Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
1
Dr. George Weissinger
Course Outline-Soc 201 Online
Introduction to Sociology-All Sections
Instructor: Dr. George Weissinger
Course Description:
This course covers the scientific study of human interaction utilizing basic
themes that give sociology a distinctive character. The textbook covers six
central themes sociology in everyday life (down to earth), globalization,
cultural diversity, critical thinking, the new technology, and the growing
influence of the mass media in our lives. Sociology studies controversial topics
and is a foundation course in any liberal arts education.
Textbooks: Required
Henslin, James, Essentials of Sociology: A Down To Earth Approach, 10th
Edition, NJ: Pearson-Allyn & Bacon, 2009 ISBN: 0-205-898475.
Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
2
Dr. George Weissinger
Optional – Not Required
Weissinger, George, Law Enforcement & the INS 2nd ed.,
Lanham, MD: University Press, 2004. ISBN: 07618-2996—2.
There will be one discussion question about the immigration problem in the
U.S. This book will help you understand the immigration debate. A limited
number of copies may be available in the NCC bookstore, or may be ordered
online.
Extra Credit: I created a discussion area in which participation is completely
voluntary. Feel free to discuss course topics with other participants there. (5
points maximum extra credit).
Note on Assessments & Assignments:
There are due dates for all the work in this course. Points may be deducted if you submit
work that is past due. Assessments are set to force completion once you open them.
That is, you must complete the assessment once you open it. You cannot open, close and
then reopen the assessment. Assessments are also timed, but you may continue working
and submit after the time expires. I allow one attempt for assignments, so take your time
in preparing your response and then submit it after you completed all the work. I monitor
the course for compliance, but the responsibility for completing work is yours. To avoid
resetting the assessments, they will remain open during the course. However, you must
complete each assessment by the due date or points will be deducted. Obviously, you
should keep up with the weekly assignments. Please do not attempt to submit ALL the
work during the last week of the course. I will not accept that strategy.
Readings & Test Dates:
5/28-6/7
Read
Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
Chapter 2: Culture
Assignment: Assessment Ch 1_2 Online Quiz (2.5 points)
Note: all questions have page references and quizzes are timed.
Due: 6/7
6/10-6/14
Read
Chapter 3: Socialization
Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
3
Dr. George Weissinger
Chapter 4: Social Structure
Assignment: Assessment-Ch 3_4 Online Quiz (2.5 points)
Due: 6/14
6/17-6/21
Read:
Chapter 5: Social Groups and Formal Organizations
Chapter 6: Deviance & Social Control
Assessment –Ch 5_6 Online Quiz (2.5 points)
Due: 6/21
Assignment 1-Global Stratification & Social Class in the US (15 points)
Due: 6/28
Henslin provides a summary of the functionalist view and the conflict
view on social class (sometimes referred to as the conservative vs. the radical
thesis). Using these and the other theories discussed in chapter's 7-8, which
do you think provides the most accurate description of social class, or
inequality.
In addition to the text, find at least 2 sources to support your report and
cite them in APA format (bibliography). You should use the NCC virtual library
to find academic journal articles and avoid Wikipedia, or newspaper/magazine
articles. Do not copy and paste large amounts of text from articles.
Summarize the information and cite it properly. Please do not plagiarize
material. Remember to use properly cited academic material. I recommend
keeping a copy of the report in case submission fails, or errors are
encountered in submitting the report. Please do not use Microsoft Works
format (.wps). Submit your report either by typing directly into the submission
box in the assignment area, uploading a file (.doc, .rtf, .txt formats), or
copying and pasting the report into the submission box. If you have Microsoft
Works as your word processing program you should be able to convert the file
to one of the above acceptable formats before you upload it.
Points will be deducted for late submissions. Please comply with the due dates
listed.
Remember to answer the question and support your response with research
properly cited throughout. You cannot receive a perfect score if you do not
provide additional source material properly cited.
Midterm Examination: Chapter’s 1-8 (25 points)
Assignment: Online Assessment-Midterm
Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
Due: 7/8
4
Dr. George Weissinger
6/8-6/12
Read
Chapter 9: Race & Ethnicity
Chapter 10: Gender & Age
Assignment: Assessment Ch 9_10 (2.5 points)
Due: 7/12
Assignment 2-The Immigration Debate (15 points)
Due: 7/22
The controversial debate over amnesty for undocumented immigrants
continues. Congress is presently considering immigration reform.
