Dona Aña Community College Arts & Humanities/Fall 2014
SOC 101/Introductory Sociology
Instructor: Doug Layer Phone: 575.524.7228 Email: Canvas
Office Hours: M/W – 1:00-2:00, T/TH – 12:00-1:00, Online - Various
A long habit of not thinking something wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
- Thomas Paine
THE BASICS
Course Description: Introduction to social theory, research, methods of analysis, contemporary issues in historical and
cross-cultural contexts. Covers groups, deviance, inequality, family, gender, social change, and collective behavior. In
order to analyze our social world, students must develop a heightened awareness about the society in which we live, and
develop a higher order of critical thinking skills.
Course Rationale: This course is designed to enhance any major by providing students ample opportunities to improve
their thinking, writing and communication abilities. Sociology seeks to better understand society and the human behaviors
inherent in any field/career of study.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. Students who have not completed ENG 111 are strongly
encouraged to take advantage of The Student Success Center/Academic Readiness Center for reading/writing collegelevel compliance.
General Education Learning Outcomes:
The core curriculum of this course is designed to:
1. Apply critical-thinking skills.
2. Improve oral/written communication skills.
3. Develop a sense of citizenship.
4. Increase self-awareness.
5. Demonstrate Bloom’s higher learning skills, including Application and Analysis.
SOC 101 Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Develop a sociological imagination as defined by C. Wright Mills.
2. Apply sociological theory to various examples of human behavior.
3. Demonstrate communication skills through the public discussion of sociological issues.
4. Communicate sociological theory through written assignments and an oral presentation.
5. Integrate sociological theory with current events.
Late Registrants: If you chose to register for this class “late”, you will be joining the class “in progress” and any missed
assignments cannot be made up. You are expected to secure a copy of the textbook immediately and to complete any
current assignments on time.
Required Textbook: Pearson Custom Sociology. This textbook is designed specifically for DACC students. This book
was created with content and cost in mind, and can only be purchased at the DACC bookstore. Your textbook is an
EDITED version of the book The Sociology Project (2013). If possible, bring your book or device for the e-text to class.
Reserved Copy: The edited version is available at the EM/Central DACC libraries on reserve for student use. If
you are unable to buy your book right away, you must plan on using a copy on reserve.
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E-Text: There is an e-text version of the entire book The Sociology Project available for purchase online. The etext gives you full online access to the entire textbook for a limited amount of time for a reduced price. Check out
CourseSmart for more details.
Chapter Guide: Please note that the chapters in the edited book do not line up with the full textbook although the
information is exactly the same. We are using the edited chapter order #1 - #11. If you choose the buy the full etext online, the chapters used in this class will be as follows: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 16, 10, 11, 9, 15, 17).
Wrong Textbooks: Do NOT assume the bookstore will give you the correct copy (There is more than one SOC
101 textbook in use at DACC). Be sure you are purchasing the correct book as buying the wrong book will put
you behind with your assignments!
Attendance: Students are expected to attend class. We will meet approximately 28 days during the semester (15 for T or
TH classes). Each day of class will be counted as 2 attendance points for a possible total of 56 points (4 per day for T/TH
total 60). Each missed day of class is a loss of 2-4 points. I reserve the right to adjust grades for lack of participation. I
also reserve the right to adjust grades for exceptional effort. If any student knowingly has a conflict with being able to
attend on time (work schedule, class conflict, etc.), they are strongly advised to seek an advisor and select another course.
Electives: For some of you this class is an elective. For others, this course is required. Please be aware, that unlike high
school, college electives are as important as your required coursework for your degree or major. This class is designed to
enhance your educational experience, complement your major and will contribute to your overall GPA. You should
devote as much time and energy here as you would to any other course.
COURSE WORKLOAD
The following requirements are designed to meet the Student Learning Outcomes discussed above.
1. MySocLab: Students will be required to access MySocLab (via the textbook access code) and view videos
and read selected articles. Self-directed quizzes will follow all assigned material. This material will enhance
your understanding of sociology and complement our class discussions.
2. Reading Tests: Students are expected to read all assigned material. As part of the reading, students are
required to complete a Reading Test for each assigned chapter. The purpose of the Reading Test is for the
student to capture the essence of the reading, and to apply the material to real life.
3. Multiple-Choice Quizzes: The 15-question, multiple-choice quizzes will be based upon textbook readings.
These quizzes will be taken in teams and the team that scores the highest average will earn Bonus Points.
