Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences Division
Student Course Syllabus
Fall 2012
Course Prefix and Number: SOC 101.12 Introduction to Sociology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets:
Mon & Wed 2:00-3:15pm ICN 2302
Introduction:
This course will familiarize students with the basic problems, methods, concepts, and theories of
sociological analysis. Students will gain an appreciation of how sociology fits within the broader
context of scientific inquiry and how sociology plays a role in advancing our understanding of
society and social issues. Topics to be covered include culture, social structure, socialization,
deviance, social stratification, inequalities of race and gender, family, religion, population,
environment, and social change.
Catalog Description:
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of society. Topics include power and
inequality, change, deviance, education, occupations, organizations, family/gender, religion, and
racial/ethnic groups. Students will develop a critical understanding of social forces.
Prerequisite(s): None.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name:
Contact information:
Location of instructor’s office:
Instructor’s office hours:
Deb Presley
email: deb.presley@heartland.edu
phone: (309) 268-8590
(SBS Office – leave message)
ICB 2100
by appointment
Required Textbook:
Hughes, Michael & Kroehler, Carolyn. (2011). Sociology: The Core. New York, NY: McGraw
Hill.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
Student’s Role & Responsibilities:
Students are expected to read the textbook prior to lecture and will be responsible to
independently learn the materials presented in the book. Classroom lecture will augment, not
repeat, the information presented in the textbook. At the end of each chapter there are a
“Chapter in Brief,” “Glossary,” and “Review Questions” sections that will help you identify the
major themes and concepts of the chapter. Pay special attention to these. If you have questions
about materials in the textbook, please ask. I am always open to questions during lecture.
Additional readings will be assigned for each chapter. These readings will be available through
Blackboard.
Students are expected to attend class and participate in classroom discussions. Being able to
articulate one’s own position and actively listen to a classmate’s position heightens a student’s
understanding of sociological issues. Attendance in class is necessary in order to benefit from
these experiences.
This course utilizes many video segments. There will be in-class “pop” quizzes over these
videos. If you miss a “pop” quiz it may NOT be made up. There is an assignment due almost
ever class period. Late assignments will NOT be accepted and will receive a 0.
Attendance will be taken.
Instructor’s Role:
The instructor’s role is to facilitate a student’s learning process by supplementing the textbook
with meaningful lectures, leading class discussions about social issues from a sociological
perspective, and providing opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge of
sociology through written assignments and formalized exams.
Course Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this course, students should have proficiency
in the following areas of sociological knowledge
1. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the science and research methods
developed in sociology.
2. Apply the basic sociological paradigms – structural functional, social conflict and
symbolic interaction.
3. Define, give examples and demonstrate the relevance of the following sociological
notions: culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, social structure and social change.
4. Analyze the major social institutions such as family, government, economy, religion,
education and medicine.
5. Identify and offer explanations of social inequality while considering the relationship to
social process, social interaction and institutions.
6. Examine and explain the impact of human relations on patterns of urbanization and the
physical environment
7. Analyze and demonstrate awareness of the impact of cultural diversity in our society.
The above sociological objectives will be accomplished while implementing the college’s
following general learning outcomes.
PS1 –Students can
solve problems
based on examples
and frameworks
provided by
instructor
CO2- Students
effectively deliver a
message via various
channels/modalities
DI3- Students
reflect upon the
formation of their
own perspectives,
beliefs, opinions,
attitudes, ideals and
values.
