Social Theory
SOCI 3103-V01 Online
Fall Semester 2011 (Full term)
Instructor: Thomas Dailey Office Hours: W 2-4pm or by appointment @ UH 0017
Office Phone: 706-507-8129
Email: dailey_thomas@colstate.edu
All class information is located on the web at:
http://facstaff.columbusstate.edu/dailey_thomas/Spring_2011_SOCY_3103-V01/
Required Text:
 Ritzer, Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics, 3rd ed, ISBN-10:
0072997591 or ISBN-13: 978-0072997590
Course Goals: This course gives a broad overview of sociological theory that includes both the founders of
sociology in the 19th and early 20th centuries and to the theoretical problems with which they struggled.
Contemporary theorists will be presented who continue to develop answers to classical problems and who
address new and perplexing issues of postmodernism such as radical relativism, queer theory, feminism and
multiculturalism. It describes some of the classic concepts and debates in the field including sociocultural
system, social structure, function, and conflict; stratification, class, social interaction, individual action,
freedom, and determinism; institutions, bureaucracy, values and social change. It includes illustrations of how
earlier theorists influence contemporary theories of ethnicity, gender, postmodernism and multiculturalism.
The specific objectives for this course are as follows:
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Indentify classical theorists and compare and contrast the major ideas and classical theories of the
founders of sociology
Identify the nationality and major biographical details of the theorists studied (both classical and
contemporary)
Identify contemporary theorists and explore how contemporary theory evolved from classical theory.
Apply contemporary theory to the real world, specifically explaining how it can be apply to current
social problems and events.
Course Requirements and Grading: Your final course grade is based on 10 reading quizzes (10 points), 10 internet
exercises (8 points), and 4 graded discussions (25 points). There will also be a midterm and final exam that count for 50
points each. In total, all graded assignments combine to 380 points. Grades will be based on a 10 point scale.
Course Schedule and Due Dates
The class is divided into modules/units. Each module has a due date associated with it. All assignments in the
module/unit is due at the indicated date.
Week
of
Unit
10-Jan
Intro
17-Jan
Unit 1
24-Jan
Unit 1
31-Jan
Unit 1
7-Feb
Unit 2
What's suggested to be completed
Notes
Make Introductions, Read Chapter 1, Review Summaries, Take Chapter Intro due January
1 Quiz, Internet Exercise 1
16th
Read Chapter 2, Review Chapter 2 Summary, Take Chapter 2 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 2, Start Unit 1 Discussion
Read Chapter 3, Review Chapter 3 Summary, Take Chapter 3 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 3, Continue Unit 1 Discussion
Unit 1 due
Read Assigned Internet Readings, Complete Unit 1 Discussion
Febuary 6th
Read Chapter 4, Review Chapter 4 Summary, Take Chapter 4 Quiz,
14-Feb
Unit 2
21-Feb
Unit 2
Internet Exercise 4, Start Unit 2 Discussion
Read Chapter 5, Review Chapter 5 Summary, Take Chapter 5 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 5, Continue Unit 2 Discussion
Read Assigned Internet Readings, Complete Unit 2 Discussion
28-Feb Midterm Complete Midterm Exam
Unit 2 due
February 27th
Midterm due
March 4th
7-Mar
Spring
Break
14-Mar
Unit 3
21-Mar
Unit 3
28-Mar
Unit 3
4-Apr
Unit 3
11-Apr
Unit 4
18-Apr
Unit 4
25-Apr
Unit 4
Read Assigned Internet Readings, Complete Unit 4 Discussion
Unit 4 due May
1st
2-May
Final
Complete Final Exam
Final Due May 6th
No Assignments
Read Chapter 6, Review Chapter 6 Summary, Take Chapter 6 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 6, Start Unit 3 Discussion
Read Chapter 7, Review Chapter 7 Summary, Take Chapter 7 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 7, Continue Unit 3 Discussion
Read Chapter 8, Review Chapter 8 Summary, Take Chapter 8 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 8, Continue Unit 3 Discussion
Read Assigned Internet Readings, Complete Unit 3 Discussion
Unit 3 due April
10th
Read Chapter 9, Review Chapter 9 Summary, Take Chapter 9 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 9, Start Unit 4 Discussion
Read Chapter 10, Review Chapter 10 Summary, Take Chapter 10 Quiz,
Internet Exercise 10, Continue Unit 4 Discussion
Course Structure and Assignments
Assigned Readings: Each week you are expected to read the assigned reading – this will be the first activity that you
should complete. As an online class, the reading will serve as a primary source of information for discussions and
quizzes. Chapter summaries and/or brief lectures may be available for some chapters – this is provided as a supplement to
the readings, not as a replacement.
