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Introduction to Sociology
9606 Sociology 101.D2 Winter 2014
Dr. Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.
Phone: (206) 934-7011
Office hours: 9:30 – 10:00 and 11:00 – 11:30 T, Th and online 8:00 – 9:00 M,W,F.
Office: Rm. IB2327A
E-mail = Please send email for this class through the instructor’s campus email.
robert.atkins@seattlecolleges.edu I do not check the Canvas course website email.
Subject: Include the item # and class you are in (E.g.#9600 Sociology101.D1)
Class website: http://canvas.northseattle.edu
Login material (Write your items in the space below)
User name: _______________________
Your entire student ID number
Password: ______________________
The first six (6) letters of your last name. Start repeating your last name if
less than six letters – e.g. Smiths or Liuliu)
MySocLab (With Macionis e-book): Requires an access code (see the next page).
MySocLab: Registration website =
http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/
Course name: SOC&101.D2-INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY–9606-W14
MySocLab course ID: atkins35157
If you do not put this course ID# in when you register for MySocLab you will
not be in this class on that website!! You will not receive any credit for it !!
You should be able to see “SOC&101.D2-9606-Winter’14” on your home page.
MySocLab Technical support = 800-677-6337
eLearning student support: http://www.virtualcollege.org/
Course summary:
This course helps you understand the larger society and how it impacts your
personal life. You will have recorded class presentations, mind map diagrams, Power
Point slides, Study Guides, the text, plus videos and readings to help you learn the
material.
The Course Calendar in the back of this syllabus gives you a schedule for the quarter.
Grading: Your class grade is based on the four non-cumulative multiple-choice
midterms (50 points each), and “MySocLab” (100 points) and extra credit (10 Pts. from
syllabus quiz).
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____, Exam #2 _____, Exam #3 _____, Exam #4 _____,
MySocLab (average % correct) _____ , Extra credit ______, Total = _______
(Finding this total on the Grading Scale in this syllabus will give you your final grade).
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Outcomes
This course will help you develop attitudes that encourage you to:
*Demonstrate a willingness to learn from many cultures, persons, methods, and
viewpoints.
This course will give you the knowledge to:
* Understand the nature of the individual, of human values and of the relationship
between the self and the community.
Note: Often people have had traumatic experiences or have strong feelings on certain
topics. If you feel any of the topics in the text or class will be emotionally damaging to
you, or difficult to learn about or discuss, or would create a “hostile environment” for you
- do not take this course.
Materials for the course:
Required Access code:
“MySocLab” (With Macionis e-book)
Entry code: May be purchased from the NSCC bookstore or
Pearson Publishers at: http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/
“MySocLab” Course ID is listed on page one of this syllabus.
Recommended text:
Sociology by Macionis, 14th. Ed. ISBN# = 020524291X (Paperback)
Using older editions: You may use any edition you wish, however, there
may be some changes from one edition to another.
Computer:
Your computer needs to be a PC or Mac with a good internet connection, internet
browser, ability to view Power Point, PDF, and MP4 video files. Most computers come
with the ability to view these, if not, you can search for free player downloads for these
items. Google Chrome computers are not recommended.
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MySocLab (Required)
“MySocLab” is a website that provides the videos and written articles to view or
read and take a short multiple choice quiz based on the material. This will add interest to
the class, and enable you to be exposed to material we do not have time to cover in class.
It will also give you one hundred points in the class (one third of the total points). These
are designed so you can view the activity, take the quiz, and reread or view the video
again and change your quiz answers as needed before submitting your answers.
Therefore, you should have 100% on this portion of the course.
The activities are seen on the right side of the Course Calendar at the back of this
syllabus. All the activities are available from the first day of class, and will turn off near
the end of the course, on the date indicated in the course calendar, and will not be reset.
To register for “MySocLab”
Internet Explorer (PC) and Safari (Mac) are the preferred browsers.
