Social and Behavioral Sciences
Central College
SOCI 2301-0002 – Marriage and Family
CRN 70959 – Fall 2015
Central Camps – Room: EDUC – A203| 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Tuesday
3 Hybrid Course - 2nd Start Course
Instructor Contact Information:
Tonja Conerly
Email: tonja.conerly@hccs.edu
Emails are checked Monday – Friday once daily. The best way to get in touch with me is by sending. You
must include your last name and the course CRN in the subject line (ex: Smith 56722) or your email will
be deleted.
Office Location: Room EDC – A234 by appointment. Email me to schedule an appointment
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this course. You do not
need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance. Your performance in my
class is very important to me. I am available to hear your concerns and just to discuss course topics
Jennifer Graves, Department Chair
Chair, Department of Sociology
jennifer.graves@hccs.edu
713-718-7529
Course Description:
This course is a sociological analysis of marriage and family relations based on fundamental principles in
the discipline. Both theory and current research findings are covered. Areas explored include family
dynamics, interpersonal relations, demographic trends, and conflict management. Current and classical
research is reviewed and applied.
The course you have signed up for is a hybrid course that utilizes Eagle Online 2.0. The fact that this is a
hybrid course means that the class meets half in the classroom and half online. You will be responsible for
learning much of the material on your own with my support and guidance. To be successful in this class you
need to be a self-directed, motivated learner and you must keep up with all reading and assignments.
Core Curriculum Statement:
Sociology 2301 is a core curriculum course. It may be used to fulfill the requirements for a core Social and
Behavioral Sciences course OR a core Cross/Multi-Cultural Studies course.
Core Curriculum Objectives:
The core objectives addressed in our course are: critical thinking, communication skills,
empirical and quantitative skills, and social responsibility. The following activities will be
assigned to address those objectives during the course of the semester:
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1. Critical Thinking
Chapter exams will consist of both objective and discussion questions that focus on developing the student’s
critical and analytical skills. Additional reading assignments may be given to expose the student to different
viewpoints as well as to develop skills in comparative analysis. The student will be expected to incorporate
sociological concepts and theoretical paradigms in assigned work.
2. Communication Skills
The student should participate in class activities such as small group and individual/group presentations. By
participating in these activities, the student will have the opportunity to engage and share/debate views on
topics presented in class. The student will have the opportunity to engage in writing assignments in the areas
of chapter exams and individual/research assignments.
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills
The student will be exposed to scientific protocol as required in research and will review sociological data
and research studies. In addition, the student will review the importance of ethics in the study of human
subjects.
4. Social Responsibility
The student will have the opportunity to participate in a “service-learning” project. This service is optional.
Student Learning Outcomes [One of these may be assessed during the course of the semester.]
Upon completion of SOCI 2301, the student should be able to:
 Understand the theoretical, historical, and applied nature of the discipline
 Explore family dynamics, interpersonal relations, demographic trends, and conflict management.
 Apply sociological concepts and perspectives to the study of marriage and family
 Apply current and classical research to the discipline
HCCS POLICIES & PROCEDURES
HCC Policy Statement: ADA :
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective
college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services Office. For more information, go to the HCC ADA Website or
call Dr. Becky Hauri at (713) 718-7910.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty :
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. If you
engage in any form of academic dishonesty, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and you will
receive a failing grade for the course. [Note: If you are caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty
in this course, you will fail the course. Trust me – IT IS NOT WORTH IT!]
HCC Policy Statement: Meningitis Immunization :
Texas Senate Bill 1107 passed in May 2011, requires that new HCC students and former HCC students
returning after an absence of at least one fall or spring semester who are under the age of 30 are required to
present a physician-signed certificate showing they have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis.
Students must satisfy this requirement prior to enrollment. For more information and a list of exemptions
please go to http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/admissions-registration-center/new-student-general-admissionssteps/submit-meningitis-documentation.
HCC Policy Statement: Attendance :
Students are expected to login to Eagle Online regularly. Students who do not login to Eagle Online by the
day of record will be dropped from the course. Instructors also have the authority to drop a student for not
logging in regularly and participating. If you miss a face-to-face class, it is the student responsibility to find
out what was missed from another student.
HCC Policy Statement: Repeating Courses:
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes. To
increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are required to pay extra
tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate.
Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time
for a course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer
with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework,
test taking skills, attendance, course participation and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be
available.
