Lamar State College - Port Arthur

House Bill 2504

Fall 2017 Course Syllabus

SOCI-1301-01 - Intro Sociology

 
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Faculty Information
SemesterFall 2017
InstructorBriscoe, Sonya Yvette
Phone(409) 984-6335
E-mailbriscoesy@lamarpa.edu
Department
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Michelle Davis
Phone:(409) 984-6341
E-mail:davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Office
Hours:Course Dates: Tues/Thur 11am-12:15pm (Aug 28 – Dec 6, 2017)
Building:Performing Arts & Theatre Center (PAC)
Room:Room 148
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you’ve logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the “My Courses” tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Course Information
Course Number91714
Course Description The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance.
Course Prerequisites None
Required Textbooks SOC5, Introduction of Sociology, Nijole V. Benokraitis, Cengage Learning.
ISB: 978-1305660625.
Students will purchase text via the publisher, bookstore, or other source. . Information will be sent to your mylamar email account.
NOTE: You are responsible for and expected to purchase all learning material for this course.
Attendance Policy ABSENCES, TARDINESS, and MAKE-UPS: Attendance is required, and punctuality is expected. Attendance will be monitored. If you miss 5 classes with unexcused absences, you can be dropped from the course by the instructor without further notice.
NOTE: You will still be responsible for any information covered in class and all assignments. Make-up work will not be given – meaning, you will be assigned a zero.

MISSED EXAMS/QUIZZES: If you miss an exam/quiz because of an excused absence, your lowest lecture exam score will be used as the score for the exam that you missed. Excused absences include medical and family emergencies and are determined at the instructor’s discretion. You can only miss one exam with an excused absence (excluding the final), and you must take the final exam. NOTE: Poor preparation or conflict with other scheduled exams is not a valid excuse for missing an exam. Written proof from a physician will be required for medical and family emergencies in order to substitute the score for the missed exam.

FAILURE TO DROP: You must officially drop the class if you choose no longer want to be in the course. The required administrative details are your responsibility. If you quit coming to class and do not officially drop, your grades (including zeros for all missing assignments) will be averaged, and you will receive a final grade represented by this average. Make-up exams and assignment submission will not be given.
Course Grading Scale 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade Four (8pts ea.) Online Discussions: 32%
Four (10pts ea.) Exams: 40%
MidTerm Essay (12pts): 12%
Final Essay (16pts): 16%

NOTE: Class Participation can affect your grade. Exams, discussions, and/or extra credit will include additional information covered during the lectures.
Final Exam Date December 7, 2017 - 11:00 AM   Through  December 14, 2017 - 12:15 PM
Major Assignments All lectures, assignments and due dates are listed below:
Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates Module 1
Orientation, introduction, Syllabus review
Reading: Ch1-Thinking Like a Sociologist
Ch2-Examining Our Social World
Wk 2 Discussion 1: Due Thur (Sep 7) by 11:59pm
Two (2) Replies: Due Sun (Sep 10) by 11:59pm

Module 2
Reading: Ch3-Culture
Ch4-Socialization
Wk 4 Exam 1: Complete by 11:59pm Sun (Sep 24).



Module 3
Reading: Ch5-Social Interaction in Everyday Life
Ch6-Groups, Organizations, and Institutions
Wk 6 Discussion 2: Due Thur (Oct 5) by 11:59pm
Two (2) Replies: Due Sun (Oct 8) by 11:59pm

Module 4
Reading: Ch7-Devienance, Crime, and Social Control
Ch8-Social Stratification: United States and Global
Wk 7 Exam 2: Complete by Sun (Oct 22) by 11:59pm
Wk 8 *MIDTERM: Essay Due Sun (Oct 22) by 11:59pm

Module 5
Reading: Ch9-Gender and Sexuality
Ch10-Race and Ethnicity
Wk 10 Discussion 3: Due Thur (Nov 2) by 11:59pm
Two (2) Replies: Due Sun (Nov 5) by 11:59pm

Module 6
Reading: Ch11-The Economy and Politics
Ch12-Families and Aging
Wk 12 Exam 3: Complete by 11:59pm Sun (Nov 19)

Module 7
Reading: Ch13-Education and Religion
Ch14-Health and Medicine
Wk 14 Discussion 4: Due Thur (Nov 30) by 11:59pm
Two (2) Replies: Due Sun (Dec 3) by 11:59pm

Module 8
Reading: Ch15-Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Ch16-Social Change: Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and
Technology
Wk 15 *FINAL: Comprehensive Paper Due Dec 8th by 11:59pm (FRIDAY)
Exam 4: Complete by 11:59pm Sun (Dec 10)
General Education/Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes
Communication skills:Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills:Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills:Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

Teamwork:Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Social Responsibility:Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

Personal Responsibility:Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.
Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading.
PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion.
PSLO 2: Communication Skills Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.
PSLO3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
Identifies mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task; uses mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task; analyzes how to use the principles; and applies problem-solving skills in mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task with correct informed conclusions.
PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Identifies cultural characteristics (including beliefs, values, perspectives and/or practices); demonstrates knowledge of civic responsibility; provides evidence of experience in civic- engagement activities; and describes what she/ he has learned as it relates to a reinforced and clarified sense of civic identity in local, regional, national, or global communities; and shows awareness of one�s own culture in relation to others.
Course Student Learning Outcomes 1. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology. (PSLO 1,2,& 5) Measured by embedded test questions, video assignment, group discussion, and/or research project rubric
2. Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.(PSLO 1, 2, 5, Alpha) Measured by test, video assignment, group discussion, and/or research/proposal project rubric; pre-test/post-test
3. Describe key concepts in sociology.(PSLO 1,2,3,5,alpha) Measured by Measured by test, video assignment, group discussion, and/or research/proposal project rubric; pre-test/post-test
4. Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.(PSLO 1, 2,3,5, alpha) Measured by Measured by embedded test questions, video assignment, group discussion, and/or research project rubric; pre-test/post-test
5. Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.(PSLO 1,2,5, Alpha) Measured by Measured by test , video assignment, group discussion, and/or research/proposal project rubric; pre-test/post-test
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  • No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  • Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  • Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor.

  • Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Instructors have an obligation to reduce such disruptions.

  • Turn your cellphones to vibrate when you enter the classroom.

    Also Be Aware:



    •    Although at times electronic devices may be used/invited into the learning

    environment, keep in mind that use of disallowed electronic devices during

    class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable

    time. Instructors have NO obligation to tolerate distractions and/or disruptions.



    •    Silence your cell phones BEFORE you enter the classroom.



    •    Be respectful of instructor, fellow students and the academic environment.

    Instructors have NO obligation to tolerate disruptive behaviors of any kind.



Additional Information There will be no makeup test or assignments.

Please do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments due to possible technical difficulties.

If you have any questions, cares, or concerns, please email them to me and I will check my email during my virtual office hour. If you need to speak to me in person, please try to make an appointment after class on Tuesday or Thursday. Email me your request giving me two possible days to select from.
Important Information
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
Copyright Violations Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.

Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties.

Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented.

If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor or contact the Dean of Library Services, at (409) 984-6216.
Assessment Statement Assessment is a process by which LSCPA can help you learn better and gauge the level of progress you have made to attain knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values. It also helps your professors understand how to improve teaching and testing methods in your classes, and it helps each department understand and improve degree and certificate programs.

Periodically LSC-PA will collect assessment data for research and reporting purposes, including statistical data and sometimes copies of your work. Be assured that all material the college uses for assessment purposes will be kept confidential. To ensure anonymity, your name will be removed from any material we use for assessment purposes, including video-recorded performances, speeches, and projects.

If you object to allowing LSC-PA to use your material for assessment purposes, submit a letter stating so to your professor by the 12th class day. You will still be required to participate in whatever assessments are being done; we just won’t use your data.

What’s the difference between assessment and grades? The grades you get on papers, projects, speeches, and assignments are specific types of focused assessment. LSC-PA’s assessment efforts include class grades, surveys, standardized tests, and other tools.
Privacy Notice Federal privacy laws apply to college students. This means that college employees, including instructors, cannot divulge information to third parties, including parents and legal guardians of students. Even if the students are minors, information about their college work cannot be shared with anyone except in very limited circumstances.

Anyone requesting information about a student should be referred to the Registrar. Instructors will be notified in writing by that Office about what information may be released and to whom.

Please remember that releasing private information about a student, however innocuous it may seem, can be a violation of federal law, with very serious consequences.

Circumstances under which information may be released:

An adult student may submit, to the Registrar, a handwritten, signed note granting permission for release of information. The note must specify what information may be divulged, and it must specify the name of the person to whom the information may be given.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student by providing a copy of a filed tax return that shows that the student was listed as a dependent of that parent or guardian. The tax return must be for last complete tax year. Again, this documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student if the student logs on to My.LamarPA.edu and sends an email to the Registrar granting permission. The email must specify what information may be given and the name of the person to whom it may be given.

Co-enrollment students are protected by the same privacy laws as adult students.

The Registrar’s office is located in the Student Center room 303B, and can be reached at (409) 984-6165.

College-Level Perspectives This course helps add to the students’ overall collegiate experience in the following ways:

  • Establishing broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which s/he lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.

  • Stimulating a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.

  • Developing a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect their lives.

  • Developing personal values for ethical behavior.

  • Developing the ability to make aesthetic judgments.

  • Using logical reasoning in problem solving.

  • Integrating knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.

Degree Plan Evaluation A Degree Plan Evaluation will help you determine which classes you need to complete your program.

  1. Sign in to your my.lamarpa.edu account.

  2. Click on the “My Services” tab.

  3. Click on the “Student” tab.

  4. Click on Student Records.

  5. Click on Degree Evaluation.

  6. Select the term you are planning on registering for (i.e. Summer I, Summer II, Fall, or Spring)

  7. Verify that the Curriculum Information (your MAJOR) is correct

  8. Click on “Generate New Evaluation” at the bottom of the screen.

  9. Click the radio button next to Program

  10. Click on the Generate Request button.

All of the classes that you have taken that apply to your declared major will be listed on the right. If you have a class that still needs to be completed, a “NO” will be listed on the right next to the required class.

HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA’s efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Mission

Lamar State College - Port Arthur, a member of The Texas State University System, is an open-access, comprehensive public two-year college offering quality and affordable instruction leading to associate degrees and a variety of certificates. The College embraces the premise that education is an ongoing process that enhances career potential, broadens intellectual horizons, and enriches life.

Core Values

  • Shared commitment by faculty, staff and administration to a mission characterized by student learning, diversity, and community involvement

  • General education/core curriculum that develops the values and concepts that allow the student to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace or community

  • Academic and technical programs designed to fulfill our commitment to accommodate students with diverse goals and backgrounds, using a variety of delivery methods, on and off campus

  • Technical education programs that provide for the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary for initial and continued employment

  • Student achievement characterized by attainment of individual goals and measured by successful accomplishments and completion of curriculum

  • Co-curricular opportunities that develop social, financial and civic acuity

Principles

Lamar State College - Port Arthur operates in the belief that all individuals should be:

  • treated with dignity and respect;

  • afforded equal opportunity to acquire a complete educational experience;

  • given an opportunity to discover and develop their special aptitudes and insights; and,

  • provided an opportunity to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change.

 
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