The steps below are also presented in a video with screen
shots under “**Start Here” in your course website
1. Go to: http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/
2. Under “Register” select student
3. Check “Yes, I have a Course ID
4. Enter Course ID: (Find course ID on the first page of this syllabus)
5. Select, “Create a Pearson Account” – Create
6. Complete the account information, check “I accept the license agreement”
7. Click “Create Account”
8. If you purchased an access code from the NSCC bookstore, under “Use an Access
Code” click “Access code”. If you have not purchased an access code from the
NSCCbookstore, you may purchase one directly from the publisher on this page under
“New MySocLab for Macionis, Sociology, 14e w/eText”.
9. Enter your access code and click “Finish”.
10. Click “Go to your course” (I suggest printing this page with the account information
and order details)
11. You should now see the title of your course, which is the entry point for all the
MySocLab materials.
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Overview of “MySocLab”
1. Click on the name of your course, “Introduction to Sociology – SOC 101”
2. Before you do anything else:
Click on “Tune up your browser” and follow the directions
This will solve 90% of the technical problems you will have later if you
do not do this
Click on “Set your time zone”, follow the directions and click “Save”
It may automatically set to Pacific time.
3. On the left hand side you will find the following items:
Assignment Calendar:
A. Click the title “Assignment Calendar”, then click “Enter”
B. Go to the last month of the quarter. To change months, click on the
right or left facing triangle on either side of the month.
C. On the last day of the course you will see a clock icon. Click that date.
Here you will find all the MySocLab activities for the entire
quarter, since they all turn off at 11:59 pm (Pacific time) on that
date. This is the date also listed in the Course Calendar at the back
of your syllabus. You may complete that activity on or before that
date, but not after that date. If attempted after that date, the
computer will give you a zero for that activity (which will not be
changed). All the quarter’s activities turn off at that time.
eText & Chapter Audio
This is an electronic version of your text.
Student Grades
Click on “Student Grades”, > “Enter”> “Custom View” (in the navigation
bar at the top) to see your grades.
4. MySocLab reading assignments with quizzes:
I suggest you print out the reading assignments and read them before taking the
quiz. You may then refer to them when taking the quiz.
5. MySocLab video (Watch) assignments with quizzes:
I suggest watching the video through once, then take the quiz. You may watch
the video again as often as you want while taking the quiz.
You may change your answers as often as you wish before submitting the quiz.
My expectation is that all students will have 100% correct on all the quizzes.
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Exams:
General description:
The four mid-term exams (50 points each) are not cumulative and cover only the
chapters for that exam. The exams are all multiple-choice, and will test your knowledge
of concepts, terms, and findings. You will also be asked to apply some of the
fundamental concepts to new situations.
All exams are available from the first day of the quarter, and close near the last day of the
quarter as indicated on the Course Calendar in this syllabus. I suggest completing all
exams prior to the day they close in case your internet or computer crashes. This gives
you some time to solve any problems. The exams will not be extended. If you have not
completed an exam by the day they turn off, you will receive a zero for that exam –
believe me.
Other exam concerns:
1. Take the exams on a stable internet connection. If your internet crashes, try repeatedly
to restart the connection during the 50 minutes you have to take the exam. The test will
return at the same place you left off, however, the timer will keep going.
2. Once you start an exam you must complete the 50 questions in 50 minutes. You
cannot pause an exam to look up the answer and come back to it later.
3. The exam labeled, “Practice Exam (Not graded)” is the only practice exam. All others
are real exams. This is to familiarize you with the test taking system. You may take this
exam unlimited times. The real exams can only be taken once. You are not expected to
know the answers to this practice exam, and it is not graded. This is just a trial run to be
sure you know how to take an exam.
4. You may use any notes, study guides, text, or other materials provided in the class
during the exams. You may not use any other source of help.
5. To reduce cheating, you can only see one question at a time. You cannot go back to
previous questions. If you simply looked at the questions without answering them, you
will receive a zero on that exam. Do not look at all the questions, then tell me your
computer crashed and ask me to reset the exam. I can see everything you do when you
open an exam, and if this is what you did, it will not be reset. Also, you may only take
each exam once.
6. I suggest you make notes on topics you are unsure about during the exam if you wish
to restudy those items. To protect the exam, I will not email you the questions you
missed. With online digital questions it is easy to copy the exam questions and send
them to other students, friends, relatives or archive them for future reference.
