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Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: SOCI-1301 (Section: 71, CRN: 10063) Introduction to Sociology |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Jennifer Fagen | ||||||||
| fagenjl@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6431 | ||||||||
| Office | Educational I - Room: 133 | ||||||||
| Office Hours | |||||||||
| Additional Contact Information | Email: fagenjl@lamarpa.edu Groupme: https://groupme.com/join_group/105345719/6kq8NiNJ | ||||||||
| Course Information | |||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||
| Required 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.
Henslin, James. Essentials of Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach, Thirteenth Edition (2019): ISBN-13: 9780137478262 (Don't buy the Revel version) |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
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| Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of this course the student will achieve the following outcomes:
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| Core Objectives |
1. Develop students’ sociological imagination, which will expand their minds by connecting them with the wider society. 2. Help students distinguish between social facts—which are supported by scientific research—and anecdotal evidence, “common sense” notions and/or personal beliefs. 3. promoting the capacity to respect the beliefs, values and customs of different cultures. 4. Define and apply core sociological concepts such as culture, race, ethnicity, racism, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, culture shock, gender, social class, norms, values and sanctions. 5. Students should be able to distinguish between three major sociological perspectives: Conflict Theory, Functionalism and Symbolic Interactionism. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Week One
Jan 22
Introduction to Course
Read Lecture Notes #1 Posted under "Content"
Week Two
Jan. 27
Read McIntosh, “White Privilege and Male Privilege” (you can use Google to locate and read through the end of the numbered list)
Key Sociological Concepts: HEGEMONY, UNEARNED PRIVILEGE, DOMINANT GROUP, SOCIAL LOCATION, AND REFLEXIVITY
Read Lecture Notes #2 Posted under "Content"
Discussion #1 posted Jan. 27, due Feb. 3 by 11:59pm (feel free to discuss this assignment/ask any questions via our class app as this assignment isn’t easy and I’m happy to provide input)
Week Three
Feb. 3
Watch the following short video: https://youtu.be/hD5f8GuNuGQ
Culture
Chapter 2
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Week Four
Feb. 10
Theoretical Paradigms: Conflict Theory & Functionalism
Chapter 1
Gans, “Positive Functions of the Undeserving Poor” (use Firefox to open if all else fails)
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Week Five
Feb. 17
Social Class in the United States
SOC: Chapter 8
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Week Six
Feb. 24
Social Class in the United States, cont.
Exam Review via Zoom at a day/time students choose. We will decide on this time via our class app.
Exam #1 posted on Feb. 24, due Feb. 28 by 11:59pm
Week Seven
March 3
Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 9
Watch the following video/s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm5DWa2bpbs
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-anti-racism-is-a-treatment-for-the-cancer-of-racism
Week Eight
March 10
Race and Ethnicity, cont.
Chapter 9
Week Nine
March 17th: Spring break
Week Ten
March 24
Gender and Culture
Chapter 10
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Discussion #2 posted March 24, due March 31 by 11:59pm
Week Eleven
March 31
Gender and Culture, cont.
Chapter 10
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Week Twelve
April 7
Deviance and Social Control
Chapter 6
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
**Exam #2 posted April 7, due April 11 by 11:59pm**
Week Thirteen
April 14
Social Structure and Social Interaction
Chapter 4
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Week Fourteen
April 21
Bureaucracy and Formal Organization
Chapter 5
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Week Fifteen
April 28
Global Stratification
Chapter 11
Read any Lecture Notes on this Topic Posted under "Content"
Exam #3 posted on April 28, due May 8 by 11:59pm
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Discussion #1 posted Jan. 27, due Feb. 3 by 11:59pm Exam #1 posted on Feb. 24, due Feb. 28 by 11:59pm Discussion #2 posted March 24, due March 31 by 11:59pm **Exam #2 posted April 7, due April 11 by 11:59pm**
Exam #3 posted on April 28, due May 8 by 11:59pm
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| Final Exam Date | April 28, 2025 - 2:0 PM Through May 8, 2025 - 11:59 PM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||
| Determination of Final Grade |
Exam #1 (20%) + Exam #2 (20%) + Exam #3 (20%) + Discussion #1 (20) + Discussion #2 (20) |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
Please note that you may need the Firefox browser in order to access typed lectures, rubrics, etc.
