Sociology 100 (WI): Introduction to Sociology (Online)
SYLLABUS (Please print and read carefully)
Fall 2010
Instructor: Alexandra Springer
Class Meeting Time (online):
Office Hours (online):
E-Mail:
Course Website:
Online discussions (anytime Mon.-Sat.)
Anytime per e-mail (Mon.-Sat.)
aspringe@hawaii.edu
https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal
Online
This online course is similar to any traditional face-to-face course in some ways, yet different from it in
others.
Difference: You do not have to find parking. If you own a computer at home you do not even have to
get dressed to participate in class. You can choose your own seat and even bring a pillow if it makes you
more comfortable. You can eat and drink during class and you can answer your cell phone. Best of all you
can work late at night or early in the morning – anytime that is convenient FOR YOU.
Similar: You still have to do all the readings and you do have to participate in class. It is not possible to
hide in the back of the room in an online course. If you don’t participate in the course you will not pass this
class.
Course Description
This introductory course will give you an understanding of the basic principles of sociology as an academic
discipline and provide an analytical perspective of society and everyday life through sociological theories.
In this course we will analyze the ways in which people interact and function in groups. It is a practical as
well as theoretical study which includes such subjects as culture, values, and norms, social stratification,
race and ethnicity, conformity, deviance, urban living, social change, and social movements. By learning
how to apply theory to empirical examples you will develop your “sociological imagination”, and cultivate
an open perspective in trying to understand your behavior, society, and other cultures. This is a writing
intensive course and to promote the learning of course material writing assignments will be assigned
throughout the semester. In these assignments you will be able to apply the knowledge you acquire during
the course and they will help you polish your critical thinking and writing skills.
This course is designated as a Writing Intensive course. It adheres to the criteria setforth by the Manoa Writing Program:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The course uses writing to promote the learning of course materials
The course provides interaction between the professor and students while students do assigned
writing
Written assignments contribute significantly to each student’s course grade (at least 40%)
Students write at least 4,000 words (about 16 typed pages - not including drafts and in-class essay
exams)
The course is limited to 20 students
Instructor reserves the right to change the class syllabus to meet class needs Page 1 Course Goal
By the end of the course you should be able to: know what sociology is and distinguish it from other social
sciences; be familiar with the main sociological theories, know the fundamentals of sociology including
research, culture, socialization, society, and groups; know aspects of various sub-disciplines of sociology
including collective behavior, sexuality, deviance, social stratification, population/ urbanization, and social
institutions; and integrate this knowledge into your own life by recognizing the concepts in it and critically
analyzing what we "know" about society.
Required Books
Schaefer, Richard T. 2009. Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 8th ed.
New York, NY: McGraw Hill (ISBN 978-0-07-340426-4)
[readings from this book are marked as “Schaefer”]
Macionis, John J., Nijole V. Benokraitis. 2010. Seeing Ourselves:
Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2010. (ISBN 978-0-20573316-3)
[readings from this book are marked as “Mac/Beno”]
Required Computer Software (all free downloads)
You will need some basic pieces of software installed on your personal PC, or available on the UH campus
lab computers:
QuickTime for all videos in streamed format (http://www.apple.com/quicktime)
Any modern web browser (e.g. Firefox - http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/)
Adobe Flash Player (e.g. http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/)
Real Player (http://www.real.com/)
Structure and Policies
Grading
There are five components to the final grade.
1. Four writing assignments each worth 10% (Total 40%)
2. Fourteen quizzes each worth 1.5% (Total 21%)
3. Sixteen weekly discussions. Each week you can earn up to 1.25% (Total 20%)
4. Midterm 9%
5. Final 10% (you must take the final to be considered for a final grade)
Instructor reserves the right to change the class syllabus to meet class needs Page 2 All assignments, quizzes, discussions, the midterm, the final and any additional
information are accessible on the website https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal
Writing Assignments
•
•
•
•
There will be four writing assignments. These are due at the end of week four, the end of week
nine, the end of week twelve and at the end of week sixteen (see exact due days on the schedule at
the end of this syllabus)
Each of these written assignments must be at least four (4) pages (or 1000 words each)
The assignments must be turned in (posted) by the due date. Late assignments will not be
accepted.
You will receive additional information for each assignment
Grading (Writing Assignments)
Your assignments will be graded according to this matrix.
