Syllabus for Fall
Semester, Aug 23 – Dec 12, 2010
SOCI 1301 -
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY,
TTh 1:25-2:40- Syn 19651-037, NRG Rm 4220
TTh 2:50-4:05, Syn 19652-038, NRG Rm 4203
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PROF: Dr. Jack Taylor |
MAILING ADDRESS: |
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PHONE: Leave message at: 223-1795 ext. 23434# SPEAK SLOWLY and REPEAT the message |
BLACKBOARD: http://acconline.austin.cc.tx.us//,
website |
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EMAIL: jtaylorzz@yahoo.com |
TESTING CENTER HOURS: http://www.austincc.edu/testctr |
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FAX: 512-223-4310 Be sure to use a cover page |
SOCIOLOGY DEPT WEB SITE: http://www.austincc.edu/sbs |
OFFICE HOURS: TUE & THUR 12:15pm - 1:15pm, And by appointment Adjunct Office Rm
2111
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PURPOSE OF
THIS COURSE
This course is an
introduction to the scientific study of human social behavior. Using the
methods and theories of sociology, we will explore the social realities humans
construct through ongoing patterns of individual and group interaction.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES
1. To introduce you to the
skills of critical thinking used in the social sciences as
theories and methods of analysis.
2. To provide you
opportunities to practice these skills through direct observation of
human
social behavior and through the analysis of written reports.
3. To introduce you to the
"sociological imagination" perspective of interpreting the
relationship
between your personal life and the larger forces of social existence.
4. To examine the operation
of the major institutions of human societies such as
government, economics, the family, religion and
education, and their interdependence.
5. To raise
your awareness of social problems and the nature of social structures,
including
issues of race, gender and class.
Text:
Sociology In Our Times: The Essentials 7th ed. by Diana Kendall
HOW TO EARN POINTS IN THIS CLASS: 500 posible points.
1. Tests:There
are 3 required tests. (Tests are 100 points each, maximum 300 points)
2. Book
Report: Up to 200 points. OR
3. Volunteer
Work: up to 200
points
You may choose to do either book reports or volunteer work
GRADING SYSTEM
A= 470 POINTS
B= 440 "
C= 410 "
D= 380 "
For a
F:
1. Make less than the
requirements for a "D"
2. Engage in ANY form of
scholastic dishonesty.
3. Fail to withdraw yourself
if you are not passing.
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INCOMPLETES are
given only if a student has made substantial progress in completing all class
assignments and testing. The circumstances that
led to your not completing the course material must have been entirely beyond
your control such as medical emergencies. If you are not making satisfactory
progress withdraw yourself before Nov 23
Tests 1, 2, & 3 are required tests. There are 50 multiple choice
questions on each test, each question is worth 2 points, possible 300 points.
The test questions come from the text and Lectures
TEST 1 covers Chs. 1 - 4.
TEST 2 covers Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
TEST 3 covers Chs. 11, 12, 13 & 15
omit 14 & 16
Test review sheets are
available online at www.austincc.edu/jtaylor
See semester calendar for test dates
You can do the book reports or the volunteer project but you cannot do both
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BOOK REPORT
Due Tue, Nov. 16
Some recommended books:
Invitation to Sociology,
Peter Berger, Anchor Books
There is Nothing In The Middle Of The Road
But Yellow Stripes And Dead Armadillos by Jim Hightower. [Available at most major bookstores.]
Ten Questions: A
sociological perspective by Joel Charon, 4th ed. [Available
in ACC bookstores.]
The Rich Get Richer and
the Poor Get Prison, by Jeffery Remain, 6th ed. [Available in ACC
bookstores]
Check the library for my books on reserve under my name. The Kendall text book cannot be used, but you can use those links to find other books. Another very good list of books is by Professor Bob Woldman http://www2.austincc.edu/rwoldman
Guidelines for writing
a book report.
1.
The book report should summarize the book as a whole, integrating the
ideas of
each
chapter.
2. Critically evaluate
the author's major sociological points of view.
3. State how you agree
or disagree with the author.
4. For
more details see: Writing
a Book Report to be handed out in class.
Due Tue Nov 16
Points: You will receive 200 points for completing this project and submitting the Time Sheet & required paper. Volunteer work is strongly recommendedfor all grades so that you can
see
the social forces at work.
Volunteer
Work is Optional, but if you choose to do volunteer work, you must complete the
following REQUIREMENTS:
1. You must volunteer for at least 10 hours (orientation time does not count as volunteer time)
2. You must
volunteer in one of the approved list of agencies or get my approval for
a
different agency. An approved list of agencies will be handed out in class but
if
you have one in mind discuss it with me. Contact the agency
immediately and
get started. You must have in-person contact
with 5-10 clients This does not include staff.
Orientation cannot count as part of your hours served.
Last
day for
approval for any volunteer
agency NOT on the list is the second week of class
3. At the end of the
volunteer period you must submit a Volunteer Time Sheet
stating
the hours you volunteered and signed by your supervisor. Time sheets
will be
available in class. Late or no time sheet = 0 points for
volunteer work.
4. You must submit
a three to five page summary report of your work in the agency.
FORMAT FOR
VOLUNTEER WORK REPORT (After
completing your volunteer work)
(Your Name
------------------
SOCI 1301
- Intro to Soc , 16 weeks Fall 2010, TTh
(Name of
agency________________)
(The body of the report
comes next)
Divide the report into 3
numbered and clearly labeled parts:
1. Discuss the work of the
agency.
2. Discuss the work you did.
[You must have in-person contact with 5 - 10 clients.]
3. You must write a paragraph
about each major social force that you observed that are influenced the
condition of the clients [Clients only, not the staff.] Major social forces
include: social class, gender, race, family, religion, education, politics,
age, economics, rural, small town, and urban influences, regional differences,
and ethnic differences.
The Volunteer Work Report
and & Time Sheet must turned in by Nov 16
You are expected to participate in class discussion.
Your discussion in class
reveals the degree of effort you are giving to the study of sociology. In
my classes, students who demonstrate that they have read the material under
discussion and show an understanding of the subjects usually make better
grades.
. You are expected to be in class, on time, and ready to begin the days assignment. Three unexcused absences are acceptable for the semester. More than three absences will result in your final grade being lowered by 1% point for each absence. Leaving class early or coming in late is counted as an absence. The total of this percentage will be subtracted from the total points you have earned during the semester. Absences will be excused for justified reasons that are documented. Transportation problems, family problems, child care problems, legal problems and all the other hardships and anxieties of our pilgrimage on this earth are not accepted as excusable reasons for you to neglect your dedicated pursuit of your education. You can do it!! Adherence to a class and study schedule similar to attendance at a job is a characteristic of a successful student.
Students will be automatically withdrawn from the class roll if their absences exceed 6 unexcused absences for the total semester. "An instructor may withdraw a student who is not meeting course requirements." (Student Handbook) If your class schedule conflicts with other obligations, you should WITHDRAW from the class. Coming in late or leaving early is disruptive for the class. These will be considered an absence.
Students with disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services
for student 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)
LAST
DAY TO WITHDRAW: Nov 18
It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course before the deadline. Failure to withdraw from the course without completing the course work will result in a grade of "F"
Last updated Aug, 2010