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7. If an answer option is “All the above” and it is in position “B” for example, it means
all the other answers. This option may occur in other than the last (“D” or “E”) position
because the questions and answers are scrambled for each student.
8. Scoring exams: The score you receive will be the grade indicated by the computer. I
feel this is the fairest for the largest number of students. While I am glad to discuss the
exam with you, it will not change your score. Any changes in question wording, etc. will
be considered for next quarter, but will not be used to change scores this quarter.
How to do well on the exams:
The exams come from the text and many additional items to help you understand
the material. Use the Course Calendar at the end of this syllabus to keep yourself on
track so you will have covered the material and understand it before you take the exam.
To understand each topic, read the text, listen to the class presentation, take notes, review
the chapter diagrams, and complete the study guides.
Avoid procrastination:
Do not wait until the last possible day to take the exams. Emails like, “I forgot
what the last day was”, or ”I tried to take the exams, and my computer (or internet) had
problems”, or, “My electricity turned off”, or “I tried to open the last exam, and it was
not there (emailed after the last day)”, now it is past the last day and the class is over,
how do I make it up? The answer is, you don’t. Any exams not completed before the
exams turn off as indicated in the course calendar have a score of zero – believe me.
Therefore, I recommend at least following the suggested course calendar at the back of
the syllabus to avoid this procrastination. Please complete all exams before the very last
possible day.
My hope is that having the exams and study materials available at the start of the quarter
will let you progress at your individual pace and make it more convenient for family and
work schedules, thereby making the class more enjoyable for you.
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Taking the exams:
When taking the exams on line you may use the study guides, text, dictionary, and
chapter diagrams. You may not have anyone else helping you in any way. When taking
the exams, you must answer one question before going on. You may not go back. Also,
If you skip a question you may not go back to answer it. It is best to have an answer for
each question.
NOTE *** Turn off the pop-up blocker in your web browser
To turn off the pop-up blocker. With Firefox, go to tools > Options >Content,
and uncheck the "Block pop up window". With Explorer, go to Tools > Pop-up blocker >
Turn off pop-up blocker.
1. Log in and go to your course home page.
2. Click on “Quizzes” > then quiz (exam) number > then “Take the quiz”.
(Note the time remaining on the right side)
3. Answer the first question >then click “Next” (Answer all questions) >
4. Finally, when all questions are answered, click “Submit” then “OK”.
Note: Your time remaining is shown in the upper right hand corner. At the end of that
time, the exam will automatically stop and will not be reset. Therefore, please watch
your time remaining.
********************************************************************
YOU MUST CLICK “SUBMIT” FOR ALL EXAMS BEFORE 11:00 pm PACIFIC
TIME ON THE DAY THEY TURN OFF AS INDICATED IN THE COURSE
CALENDAR. AT 11:00 pm THE EXAMS TURNS OFF AND YOU WILL NOT
RECEIVE CREDIT FOR TAKING ANY REMAINING EXAMS. I SUGGEST YOU
END ALL YOUR EXAMS PRIOR TO THAT DAY JUST TO BE SURE, IN CASE
THE CLOCKS ARE DIFFERENT, OR YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.
The Course Calendar gives you a suggested schedule.
*********************************************************************
You need to take the exams on or before the date indicated in the Course
Calendar. The closing dates will not be extended. If you have not completed an item by
the last day, you will receive a zero for that item – believe me.
The Course Calendar in the back of this syllabus gives you a suggested schedule for the
quarter, including the last date for completing the exams.
When you click “Take this quiz” you must take the exam:
Do not click “Take this quiz” (even by accident) and look through the exam without
answering the questions because the computer will automatically submit a zero into the
grade book, which will be your grade for that exam. This is done to reduce cheating.
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Grading
Your final grade will be based on the total questions you answered correctly on all
four exams and the website materials.
TOTAL
POINTS
300-270
269-240
239-210
209-180
179-0
%
GRADE
90
80
70
60
"A"
"B"
"C"
"D"
"E"
4.0-3.5
3.4-2.5
2.4-1.5
1.4-0.
0.0
(See the "Grading Scale" page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Exam #1 = 50 pts.