HIGH <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Satisfaction>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOW
Sources
Mechanics
Quality of
Information
Organization and
Content
10-9
8-7
6-5
4-0
Information is very
organized with well
constructed paragraphs, and
information demonstrates
creative thought about the
ideas of the readings
Information is organized
and the information
demonstrates thought
about the ideas of the
readings but paragraphs
are not well constructed,
The information
appears disorganized
and demonstrates very
little thought about the
ideas of the readings
Information is not only
disorganized, but the
information does not
address the question or
reflects no or little
thought of the ideas of
the readings
Information clearly relates
to the main topic. It
includes several supporting
details and/or examples
Information clearly relates
to the main topic. No
details and/or examples
are given
Information has little to
do with the main topic
Information has nothing
to do with the main topic
No grammatical, spelling or
punctuation errors. Paper
has the required length.
A few grammatical,
spelling, or punctuation
errors. Paper has the
required length.
Way too many for a
college student. Paper
does not have the
required length.
All sources are accurately
documented in the desired
format (ASA)
All sources are accurately
documented, but many are
not in the desired format
(ASA)
Many grammatical,
spelling, or punctuation
errors. Paper does not
have the required
length.
Some sources are not
accurately documented
To many sources are not
documented accurately
and there is not a format
used
Quizzes/Midterm/Final
•
•
•
•
•
There will be 14 quizzes, plus 1 midterm and plus 1final exam
All quizzes, the midterm and the final have the same format (multiple choice and/or short answers)
Each Friday of the week, throughout the semester, the quiz opens that covers the respective
weekly materials (e.g. the first quiz covers Chapter 1 and will open on Friday of the first week,
and so on through the last week and the last chapter). You have all day Friday and Saturday (until
midnight HI time) to take the weekly quiz.
At the end of week eight there will be a midterm instead of a quiz (same format as quizzes but
cumulative of Chapter 1-Chapter 8 and worth 9% of the overall grade)
In the last week there will be a Final instead of a quiz (same format as quizzes but cumulative of
Chapter 9 – Chapter 16 and worth 10% of the overall grade)
Instructor reserves the right to change the class syllabus to meet class needs Page 3 Missed Assignments/Quizzes/Midterm/Final
•
Since you have 48 hours (all day and night) until Saturday midnight (HI time) to take a quiz, the
midterm and the final there is no reason to miss any of them. No makeup exams are allowed. The
exams are available for 48 hours until midnight of the due date (on midnight of the due date the
exam closes and you will not be able to access it anymore). You must take the final in order to
pass this class!
This is an online class and I will not accept excuses that your computer did not work. Make sure you
have access to another computer in case yours "acts up" in any way
Discussions
This is one of the most important elements of this course. You must participate in the weekly discussion. I
will post various discussion questions throughout each week and every student is expected to enter the
discussion at least twice a week. (You must post on different days. Multiple postings on the same day are
considered as one posting). If you do not participate you will be losing the points for that week. There is no
make-up by ‘over-participating’ the following week. You can earn up to 1.25% every week for your
participation depending on the amount and quality of your postings.
It is not considered participating in a discussion when you "just post" comments at the end of the week. A
discussion should be an extended, interactive communication between the instructor and all students
throughout the week dealing with the particular topic of the week. I will look favorably on responses that
are posted on or before Wednesdays.
Grading the Discussions
Your weekly responses will be graded according to this matrix. Multiple responses to various questions will
improve your chance of giving a creative, well-thought out answer and will improve your chance of
earning a high percentage for that week.
Content
HIGH <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Satisfaction >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOW
1.25%
1%
.75%
0%
The answers fully address
the questions and
demonstrate creative
thought about the ideas of
the readings. The responses
were posted on time.
The answers address the
questions and demonstrate
thought about the ideas of
the readings. The
responses were posted on
time.
The answer addresses
the question, but is
short and demonstrates
very little thought about
the ideas of the
readings. The responses
were posted on the
same day, and/or only
one response was
posted.
The answer does not
address the question
or/and reflects no or little
thought of the ideas of
the readings.
Grading Overall
Writing Assignments (4x): each worth 10%
Discussions (16x): each worth 1.25%
Quizzes (14x): each worth 1.5%
Midterm:
Final:
Total Percent possible
40% of grade
20% of grade
21% of grade
9% of grade
10% of grade
100%
Instructor reserves the right to change the class syllabus to meet class needs Page 4 Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
Percent
= 97-100
= 93-96
= 90-92
= 87-89
= 83-86
= 80-82
Grade
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
Percent
= 77-79
= 73-76
= 70/72
= 67-69
= 63-66
= 60-62
= < 59
Policies
Kokua
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability is invited to
contact me privately. I would be happy to work with you, and the KOKUA Program (Office for Students
with Disabilities) to ensure reasonable accommodations in my course. KOKUA can be reached at (808)
956-7511 or (808) 956-7612 (voice/text) in room 013 of the Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student
Services
Plagiarism
The following definition of plagiarism comes from the UH-Manoa Student Conduct Code:
Plagiarism includes but is not limited to submitting, in fulfillment of an academic requirement, any work
that has been copied in whole or in part from another individual's work without attributing that borrowed
portion to the individual; neglecting to identify as a quotation another's idea and particular phrasing that
was not assimilated into the student's language and style or paraphrasing a passage so that the reader is
misled as to the source; submitting the same written or oral or artistic material in more than one course
without obtaining authorization from the instructors involved; or "drylabbing," which includes obtaining
and using experimental data and laboratory write-ups from other sections of a course or from previous
terms.
