Sociology 101 - Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2013
Section 1 - SSS 306 – 8:00-9:15 T, R
Section 2 - SSS 306 - 9:30-10:45 –T, R
Section 3 - SSS 306 - 12:30-1:45 - T,R
Vicky L. Crane
Office: SSS 435
Office Phone and E-mail: 836-4541, cranevl@uwec.edu
(DO NOT e-mail assignments or excuses for absences unless under approved
circumstances.)
Office Hours: open hours 10:45-12:20 T,R - other times by appointment
Students are encouraged to stop in during office hours!!
Required Textbook (rental):
Giddens, et.al., Essentials of Sociology (Third Ed.,). New York: W. W. Norton & Company,
Inc., 2011.
Required Reader (to be purchased):
Schwalbe, Michael, Sociologically Examined Life (4th Ed). New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Required Course Supplement:
Desire to Learn (D2L) course online web-site:
 see page 4 of syllabus for details of course requirements regarding D2L
 see http://www.uwec.edu/Help/campus/d2lstu/index.htm for online assistance for
D2L
 see http://www.uwec.edu/helpdesk/ (715-836-5711); OL1106 for UWEC Technology
Support Center
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Course 101 Goals (an integration of course, department, and university goals):
1. Learn, understand, and apply the “sociological imagination.”
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts, theories, and scientific research of the discipline
and apply them to current events as well as in one’s own personal and professional life,
regardless of one’s discipline/major.
3. Develop awareness of the macro and micro aspects of sociology as they operate in our daily
lives.
4. Participate in class and online, demonstrating critical thinking and the ability to apply
sociology verbally and in writing.
5. Respect the rights of other students to their respective values, beliefs, and opinions.

Specific unit and topic goals will be articulated as we progress through the course. These
goals will integrate with our course, department, and university goals.
Department of Sociology, UWEC – Department Goals:
Students who complete the sociology major will have:
1. the ability to construct, evaluate, and communicate empirically based arguments about the
social world;
2. a respect for the ways of life and diverse viewpoints of others;
3. the skills necessary to promote professional development and community engagement over their
lifetimes.
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire: Liberal Education Learning Goals:
Sociology 101 addresses all five of UWEC’s highest, most general goals for student learning:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Knowledge of human culture and the natural world
Creative and critical thinking
Effective communication
Individual and social responsibility
Respect for diversity among people
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Student Responsibilities: Review this information on a weekly basis!!
Attendance: This is a process-oriented class. Attendance is required. Final grades will be weighted by
attendance (the measure of credits earned). Each student is allowed two absences which will not be
counted, regardless of reason for the absence. Use them wisely! Students can earn extra credit for
exceptional attendance. Do NOT provide excuses unless circumstances are extraordinary. Never e-mail
an excuse unless authorized or under unusual/emergency circumstances. Any considerations of excused
absences beyond the two allowed must be presented and discussed in person during office hours, with
appropriate documentation required.
o Students are expected to be in class, on time, and remain attentive and respectful of others until
class is dismissed.
o If a student does come into class late, it is that student’s responsibility to ensure he/she signs
the attendance sheet before leaving class.
o Students are expected to attend all class sessions, per requirements in student handbook and
catalog.
 A note from the Dean’s office is a report of communication from a student, NOT an
excused absence.
 If extraordinary exceptions occur, students are expected to follow guidelines in student
handbook and catalog. Any such exceptions must be documented, approved, and
reported within five days.
 If a student misses class for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain any
missed notes from fellow students.
 If a student is unable to fulfill the basic requirements of the class, it is best for the
student to withdraw. In special circumstances, an incomplete will be considered.
 Any student with special needs, scheduling difficulties, and/or specific concerns about grades should
consult the professor before it is too late to do anything about them. Report any relevant
circumstances before mid-April, unless those circumstances occur in the final two weeks of class.
o Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact me
and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Old Library 2136 as soon as possible.
 In-class exams are to be taken when scheduled unless under approved circumstances discussed with
the professor prior to the exam. If an exam is missed, that will be the exam grade dropped (one of
four).
o I reserve the right to change exam dates (push them back) with one class period notice.
o If a student causes extra work on exams (i.e., not using #2 pencil, failing to fill out their name
and/or ID#, etc.) the student will be charged five points. Also, if a student wants their opscan
score rechecked, the student will receive an extra five points if they are correct but will be
charged five points if they are incorrect (in my quarter century of teaching at UWEC, the opscan
has NEVER been wrong!).
 Essay exams must be handed in in class on the day they are due.
o DO NOT e-mail assignments!! E-mailed assignments will not be accepted.
o Choir, sports trips, etc. are NOT an excuse to hand a paper in late. If you have such a trip
scheduled, be sure to hand your paper in one class period prior to leaving.
o Excuses related to faulty printers, etc., are not acceptable.
o Assignments are expected to be college-quality. (See “Writing Guidelines” in Content section of
D2L).
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
Any personal considerations should be discussed personally during office hours (NOT via e-mail).
o I am not able to attend to such issues immediately before or after class when my concentration
is otherwise focused and I do not have my office records at hand.
o I am available to students, whether in person, by telephone, or via e-mail, during my office hours.
I am not on 24-hour call.
o I am not responsible for e-mails sent to me by students. Any e-mails that are sent should always
include the course and section number for which the student is enrolled.