Quizzes: Chapter quizzes have 10 questions (either multiple choice or true/false) and each will be worth a total of 10
points. You should not use notes or your book to help answer these questions, but as I cannot prevent it, only 10 minutes
will be allowed for you to finish a test once you have started it. This should be plenty of time to take a multiple choice
test if you have read and studied the material. If you have a documented disability that grants you more time to take
exams, you will be allowed that extended time when you take quizzes/exams in the Office of Disability Services. Quizzes
(i.e., questions) are randomly generated for each student from a large test bank so that no two students are given the same
exam.
Reading quizzes cover the material read – it would be best to take them right after reading in the first week of each Unit.
Quizzes will be available anytime, but will be due on Sunday at midnight at the same time the rest of the unit’s
assignments are due. Pay attention to due dates! (see schedule for specific dates).
Graded Discussions: There will be 4 graded discussions that are each worth 25 points. Unlike the quizzes, you are
encouraged to use your text, notes, and any legitimate outside academic source while participating in the discussion.
Graded Discussions are available up to their due date which falls on Sunday at midnight at the same time the rest of the
unit’s assignments are due. They will be closed for grading at midnight and although further discussion after this point is
allowed, it will not be graded (see schedule for specific dates).
Discussions are graded based on their content and the type of post. You will have to make multiple posts in order to get
15 points – add up your posts to get to the total points for that discussion. If you post over 25 points, you can earn up to 5
bonus points per discussion (for a total of 30 points per discussion).
Responses to instructor
questions
4 points
Student proposed questions
3 points
Responses to student
questions
Comments on student
responses
2 points
1 point
Responses need to substantial and backed up with fact. Full credit will
be awarded for responses that complete answer the question, use factual
information from the text or other academic source, and do not repeat
content from previous responses. There is no “stealing” of answers, be
sure not wait until the last minute to post.
Students may propose additional questions to further their own
understanding of the chapter or to test their fellow students. Questions
must require substantial responses, similar to instructor questions.
The same standards apply here as “responses to instructor questions”.
Students may agree or disagree with another students answer. No matter
their stance, they must back their comment with factual information from
the text or another academic source. “I agree with what he said” and
similar responses will be rewarded with no credit.
Internet Readings/Exercises: These exercises require you to go to an external website, review the material there, and
complete an assignment (which is usually a few short essay/short answer questions). Normally the materials presented on
the website are also important for other assignments and can be used in class discussions. It works best for formatting
purposes if you answer the questions in a word processing document and attatch it (.doc, .docx, and .rtf are the best
formats - anything should save a .rtf).
Grades are assigned out of 8 points per assignment and generally up to 2 points can be awarded per question.
Midterm and Final: There will be a midterm and a final for this class. The exams are not optional. They are both
presented as essay exams and you’ll have to pick 2 of 3 questions to answer. You should use additional sources other than
your text and exams must be properly cited using either APA or ASA style. There is no minimum length requirement, but
you must adequately answer each portion of the question. It works best for formatting purposes if you answer the
questions in a word processing document and attach it (.doc, .docx, and .rtf are the best formats - anything should save a
.rtf).
Each exam is graded out of a total possible 50 points (which breaks down to 25 points per question). Extra credit will not
be given if you answer all three questions. The midterm will appear on February 28th and is due by March 4th at 5pm.
The final will appear May 2nd and is due May 6th at 5pm.