1. Check Blackboard announcements daily. You are responsible for all information included in the announcements.
2. STUDENTS WHO GET DROPPED TEMPORARILY FROM THE CLASS DUE TO NON-PAYMENT:
This happens. Don't worry about it as, since you are connected with me and the class via Teams, you can keep on top of the material. You will not be excused from any assignments/tests. Just be sure to contact me with any materials that you need if this happens to you. You can even submit assignments via email if you are dropped so that you don't risk lateness (which will lead to a 0%). Be sure to keep the Teams link and my email saved in case this happens to you.
3. Groupme is not required but recommended. This will help everyone feel like they have a support network.
4. Test/Discussion/Assignment Policy: Late exam or discussion submission will result in a 0% unless you have a documented medical, etc., emergency. If there is an emergency and you need an accommodation of a late submission, you must let me know within a few days of the due date on the syllabus. Emergency documentation will be sent to a Lamar administrator for review, but you must notify me in writing. You do not need to tell me the specifics about your emergency and, per FERPA, I cannot read your medical, etc., documentation.
5. Test Attempt Policy: You will only have one attempt to take each test.
6. Discussion Attempt Policy: You will only have one attempt to post your discussion. If you post more than once, only your first attempt will be graded.
7. Test/Discussion and Plagiarism: If any portion of your exam or discussion is plagiarized, you will receive a 0% for the exam or discussion.
8. Tech Issue Policies: 1. If you have a tech issue that interfered with your timed exam, contact me via Teams immediately and be available to receive a Teams message from me as soon as I respond so the issue can be handled ASAP 2. If the tech issue occurred and I haven't responded immediately, contact Blackboard tech support and be sure to get your case # and send to me as I will need to confirm the information with them. 3. If there was a tech issue that prevented you from completing a Blackboard discussion on time, immediately send a copy of the discussion to my email. Always keep a backup copy in case you need to do so. 4. If the tech issue prevented you from accessing Blackboard at all, contact Blackboard tech and then immediately email me your case number (and send me a Groupme text if possible).
Blackboard tech number (available 24/7): 1-866-585-1738
9. Grading Policy
Students who have completed all of their work will be given ONE additional point on their final grades. That is, if you have an 89% (B) your grade will be increased to a 90% (A). Your grade will never be increased by more than 1% (for example, an 88.5% will not be increased to a 90% because the 88.5% will not be rounded up to an 89% before adding the extra point).
10. Extra Credit Policy: It should not be assumed that students will have the opportunity for extra credit work nor is a student to ask for an extra credit opportunity. Further, I will not entertain any requests to have a grade increased beyond what a student has earned on exams/papers for the purpose of keeping an academic/athletic scholarship, or any other source of financial aid that requires a certain GPA, or remaining on an athletic team or other Lamar organization.
Late assignments/tests will not be accepted and will receive a 0%. If you have ARC documentation, please abide by ARC policies where they can be substituted for above.
Exams can only be taken one time. They cannot be retaken. Discussions cannot be rewritten or revised.
You may not ask me to retake an exam, revise/rewrite a discussion OR ask to be given extra credit that is not offered to the other students. Nor are you to ask me to add points to your final grade. Your grade will reflect what you earned on your exams and discussions during the semester. |
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| Attendance Policy | None. | ||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||
| Institutional Policies | |||||||||
| MyLSCPA | Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA. | ||||||||
| Academic Honesty | Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. | ||||||||
| 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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241. | ||||||||
| COVID 19 Information | The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website. | ||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||
| HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||
| Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect | As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual. | ||||||||
| Title IX and Sexual Misconduct | LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website. | ||||||||
| Clery Act Crime Reporting |
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website. |
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| Grievance / Complaint / Concern | 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. | ||||||||
| Department Information |
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