Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: SOC 101-03 Summer 2010
Course Title: Introduction to Sociology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Days and times the course meets: Tuesday and Thursday’s from 6:00-8:509
PEC 214
Introduction:
This course will familiarize students with the basic problems, methods, concepts, and
theories of sociological analysis. It is important that students come away from an
introductory course in sociology with knowledge of how a sociological perspective
differs from and/or complements other perspectives (e.g., psychological, theological,
philosophical, or biological) as well as an appreciation of how sociology compares with
various " common sense" interpretations of the social world. In order to see these
differences, it is crucial to recognize that sociology has a scientific basis. Among the
topics to be covered are the family, religion, education, politics, the environment,
deviance, gender, race, and social change. Particular attention will be paid to the
inequality within and between societies.
Catalog Description:
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of society. Topics include
power and inequality, change, deviance, education, occupation, organizations,
family/gender, religion, and racial/ethnic groups. Students will develop a critical
understanding of social forces. Prerequisite(s): None.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Mary Graham-Buxton, B.S., M.S, Ab.D.
Phone number to contact instructor: 660-1543
Instructor e-mail address, if one: mary.Graham-Buxton@heartland.edu
Location of instructor's office: ICB 2100
Hours and days of instructor's office hours: By Appt.Only.
Textbook Required: Inside Sociology; Carolyn J. Kroehler and Michael Hughes;
McGraw Hill Publishing; New York, NY. 2007.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer: This course fulfills
3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S.
degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for
transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at
www.itransfer.org for more information.
Beliefs: This course is intended to provide information regarding issues that affect us
and how we relate to society. Because the information provided in the course includes
the cutting edge of sociological research regarding our society, the students may be able
to apply this information to his/her life.
Academic Discipline: Sociology is focused on the study of human social relationships.
As a discipline, Sociology seeks to explore and explain why humans form the social
relationships that they do, what affects those relationships, and how society's issues have
an effect on us all.
Student Learning: The student’s role in the learning process is to be accepting of
information provided. He/she should have an open mind regarding the information even
though there may information he/she does not agree with. In order to do well in the
course, the student will need to read the required material and attend class. Class time
will include information provided in lecture, not found in the text and will also include
activities which cannot be made up by the student him/herself.
Instructor's Role: The instructor’s role will be to foster an environment conducive to
learning. I will provide the most current information available regarding how people
deal with issues in our society and how those issues affect us personally and globally. I
will also provide classroom activities which will illustrate course concepts and will
provide assignments and test questions which reinforce the retention of the information
provided.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes): At the completion of this course, the
student will be able to accomplish the following objectives:
1. Demonstrate awareness and
PS1 –Students can solve
Exams, quizzes,
understanding of the science and
problems based on examples and papers, projects,
research methods developed in
frameworks provided by
writing
sociology.
instructor
assignments and
presentations
2. Apply the basic sociological
CO2- Students effectively
Exams, quizzes,
paradigms – structural functional,
deliver a message via various
papers, projects,
social conflict and symbolic
channels/modalities
writing
interaction.
assignments and
presentations
3. Define, give examples and
DI3- Students reflect upon the
Exams, quizzes,
demonstrate the relevance of the
formation of their own
papers, projects,
following sociological notions:
perspectives, beliefs, opinions,
writing
culture, socialization, deviance,
attitudes, ideals and values.
assignments and
stratification, social structure and
presentations
social change.
4. Analyze the major social
institutions such as family,
government, economy, religion,
education and medicine.
5. Identify and offer explanations of
social inequality while considering
the relationship to social process,
social interaction and institutions.
6. Examine and explain the impact of
human relations on patterns of
urbanization and the physical
environment
7. Analyze and demonstrate
awareness of the impact of cultural
diversity in our society.
CT2 – Students determine value
of multiple sources or strategies
and select those most appropriate
in a given context
Exams, quizzes,
papers, projects,
writing
assignments and
presentations
Exams, quizzes,
papers, projects,
writing
assignments and
presentations
Exams, quizzes,
papers, projects,
writing
assignments and
presentations
Exams, quizzes,
papers, projects,
writing
assignments and
presentations
General Education Program and Course Learning Outcomes:
SOC 101 is a course within the General Education Program at Heartland, and as such,
contains learning outcomes that help students develop proficiency in Communication,
Diversity, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking. Specifically, upon completion of this
course, students will develop an increased proficiency in the following areas:
Communication:
1. Apply the basic sociological paradigms – structural functional, social conflict and
symbolic interaction.
Diversity:
1. Define, give examples and demonstrate the relevance of the following sociological
notions: culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, social structure and social change.
Problem Solving:
1. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the science and research methods
developed in sociology.
