Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Student Course Syllabus
Fall 2011
Course Title/Prefix and Number: Sociology/SOC 101-13
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Tue and Thur 2:00 – 3:50 PM Room ICB 2708
Introduction:
This class is an introduction to sociological study in both theory and practice. The course seeks
to examine issues related to the nature of identity, the relationship of the individual to society, as
well as our relationship with others. It will do so by discussing the historical and contemporary
systematic study of society, including patterns of social relations, social stratification, social
interaction, and culture.
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:
SBS office phone:
Email:
Office:
Instructor’s office hours:
Bill Lally
(309) 268-8590
Bill.Lally@heartland.edu
SBS Office, ICB 2100
By appointment
Textbooks:
•Hughes, M. and Kroehler, C. J. (2007). Inside Sociology. New York: McGraw Hill
•Publication Manual of APA (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
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.
Course Structure:
Classes will primarily be devoted to lecture and class discussion. It is the intent of the instructor
to provide a format in which student feel free to share their opinions on the material being
discussed as well as provide feedback to both the instructor and fellow students. Appropriate
films, audio-visual material, and guest speakers may be used to supplement lectures.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following objectives.
CATEGORY
Problem Solving
Communication
Diversity
Critical Thinking
Course Specific
CLASS OUTCOMES
Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the science and research
methods developed in sociology.
Apply the basic sociological paradigms
1. Structural functional
2. Social conflict
3. Symbolic interaction
Define, give examples, and demonstrate the relevance of the following
sociological notions: culture, socialization, stratification, social structure
and social change.
Analyze the functions and dysfunctions in the major social institutions such
as family, government, economy, religion, education, and medicine.
Identify and offer explanations of social inequality while considering the
relationship to social process, social interaction and institutions.
Examine and explain the impact of human relations on patterns of
urbanization and the physical environment.
Analyze and demonstrate awareness of the impact of cultural diversity in
our society.
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
Blackboard
Current grades, class announcements, writing examples and assignments, as well as other
support material are available for this class on Blackboard.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading Systems):
Students should have assigned readings completed before corresponding lectures.
EXAMS - There will be three exams given covering readings, lectures and other related
course materials presented during that corresponding period. In other words, they are not
cumulative.
QUIZZES - Periodic quizzes will be administered covering that weeks assigned readings.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS - There will be one (3-4 pages) writing assignments due
throughout the semester.
TERM PAPER - A 5-6 page paper covering a sociologically related topic will be due at the
end of the semester. A more detailed handout explaining the assignment requirements will
be passed out.
NOTE: Make-ups will not be given for missed exams or quizzes. However, the lowest quiz
grade will be dropped. In addition, papers are due at the beginning of class. Late
assignments will be penalized and will only be accepted if the student has spoken with the
instructor before the due date. E-mailed papers will not be accepted.
Percentage
90 - 100
80 - 89
70 - 79
60 - 69
59 or less
Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F
CATEGORY
Quizzes
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Writing Assignments
Term Paper
TOTAL
PERCENT
10%
15%
15%
15%
20%
25%
100%
Classroom Attendance:
Attendance is strongly encouraged. To promote attendance pop quizzes will be given throughout
the semester. NOTE: I do not email PowerPoints. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to
get the notes from a fellow student.
Classroom Behavior:
All cell phones should either be turned off or placed on vibrate during class. Please direct all
discussion towards classroom participation. Disruptive students may be removed from class.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principal 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 dishonesty 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. Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3. Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
4. Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its sources.
5. Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
6. Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it
were your own.
Academic Support Services (Academic Support Center) www.hcc.cc.il.us/divisions/asc
Heartland Library Information
The library, located in the Student Commons Building at the Raab Road campus, provides
Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases,
videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loans. Librarians are available to
assist in locating information. For more information, please call the library at (309) 268-8200 or
(309) 268-8292.
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students at
the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors
are available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups, group tutoring facilitated
by a specially-trained tutor, are also available by request. For more information about services
available at each location, please call the ASC in Normal at (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center
at (815) 842-6777; the Lincoln Center (217) 735-1731.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams,
online exams, and exams for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to
complete exams in the Testing Center if arrangements are made with their instructor. For more
information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions for all HCC classes will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in the
A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Website.
Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been cancelled for
that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a
message from the instructor.
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 this
semester in order to make certain that the class remains focused on its objectives and goals.
Class Schedule
DAY
TOPIC and ASSIGNMENT
CHAPTER
9/13
Ch. 1
Supp.
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Supp
10/6
Course Introduction/Handout Material and Articles
Developing a Sociological Consciousness
Discuss Article - What is Sociology?
Developing a Sociological Consciousness
Culture and Socialization
Culture and Socialization
Social Structure, Groups, and Organization
Social Structure, Groups, and Organization
Social Structure, Groups, and Organization
Movie – The Power of the Situation
EXAM 1 – Covers Readings and Lectures Ch. 1 thru 3
10/11
10/13
10/18
Deviance and Crime
Deviance and Crime
Social Stratification
Ch. 4
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
10/20
Social Stratification
Discuss Article – Social Darwinism
Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Movie – College Eye
EXAM 2 - Covers Readings and Lectures Ch. 4 thru 6
Ch. 5
Supp.
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Supp.
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Supp.
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
Supp
11/23 -25
11/29
12/1
12/6
The Family
The Family
The Family
Movie – Love Chronicles
Social Institutions
Social Institutions
Discuss Article – Gender and Education
Thanksgiving Break – No Classes
Population and Environment
Population and Environment
Social Change
12/8
12/13
Review for final exam
EXAM 3 - Covers Readings and Lectures Ch. 7 thru 10
9/15
9/20
9/22
9/27
9/29
10/4
•Writing Assignment Due – Sociological Paradigms & Prisons
10/25
10/27
11/1
11/3
11/8
11/10
11/15
11/17
11/22
Ch. 9
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
•Term Paper Due –Herbert Spencer and Social Programs
2-3:50 PM