Basic civility and academic integrity are assumed. I will not hesitate to ask students to leave and/or to
report violations. Activities/attitudes not allowed include:
o cell phones - they must be kept out-of-sight, turned off
o sleeping - if you are tired, stay home
o coming to class under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol, being hung-over
o disruption of any kind – including talking to other students at inappropriate times
o disrespect for your professor, teaching assistant, and/or other classmates
o plagiarism, lying and/or doing any other work while in the classroom
Desire to Learn (D2L):

Our D2L course online web-site should be attended to regularly. Students are expected to
read and be aware of postings to our home page. There is no excuse for being unaware of
such information. Students are responsible for missed postings of information. Our course
calendar, syllabus, assignments, study guides, handouts, and pdf files for topical power points
are all available in the “Content” section (and, no, I do not offer such pdf files “cafeteria style”
in different formats to satisfy the desires of all students!!).
o The discussion area is the place to ask any questions about the course (not by email). If you have any personal questions that you feel uncomfortable asking online,
come directly to my office and speak to me personally. You need not have an official
appointment. Just drop by during my office hours.
o There may be short assigned discussions, quizzes, etc. throughout the semester. You will
informed if/when this is the case. Be sure to submit any assigned work to the
appropriate drop-box (information will be provided in class) before the assigned
deadline. Make sure you have receive documentation of your submission.
o There will also be two or three general discussion questions each week regarding topics
we are currently covering in class. Participating in such discussions is generally optional,
but very helpful to students.
o In the “Links” section you will find links to our textbook study guide, the American
Sociological Association’s information about careers in Sociology, the New York Times,
and a variety of news articles relative to topics we are studying.
o Your grades for various exams, assignments, etc. are also available on D2L. Be aware
that the “Initial Grade Average” is NOT your final grade. This is the average before
your grade is weighted for attendance. You can also gauge how you are doing in
comparison to the class at large.
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Grading:
Three highest of four exams – maximum 100 points @ +
Two essay exams (2-3 pages @) – maximum 100 points @ +
Occasional assigned discussions = participation consideration +
Total initial points (maximum of 500)  5 =
Initial grade point average x % of classes attended =
Final grade point average
94 and above 90 – 93
87 – 89
84 – 86
80 – 83
77 – 79
74 – 76
70 – 73
67 – 69
64 – 66
60 – 63
59 and under
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Example - student has missed three classes beyond the two allowed - 30 - 3 = 27; 27/30 = .9
(student attended 90% of classes) - student initial average of 84%, therefore .84 x .9 = .756 =
final grade of C
 No student who misses more than two classes (other than university approved) can earn an A.
No student who misses more than four classes can earn a B.
The grade a student receives is the grade the student has earned. Be aware that there are
excellent students in every class and those students will receive excellent grades. Mediocre work
will not be rewarded with an excellent grade. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the
Academic Skills Center throughout the semester. English majors are available at University
Writing Center (836-2644), OL 1142, to assist with papers and check for appropriate grammar and
spelling for any writing assignments on campus.
In-class exams will be multiple-choice. They will cover the text, class discussions, and any
supplementary readings assigned. Students are encouraged to form study groups to study for
exams. In general, exams are more difficult than students expect and there will be students in
every class performing exceptionally well.
There will be two essay exams relative to our reader to complete during the semester. No late
papers will be accepted (if a student if unable to complete course work, it is advisable to drop the
course). This is where the students can demonstrate their ability to apply the sociological concepts
discussed in class.
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Readings, Assignments, and Exams:
Read the assigned chapters and readings prior to attending classes. Unannounced quizzes will focus
on reading and lecture material. I reserve the right to change exam dates (push them back) with
one class period notice and/or to adapt reading assignments for educational and/or professional
purposes. Assigned readings from the reader (not the textbook) noted with "R."
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