice that an exam date has been changed. This usually happens when class discussions take more time than I anticipated. However, we will go with the class discussions even if it means adjusting the exam date(s).
Mandatory Meeting with Me. A student who makes a D or F grade on Exam One and/or Exam Two MUST schedule a meeting with me so we can assess what problems the student is having in the course, and so we can work together to ensure it does not happen again. The meeting is not to chew anybody out, but to help the student do well in future assignments and exams. Most such meetings last 20 minutes.
COURSE POINT TOTALS AND GRADE DISTRIBUTIONS:*
A = 450 to 500 Points (90%--100%)
B = 400 to 449 Points (80%---89%)
C = 350 to 399 Points (70%---79%)
D = 300 to 349 Points (60%---69%)
F = 299 or fewer Points. (59% or lower)
* Note: The 500 semester point totals include two 50-point essays. No one has to write any essays for any exams. However, students who elect not to write one or both essays for exams will have to find the 50 or 100 points elsewhere from among the extra credit opportunities listed in this syllabus.
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MAJOR EXAMS:
· Major Exam One with 40 Fill in the Blank Questions & one 50 Point Essay 130 Points
· Major Exam Two with 40 Fill in the Blank Questions & one 50 Point Essay 130 Points
· Major Exam Three comprised of 55 Fill in the Blank Questions 110 Points
· Major Exam Four is Class Participation 130 Points
TOTAL 500 Points
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Exam One & Exam Two count 130 Points each. Each consists of one 50-point Essay and 40 (Two Points/Question = 80 Points) Fill-in-the Blank questions, totaling 130 Points.
Exam Three does NOT REQUIRE an Essay Question, just 55 Fill in the Blank questions. See next entry, however.
Exam Three Essay Option: You may elect to do a 50-point Optional Essay for Exam Three, in which case your Essay Score and your Fill in the Blank Score will be combined into one score for Exam Three.
Class Participation (Exam Four). Class participation is the point equivalent of Major Exams One or Two (130 Points). If you never utter a word in class, you will still receive 75 points. I strongly encourage productive class participation that moves the class discussions forward and makes the classes more academically challenging and interesting. The primary goal is to develop critical thinking skills in the exchange and debate of ideas and knowledge. It is not about being right. It is about making the effort and doing your best to think Sociologically.
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SPRING SEMESTER 2003: IMPORTANT DATES:
Mon., January 27, 2003: Optional Quiz 1 (Chapter 6: Deviance); 30 points, 30 Multiple Choice (MC) Questions.
Monday, February 17, 2003, 6:00pm: Optional Essay Draft #1 Deadline for Exam One.
Wed., February 19, 2003: EXAM ONE (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 7), 80 Points, 40 Fill in the Blank (FIB) Questions.
Wed., February 19, 2003: 50-Point Optional Essay for Exam 1 due at beginning of class.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003: Optional Quiz 2 (Ch. 12: Econ. & Politics); 30 points, 30 MC Questions.
Monday-Friday, March 10-16, 2003: ACC Spring Break. No Classes.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003: Optional Quiz 3 (Chapter 9: Global Stratification); 30 points, 30 MC Questions.
Monday, April 7, 2003, 6:00pm: Optional Essay Draft #2 Deadline for Exam Two.
Wednesday, April 9, 2003: EXAM TWO (Chapters 8, 10, 11, & 14), 80 Points, 40 FIB Questions.
Wednesday, April 9, 2003: 50-Point Optional Essay for Exam 2 due at beginning of class.
Monday, April 21, 2003: Last Day to drop the Class with a W (Withdrew).
Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Optional Quiz 4 (Chapter 16: Social Change); 30 points, 30 MC Questions.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003: Last Day for All Extra Credit Reports/Activities.
Monday, May 5, 2003, 6:00pm: Optional Essay Draft #3 Deadline for Exam Three.
Wednesday, May 7, 2003: EXAM THREE (Chapters 13 (Family section only), 14, & 15), 110 points, 55 MC Questions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2003: 50-Point Optional Essay for Exam 3 due at beginning of class.
See detailed information just below.
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Mon., January 27, 2003: Optional Quiz 1 (Chapter 6: Deviance); 30 points, 30 Multiple Choice (MC) Questions.
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EXAM ONE.
Monday, February 17, 2003, 6:00pm:Optional: Exam Draft Essay for Exam 1 Deadline.
Wednesday, February 19, 2003: EXAM ONE: 130 Points:
40 FIB Questions worth 80 points.
One Essay worth 50 points.
80 Points: 40 Fill-In-the-Blank (FIB) Questions from:
- Chapter One: The Sociological Perspective/Research
- Chapter Two: Culture
- Chapter Three: Socialization
- Chapter Seven: Sexuality
50 Point Essay Question: You may choose one essay question to answer. Essay options distributed in class.
Articles for Inclusion in Essays and/or for Class Reports:
Article: An Idea Whose Time Has Come.
Article: Not Just for Bikers Anymore: Popular Representations of American Tattooing.
Article: The Effect of Extreme Isolation on Socialization,
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Wednesday, February 26, 2003: Optional Quiz 2 (Ch. 12: Econ. & Politics); 30 points, 30 MC Questions.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2003: Quiz 3 (Chapter 9: Global Stratification); 30 points, 30 MC Questions.
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EXAM TWO
Monday, April 7, 2003, 6:00pm: Optional Essay Draft #2 Deadline for Exam Two.
Wednesday, April 9, 2003:EXAM TWO: 130 Points.
40 FIB Questions worth 80 points.
One Essay worth 50 points.
80 Points: 40 Fill-In-the-Blank Questions from:
- Chapter 8: US Class & Social Stratification
- Chapter 10: Gender Stratification
- Chapter 11: Race & Ethnicity
- Chapter 14: The Education Section
50 Point Essay Question: You may choose one essay question to answer. Essay options distributed in class.
Articles for Inclusion in Essays and/or for Class Reports:
Article: Race, Class, and Income Inequality.
Article: White Racism: A Sociology of Human Waste.
Article: The Gender Blur.
Article: The National Conversation in the Wake of Littleton is Missing the Mark.
Article: Racial Stratification and Education in the US: Why Inequality Persists.
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Monday, April 21, 2003: Last Day to drop the Class with a W (Withdrew).
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Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Optional Quiz 4 (Chapter 16: Social Change); 30 points, 30 MC Questions.
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Wednesday, April 30, 2003: Last Day for All Extra Credit Reports/Activities.
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EXAM THREE (FINAL EXAM)
Monday, May 5, 2003, 6:00pm: Optional Essay Draft #3 Deadline for Exam Three.
Wednesday, May 7, 2003: EXAM THREE (Chapters 13, Family; 14, & 15), 110 points, 55 MC Questions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2003: 50-Point Optional Essay for Exam 3 due at beginning of class.
110 Points: 55 Fill in the Blank Questions from:
- Chapter 14: The Medicine Section only
- Chapter 13: Family and Religion
- Chapter 15: Population & Demography
50 Point Essay Question: You may choose one essay question to answer. Essay options distributed in class.
Do you need it?
Articles for Inclusion in Essays and/or for Class Reports:
Article: The Process of Aging: Growing Up and Growing Old
Article: The Sacred Canopy, by Peter Berger.
Article: Mate Selection and Marriage Around the World.
Article: U.S. Policy and Mexican Immigration to the US, 1942-1992.
