SOC 115: Social Problems (3 Credits)
Course Description
A sociological analysis of major social problems. Emphasis is placed on crime and justice, race
relations, drug and alcohol abuse, wealth and poverty and the environmental themes of
population and pollution. ND:SS Prerequisite Courses: None
Textbooks and Software and Other Materials
Social Problems 4th Census Update. Macionis.Copyright 2012. ISBN: 978-0-205-16491-2.
Social Problems, Macionis.Copyright 2010. 4th Edition. ISBN: 978-0-205-74900-3.
Software: Microsoft Word is needed for all online classes. If additional software is needed for a
particular course, it will be indicated in the online course schedule.
Contact Coleen at the NDSCS Bookstore for the most current textbook information (1-800-3424325, ext. 2239 or coleen.thoe@ndscs.nodak.edu). You may also visit the Bookstore web site
at http://www.ndscsbooks.com/ and search for book information by class by clicking the
"Textbook" tab.
Technology Required
Email: Students taking online classes from NDSCS also need a working email account. Be sure
email address is updated in student record in PeopleSoft system. Internet Access required.
High speed Internet service is highly recommended. If students are unable to get high speed
service, an alternate site may be needed to view some of the course components.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Understand and define a social problem
Be familiar with various theoretical explanations of social problems
Understand social research, explore social issues and problems like – sexual variance,
alcohol & drugs, crime & violence, poverty, gender, the aged, race & ethnicity,
homosexuality, education, health care, war and the environment
Grading
Please read this - your grade may depend upon it! Your grade for this course is based entirely
on points earned from the assignments and quizzes. There is NO extra credit work scheduled,
so please keep in mind that points from your regular course work are the only points available.
Please do not ask for extra credit work to raise your point total at the end of the semester. You
must earn points from the regular course work throughout the semester. If you have any
questions or concerns please contact me.
Grading Criteria
1000 -Total Points
100 points - Project/Report
450 points - Journal Entries
270 points - Threaded Discussions (15 points/chapter)
180 points - Quizzes
Grading Scale
Letter Grade Percentage / Numeric Grade
A 90-100% 900-1000
B 80-89% 800-899
C 70-79% 700-799
D 60-69% 600-699
F 0-59% 0-599
Threaded Discussion Grading Criteria
An important part of an online Social Problems course is sharing different points of view. You
are expected to respond to the lead question for each chapter and react to at least two other
students' posts for each chapter. Each posting must be relevant and substantive (at least 75
words in length.) Responses to classmates must also be relevant and substantive (more than "I
agree.") Your first entry is expected by midnight on Friday of each week. Check back into the
Threaded Discussion to respond to your classmates by midnight on Sunday. Each discussion
topic is worth 15 points.
Online- Threaded Discussion Participation
Unsatisfactory
0 points
Needs Work
2 points
Satisfactory
3 points
3-5 entries: Each entry
is posted but is brief
(less than two
sentences)
3-5 entries: Each
entry has 3 or more
sentences:
a) It has little in the
way of thoughtful,
substantive ideas
concerning the
assignment and/or
course content related
to it.
a) Each contains
thoughtful,
substantive ideas
concerning
assignment and/or
course content
related to it;
Less than 3
postings are
made in the
discussion board
AND/OR
area.
b) It fails to respond to
fellow student(s) or in
response to a fellow
student it is quite
simple and just a
personal remark not a
substantive reply (ex"Good. I really liked
your comment.)
AND/OR
Very Good
5 points
3-5 entries: Each entry
includes one or both
characteristics in the 7
points box plus:
a) Entries include an
outside resource, or a
relevant, specific real life
application;
AND/OR
b) Your response to class
member(s) clearly
b) The entries are
indicates your position in
responsive to at
relation to what fellow
least two other
students(s) said or wrote
classmates with
(e.g. - agreeing,
detailed remarks
disagreeing, adding to,
about that
modifying, extending or
individual's writing or
questioning it.)
discussion response.
Journal Entries
There will be a journal entry assigned for each chapter. Your entry is due by midnight on
Sunday of each week. Each entry assignment is worth 25 points. To earn full credit, you must
provide thoughtful, in-depth answers to the questions posed. You should also include your own
views on the topics.
Quizzes
There will be a quiz for each chapter (18 total). The quizzes will consist of 10 multiple choice
questions from each chapter. Since the quizzes are unproctored, and to discourage looking up
answers, you will have 10 minutes to complete each quiz. Please keep in mind that you are
expected to write your own test without outside help, including the text. Please refer to the
"Academic Integrity and Types of Misconduct" sections listed below for information on improper
conduct. The quizzes must be taken during the week they are assigned. They can be accessed
any time during the week, but must be accessed by midnight of each Sunday unless otherwise
directed.
Note: Missed quizzes cannot be made up. If you have questions, please email me.
Research Project/Report
Please see the Research Project/Report assignment link posted under "Chapter One." Please
email me if you have questions or other concerns.
