Spring 2021 Course Syllabus Course: SOCI-1306- Section: 71 Social Problems

Instructor Information
Instructor	Kristi Clark
E-mail	clarkkb@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6102
Office	Location: Madison Monroe Education - Room: 119A Hours: Office Hours upon request at 409-698-0826
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description	Application of sociological principles and theoretical perspectives to major social problems in contemporary society such as inequality, crime and violence, substance abuse, environmental issues, deviance, or family problems.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Demonstrate comprehension of content-area reading material. measured by PSLO Alpha Pre & Post Test. 2.Describe how the sociological imagination can be used to explain the emergence and implications of contemporary social problems. ( PSLO 1, 2, 3) measured by: exams, assignments, video assignments and/or research/proposal assignment. 3. Explain the nature of social problems from at least one sociological perspective, e.g., critical, functional, interpretive, etc.( PSLO 1.2,3, 5 ) measured by: discussions, assignments, video assignments and/or research/proposal assignment. 4. Identify multidimensional aspects of social problems including the global, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of social problems.( PSLO 1,2,3,5 ) measured by discussions, assignments, video assignments and/or research/proposal assignment.
Core Objectives
Program Student Learning Outcomes	PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills - Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. PSLO 2: Communication Skills - Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication. PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in 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.
Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. Text: Social Problems and the Quality of Life, 14th Edition, 2019, McGraw Hill. ISBN-13# 9781259914300 or ISBN# 1259914305 by Robert Lauer and Jeannette Laurer
Lecture Topics Outline	Week 1 and Week 2: Course Introduction, syllabus review, post test, orientation items assigned Week 3 and Week 4: Social Problems defined Week 4 and Week 5: Alcohol and other Drugs Week 6 and Week 7: Crime and Delinquency Week 8: Violence and Sexual Deviance Week 9 and Week 10: Poverty and Gender and Sexual Orientation Week 11 and Week 12: Race,Ethnic Groups, and Racism; Government and Politics Week 13: Work, Economy, Education; Week 14: Family Problems, Health Care and Mental Illness Week 15: War, Terrorism, and the Environment Week 16: Research paper
Major Assignments Schedule	1.    CHAPTER LECTURE ASSIGNMENTS are equivalent to lectures if you were taking this course as a “face to face” class. CHAPTER LECTURE ASSIGNMENTS are chapter postings that give particular topics of interest. You will be given “posting instructions” which instruct you on what you need to discuss. These lecture assignments will only benefit you. You will see the information again on your exams. Please use the required textbook when completing the Discussions. Please do NOT use “Google” or “Wikipedia” to complete these discussions. You may use any format when completing these assignments, such as paragraph form, bullets, highlighting terms, whatever helps you to remember the information. You will post these discussions by replying or submitting your results. Each CHAPTER DISCUSSION is worth 10 points. You will have 15 DISCUSSIONS which totals 150pts. You will be able to access these through the MODULES. The due dates can be found on the CALENDAR. 2.    JOURNALS can also be found through the MODULES. I will post a topic such as teenage pregnancy and you will find an article online and discuss the findings of this article. I will post an example of a journal under the MODULES. Each journal will be worth 10 points and there will be a total of 10 journals which totals 100 points. The journals should be at least 300 words in length in order to receive credit. You also must identify the website you retrieved your article from. Journals should be submitted on the given due date found on the CALENDAR. There will be an example of a journal assignment along with specific JOURNAL INSTRUCTIONS posted under the MODULES. 3.    ASSESSMENTS/EXAMS: My plan is to have 4 exams worth 100 points for each exam. These exams will NOT require a proctor. You will find the exams under each Module. You will also be given and PRE-TEST and a POST-TEST. These test DO NOT count toward your grades. However, they will be in your grade book. Please do not count these grades in with your total points. I will give you extra credit for completing both tests. 4.    RESEARCH PAPER: The research paper will require each student to choose a topic related to a social problem discussed in the class. This topic must be approved by the instructor. This paper is worth 200 points and will be due at the end of the semester. The specific due date will be placed on the CALENDAR. Further instructions, including a detailed outline will be provided in the Blackboard course. 5.    COVID-19 CLASS DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT: This assignment entails a discussion prompt provided by the instructor regarding social problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are required to post their response and respond to at least two other students in the course. This assignment is worth 50 points. Detailed instructions will be provided through the Blackboard course.
Final Exam Date	May 17, 2021 - 12:0 AM   Through  May 17, 2021 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale	A = 90% 900-1000 pts B = 80% 800-899 pts C = 70% 700-799 pts D = 60% 600-699 pts F = 50% below 599 pts
Determination of Final Grade	1. Journals are worth 10 points each totaling 100 points. 2. Chapter Lecture Assignments are worth a total of 150 points. 3. Academic Research Paper is worth 200 points. 4. Assessments/Exams: Five exams worth 100 points each equally 500 total 5. COVID-19 Class Discussion Assignment worth 50 points.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. A student with three absences may be dropped from class. Consistent and punctual attendance is mandatory. Students who leave class early or habitually come to class late (over 10 minutes) will be counted as absent. A student may be dropped after three consecutive or five cumulative absences. It is the students responsibility to initiate a drop form if wishing to withdraw. Students should not assume that they will automatically be dropped by the instructor. Students failing to initiate appropriate action for withdrawing from the course through the Admissions office could risk receiving the grade of F. If class is an online class, the student must log in at least two times per week.
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. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
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 the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA 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 MyLSCPA.
Other
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.