HCC Policy Statement: Withdrawal:
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course prior to the
final date of withdrawal is Monday, November 9th. Before, you withdraw from your course; please take
the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor may be
able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course. It is your responsibility
if you choose to drop the class.
Entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in
obtaining a certificate and/or degree. If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact a
HCC counselor or your professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be
done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. Final withdrawal deadlines
vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit the online registration calendars, HCC
schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class
withdrawal deadlines. Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when communicating via email and/or
telephone with a professor and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than
a day before the deadline. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you
are making in the class as your final grade. Information on other policies and additional information on
these policies can be found in the HCC Student Handbook (available on the HCC website).
HCC Distance Education Policy Statement
The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to the DE student.
Students should have reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory orientation. It is the student's
responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's contents. The handbook contains valuable information,
answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and procedures (how to drop, attendance
requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid, degree planning, etc.), course information, testing
procedures, technical support, and academic calendars. Refer to the DE Student Handbook by visiting this
link: http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook.
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COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Textbook:
Benokraitis, Nijole V., Marriage & Family, 8th Edition. ISBN:978-0-205-91819-5
The textbook can be purchased at HCC Bookstore or online at www.pearsonhighered.edu as an e-book.
As your instructor, it is my responsibility to:
1. Facilitate an effective learning environment through discussions, assignments and activities via
Eagle Online.
2. Describe any special projects or assignments.
3. Make adjustments and changes to the course as necessary to best serve the needs of the class.
4. Keep an open line of communication.
5. Provide the course outline and calendar.
6. Provide a detailed grading formula explaining how student grades will be derived.
7. Inform students of HCC and classroom policies.
To be successful in this course, it is your responsibility to:
1) Reading assigned materials is an extremely important component of this course. Students are
expected to read assignments before the class period.
2) If a student misses a regularly scheduled class, it is the students’ responsibility to find out from
another student any material they missed. I will not decipher what is important to each student. This
includes class notes, date changes, handouts, writing assignments and any other pertinent
information. It is therefore advised that students have a way to contact at least 2 classmates. Time
will be allotted on the first day of class to meet fellow students and obtain phone numbers, etc. Do
not contact instructor to ask, “What did we do in class today?” or to state a reason to why you are not
attending class.
3) Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion and may be called upon to
contribute. Therefore, if a classmate is speaking to the class, no one else should be heard but that
student. Students continuously engaging in private conversations will be asked to leave the
classroom. Refusal to do so will require involvement of campus security.
4) Any material presented in class, handed out in class or assigned as reading for this class is to be
considered possible test material. For this reason, the instructor does not expect to be asked, “Will
this be on the test?”
Classroom Behavior:
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated; this includes cell phones, talking in class or any other rude or
disrespectful actions to the instructor or classmates. Instructors may drop students who interfere with the
academic process.
A major contributor to classroom disruptions are cellular phones. Therefore, cellular phones must NOT be
seen or heard in class. Failure to do so will result in the student being asked to leave for the remainder of
the class period. If there is an emergency and you must have this equipment on, please notify the instructor
prior to class. Laptops maybe used in class for note taking only. Facebook, Twitter or any other website can
not be viewed during class hours.
GRADING FORMULA:
Grades will be determined by the 5 categories below. Each category grade can be calculated by using the
point system below.
Total Points
Quizzes (3)
100 pts. each
Assignments (3)
100 pts. each
Exams (3)
100 pts. Each
Writing Assignment 100 pts. (select 1)
900 – 1000
800 – 899
700 – 799
600 – 699
500 – 599
300
300
300
100
1,000
A
B
C
D
F
A. Quizzes, Films and Assignments
A series of assignments will be given throughout the semester. Each will test student’s knowledge of
information obtained and/or given in class. They can cover textbook reading and handouts. Required
reading for each class day is listed on the course calendar. No makeups will be given for missed quizzes
or assignments.
B. Exams
There will be three (3) exams given for this course. See Course Calendar for scheduled dates and topics
for each exam. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL. Each
exam will be a combination of objective (multiple choice, true/false) and subjective (essay, short
answer) questions. Any materials discussed in class will be considered as possible exam questions.
Students will not be allowed to take test once the test has begun.
C. Writing Assignment (2 Options) – Hot Topic or Book Report – (select only one)
To complete any of the writing assignments, I highly recommend that you utilize our Library and/or
Writing Center to assist you.
