Instructor: Maia Greenwell Cunningham
E-mail Address: mcunningham@citruscollege.edu
Office Hours: Traditional office hours are not held during summer please make an appointment for a virtual office hour or email me with questions!
Virtual Office Hours: By appointment using AOL 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 7th Edition
You can purchase this book two ways:
1. You can purchase a hard copy traditional book from the Owl Bookshop
OR
2. You can purchase an online version of the book directly from the publisher by going to www.mysoclab.com make sure you click on the LEFT BUTTON that says Allyn and Bacon and then select First Time Students
CLICK HERE to read the directions on how to purchase the online version of the textbook from mysoclab
MYSOCLAB is the free website that has the book material plus free practice exams etc. If you purchase a hard copy book you will also get free access, so go with whichever version works for you! Email me with questions about how to purchase if you are confused!
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
- 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 sign up for tapped in for the optional chats, see student interaction link for details.
- 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 a ten page sociological research paper see research paper link for details
- Students four quizzes see quizzes link for details
- Student will complete an observation assignment with write-ups. See observation assignment link for details.
- 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. 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.
- 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 and will not be returned. 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:
- Four 50 point quizzes 200 points total
- 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
- An observation assignment (see observation link for details) 50 points total
- A ten page research paper (see research paper link for details) 100 points total
610points 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