SYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY

ACC Soci 1301

Lecture Hours: 3 Term: Fall 2011 Instructor’s Name: Prof. S. Sarles


Time & Place 1) 16 week semester: T 6:30-9:10 CYP 2311


2) 8 Week semester Oct 17 – Dec 11: a) MW 3-5:40p, b) TTH 3:00-5:40 CYP1107

















Office hours: 1)T 5:30-6:30 in Adj Off 2204.2 OR by appointment

2) 2-3:00p RGC& CYP Adj Office


We will use Blackboard for class communication. Also : www.austincc.edu/ssarles It is the student’s responsibility to submit and keep updated contact information, especially email address. College email: ssarles@austincc.edu (Notice: answered 3 times a week so allow plenty of time for response. Check syllabus before asking.)


College voice mail: 512/223-1799 X 25816 Leave message, with number said slowly and clearly. Ask your question and mention a couple of times when you can be reached. No need to call about just one absence. To ask about weather closures see college website or call switchboard.


Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.


Course Description : Introduction to theoretical perspectives and research pertaining to society and to the relationship between society and the individual. Focuses on what a social science is, introduces students to methods used, and then considers topics such as class, race, gender, and globalization, and touches on social institutions of marriage & family, religion, education, politics, the economy, and medicine.

 

Rationale: This course will help prepare students to be better citizens, workers, managers and/or entrepreneurs in helping them to understand more about society and how it functions. The expansion of critical thinking and the growth in understanding others’ points of view will help in all endeavors of work and civic life. The understanding of science and how it works is a foundation for critical synthetic and analytical thinking.

 

Prerequisites: Students should be able to read, answer questions, take objective tests and write coherent paragraphs. They should be able to use a library. They should be able to comport themselves properly in a classroom, and civilly to everyone, endangering no one, whether in the classroom or out on assignment.


Students must be TSI compliant. This means you must have passed the writing component. If not, see your advisor immediately for better placement. If you are in a Developmental Math course, and you drop it, the college automatically drops you from the roll in this class. Your instructor is required to enforce TSI compliance, but can not help you; only an Advisor or Counselor can help with a TSI situation. This is your responsibility.


Course Objectives:

Students will be introduced to college classroom customs.

Students will increase their grasp of civility useful to college, workplace, and wider society.

Students will understand what constitutes science, and the strength and extent to truth claims of science,

be introduced to social science, how it differs from opinion, and how we can use the scientific method to learn more about society

will learn basic vocabulary, the three major theoretical perspectives, concepts and long standing theories, as well as be introduced to various current topics within Sociology.

Students will learn about writing college papers in a social science course.

Students will increase their ability to reason analytically and critically about societal issues.

 

Discipline Objectives:

Truthfulness – we will endeavor to learn the truth /facts and work with integrity

Nonviolence – we will not harm other people, and thus we will comport ourselves with civility and respect. Thus we will also not use profanity, wear inappropriate clothes, name call. We will not break things or threaten to harm people. No electronic devices, as they harm study.

Sarvodaya – we will work for uplift and growth in learning and learning ability for ourselves and will help or at least not block that of others. Students will not disturb class. We will increase our ability to be good citizens for the betterment of everyone.

Swadeshi – we will be self-reliant to the extent that we will work and do our part, make good use of legal help given, and not make illegal use of “help” (meaning cheating)


Disruptive individuals may be removed from the class without warning, and may see the police.


Methodology: Lecture, Q&As, discussion, media presentations, in-class exercises, writing assignments,

  REQUIREMENTS

 

  1. Reading assignments. Students are responsible for reading material listed in syllabus as well as content of lectures. Questions based on the reading or previous lecture are elicited at the first of every class period.

 

  1. Attendance/Class Participation Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.


Student is responsible for the content of lectures, meant to elucidate and add to, not regurgitate the text. Test material will be taken from both lecture and reading. Please manage your attendance for best learning. Credit is not given per se for attendance, but studies show that attendance correlates very closely with grades. Attendance need be discussed with professor only in a case where excessive absences require asking for new study strategies. School rules and normal adult etiquette apply.


  1. Students are responsible for participating in their learning. You are to assign and manage your homework for best learning. Please use the freedom and resources of this course to discover your best learning strategies. We will be studying the material and not the test questions. Being treated like an adult means there are opportunities to fail.


  1.  There will be three exams. These will be objective questions.

Each exam is worth 30% of total grade. Please see E for remaining points.

 This is how I will calculate the semester grade:

[(Exam1 + Exam 2 + Exam 3/3] *.90 + all other points = final grade.


Grading system:

A 90 – 100%

B 80-89%

C 70-79 %

D 60-69% Ds are not usually transferable nor acceptable in college

F below 60% and failure to drop (DROPPING IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!!)

Note: You have only 6 drops allowed during college (not counting in Adds and Drops period.)


NO “RETAKES” OR “DO-OVERS” ON EXAMS IN COLLEGE.

Points will be deducted for scantrons and test forms that do not have names and sections correctly filled in. Any scantron so crumpled that it will not go through scoring machine will receive zero points.