4. Team Presentation: All students are required to participate in a team presentation scheduled for the end of
the semester. The topics will include one of several important social movements within the U.S. Students will
be asked to demonstrate knowledge of sociology through the presentation. A group grade will be assigned.
More information will be forthcoming.
5. Team-Based Participation: All students are required to participate in their own learning process. This class
is highly interactive and works best when everybody contributes to class discussions. There will be a series of
in-class exercises in which students earn points toward their final grade while working in teams. Students not
in attendance will not be able to earn points for that day. Each student within a team will be required to
participate in group discussions. Detailed information will follow.
6. Final Exam: Students will be required to complete an essay exam during the final week of the course. The
exam will be an opportunity for students to discuss what they feel they have learned in this course and how
this information applies to the real world. Details to follow.
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7. Bonus Opportunities: There will be numerous opportunities to earn additional points outside of the required
activities for this course. You will be able to earn extra points in class while participating in activities, quizzes
and exercises. These points can add up to an additional 60, or more, points which can help cover any missed
assignments or poor scores.
Late Work: All work for this class is expected to be completed by due date. LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED IN
THIS CLASS. Waiting until the last minute to complete an assignment will jeopardize your grade if an emergency should
occur. Students are encouraged to stay current and complete work well in advance. I suggest submitting work at least 2
hours in advance of the deadline to give you enough time to resubmit should technology or other problems arise. I do not
assign “half-credit” or “partial credit”. “Extra credit” is not available. However, all students will receive 20 BONUS
POINTS at the end of the semester to help with missed assignments, illness, technology, etc.
Grades: You have to find it in yourself to want an education. A student cannot expect to do well in this class if not
attending and participating. I believe in encouraging you to learn, not memorize. Please do not expect a “passing” grade at
semester’s end if you have not attended regularly, completed your work on time, and sincerely studied the material.
Remember, I am not in charge of grades – you are. Students needing a “C” or higher for financial aid purposes, or
program requirements, are strongly urged to stay current and up-to date with all assigned work.
Tentative Final Grade:
 10 Quizzes @ 30 points each = 330
 10 Reading Tests @ 30 points each = 330
 10 MySocLab @ 20 points each = 220
 Presentation @ 100 points = 100
 Final Exam @ 100 points = 100
 Attendance @ 2/4 points per day
 Team-Based Work @ Various
Your final grade is based on the following percentages (out of Total Points):
A+ = 98-100%, A = 94-97%, A- = 90-93%, B+ = 88-89%, B = 84-87%, B- = 80-83%
C+ = 78-79%, C = 74-77%, C- = 70-73%, D+ = 68-69%, D = 64-67%, D- = 60-63%
ADDITIONAL LEARNING REQUIREMENTS
This course is designed in conjunction with Canvas and MySocLab. It is recommended that students have regular access
to a working computer with high-speed internet access. The DACC computer labs and libraries provide student access to
computers. If you do not have a computer, you will need to plan on accessing the labs and/or libraries on campus.
The following is required of you:
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You have regular access to a computer (high-speed internet is suggested).
You must access Canvas using Firefox, Safari, or Chrome. Do not use Internet Explorer.
You have completed DACC’s student training on how to use Canvas.
You have access to a commonly used word-process programming (MS Word is suggested). If you are using a
program other than Word (Works, Google, etc.), it is advised that students be familiar with “Rich Text Format”.
Notepad and other text-only programs are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
5. Your computer has a media player allowing for audio/visual capabilities. You MUST be able to hear and see
videos on your computer.
6. You have access to Adobe Reader. (Click for download)
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Cell Phone/iPod/Sleeping: Please ensure that all cell phones are turned off before entering the classroom. Texting is
NOT permitted in class. Please avoid leaving the room to take cell phone calls as leaving and entering is disruptive to
other students, AND disrupts your own learning process. Also, the use of IPods during class and testing is prohibited.
Finally, sleeping during class is an unwelcome distraction to the teacher and others students seated nearby. Students using
a cell phone, iPod or sleeping in class will be asked to leave the room.
Conversations in Class: Conversations between students during class is disruptive to the learning process, and is
distracting to the entire class. Please refrain from talking to students near you unless directed to do so for a class activity.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Portable Computers: PC’s are permitted in the class for note-taking purposes and reference only. Internet use is NOT
permitted in the classroom, unless directed by the instructor.
