Course Information
Introduction to Sociology (Sociology 201A), Hybrid
Spring 2015, Second Nine Weeks (CRN 30422)
Click here to go to Moodle (instructions for logging on on course Welcome Page)
This section has 3 mandatory face-to-face meetings, Mondays, April 13, April 27, and May 18, from 5 to 7p.m., in room 6304 on the San Luis Obispo campus.
Giddens, Anthony et al. 2013. Essentials of Sociology. 4th ed. New York: W. W. Norton and Company. ISBN 978-0-393-91883-0. Here is a link to Essentials of Sociology. (link to the Cuesta campus bookstore)
The above textbook is required. The textbook is available at the campus bookstore.
Recommended reader
Massey, Garth, ed. 2012. Readings for Sociology. 7th ed. New York: W. W. Norton and Company. ISBN 978-0-393-91270-8. Here is a link to Readings for Sociology.
This reader is recommended. I will be discussing many of the articles in the reader but you are not required to do the readings in the reader. This reader is available at the campus bookstore.
Course description
Introduces the basic principles of sociology including the study of the structure of human society, and group life. Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 156. Transfer: CSU; UC. (Formerly SOC1A)
There are 1000 points possible in this course. 900 points come from exams and 100 points are from participation in discussion and other activities. The three exams (two midterms and a final) are valued as follows:
Midterm 1 = 180 points
Midterm 2 = 360 (in two parts: part 1 = 180 points, part 2 = 180 points)
Final = 360 (in two parts: part 1 = 180 points, part 2 = 180 points)
Use the scale below to calculate your letter grade for each exam:
A 93.0 percent and above
B 80.0 to 92.9 percent
C 67.0 to 79.9 percent
D 55.0 to 66.9 percent
F 54.9 percent and below
Discussion = 100
Total points possible in course = 1000
At the end of the semester, after weighting your exam scores (for example, if there are 50 points possible on midterm 1, your score is divided by 50 and multiplied by 180 to get a weighted score), adding them together and including class participation points, the scale below will be used to compute your final course grade.
A 930 and above
B 800 to 929
C 670 to 799
D 550 to 669
F 549 and below
A correction factor may be added to an exam to account for its level of difficulty. Also, I reserve the right to modify the grade scale when computing final letter grades to account for the level of difficulty of the course. I will not modify the scale to your disadvantage.
All exams will have a multiple choice component. There may also be an essay component (either take-home or in-class). The final is not cumulative. Questions will be based primarily on the Giddens et al. textbook and lectures. You will need a Scantron form (Scantron Form 882) for all exams. Also, be ready for the possibility of an in-class essay and bring a blue book to all exams. You can make up one exam. You cannot make up the final exam or more than one exam except under truly exceptional circumstances. You must make up the missed exam as soon as you are able.
All take-home portions of exams must be turned in through Turnitin.com on the day of the exam. Here are the instructions:
Step 1. Go to Turnitin.com
Step 2. Read the Student Quickstart Guide
Step 3. Follow the instructions and submit your essay.
In order to register for Turnitin.com, you will need the class id: CLASS ID WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MOODLE IF A TAKE-HOME ESSAY IS ASSIGNED and password: sociology. Please double-space your essays.
Participation on our discussion forums is worth 100 points. Students are encouraged to respond to my comments or comments made by other students. Please pay attention to the syllabus so that you will know what readings we are discussing on what days. I will embed discussion questions into my online lectures, link discussion questions to the syllabus, as well as post discussion questions on the discussion board. You are not limited to responding to the questions that I ask; you are encouraged to post any comment or question related to the course material we are covering.
Please display respect and tolerance for everyone in this class. Insulting, disrespectful, or impolite comments on the discussion forums are prohibited. If someone makes a comment that you disagree with, attack the argument, not the person making the argument. As your instructor, I will make every effort to make this class a safe environment for all students.