Answer all the parts of this question.
Discuss the pros and cons of the amnesty debate, and offer your opinion
(supported by research properly cited) regarding amnesty for undocumented
aliens. The book, Law Enforcement & the INS, 2nd ed., offers some insights
and data about this debate. Use the Henslin textbook (especially pp. 268270), and Law Enforcement & the INS (optional book), or any other reliable
research material to support your opinion. Cite the sources you use.
Watch the films listed below and use these as sources of information.
We now have access to Films on Demand here at NCC. I found some videos
that will assist you in understanding this controversial debate.
The Immigration Debate
Films on demand-Illegals Still Migrate
NumbersUSA offers an interesting view on immigration and the environment.
Total growth depends on immigration+birth rate-mortality, or the death rate.
This brief ad fails to mention mortality rates offsetting the growth. Search
Films on Demand for other videos on this topic if you want another source.
Immigration & Environment
The following article will provide some background information on the amnesty
debate:
The Illegal Alien Problem
Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
5
Dr. George Weissinger
Remember to answer the question and support your response with research
properly cited throughout. You cannot receive a perfect score if you do not
provide additional source material properly cited.
7/15-7/19
Read
Chapter 11: Politics & the Economy
Chapter 12: Marriage & the Family
Assignment: Assessment Ch 11_12 (2.5 points)
Available 3/24
Due: 7/19
7/22-7/26
Read
Chapter 13: Education & Religion
Chapter 14: Population & Urbanization
Chapter 15: Social Change
Assignment: Assessment Ch 13_14 (2.5 points)
Due: 7/26
Final Examination: Online Test Chapter’s 9-15. (25 points)
Due: 7/31
Last Day of Class-8/1/2013
Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
6
Dr. George Weissinger
Course Requirements:
All students are expected to log on to the course on a regular basis. The
amount of time you devote to this online course should equal the same
amount of time you would spend in a regular lecture class. Most online
students exceed this guideline. Participation in the online requirements is
mandatory for a satisfactory outcome. Evaluation of your grade will be
determined by a Midterm Exam, Assessments, Assignments,
Discussions, Final Exam and Class Participation.
Many documents, lecture, and review notes, and other supplemental
information will be placed in the Course Documents section for this course.
All assignments/quizzes/exams will be administered online. The quizzes are
timed and must be completed by the due dates listed. Permission to reset a
quiz is at the discretion of the instructor, and must be based on a reasonable
excuse.
Grading Policy:
NOTE: THIS IS A FULLY ONLINE COURSE. ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS
MUST BE COMPLETED WHEN DUE. THERE WILL BE LIMITED EXCEPTIONS TO
SUBMISSION OF WORK AFTER THE DUE DATE. ANY LATE WORK SUBMITTED
WILL LOSE SIGNIFICANT POINTS. FORGETTING TO DO THE ASSIGNMENT
DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A VIABLE EXCEPTION. TAKING A VACATION IS FINE
AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN A PLACE THAT HAS AN INTERNET CONNECTION AND
YOU CAN SUBMIT THE WORK BEFORE THE DUE DATE.
Assignments will be graded on how well you incorporate the textbook
information, research on the topic under consideration, and your personal
observations/experiences that might relate to a specific question. Research
materials cited should be scholarly sources of information such as the
American Journal of Sociology, American Sociological Review, Social
Science/Criminal Justice Journals, etc., and not popular magazines,
newspapers, or encyclopedias. Participants are encouraged to use the NCC
Virtual Library to access such features as Films on Demand and embed the link
in their responses. Library sources must be cited correctly. All such sources
must be properly cited, preferably in APA format. Avoid lengthy citations from
other work, and concentrate on explaining in your own words the answer to
the question. Internet research is encouraged and scholarly material is
required. Avoid Wikipedia, or other such sites. Plagiarism is prohibited.
Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
Grading Policy:
7
Dr. George Weissinger
2 Assignments 15 points each=30 points
6 quizzes 2.5 points each=15 points
Midterm=25
Final=25
Class Participation=5 points
TOTAL POINTS=100
Extra Credit (discussion area) maximum 5 points.
Telephone; Sociology Dept. Office: 516-572-7452 (leave message).
Email: George.Weissinger@ncc.edu
The quickest way to reach me is via email. Please do not send email
correspondence via Blackberry, iphone, or personal email accounts. Use the
NCC Blackboard mail system and send all correspondence through the course.