CT2 – Students
determine value of
multiple sources or
strategies and select
those most
appropriate in a
given context
Course/Lab Outline:
1. Developing a Sociological Consciousness
2. Culture and Socialization
3. Social Structure, Groups and Organizations
4. Deviance and Crime
5. Social Stratification
6. Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity and Gender
7. The Family
8. Social Institutions
9. Population and Environment
10. Social Change
Method of Evaluation (Exams/Assignments/Quizzes/Papers, Grading System):
The grading scale is as follows:
90 – 100%
A
80 – 89%
B
70 – 79%
C
60 – 69%
D
00 – 59%
F
Expected Papers, Exams, Quizzes and Other Assignments
4 Unit Exams*
100 points each
OPTIONAL Final Exam (Cumulative)*
100 points
16 Assignments
5-16 points each
3 Papers / Projects
20 points each
about 12 in-class Activities, Quizzes
5-8 points each
* You must take the exam on the day / time it is scheduled. You will NOT be allowed to make
up an exam. You will, however, be allowed to drop your lowest exam score from the semester.
If you know you are going to absent the day of an exam notify me immediately and we can
discuss the possibility of you taking the exam early. If you have taken the 4 unit exams and are
happy with your grades, you do NOT need to take the final exam.
Papers and assignments are due at class time. Late papers and assignments receive a 0 – NO
EXCEPTIONS. You may always turn items in early if you know you will be absent. In-class
quizzes and activities may NOT be made up.
Incompletes: An incomplete for the course is only assigned in extreme cases. If an incomplete
is needed a student must request a face-to-face meeting. The student should be prepared to fully
explain the reason why the incomplete is needed and also have a schedule outlining the
timeframe for completion of the unfinished course work.
Make-up of tests and in-class assignments is NOT allowed. Of the four exams and final
exam, I will allow you to drop your lowest score. Therefore, if you miss an exam, you receive a
0 and can drop this as your lowest score. If you do not miss any exams and are happy with your
4 exam scores, you will not need to take the comprehensive final exam. Please note that I will
not allow you to make up a missed exam to compensate for poor performance on another one.
In-class assignments, because of their group nature, cannot be made-up. Pop quizzes cannot be
made-up.
Paper / Assignment Deadlines: Due dates are NOT negotiable. Late papers and assignments
receive a 0. If you know you will be absent, items may always be turned in early. You may also
email me items PRIOR to class for full credit. Beware of this option -- items lost in cyberspace
receive a 0.
Student Conduct:
 You may not agree with all of the views and opinions expressed during class. Please be
respectful of all opinions regardless of whether they match your own. Intellectual growth
occurs with an open mind.
 Silence your cell phones and do NOT interact with your electronic devices during class.
 Do not leave class without seeking permission from the instructor.
 Practice the golden rule.
Syllabi disclaimer: This document is meant to be a guideline for student and class expectations.
There are certain aspects that will not be amended because they are policies of this institution.
However, the instructor holds the right to amend certain parts of this document at any time
during this semester in order to make certain that the class remains focused on its objectives and
goals. The Course Calendar Outline provides students a general sense of the pace of the course.
Any adjustments to the calendar will be announced in class.
Tentative Course Calendar Outline – Sociology 101.12
Date
Mon. Aug 20
Wed. Aug 22
Chapter
Assignments Due
Chap 1
Sociological Consciousness
#1 Theoretical Perspective
Mon. Aug 27
Chap 1
Sociological Consciousness
Chap 2
Culture & Social Structure
#2 Concepts, Variables & Attributes
Wed. Aug 29
#3 Values, Norms & Japanese Culture
Mon. Sept 3
Wed. Sept 5
NO CLASS - LABOR DAY
Chap 2
Culture & Social Structure
Mon. Sept 10
Chap 3
Socialization
Chap 3
Socialization
Reading Quiz – New Tattoo Subculture
Mon. Sept 17
Wed. Sept 19
Exam 1 (Chap 1-3)
Chap 4 Social Groups &
Formal Organization
EXAM 1
Mon. Sept 24
Chap 4 Social Groups &
Formal Organization
Wed. Sept 26
Chap 5
Deviance
Reading Quiz – Over the Counter
McDonalds
Paper DUE – Impression Management
#6 Japan Deviance
Mon. Oct 1
Chap 5
Deviance