  1. Students who must miss the mid-term examinations should call the instructor to request a makeup before the beginning of the mid-term and must take their examination within 1 week. If they have not returned to health they must make arrangements with instructor for extended deadline. Failure to do this will result in a grade of 0 for that exam.


Testing Center policies are attached and are posted on Blackboard as well as their own page in the college website. (Please see summary below.) You will need a photo id, and you may have to wait three days from time of request to date of test, but your week deadline will not be extended.


Plan to take your final in the time scheduled. The Testing Center is not open for final week schedule changes.


Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To request an exam, one must have:


Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/


  1. Papers : Some assignments earn up to 3 points, others up to 5. Directions are included. Due date given means at the exact beginning of class. No paper is accepted handwritten at end of class! Late papers will be accepted with point reduction. Rewrites are elicited. Please turn in rewrites, stapled to previously graded paper(s). No project will be accepted until any required papers are received and graded. Please take advantage of this policy to improve your writing and grade.


See Schedule and Assignment Direction sheet for available assignments. See Formatting Instructions. Points may be deducted for inadequate formatting. No name on paper may mean that no points are awarded. No paper written in handwriting and turned in after class has begun will be accepted.


The class project will be a project on Liberia (touching globalization, economy, politics, gender stratification, religion, family, education, religion, and/or social change.) Writing will be individual.

  1. Up to 10 points may be awarded for exceptional class participation. You are also responsible for not degrading the quality of learning of others. As such as much as 10 points may be deducted for less than acceptable comportment. Neither of these is customary. These points are solely at discretion of instructor.


  1. One point may be earned for meeting with the instructor during office hours during the first 4 weeks of class.



  1. Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should s/he decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should s/he feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, s/he should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. Students are also strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the withdrawal form for their records.


Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities without penalty. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count toward this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.


The instructor may withdraw a student who disrupts the class. Referrals may also be made to the Dean of Students or to the Police. Classroom comportment expectations are posted on Blackboard. Enrollment in the class will mean acceptance of this and other policies.


Also posted is a comparison between high school, community or junior college and senior university. All students are encouraged to read and consider the Bloom taxonomy. Whereas lower level or lesser schools may find that teaching facts only are sufficient, progressing in learning means broadening skills to apply, analyze, and synthesize. This may mean a higher degree of engagement and thought than that to which many students are accustomed.


  1. Safety Statement

Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and to agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note that students are expected to conduct themselves professionally, with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s class activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.



  1. Statement on Students with Disabilities - Accommodation

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  



Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  



Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.   



Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/


  1. Any student needing assistance about learning issues or study skills should see the instructor or the Learning Center as soon as possible. Now is your opportunity to be sure you have mastered the skills that will make you successful in college and in the workplace. Both instructor and school/college make help available. Seeking help just before the final will likely not be sufficient. Seeking “help” after the final obviously is cheating and will not be entertained. If you need academic help such as study skills or writing skills, seek it early.


Student and Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/s4/


Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/


ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at: http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php


For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.


  1. Incompletes

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student is unable to complete all of the requirements for a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Sarles, however, looks unfavorably on incompletes. Do not expect an incomplete in compensation for poor time management.


  1. Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.


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 differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where thinking and learning are encouraged and expanded. Disagreement on matters of judgment is expected. Civility is required of everyone. No one is graded on opinions. You, however, graded on knowledge of facts, including concepts and theories taught, and ability to argue appropriately. Inevitably, also, inability to argue in a civil manner, will get you fewer good results. This course will permit improvement of these skills. Please do review to Discipline Objectives, G (Classroom participation) and H. (Bloom.).


  1. I do not speak with parents. The Family Education Rights Privacy Acts, FERPA, does not allow it; ACC applies FERPA to minors; and my own policy of treating students like adults does not permit it in any case.


  1. Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow


This means that only you can write a paper that you turn in. This means that you may not copy or even just reword someone else’s work. Sarles looks very unfavorably on cheating and will use every legal sanction. Even if you got away with cheating, you would not have learned the material and so would have failed to have built your knowledge, skills, and abilities.


  1. Any waiver or bending of any provision does not lessen the importance of that or any other provision.


  1. **Any student who does not sign and turn in a syllabus receipt by Census Day, will be dropped from the roll at that time. **



RESOURCES

 

Required text: Introduction to Sociology by Henry L. Tischler Cengage 10th Ed.


Visiting the library is virtually required. Please become familiar with resources there.


Supplemental/ Optional:


Hard America, Soft America by Barone, Michael. (This is available in paperback and you might as well buy this at a regular bookseller.) Three Rivers Press (May 24, 2005) ISBN-10: 1400053242 ISBN-13: 978-1400053247



Payne, Ruby K. A Framework for Understanding Poverty, RFT Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0-96474437-2-8.


Walsh, David. No. NY: Free Press, 2007.


Popham, James. The Truth About Testing. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Devel., NY 2001


Available: Sarles, Sharon. How to Win the Game of School. Austin: Organizational Strategies, 2007. See link on lackboard (No points of any kind accrue for purchase, but improved study skills will help you forever.)