Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: SOC 101-03 Summer 2009
Course Title: Sociology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:50 in Pontiac
Introduction:
This course will familiarize students with the basic problems, methods, concepts, and
theories of sociological analysis. It is important that students come away from an
introductory course in sociology with knowledge of how a sociological perspective
differs from and/or complements other perspectives (e.g., psychological, theological,
philosophical, or biological) as well as an appreciation of how sociology compares with
various " common sense" interpretations of the social world. In order to see these
differences, it is crucial to recognize that sociology has a scientific basis. Among the
topics to be covered are the family, religion, education, politics, the environment,
deviance, gender, race, and social change. Particular attention will be paid to the
inequality within and between societies.
Catalog Description:
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of society. Topics include
power and inequality, change, deviance, education, occupation, organizations,
family/gender, religion, and racial/ethnic groups. Students will develop a critical
understanding of social forces. Prerequisite(s): None.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Colleen Holtz, B.S., M.S
Phone number to contact instructor: 268-8595
Instructor e-mail address, if one: Colleen.Holtz@Heartland.edu
Location of instructor's office: ICB 2100
Hours and days of instructor's office hours: By Appt.Only.
Textbook Required: Inside Sociology; Carolyn J. Kroehler and Michael Hughes;
McGraw Hill Publishing; New York, NY. 2007.
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.
Beliefs: This course is intended to provide information regarding issues that affect us
and how we relate to society. Because the information provided in the course includes
the cutting edge of sociological research regarding our society, the students may be able
to apply this information to his/her life.
Academic Discipline: Sociology is focused on the study of human social relationships.
As a discipline, Sociology seeks to explore and explain why humans form the social
relationships that they do, what affects those relationships, and how society's issues have
an affect on us all.
Student Learning: The student’s role in the learning process is to be accepting of
information provided. He/she should have an open mind regarding the information even
though there may information he/she does not agree with. In order to do well in the
course, the student will need to read the required material and attend class. Class time
will include information provided in lecture, not found in the text and will also include
activities which can not be made up by the student him/herself.
Instructor's Role: The instructor’s role will be to foster an environment conducive to
learning. I will provide the most current information available regarding how people
deal with issues in our society and how those issues affect us personally and globally. I
will also provide classroom activities which will illustrate course concepts and will
provide assignments and test questions which reinforce the retention of the information
provided
.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following
objectives:
1. Be able to explain how their individual-level experiences are influenced by societallevel changes and trends.
2. Have an appreciation for the fact that their unique social context influences their
personal perspectives and that different social contexts result in different perspectives.
3. Be familiar with a pool of sociological concepts to apply to their understanding of
sociological events.
4. Be able to analyze contemporary social issues from several theoretical perspectives.
5. Have knowledge of the history and development of sociology.
6. Be able to describe how social forces influence socialization.
7. Have an appreciation for and an understanding of local, national, and international
diversity, and how this diversity has influenced both society and the study of society.
8. Have an appreciation for the interconnectedness of groups within society, of societies
around the world, and of society and the physical environment.
9. Be able to articulate opinions about social issues which are supported by research as
well as personal observations and experiences.
10. Be able to articulate the various ways in which local social issues are connected to
international or global social issues and how historical events are connected to
contemporary social issues.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Developing a Sociological Consciousness
Culture and Socialization
Social Structures, Groups and Organizations
Deviance and Crime
Social Stratification
Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
The Family
Social Institutions
Population and Environment
Social Change
Methods of Instruction: The course will be taught through a combination of lecture, in
class group activities, and videos.
Course Policies: The student’s average percentage on these will be worth 100 points. If
the student achieves 90%, for example, he/she will have earned 90 of the 100 points.
Exams: Five examinations will take place. Each examination will include approximately
two chapters. The examinations will be evenly spaced out throughout the course. Each
examination will be worth 100 points.
Method of Evaluation Assignments may be modified at the instructor’s discretion and
agreement by the students. Each assignment will be weighed based on its point value.
The student’s final grade will be the modal letter grade earned on the assignment. The
curve for all assignments will be 90%= A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D, and below 60%
= F.