Exam #2 = 50 pts.
Exam #3 = 50 pts.
Exam #4 = 50 pts.
“My Soc Lab” website = 100 pts.
Total = 300 points
(See the “Grading Scale” page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Extra credit (10 pts. from the syllabus quiz) is simply added to your total points above.
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Grading Scale
Total
Points
300 (100%)
299
298 4.0
297
296_____
295
294
293 3.9
292
291_____
290
289
288 3.8
287
286
285_____
284
283
282 3.7
281
280_____
279
278
277 3.6
276
275_____
274
273
272 3.5
271
270____(90%)
A
269
268 3.4
267_____
266
265 3.3
264_____
263
262 3.2
261_____
260
259 3.1
258_____
257
256 3.0
255_____
254
253 2.9
252_____
251
250 2.8
249_____
248
247 2.7
246_____
245
244 2.6
243_____
242
241 2.5
240____(80%)
B
239
238 2.4
237_____
236
235 2.3
234_____
233
232 2.2
231_____
230
229 2.1
228_____
227
226 2.0
225_____
224
223 1.9
222_____
221
220 1.8
219_____
218
217 1.7
216_____
215
214 1.6
213_____
212
211 1.5
210____(70%)
C
209
208
207 1.4
206
205
204_____
203
202
201 1.3
200
199
198_____
197
196
195 1.2
194
193
192_____
191
190
189 1.1
188
187
186_____
185
184
183 1.0
182
181
180____(60%)
179 0.0
D
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The grading scale is the same for everyone:
After all grades are in, some students want me to make a new, easier, grading scale just
for them that does not apply to the rest of you.
These requests sound like this: “I only need one more point to get the next higher grade
… please.” “I am failing the class, so don’t give me the grade I earned, give me an NC
(or an Incomplete) instead.” “If you give me the grade I earned, I can not get into the
university.” “I need a 2.0, or I will be deported.” “I will lose my financial aid.” “I
forgot to take the test when it was scheduled with everyone else, so can I take it now
(several days later)?” “I tried (or I learned a lot) so you should give me a higher grade.”
“I did not know I was registered in the class and did absolutely nothing, so I should not
receive a 0.0 grade.” “I had personal problems during the quarter, so you should increase
my grade (or any deadlines should not apply to me).” “I did not remember it was due
then, so can I turn it in now?” I can not grade based on any of these factors. You need to
do the best you possibly can from the first day of class, and feel confident the grade you
receive at the end was the best you are capable of.
If you need help with anything, please see me. I want you to do very well in class and
have established many items to help you do so. These include:
(1) “How To Study” sheet in this syllabus,
(2) Class Presentations
(3) Power point slides,
(4) The text
(5) Study Guides,
(6) Chapter Diagrams
(7) My office hours if you need additional help understanding the material.
With all this support, please remember, the grading scale is the same for everyone.
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Instructor created study materials
Class Presentations (Videos):
To view the class presentation videos, click on the file. After the introductory slide
appears, click on the right pointing triangle. This will start the presentation. Be certain
the volume is on (mute turned off) and the volume is turned up to a comfortable level.
You may then simply sit back and listen to the presentation as if you were attending the
class that created these presentations. However, you have the advantage of being able to
pause or rewind and review the presentation using the controls at the bottom of the
screen.
These recordings have been made “live” in class.
When listening to the recordings and watching the slides, it is good to have the Study
Guide, Chapter Diagram, Power Points and text in front of you to use as guides to what
will be on the exam.
These recordings, and the related Power Point slides, have been included for the
following reasons:
1. It gives you a feeling of being in class, complete with stories, examples, and
comments.
2. You get to know your instructor on a more personal level
3. You get to hear explanations of topics that may be difficult to comprehend
otherwise.
A fun way to listen to the videos:
Rather than listening to the videos alone, if you have friends in the course it may
be more fun to get together with pizza and popcorn and listen to them (like going to the
movies). Pause the tape at the “Do You Remember” questions and discuss them among
yourselves to see if you understand them. This is also a good time to take a break before
continuing. CAUTION: Do not take the exam immediately afterward with the other
students. You could be accused of helping each other with the answers, which is
cheating, and everyone would receive a zero for the exam.