Computer/Internet Outages: Plan ahead! Complete your homework well in advance of deadlines to avoid power
disruptions and loss of Internet due to storms or other unforeseen circumstances. Late work is not accepted in this class.
STUDENT ACADEMIC RESOURCES & SUPPORT SERVICES
Academic Support: If you have not completed ENG 111, you are strongly advised to utilize the Student Success Center
or Academic Readiness Center as this course relies heavily upon college-level reading and writing skills. The SSC and
ARC provide reading/writing assistance at no charge to DACC students.
Academic Advising: SOC 101G is a New Mexico General Education Common Core, Area IV Social/Behavioral Science
course. It is 3 credit hour course guaranteed to transfer and meet general education requirements at any public New
Mexico college or university. General education courses at NMSU/DACC can be identified by the G suffix. Find out how
this course fits into your NMSU bachelor degree by consulting with your academic advisor or the academic department at
NMSU that offers the degree. For more information, contact the DACC Academic Advising Center at (575) 528-7272.
DACC Library: You can access all library services here and also from your Canvas homepage.
Student Handbook: Access additional information you need to complete your college degree successfully by reading the
Student Handbook, including the Student Code of Conduct.
Associate of Arts/Sciences: Still undecided on a major? Check out the Associate of Arts or Sciences degree!
STUDENT INSTITUTIONAL & TECHNICAL RESOURCES
Technical Support: If you experience difficulties with Canvas or have computer difficulties during the course, please
contact the DACC Library/Technical Resource Center.
Emergency Alert: Sign up for campus emergency alerts by visiting Environmental Health & Safety.
Students With Disabilities: If you have, or believe you have, a disability you may wish to self-identify. You may do so
by providing documentation to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). 575.527.7548.
Security: If you have a security matter, need an escort, or a guard for safety purposes, please call Campus Security:
Main Campus------------202-8962
East Mesa Campus------202-9781
Counseling: DACC students are eligible for counseling services at no additional charge. Campus counselors can help
students with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health services.
Financial Aid; If you stop attending or drop any courses(s) you may be required to repay financial aid received. Please
visit the Financial Aid Office for more details.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Student Conduct: It is expected that all students conduct themselves in accordance with college expectations including
respecting the views/opinions of other students and treating one another with decency. DACC forbids academic and nonacademic misconduct. Students violating the “Code of Conduct” will be reported to either the Vice President for
Academic Affairs or the Vice President for Student Services. The Code of Conduct specifically forbids plagiarism and
violence (physical or verbal) on campus:
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words presented as your own. “Borrowing” from the
internet or any other source, without proper citations, is strictly forbidden in this course. Students who choose to
plagiarize will receive a failing grade for the course and may face other disciplinary action(s). If in doubt, please
ask.
Violence: Engaging in individual or group conduct that is violent (including sexual
misconduct, threats, verbal harassment, disrupting class), abusive, indecent, unreasonably loud, or similar
disorderly conduct that infringes upon the privacy, rights, or privileges of others or disturbs the peace or the
orderly process of education on campus.
Student/Teacher Contract: Each of us has a set of morals, values and faiths that help guide us through life. Students and
teacher alike are asked to temporarily suspend personal biographies and open our minds to new information and ideas.
This class may prove difficult for some of you. Ideas and information presented in this class may be challenging and at
odds with your current belief system. To succeed in this class, you only have to understand sociology - you do not have to
accept it as “truth”.
More: Please click on the following link for additional information on Academic Misconduct, Career Services, Bookstore,
Student Code of Conduct, Class Withdrawal, and other important information.
Students are responsible for the content in this link. http://dacc.nmsu.edu/syllabus/SyllabusLinks.html
ADDITIONAL DATES TO REMEMBER
The academic calendar for 2014-2015 can be found in the front pages of the DACC Catalog.
You can find the current online catalog here.
8/21
8/22
8/29
9/1
10/21
11/14
11/24-11/28
12/8-12/12
12/12
ASK QUESTIONS
Classes Begin/ Late registration
Late Registration Ends
Degree/Certificate application deadline
Labor Day Holiday
Last day to withdraw with a "W" (Some courses may have different drop dates)
Last day to withdraw from DACC – Some courses may have different w/d dates.
Winter Break – No classes
Exam Week
Last day of classes
SEEK KNOWLEDGE FIND TRUTH
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BE FREE