Instructor: Maia Greenwell Cunningham
Office Phone: 626-852-8086
E-mail Address: mcunningham@citruscollege.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 7:30-8:00 and 11:30-12:30 Tuesdays: 10:00-11:30
Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 Thursdays 10:00-11:30 AM or by appointment.
Virtual Office Hours: By appointment using MSN instant messenger user name: mgcanthropology
Please email for appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Sociology is designed to help students understand group dynamics and behaviors. Students will also be learning about social science research tools, and how to apply them. By examining things like religion, marriage, family, social structure, mass media, and so on students will learn how culture and social patterns influence human behavior. The course will focus on American culture and its influences.
COURSE GOALS
By the end of the semester students will have an understanding of basic sociology and be able to comfortably use sociological terms, and to have a solid foundation on which to base further education. Students will have a firm grasp of what it means to take a distance education course and can inform other students of its benefits and challenges.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Text: Essentials of Sociology A Down to Earth Approach by James M. Henslin 9th Edition and a log on to mysoclab please understand that I have it set up to be as cheap as possible so if you go somewhere other than the two ways I have listed you will have to do extra research outside of the mysoclab to do your assignments. Its not hard but you just need to be aware. If you do not purchase your book through either of these opportunities you need to email me and let me know so I can guide you on how to find other materials you will need.
You can purchase this book one of two ways:
TRADITIONAL HARD COPY BOOK WAY
You can purchase a hard copy traditional book from the Owl Bookshop it will be in what is called an ala cart version which means loose papers wihtin a binder. The code for mysoclab comes free with this set. Please understand that you CANNOT sell this book back to the bookstore. It is the cheapest way to get it to you but because it is not bound the bookstore will not take it back. You can sell it personally to future students.
To log onto the website mysoclab go to http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/ and click on Intro to Sociology and then "register" The code that came in your book is what you need to register. It will ask you to create a log on and password make sure you keep that you will need it throughout the semester.
Once you are registered anytime you need to go to the website go to http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/ and click on Intro to Sociology and then logon
This website is the same as when you purchase online versions withOUT the text and you will need it for assignments.
OR
ONLINE BOOK WAY I mean you read the book online but you can print it out and there are really neat things like highlighting and note taking properties if that worries you. You also have the choice of reading the book OR it will read to you!! Yes it has audio files and they are working on getting them to download to your ipod etc.
I have what is called a 'portal site' for my three online classes. This is where you will purchase your book as well as log on for your textbook and the related materials.
Go to
Go to: http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/
Click on Intro to Sociology
Click on "purchase" and follow the steps
When it is time for you to read or do a homework assignment you follow the same steps go to http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/ and click on Intro to Soc then click on "log in"
If you have ANY questions whatsoever do NOT purchase anything until you talk to me! :)
Technical Needs: This is an ONLINE course. Do not even attempt this course if you do not know how to email, attach a document to an email, or surf the net. You also must be responsible to the class even in the face of technology failure so PLEASE be realistic about your technology skills and your back up computers. Citrus has free computers for the students to use so you DO have a back up!
- Reliable Internet access materials
- A reliable E-mail Address (please note Yahoo is NOT a reliable email. When people send me attachments using yahoo it works only about 25% of the time. Its their issue not ours and I cannot get them to fix it so please use another email such as your citrus student email, or gmail or whatever
- Ability to send and receive attachments in Microsoft Word saved as a .doc file, Microsoft Works as an .rtf file OR Adobe saved as a .PDF file these are the only programs I can accept; so if you don't have it, make arrangements to get access to it (the school has word on all its student computers and all enrolled students can use them for free). If you have a MAC please save as an .rtf even if you have word it just works better!
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Students will email the professor at the beginning of the first week to note presence in the class and email address
- Students will sign on at the beginning of the first week for the message boards. I recommend the "introduce yourself" folder.
- Students will sign up and log on to mysoclab in the first week and begin checking out how the site works (see week one of the weekly schedule for directions)
- Students will turn in eight weekly discussion questions pertaining to readings and related web sites. See the discussion questions link for details and the schedule link for due dates
- Students will write an eight to ten page sociological research paper see research paper link for details
- Students will complete a mass media assignment see mass media assignment link for details (it currently says observation assignment so don't freak out its really the mass media assignment!
- Students will participate in class discussion based on readings, discussion questions, related web sites, and personal observations. Please note that without full interaction your grade will go down significantly and you MAY NOT PASS THE COURSE. For example if you get an A on all materials but choose not to participate you will not get an A in the course. See student interaction link for details. What am I saying? PARTICIPATE OR FAIL THAT'S THE RULES!!
- Students will check the "announcements from the prof" conference on the message board frequently (recommended at least three times a week) to check for announcements, potential changes, etc. Please note this is the MAIN way I keep in touch with students as a group.
- Students will keep a copy of all e-mail sent to the professor in case of computer problems. It is the students' responsibility to make sure the professor receives all work. HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED LATE UNLESS THERE IS A TRUE EMERGENCY!!! The professor will respond to all homework with a "received" reply. If the student does not get a "received" reply the professor did not get the materials. It is the students’ responsibility to save the "received" reply emails in case of confusion.
- Any student caught cheating will automatically fail the class and will be recommended for student discipline, no exceptions
- Students will follow the rules of conduct as outlined in the Citrus Student Handbook
- Students will immediately report all e-mail/computer problems to the professor and it is the students responsibility to complete the course even in the face of computer failure
GRADING AND ASSESSMENT
Grades are based on:
- Discussion questions weekly assignments (see discussion questions link for details) 20 points each -- 160 points total
- Participation points (see student interaction link for details) 100 points total
- A mass media assignment (see mass media link for details) 40 points total
- An eight to ten page research paper (see research paper link for details) 100 points total
600 points are possible for the course. Divide the total points received by the total points possible to receive a percentage. Grades are based on standard below. Please note that without active participation in the class through the required message boards and optional chat rooms it is impossible to receive an A. 20 bonus points are available through student interaction please see student interaction link for details
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
Below 60% = F