Participation Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully
in the activities each class day. Announcements regarding extra credit opportunities,
changes in due dates, or changes in examination dates will be made during class time. It
is in the student’s best interest to attempt to acquire notes/announcements from at least
two students for a class period missed. The instructor will not provide the student
with missed notes or announcements.
Incomplete: Incomplete will be assigned due to extenuating circumstances and upon
notification to the instructor of these circumstances as soon as possible. Incomplete will
not be considered unless the student has completed over 50% of the course requirements.
No student has an automatic right to receive an incomplete.
Make-up of tests and assignments: If a student must miss an exam, the instructor will
allow the student one class period to make it up. If an additional exam is missed, a makeup assignment will be assigned. This assignment will be a written paper on the topics
covered on the exam and will require research. If a student misses an additional exam,
the instructor must be notified within a week in order for the student’s assignment to be
made, otherwise, the examination cannot be made up.
Deadlines: Due dates may be changed at the instructor’s discretion. Any changes will
be announced during class time.
Required Writing and Reading:
Students are required to read the text(s) and other assigned materials. Writing will be
required on exams and/or assignments.
Student Conduct: Each student is to conduct himself/herself in a professional
manner.
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:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
3
4
5
were
6
it
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
your own.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if
were your own.
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.
Specifications for written materials: All assignments are due at the beginning of the
class period. If a student brings in an assignment after this time, it will be considered late
and will be worth only half of the points assigned to that assignment. If a particular
assignment does not have to be typed, the students will be notified in class.
Syllabi disclaimer: The syllabus is viewed as a contract between the instructor and the
student. Any changes in this syllabus will be announced in class. Staying enrolled in this
class will be viewed as the student accepting the course requirements as written here and
as modified (if necessary) in class.
Notice of Cancelled Classes: Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be
listed under “Cancelled Class Meetings” in the A-Z Index under “Academic Information”
in the “Current Students” page on the HCC website. To learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week, be sure to check that website. Also, be
sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the instructor.
Important Website Information: ….PLEASE NOTE…….
Just a reminder, to access WEBCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will
need to log into My Heartland, at https://my.heartland.edu
Important Dates:
June 1: Syllabus Review
June 3: Chapter 1: Developing a Sociological Consciousness
June 8: Chapter 2: Culture/Socialization
June 10: Exam 1: Chapters 1 and 2
June 15: Chapter 3: Groups and Organizations/Social Structure
June 17: Chapter 4: Deviance/Movie: “The Illinois Death Penalty”
June 22: Exam 2: Chapters 3 and 4/ Paper #1 due
June 24: Chapter 5: Social Stratification/Global Stratification
June 29: Chapter 6: Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity/Movie: “Crash”
July 1: Exam 3: Chapters 5 and 6/ Paper #2 due
July 6: Chapter 7: The Family
July 8: Chapter 8: Education and Healthcare/Movie: “Sicko” by Michael Moore
July 13: Exam 4: Chapters 7 and 8/Paper #3 due
July 15: Chapter 9: Population and the Environment
July 20: Chapter 10: Social Change/Movie: “Planet in Peril”
July 22: Paper #4 due for Part 1 of Planet in Peril/ Movie: “Planet in Peril” Part 2
July 27: Exam 5: Chapters 9 and 10/ Paper #5 due
July 29: Last Day: Final Grades
The Final Exam will be given during our normal class time from 6:00-8:50.
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
Exam 4:
Exam 5:
Chapters 1 and 2 = 100 points
Chapters 3 and 4 = 100 points
Chapters 5 and 6 = 100 points
Chapters 7 and 8 = 100 points
Chapters 9 and 10 = 100 points
Total points for exams = 500 points
Attendance and Participation is mandatory and is worth 100 points
Paper #1 = 20 points
Paper #2 = 20 points
Paper #3 = 20 points
Paper #4 = 20 points
Paper #5 = 20 points
Total points for papers = 100 points
Total possible points for this class = 700 points.
Your Reflection papers are worth 20 points each. They should be 2-3 pages, doublespaced, and typed. They are due the next class period after each movie.