University of Hawai`i at Manoa Student Conduct Code (1992), p. 6
It is ultimately each student's responsibility to learn about plagiarism and how to avoid it. Ignorance of the
rules, saying "I forgot about that" or "I made a mistake" is not considered a valid excuse when it comes to
plagiarism.
Instructor reserves the right to change the class syllabus to meet class needs Page 5 Tentative Schedule for Readings, Assignments, Quizzes and Exams (Soc.100 WI)
Week
Topic
Required Readings
Assignments
due
----
Quizzes and Exams
1
(8/23-8/28)
Introduction to the course –
Understanding Sociology
Schaefer: Chapter 1 &
Mac/Beno: pp.1-18
2
(8/30-9/4)
Sociological Research
Schaefer: Chapter 2
Mac/Beno: pp. 19-32
----
Quiz 2: Sat. 9/4
covers Chapter 2
3
(9/6-9/11)
4
(9/13-9/18)
Culture
Schaefer: Chapter 3 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 33-42
----
Socialization and the Life
Course
Schaefer: Chapter 4 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 64-93
Assignment #1
due by
midnight 9/18
Quiz 3: Sat. 9/11
covers Chapter 3
Quiz 4: Sat. 9/18
covers Chapter 4
5
(9/20-9/25)
6
(9/27-10/2)
7
(10/4-10/9)
8
(10/1110/16)
9
(10/1810/23)
Social Interaction, Groups,
and Social Structure
The Mass Media
Schaefer: Chapter 5 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 94-116
----
Schaefer: Chapter 6 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 430-435
----
Deviance and Social Control
Schaefer: Chapter 7 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 141-179
----
Stratification and Social
Mobility in the United States
Schaefer: Chapter 8 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 201-221
----
Global Inequality
Schaefer: Chapter 9 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 222-229
10
(10/2510/30)
11
(11/1-11/6)
12
(11/8-11/13)
Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Schaefer: Chapter 10 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 254-281
Assignment
#2 due by
midnight
10/23
----
Stratification by Gender
Schaefer: Chapter 11 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 230-253
----
The Family and Intimate
Relationships
Schaefer: Chapter 12 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 321-338
Education and Religion
Schaefer: Chapter 13 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 358-369 and
pp. 339-350
Assignment
#3 due by
midnight
11/13
----
Government and the Economy
Schaefer: Chapter 14 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 305-313
13
(11/1511/20)
14
(11/2211/27)
15
(11/29–
12/4)
16
(12/6-12/11)
Finals
Week
----
Quiz 1: Sat. 8/28
covers Chapter 1
Quiz 5: Sat. 9/25
covers Chapter 5
Quiz 6: Sat. 10/2
covers Chapter 6
Quiz 7: Sat. 10/9
covers Chapter 7
Midterm: Sat. 10/16
(cumulative: covers Chapter 1
> Chapter 8)
Quiz 8: Sat. 10/23
covers Chapter 9
Quiz 9: Sat. 10/30
covers Chapter 10
Quiz 10: Sat. 11/6
covers Chapter 11
Quiz 11:Sat. 11/13 covers
Chapter 12
Quiz 12: Sat. 11/20 covers
Chapter 13
Quiz 13*: due by Sat. 11/27
covers Chapter 14 (*the quiz will
open on Wednesday due to
Thanksgiving, but you do have time
until Sat. midnight to complete it)
Health, Medicine, and the
Environment
Schaefer: Chapter 15 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 375-383
----
Quiz 14: Sat.12/4
covers Chapter 15
Social Change in the Global
Community
Schaefer: Chapter 16 &
Mac/Beno: pp. 418-424
Assignment #4
due by
midnight Sat.
12/11 (*you
can turn it in
earlier)
No quiz this week
- Final due by Sat. 12/18 (covers Chapter 9-16)
- Most be submitted by midnight Saturday (HI time)
Instructor reserves the right to change the class syllabus to meet class needs Page 6