BRUCE R. BRANDEL
PROFESSOR
SS 102-SOCIAL PROBLEMS-CULTURAL DIVERSITY
ON-LINE VERSION
SUMMER SESSION I & II 2004
BRUCE BRANDEL
Office: K-109D
Telephone: 270-2975
Office Hours: By appointment.
E-mail: Brandel@ecc.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to people from many diverse
populations:
Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, African-Americans, Asian Americans, and EuroAmericans. The course also addresses sociological issues such as social interaction, the
concept of race/ethnicity, social class, and the sociology of minorities. The course is
designed to show how the United States is a nation of nations, with common elements of
humanity between individuals and groups of people. The course is based on the premise
that the more we understand of each other, the more positive and enriching out
interactions.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Textbook: STRANGERS TO THESE SHORES, 7th edition by Vincent Parillo
OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. describe the different views concerning the impact of uniformity versus diversity
on the interactions of individuals and groups in our society;
2. describe the two major views of views of diversity; that it promotes polarization,
divisiveness, and splintering within a society; or that it brings a healthy variety of
ideas, viewpoints, and lifestyles that encourage growth and evolution of society;
3. identify the global origins of current populations in the United States, and their
geographic concentrations within the United States
4. identify the different constraints and motivations of people from backgrounds
other than their own;
5.
express in written form the perspective of a cultural group other than their own.
Evaluation:
Your final grade for this course will be determined by the number of Unit assignments
accepted by the end of the respective summer session. There are 12 Unit assignments,
each consisting of written answers to questions related to each chapter. To be considered
completed (accepted), the quality of each assignment must achieve a “B” (80%) or better.
This is to say you MUST use proper grammar, complete sentences, capitalization, and no
spelling errors. Because there are no exams in this course the only way I know you
understand the material is through your writing, therefore I expect that you will answer
each question with enough detail. If the quality is less than a “B”, the assignment, will be
rejected, comments will be made on it for improvement, and it will be returned to you for
revision. It has always been true that, if the comments are followed in the revision, the
assignment will meet the “B” or better requirement when resubmitted. Though I do
encourage students to work in study groups, I do expect that your written assignments
will be the sole product of your (one student’s effort) work.
You have an option to the revision process, if you feel you understand the material and
prefer to take a short quiz to demonstrate your mastery of the chapter you may. In order
for you to receive credit for a unit you must score 80% or better on the quiz. There are
only 10 questions per Unit; therefore you must answer 8 questions correctly.
11-12 assignments accepted = A
9-10 assignments accepted = B
7-8 assignments accepted = C
5-6 assignments accepted = D
0-4 assignments accepted = F
Your assignments can be sent to me via my e-mail address: Brandel@ecc.edu. Please
note the word processing program that I use is Microsoft Word. If you are not using MS
Word you will need to send the file to me as a Rich Text Format (.rtf) file. If you do not, I
will not be able to read it. If you do not know how to save the file as an .rtf in windows,
do the following:
1. On your tool bar Click file
2. On the pull down menu Click save as
3. Put the file name (the Unit name) in the section for file name
4. Click the drop down menu in the save as “type” section and choose Rich Text
Format
5. Save file and send attached to an e-mail.
Assignments and Timetable:
In this Internet course, the person responsible for what and how well you do in this
course is YOU! You must set a schedule for yourself and stick to it. The most probable
cause for not doing well in this course is simply getting behind in your assignments. The
more you postpone the work on the assignments the fewer you will be able to complete
and the lower your grade. Start working on the assignments now and KEEP AT IT!
DUE DATES FOR ASSIGNMENTS:
There are no due dates for individual Unit assignments.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
You will not turn in more than 3 assignments in one week.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE SENT VIA E-MAIL.
All assignments MUST be completed in order (1, 2, 3, etc.)
The ultimate deadline for the submission of assignments is:
SUMMER SESSION I JUNE 28, 2004
SUMMER SESSION II AUGUST 9, 2003
You do not need to wait for one assignment to be corrected to submit another. Three
assignments can be submitted at one time. You may finish the course in less than six
weeks.
If you do not understand any part of your assignment or have difficulty writing an
answer, please call me, e-mail me or stop into my office so the problem can be resolved
as soon as possible. Office phone number: 270-2975 (I have voice mail). Messages may
be left with the Department secretary at 851-1308 (she also has voice mail).
You should try to do two assignment each week. Do not hesitate to call or stop into my
office when you are stuck, confused or just want to check something out before writing
your answer. I cannot help you if I do not hear from you!