Class Policies
Attendance / Sign-in Policy: Though this class has a level of “work at your own pace” structure, you need to login at
least once a week to complete discussions and assignments. To get maximum credit, you should be logging in three times
a week to make discussion posts and work on assignments. CougarView can display statistics for the number of
discussions you have read, the number of hours you spend online, and number of times you’ve logged in. If your grade is
border line, this information could be used in the decision to bump you up to a higher grade.
Also note that anyone that does not log into class for four weeks or more (without notifying the instructor prior to or
during the absence) could be dropped from the class with a grade of WF.
Late Work: Assignments can generally be turned in for half credit after their due dates. If you miss a due date for any
reason (no excuse needed) you can turn in an assignment for half credit up to one week after the assignment was due.
Contact the instructor if you think you should qualify for an exception to this policy.
Cheating: Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be handled
accordingly. In addition, any student who is caught cheating on an exam or pop quiz will receive a grade of zero on that
exam or pop quiz. Any project that is submitted by more than one student will receive a grade of zero unless it was an
assigned group activity. This grade will be given to any and all students who submit the same work.
Drop/Add procedures
Early registration
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You may drop/add courses or withdraw from all courses in the Enrollment Services tab through CougarNet, using
Drop/Add during early registration.
Late registration
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You may drop/add courses or withdraw from all courses in the Enrollment Services tab through CougarNet, using
Drop/Add during late registration.
If your schedule change results in additional fees, you must pay fees before late registration ends to keep your
classes. Please print a new invoice to determine if additional fees are due.
If you have paid your fees and your schedule change results in a refund, the refund will be released to HigherOne
for distribution according to your selected refund preference within 14 days of the date your student account is
credited.
During schedule change
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You may drop/add courses in the Enrollment Services tab through CougarNet, using Drop/Add using
Drop/Add/Withdraw. Students registering for the first time for the semester will be assessed a $25 late fee.
If your schedule change results in additional fees, you must pay fees before schedule change ends to keep your
classes. Please print a new invoice to determine any financial aid adjustments.
Note that financial aid balance funds may have already been released, so you must pay the additional fees if due.
If you have paid your fees and your schedule change results in a refund, the refund will be released to HigherOne
for distribution according to your selected refund preference within 14 days of the date your student account is
credited.
After schedule change
Follow the procedures below to add or drop a course.
Adding a class
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You must have a special recommendation from the instructor and the chair of the department offering the course.
Use the Roll Correction form that may be obtained from the Enrollment Services Office (Fine Arts Hall). If you
are a part-time student registering for additional classes, you must pay additional fees for the added courses.
These fees must be paid by 6 p.m. the day you register (5 p.m. on Fridays) or you will be dropped from courses.
Students registering for the first time for the semester will be assessed a $50 late fee. All fees must be paid by 6
p.m. the day you register (5 p.m. on Fridays) or you will be dropped from courses.
Dropping a class
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Any course dropped after the official schedule change period becomes part of your academic record with a grade
of "W". (Exceptions will be made for evening classes meeting for the first time after the official schedule change
period. Contact the Registrar's Office located in the Fine Arts Hall for exceptions).
Drop a course or withdraw from the term using Drop/Add/Withdrawal in the Enrollment Services tab through
CougarNet.
If the withdrawal request is submitted by the deadline to withdraw of the session, a grade of "W" is assigned
unless a grade of "WF" has already been assigned by the instructor for excessive absences.
If the withdrawal form is submitted after the deadline to withdraw of the session, a grade of "WF" is assigned.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a documented disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and/or physical
accessibility. We recommend that you contact the Office of Disability Services located in Schuster Student Success
Center, room 221, 706-507-8755 as soon as possible. The Office of Disability Services can assist you in formulating a
reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations
may be able to assist you to meet the requirements. Technical support may also be available to meet your specific need.
The following websites contain useful information that you may also need:
University’s Attendance Policies
http://academics.colstate.edu/catalogs/2010-2011/acaregs_undergrad.asp#attendance
Disability information
http://disability.colstate.edu/faculty_policies_procedures_a.asp#ada_syllabus
Academic grievance policy
http://judicial.colstate.edu/
Adding and Dropping Classes
http://registration.ColumbusState.edu/dropadd.php