Office Hours by Appointment : Please contact your instructor at clarkkb@lamarpa.edu or 409-698-0826 (call or text)">Office Hours by Appointment : Please contact your instructor at clarkkb@lamarpa.edu or 409-698-0826 (call or text)

Sociology Text Required -

Introduction to Sociology 3e, Open Stax,

Rice University. Published date June 3, 2021.

Download at:  https://openstax.org/details/books/introduction-sociology-3e.                                                    

Hardcover: ISBN-13: 978-1-711493-98-5;  Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-711493-97-8

Published June 3, 2021

Required Equipment:

Students must have a reliable computer and reliable internet connection. Mobile devices (cell phones and tablets devices) do not adequately support or run course content.

Computer Skills and Digital Information: All students are required to use a computer for this course. The required Browser is Google Chrome for Blackboard navigation.  Do not attempt to use Explorer or Safari for as they will not allow access to all Blackboard course content.  It is your responsibility to make sure that your computer is set up properly to navigate through all aspects of the class. 

All students should be able to use a word processor and its options such as spelling and grammar check and computer tutorials.

Blackboard Collaborate 

Blackboard Collaborate is a webinar platform for use in online virtual teaching. In order to use Bb Collaborate you will need: a built-in or external microphone, a built-in or external webcam, and a secure internet connection

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology.
2. Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.
3. Describe the key concepts in sociology.
4. Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.
5. Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces

EVALUATION AND GRADING:

1. Grading Criteria

Grading Scale for Final Class Letter Grade:

GRADING CRITERIA

1. The final class letter grade will be based on total points accumulated (not percentages) from exams, chapter writing assignments, journal writing assignments, critical thinking writing assignments, current event writing assignments, and assessment test.
2. Cheating/Plagiarism (intentional or unintentional), or assisting others to cheat will result in an “F” for the course. SafeAssign checks for plagiarism/text similarity from the student's writing assignments and compares it to other sources such as other student's papers, global database, internet, scholarly journals/publications, and institutional database.   An Originality Report percentage is generated which represents the probability of the student's text being copied from other sources.  If the Originality percentage is above 10% there will be point deductions on that writing assignment.   If the Originality Report percentage is 50% or above, the student will receive a zero for that assignment. 
3. Exams and assignments will be discussed individually with students upon request.
4. Each student’s work must be original and their own work.
5. The instructor will be available for consultation during office hours or by appointment.
6. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in permanent expulsion from the class and the issuance of a grade of “F” for the class.

Assignments are graded within a 48 hour period. Grades will be posted for the Assignments, Journals, Quizzes, Exams, etc through the MY GRADES link. Once the assignment due date has passed, you will no longer see it on the Calendar. Students are encouraged to check their grades daily.  Instructor feedback on assignments are in the Blackboard Assignment Tools section.

The due dates for assignments will not be changed or extensions given.  All assignment must be submitted in Bb through the ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION and attach files. For the face-to-face course, class quizzes and the major exams are to be completed and submitted in class.  The attachment must be in Microsoft Word or RTF or PDF.  Do not send attachments using MS Works or Google Docs. Additionally, do not use the Text Submission box in Blackboard to submit any of the assignments!  If I can’t open it, then I can’t grade your assignment.

CELL PHONE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

Due to the nature of this course and the fact that we must always establish a learning environment and an atmosphere of respect.   Cell phones cannot be a distraction. They should be on vibrate, not silent. If your phone becomes a distraction, you may be subject to disciplinary measures. Respect, professionalism, and adherence to these policies are expected and required.  No recording of class lecture is allowed without prior approval from instructor.

PLAGIARISM/CHEATING

Plagiarism (Intentional or Unintentional), collusion, or cheating (in any form) will result in an “F” in the course.  Each student’s work must be original and his or hers own work.   Cheating will be defined as using unauthorized materials during an exam (notes, books, cell phones, etc.), using, or being in possession of a pirated exam, copying from or “conferencing” with another student during a test, and plagiarizing journals, papers, or other written assignments. 

Any work which requires research requires appropriate documentation.   Sources must be documented completely and accurately.  Failure to accurately and completely cite your research sources will be considered as plagiarism; therefore, resulting in an “F” in the course. 

If a student is directly observed to be cheating or if there is ample evidence of cheating then the student guilty of cheating will result in an “F” for the course.

When a grade of “F” is issued for the above reasons, then the numeric grade will be

recorded as a “0” (Zero) for the semester.

ONLINE CLASS WORK:

Online classes require a greater degree of independence and responsibility than traditional classes.  You must learn to pace yourself, and find time in your schedule to work on the class.  Online classes typically take as much time as traditional classes overall but allow more flexiblity with the time.  You still have to put in the time.  If you allow yourself to neglect your studies you will fall quickly behind and end up performing below your expectations.  You should also have a reliable computer or access to a computer.  Computer problems are not a valid reason for not completing work by the due date.

CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE CLASS:

Communication regarding the online class (emails, turning in assignment, etc.) should be done using the Mail/Messages Link within Blackboard .  I will typically respond to e-mails within 24 hours within Blackboard.  I expect the same response time from students.   Do not expect me to respond on weekends. I am typically unavailable from Friday beginning at 8pm until Monday morning at 6am.  If you contact me through other means it may be longer before you receive a response.  Therefore, you should not wait until the last minute before something is due before trying to contact me.  The due dates for assignments will not be changed or extensions given.  All assignment must be submitted in Blackboard through the ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION and attach files.   The attachment must be in Microsoft Word or RTF.  Do not send attachments using MS Works.  Additionally, do not use the Text Submission box in Blackboard to submit any of the assignments!  If I can’t open it, then I can’t grade your assignment.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

The college experience frequently questions, researches, evaluates and assesses controversial issues.  The classroom may serve as a forum for the presentation of a variety of ideas, none of which are intended injuriously.