Work Expectations
Students should estimate approximately three hours of course work per credit per week for
NDSCS classes. For example, a three-credit class may require approximately nine hours of
work time a week for the student. This amount may vary by class and by student.
Policies and Procedures
NDSCS online students should be aware of various policies and procedures such as those
shown below.
Attendance - Students are expected to log into their online classes frequently during each week
of the semester and to submit course work on time to meet due dates set by the instructors.
Attendance and class participation is monitored and students not submitting work in their online
classes may be dropped from the class. Review the Attendance Policy for further details.
Computer Access - It is the student's responsibility to maintain access to a working computer
and Internet connection to keep up in online class assignments. Because computer problems
do occur, students should have a plan for alternative computer access in case of computer
problems. Students will be able to access their online classes from any computer with an
Internet connection. Refund Policy/Withdrawal Refund Schedule Academic Calendar - Online
classes follow the same calendar as regular on-campus classes. They begin with the semester
begins and students do not need to log in at specific days/times but instructors do set due
dates for assignments and exams to be submitted so there is structure to the classes. Online
classes are not self-paced but do provide flexibility in that they are accessible 24/7 to allow
students to work around other commitments when doing their course work.
Academic Integrity
Integrity is an NDSCS core value and there is an expectation that all students, as members of
the college community, adhere to the highest levels of academic integrity. Dishonesty in class,
laboratory, shop work or tests is regarded as a serious offense and is subject to disciplinary
action by the instructor and dean of the respective division. For more information, refer to the
NDSCS Student Planner or College Catalog under College Policies and Basic Regulations of
Conduct.
Types of Misconduct Improper Online and Blended Course Use
An example of improper online and blended course use is having or providing unauthorized
outside help when completing online quizzes or assignments.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism -- The attempt to represent the work of another, as it may relate to written or oral
works, computer-based work, mode of creative expression (i.e. music, media, or the visual
arts), as the product of one's own thought, whether the other's work is published or
unpublished, or simply the work of a fellow student. When a student submits oral or written
work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information
must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and if verbatim
statements are included, through use of quotation marks as well. By placing one's name on
work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise by
appropriate acknowledgements. A student will avoid being charged with plagiarism if there is
an acknowledgement of indebtedness.
Examples include:
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Quoting another person's actual words.
Using another person's idea, opinion, or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in
one's own words.
Drawing upon facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials -- unless the information is
common knowledge.
Submitting a paper purchased from a term paper service as one's own work.
Failing to accurately document information or wording obtained on the Internet.
Submitting anyone else's paper as one's own work.
Violating federal copyright laws, including unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of
copyrighted material.
Offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any materials, items or services of value to
gain academic advantages for yourself or another.
o Adapted with permission from Lynda Womer, St. Petersburg College.
Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study
aids in any academic exercise.
Fabrication: Intentionally and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or
citation in an academic exercise.
Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help
another to commit an act of academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own
in any academic exercise.
Disabilities and Special Needs
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are
encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Disability Support Services Office, 225
Mildred Johnson Library (phone 701-671-2623, 800-342-4325, ext. 32623) as early as possible
in the term. Other College Policies can be found in the Catalog.
Student-Instructor Communications
While an online class is available 24 hours a day and offers greater flexibility for the student
and instructor, keep in mind that your instructor will not be available 24 hours a day. I will check
my email, voicemail, and Cyber Office messages on a regular basis, but there may be times
when I am unavailable due to other commitments and job responsibilities. I will respond to
email, voicemail, or Cyber Office messages as time allows. As a general rule, you can expect
your direct question to be answered within 24 hours during week days. When sending an email,
please include your full name so I know to whom I'm responding. Often, the email address
does not indicate who is sending the message.
Exams
Online quizzes and exams are a part of this class to assess your progress and whether you
have met the course objectives. Academic integrity is important to NDSCS, myself as the
instructor, and yourself as the student. In order to ensure academic integrity of the online
exams, please print off, and complete the Exam Proctor form. The Exam Proctor Form must be
completed within the first ten days of the class otherwise a student will be assessed a 15%
deduction in his/her grade. All unit quizzes, unit exams and the final exam must be proctored to
ensure academic integrity. After the results of quizzes are known, students should find them to
be a valuable study guide in addition to their text for unit exams.
Schedule
Online classes follow the same academic calendar for start and end dates as regular oncampus classes. While there is no set time for students to be logged into a class each day,
instructors do set due dates for assignments and exams. Students should lot into classes
frequently to keep up with announcements and to keep up with course work. Online classes are
not self-paced. You may want to print the for NDSCS Academic Calendar reference during the
year. It includes semester start and end dates, final days to add/drop classes for each
semester, vacation dates, etc.
Tuition/Fees
See tuition and fee information, Refund Policy and Withdrawal Schedule information in the
NDSCS Online site under Financial Information. Tuition and fee costs do not include books,
software, supplies and other program or course fees which may vary by program.
Instructor Information
Kelly Wolf kelly.wolf@ndscs.edu
Office: Hektner Hall 204 Phone: 701-671-2142