Chap 6
Social Stratification
#7 Deviance Research Project
Chap 6
Social Stratification
Exam 2 (Chap 4-6)
#9 Family Budget
[Assign Paper – Field Observation Notes]
EXAM 2
Chap 7
Inequalities of Race
Chap 7
Inequalities of Race
#10 New Racism
Midterm Grades Available
Wed. Sept 12
Wed. Oct 3
Mon. Oct 8
Wed. Oct 10
Mon. Oct 15
Wed. Oct 17
#4 Research Methodology
#5 Gender Socialization
[Assign Paper – Impression Management]
#8 How Class Works
Mon. Oct 22
Wed. Oct 24
Mon. Oct 29
Wed. Oct 31
Chap 8
Gender Inequalities
Chap 8
Gender Inequalities
Paper DUE – Field Observation Notes
Reading Quiz – Prevalence of Gender
Stereotyping & Bias
#11 Gender in Media
Chap 9
#12 Banal Nationalism
Political & Economic Power
Chap 9
Political & Economic Power
Mon. Nov 5
Wed. Nov 7
Exam 3 (Chap 7-9)
Chap 10
The Family
EXAM 3
#13 Decline of Marriage & Rise of New
Families
Final Day to Withdraw
Mon. Nov 12
Chap 10
The Family
Chap 11 Religion,
Education & Medicine
#14 Deinstitutionalization of Marriage
[Assign Paper – Climate Refugees]
#15 Bad Boys
Chap 11 Religion,
Education & Medicine
NO CLASS THANSKGIVING
#16 Medicine
Wed. Nov 14
Mon. Nov 19
Wed. Nov 21
Mon. Nov 26
Wed. Nov 28
Mon. Dec 3
Wed. Dec 5
Mon. Dec 10
Chap 12
Population & Environment
Chap 12
Population & Environment
Chap 13
Social Change
Exam 4 (Chap 10-13)
LAST CLASS
Final Exam 2:00-3:50
Paper DUE – Climate Refugees
EXAM 4
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
General Information for Students
Testing Services (located in Student Commons Building 2001)
Testing Services provides a secure testing environment for students who are enrolled in online,
hybrid, and other distance learning courses; have a documented disability; or need to take a
make-up exam. Testing accommodations for students having documented disabilities must be
arranged by the student through Disability Support Services. Testing Services will only
administer exams at the request of the instructor. For more information, please call (309) 2688050.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services provides confidential and professional counseling for both emergency and
personal issues. Services also include referrals to local community resources and support for
students on academic probation. For more information, please call (309) 268-8318.
Services in Academic Support Center (Raab Road campus)
Library
The Library provides fast and free access to credible information from a full range of resources
including books, online journals, videos, newspapers, online music, class reserves, and
interlibrary loan. Individualize research by appointment or come in anytime. See the Library tab
in myHeartland, email library@heartland.edu or call (309) 268-8292 for details.
Tutoring Services
Tutoring Services provides tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students in Normal,
Pontiac, and Lincoln. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week. Study
groups are also available by request. For more information about services available at each
location, please call (309) 268-8231 (Normal), (815) 842-6777 (Pontiac), or (217) 735-1731
(Lincoln).
Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services (DSS) ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to the
college’s programs, services and activities through the provision of reasonable accommodations
as mandated in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DSS offers a wide range of services to support students with disabilities, including: assistive
technology, document conversion services, personnel, classroom and testing accommodations.
Students with a documented disability who wish to discuss academic accommodations should
call (309) 268-8259 for details.
Open Computing Lab
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times
throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of
approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric typewriter.
Writing Lab
The Writing Lab provides guidance for writers on assignment comprehension, critical thinking
and the stages of the writing process. The Writing Lab is staffed by English faculty and Tutors
with years of experience working with students on writing. In every session, supportive staff
work with writers to explore and develop their own ideas as appropriate to the needs of their
readers and to learn the rhetorical strategies necessary for effective communication. For more
information, please call (309) 268-8231.