1. Hot Topic
Every week a “Hot Topic” will be selected by the Professor. You most post 10 hot topics
for
the semester. You must post the weekly “Hot Topic” on Eage Online under the Hot
Topic by
Saturday @ 11:55 p.m. Each correct posting will consist of:
 Summarize the Topic – just our opinion
 Include one theoretical perspective viewpoint on the topics that agrees or disagree with your
opinion (section must be highlighted).
 Must be 3 paragraphs (1 paragraph consist of 4 or sentences) or 1 page
2. Book Report
Step 1 –Select a topic from your textbook
Step 2-Select book and/or periodical that relates to your topic
Step 3 – Summarize the book and/or periodical that you have selected.
Step 3 – Choose one (1) theoretical perspective – Discussed in Chapter 1
Step 4 – State what the theoretical perspective viewpoint would be on your topic. Would it agree or
disagree with the contents?
Your paper due date is your choice; it can be submitted for grading with either your 1 st or 2nd exam.
Your paper will be graded using the rubric below and usage of proper grammar.
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Instructions for turning in paper:
GRADING RUBRIC
 Use APA format
 Each paper will be 3-5 typewritten pages and double-spaced (not including coversheet
and bibliography). This included Steps 1-3 above
 Title page. The title page will consist of your name, date, class, semester and instructor’s
name.
 Bibliography and/or reference sheet. 3 References - References must be scientific or
professional
 Paper not typed
POINTS
10
70
10
10
-25
SUBMISSION OF WORK:
All weekly assignments (quizzes and/or exams) will be released on Tuesday and due on Saturday by 11:55
p.m. If you are not in attendance during a face-to-face class, if submitted, your assignment will not be
eligible for grading.
Information Sheet, Course Contract and Syllabus Quiz
Each student must complete an information sheet, which consist of contact information and a syllabus quiz,
which is a confirmation by the student that the syllabus has been read. Upon completion of the form, it must
be returned to the instructor to receive a completed grade in the course.
The syllabus and handouts for Introduction to Sociology can be found on campus's Learning Website at
http://learning.cc.hccs.edu. as well as Eagle Online (EO).
Course Calendar
Attached is course calendar, which list topics and dates for each upcoming lectures and/or assignments.
The Instructor has the liberty to change topics, assignments and dates. The Instructor will give notice
of changes in a timely manner.
All weekly assignments (quizzes and/or exams) will be released on Tuesday and due on Saturday by 11:55
p.m. If you are not in attendance during a face-to-face class, if submitted, your assignment will not be
eligible for grading.
F2F – Face to Face Class
EO – Online Class (Lecture and Assignment)
WEEK
CLASS
DAYS
1
9/22
2
9/29
3
10/6
4
10/13
5
10/20
6
10/27
7
11/3
8
11/10
9
11/17
10
11/24
11
12/1
12
12/8
TOPICS TO COVER
Discuss Syllabus
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Assignment –F2F
Review for Exam 1
Exam 1 (Chapter 1-6)**
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
EXAM 2 (CH. 7-12)***
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Exam 1
F2F
Exam 3 (Chapter 13-16)
Tuesday, 12/8 @ 6:00 p.m.
Quiz
Assignment
Assignment
Assignment
Quiz
Assignment
EXAM 2*
F2F
Assignment
Quiz
EXAM 3
F2F
Thank you for enrolling in Introduction to Sociology 1301. I hope you enjoy this class as much as I love
teaching it. If you would like to continue exploring Sociology, please review your catalog for the
following classes, Global Studies – Sociology 2374, Criminology – Sociology 236, Social Problems –
Sociology 1306, and Marriage & Family 2301.
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INFORMATION SHEET
Course Name:
Your Name:
COURSE CONTRACT and QUIZ
Instructions:
After reading the syllabus, please answer the following questions to confirm your
comprehension. After the questions are answered correctly, please sign where indicated and
return this completed sheet to the instructor.
1. Define the course – Marriage and Family
2. What is the responsibility of the student if he/she misses a class?
3. What does E1 mean?
4. What is the drop date and who’s is responsible for dropping a student?
5. What are the 4 categories in which you will be graded?
6. Name the ways in which academic dishonesty can be displayed.
7. Which technological gadget cannot and will not be displayed in class?
8. When is your 1st online class.
9. Under Grading Policy – Writing Assignments has 3 options, what are they?
10. How do you contact instructor is needed?
___________________________________________
Signature of Student
_______________
Date