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“Do You Remember?” questions:
The videos have “Do You Remember?” questions to help you review the material
immediately after it has been presented. If you cannot remember the answers to these
questions, then is a good time to go back and immediately review them to reinforce your
memory. These slides have also been duplicated in a Word document for each exam, and
are in a file under the “Start Here” videos. Print these out and complete the answers when
listening to the videos. You can then use these to study for the exams.
Also, since the videos can be long, I suggest you take a break when you get to these
questions. You can walk around, or get something to drink. This will reset your
attention span, which will help you to refocus and start remembering the material again.
Power Point slides:
The Power Point slides are not “canned” from the textbook, they have been made by your
instructor specifically to help you with the exams, and are the same ones used in the class
presentations. If you wish to print out the slides, they are available in a file entitled
“Power Point Slides”. I suggest printing out three or six slides per page.
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Chapter diagrams
Chapter diagrams are “Concept Maps” of the key concepts being discussed in
lecture, text, and exams. The theory behind these maps is that you can remember a
diagram (or photograph or drawing) better than written text or an outline. This is
particularly true of visual learners.
How to use them:
The best way to use these is to print them out on a color printer and have them in
front of you (along with the study guides) when you listen to the lectures during class.
When listening to the lectures, exam reviews, or reading the text, you can take notes and
transfer the key ideas to the concept diagrams for later study.
When writing the notes into your diagram, ask yourself if you understand them;
then explain it to yourself (or someone else). It will work even better if you can say this
aloud to yourself so you can hear it.
How to study with them:
1. Add any notes you want to the diagram
2. Develop a mental image of the diagram
3. Try to reproduce that image on a blank piece of paper without looking at the
original diagram.
4. Compare your diagram to the original.
A. The missing items are the ones you need to concentrate on
B. Repeat this process.
A video on Chapter Diagrams has been posted under: Home Page > **Start Here.
Study guides
This file gives you a study guide for each chapter. These are designed directly from the
exams. While you read the text, listen to the class presentations, and view the Power
Point slides, keep these sheets with you, and work toward being able to answer each of
the questions. These will then help you during the exams.
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How to study:
Look at the course calendar to see what materials need to be covered that day.
MySocLab:
Complete these items before the date they turn off as indicated in the class calendar.
All activities are available from the start of class. However, this will eliminate
any computer problems preventing you from receiving credit after the assignment turns
off.
Class materials (for each chapter):
1. Print out the study materials. This includes the power points (3-6 to a page), chapter
diagrams, and the study guide.
This will help you focus your studying on the most important items.
2. Spread out the text and all the materials in front of you, then listen to the lecture video.
Pause the video to make notes on the study materials.
This will help you recall the lecture material.
3. Review the visual summary, “Making The Grade” at the back of the chapter along with
the chapter itself, and highlight the topics presented in the study materials.
Use the text as a reference book, do not read page after page.
This will help you review the class material, and see how it relates to the text.
4. After listening to the video and reading the text:
A. Add to any notes you may have made on the power points, diagrams, etc.
B. Complete the study guide questions. They do not need to be handed in.
This will help you further understand the material presented in the video and
focus your study time on what is most apt to be on the exam.
Each day:
Take about fifteen minutes per chapter to review the materials presented since the last
exam.
Learning research tells us that many short reviews helps you remember the
material much better than one long review.
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Miscellaneous items
Extra credit: Please take the syllabus quiz for ten points extra credit.
Incompletes: No “Incomplete” (I) grades will be given.
No Credit “NC” grades and Withdrawals: You must request an "NC" grade or
withdraw by the “last day to withdraw” indicated on the course calendar. If you
have not, you will receive a decimal grade for this course.
************************************************************************
When the Registrar’s office says you can get an “NC” grade up until the end of the
quarter, they mean they will process it. What they tend not to tell you is that you
can only receive an NC if requested by the instructor based on the criteria for
assigning an NC grade. My criteria are that you can only receive an NC grade if it
is requested prior to the last day to withdraw. After that date you will receive a
decimal grade. Do not tell me the Registrar said you could get an NC grade up until
the end of the quarter – you cannot.