Services in Community Commons Building, first floor (Raab Road
campus)
Academic Advising
Academic advisors provide information to students about degree/program requirements,
transferability of courses, GPA, and enrollment. Academic Advising may also provide
workshops on time management, IRIS navigation, or specific career fields. For more
information, please call (309) 268-8033. Academic Advising services are also available at the
Lincoln and Pontiac sites.
Career Services
Career Services assist students to determine career goals, develop employability and job search
skills and connect with potential employers in preparation for employment and career transitions.
Through the Online Career Center at www.collegecentral.com/heartland students can learn about
area employment opportunities, prepare and post resumes and find a host of free career-related
resources. The job shadow and internship programs offer access to relevant work-based learning
opportunities that enhance academic experiences and support students in their career pursuits.
For more information, please call (309) 268-8034 or email Career.Services@heartland.edu.
Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office provides information on programs and types of financial aid available
to students. For more information, please call (309) 268-8020.
Transcripts (Located in Student Commons Building 1000)
Official and unofficial transcripts may be obtained in the Student Records Office. Transcripts
may also be obtained at Heartland’s Lincoln and Pontiac sites. Official transcripts must be
requested in writing. The form is available online
(http://www.heartland.edu/transcripts/index.jsp) or in the Student Records Office. Unofficial
transcripts are available to print online through IRIS.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College
and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because
grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of
their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious
offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion
from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far
beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification
of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or
administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college
catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper,
create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work,
except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is
considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
 Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
 Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
 Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
 Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
 Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
 Using another person’s project or another person’s work as if it were your own.
[Adapted from the Modem Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. 7th ed. New York: MLA, 2009:51-61]
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for plagiarism
may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in the course or
expulsion from school in extreme cases.
Many plagiarism problems can be remedied by citing the sources of the original work.
When in doubt, cite the source according to the style your instructor directs. Usually this is APA
or MLA Style. Don’t be daunted by citing sources which are not books. You can cite
everything, including pamphlets, maps, cereal boxes, telephone conversations, movies, television
shows, Internet and world-wide web sites.
Philosophy of Grades
The Heartland Community College grading philosophy grows out of our vision of
educational excellence. This common philosophy provides a framework for each
academic division and instructor as they establish their own individual course grading
system, evaluation methods, and course policies using the shared general rubrics for letter
grades given below.
Letter grades serve as a vehicle to promote meaningful evaluation of student
achievement, to inform students of academic progress, and, as necessary, to improve
student performance, habits, and practices. Using a letter grade as a prerequisite for
subsequent courses means we believe that the grade was assigned through a conscious
judgment about a student’s readiness to proceed to more advanced study.
At Heartland, students’ academic achievement is measured by their mastery of course
objectives and content. We challenge students to meet these recognized standards of
achievement and we assign grades based on their success in doing so. Simply stated, we
believe that the responsibility for academic achievement rests with the student and that
holding students responsible for their learning promotes their academic growth.
Letter Grade Rubrics
“A” This grade represents consistently outstanding performance that demonstrates
superior understanding and skillful use of important course concepts. Performance at this
level signifies that the student is extremely well prepared to continue with more advanced
study of the subject.
“B” This grade represents performance significantly beyond the level necessary to
achieve the course objectives. Work is of high quality but not consistently at an
outstanding level. Performance at this level signifies that the student is well prepared to
continue with more advanced study of the subject.
“C” This grade represents an acceptable achievement of the course objectives.
Performance at this level signifies that the student is reasonably well prepared to continue
with more advanced study of the subject.
“D” This grade represents less than adequate performance. It signifies questionable
readiness to proceed with more advanced study of the subject.
“F” This grade reflects unacceptable performance. The student is not yet ready to
proceed with more advanced study of the subject, and must repeat the course successfully
to receive credit.