Critical Thinking:
1. Analyze the major social institutions such as family, government, economy, religion,
education and medicine.
Course Specific:
1. Identify and offer explanations of social inequality while considering the relationship
to social process, social interaction and institutions.
2. Examine and explain the impact of human relations on patterns of urbanization and the
physical environment.
3. Analyze and demonstrate awareness of the impact of cultural diversity in our society.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1. Developing a Sociological Consciousness
2. Culture and Socialization
3. Social Structures, Groups and Organizations
4. Deviance and Crime
5. Social Stratification
6. Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
7. The Family
8. Social Institutions
9. Population and Environment
10. Social Change
Methods of Instruction: The course will be taught through a combination of lecture, in
class group activities, and videos.
Course Policies:
Methods of Evaluation
Exams: There will be five exams worth 100 points each during the course of the semester
(for a total of 500 points). These exams will consist of multiple choice, matching, short
answer, and essay questions. Each exam will have a take-home component that will serve
as a “ticket-in” to the in-class component of the exam. In order to take the in-class exam you
must present the completed take-home exam within the first 15 minutes of the in-class exam.
Unannounced Group Project: There will be 5 unannounced groups projects. In order to
receive points you must be in class within the first 15 minutes of class.
Participation/Attendance:
1. You are responsible for the material presented or discussed in class even if you
are absent. The instructor will not provide notes for students who have
missed class.
2. Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the
activities each class day. Attendance will be taken each class period.
Incompletes: Incomplete grades may be discussed with the professor. They are issued
on a case by case basis.
Extra Credit: None.
Make-up of tests and assignments: There are no make ups for late assignments or
missed class work.
Grading Scale:
There are 750 point opportunities (500 exam points, and 250
Unannounced Group Project points) available in this course.
However, you will be
graded on 600points.
90% of 600 = A
80% of 600 = B
70% of 600 = C
60% of 600 = D
below
=F
Incomplete: Incomplete will be assigned due to extenuating circumstances and upon
notification to the instructor of these circumstances as soon as possible. Incomplete will
not be considered unless the student has completed over 50% of the course requirements.
No student has an automatic right to receive an incomplete.
Make-up of tests and assignments: If a student must miss an exam, the instructor will
allow the student one class period to make it up. If an additional exam is missed, a makeup assignment will be assigned. This assignment will be a written paper on the topics
covered on the exam and will require research. If a student misses an additional exam,
the instructor must be notified within a week in order for the student’s assignment to be
made, otherwise, the examination cannot be made up.
Deadlines: Due dates may be changed at the instructor’s discretion. Any changes will
be announced during class time.
Required Writing and Reading:
Students are required to read the text(s) and other assigned materials. Writing will be
required on exams and/or assignments.
Student Conduct/Class Rules:
ALL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT WILL BE TURNED OFF AND
PUT AWAY DURING CLASSTIME. THIS INCLUDES CELL
PHONES, MP3 PLAYERS AND PAGERS. TURN OFF AND PUT
AWAY ALL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT BEFORE CLASS STARTS.
1. Do not interrupt other students while they are making a point or asking a
question.
2. Do not attempt to carry on a conversation with another student while in class.
Idle
chit chat is disruptive to the instructor and other students in the class. If this
behavior
occurs, the students engaged in talking may be asked to leave the class.
3. Athletes who must have the instructor fill out grade forms for them during the
semester, MUST approach instructor at the end of class.
4. Any behavior that is disruptive to the class will be subject to disciplinary
actions.
Failure to follow the class rules will result in disciplinary action. After a first
warning, students will simply be told to leave the class. If this occurs more than
once the student will be withdrawn from the course.
Syllabi disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as
needed.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community
College and is essential to the credibility of the College's educational programs.
Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their
academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views
any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures,
including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an
act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially
imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or
suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of
data, falsification of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to
computerized academic or administrative records or systems. Definitions of these
violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others' ideas as if they were your own. When you write a
paper, create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all
the work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own.
Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
4
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
5
Paraphrasing someone else's line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
6
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if
it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure -on the particular piece
of work, failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
Specifications for written materials: All assignments are due at the beginning of the
class period. If a student brings in an assignment after this time, it will be considered late
and will be worth only half of the points assigned to that assignment. If a particular
assignment does not have to be typed, the students will be notified in class.
Syllabi disclaimer: The syllabus is viewed as a contract between the instructor and the
student. Any changes in this syllabus will be announced in class. Staying enrolled in this
class will be viewed as the student accepting the course requirements as written here and
as modified (if necessary) in class.
Notice of Cancelled Classes: Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be
listed under “Cancelled Class Meetings” in the A-Z Index under “Academic Information”
in the “Current Students” page on the HCC website. To learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week, be sure to check that website. Also, be
sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the instructor.