************************************************************************
Cheating: Any cheating on exams will result in a score of zero (“0”) for that exam (which
can not be retaken). Copying an exam, sending or showing an exam to another student,
or keeping an exam is considered cheating. Facilitating the cheating of another student is
also considered cheating, and both parties will receive a zero. Being with another student
in the same class while taking the exam will be considered collaborating on answering
the exam questions, and will be considered cheating.
Posting Final Grades: Final grades will not be posted. You may check your grades via
the internet at: NSCC home page > Online Services > Look Up Your Grades.
Guidelines for Student Conduct: Students are expected to comply with student conduct
policy and procedures. Information on student responsibilities and rights is available at
the following website: www.seattlecolleges.com/services
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodation
because of a disability; you must contact Disability Services at phone 527-3697, or TTY:
526-0079 or on the web at http://access.northseattle.edu/services/ds.htm
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is highly valued at NSCC. A student must
always submit work that represents his/her original words or ideas.
How to check your internet browser if you are having problems
1. Go to the class website and log in.
3. Often, simply turning off “pop-up blockers” on your web browser will solve problems.
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4. Another way to check your browser is to try all the class activities, such as the Power
Points, the recordings, and the class materials. If these all work, you are ok. If you still
have questions, contact the eLearning office on the first page of this syllabus.
How to see your final course grade:
You may check your grades via the internet at: NSCC home page > Online
Services > Look Up Your Grades. Put in your Student ID and Student PIN, then click on
“Get My Transcript”.
How to withdraw from the course:
You may withdraw from a course via the internet at: NSCC home page > Services >
Online Services > Register/Add/Drop Classes, and follow the directions
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Course Calendar
Sociology 101- Winter 2014
All exams and activities are open when class starts, and close (turn off) near the end of
the quarter as shown below. The closing date will not be extended. I suggest you at least
follow this schedule. You may complete the course early if you wish.
Date
Week of:
January 5
Class Presentation Videos &
Exams
Download and read the syllabus
Listen to videos in “Start Here”
Soc. Perspectives (Ch. 1)
“My Soc Lab” Activities
All are listed on Dec. 6, when they turn off
Register for MySocLab
See “Start Here” in class website
Sociologists at work
The Promise
January 12
Soc. Investigation (Ch. 2)
Explore the data: Durkheim
Objectivity: Fact or Fiction
January 19
Extra credit syllabus quiz turns off
at 11:59 – January 18
Saturday
Culture (Ch. 3)
Society (Ch. 4)
Review
January 26
Exam #1
Socialization (Ch. 5 )
Social Interaction (Ch. 6 )
February 2
Groups (Ch. 7)
Sexuality (Ch. 8)
Individual rights V.S. Common Good
Article: Gangstas…
Diminishing Opportunity
Article: Communist Manifesto
Explore Data: What Differences Industrialization
Gender Socialization
Article: Extreme Case of Social Isolation
Role of Humor
Presentation of Self in Everyday life
Article: McDonaldization of Society
Alternative Sexual Orientation
Article: Human Rights, Sex Trafficking, Prostitution
Review
February 9
February 16
Exam #2
Deviance (Ch.9)
Social Class (Ch. 11)
Gender Stratification. (Ch. 13)
Crips & Bloods
Consequences of Poverty
Article: Media Magic
Similarities & Differences – Men & Women
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February 23
March 2
(Veterans Day)
Race & Ethnicity (Ch. 14 )
Review
Exam #3
Family (Ch. 18)
Education (Ch.20)
March 9
Health (Ch.21)
Population (Ch. 22 )
March 16
March 21
Multiracial Identity
Article: How History & Sociology can help today’s
families
Inequalities in education
Article: Savage Inequalities
Health Care Outside the United States
Article: Let Them Eat Fat
Population Growth & Decline
Article: Life and Death in the City
Review
All activities have turned off by 11:59
Exam #4
All exams have turned off by
March 21st. at 11:00 pm.
Class ends (There is no final exam)
February 28th. is the last day to withdraw