Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
1
Dr. George Weissinger
Course Outline-Soc 201
Introduction to Sociology-All Sections
Instructor: Dr. George Weissinger
Course Description: FULLY ONLINE COURSE
This course covers the scientific study of human interaction utilizing basic themes
that give sociology a distinctive character. The textbook covers six central themes
sociology in everyday life (down to earth), globalization, cultural diversity, critical
thinking, the new technology, and the growing influence of the mass media in our
lives. Sociology studies controversial topics and is a foundation course in any liberal
arts education.
Textbooks: Required
Henslin, James, Essentials of Sociology: A Down To Earth Approach, 10th Edition, NJ:
Pearson-Allyn & Bacon, 2011 ISBN: 10: 0—205-90657-5
Description from website: ISBN10: 0205898475
Summary: A Down-to-Earth Approach James Henslin shares the excitement of sociology. With
his acclaimed ''down-to-earth'' approach and personal writing style, the author highlights the
sociology of everyday life and its relevance to students' lives. With wit, personal reflection, and
illuminating examples, Henslin shares with readers his passion for sociology. In addition to this
trademark down-to-earth approach, other distinctive features include: comparative perspectives,
the globalization of capitalism, and visual presentations of sociology.
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Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
2
Dr. George Weissinger
Optional
Weissinger, George, Law Enforcement & the INS 2nd ed.,
Lanham, MD: University Press, 2004. ISBN: 07618-2996—2.
There is one assignment on the American immigration problem and this book will help
you understand the issues surrounding the immigration laws. Copies may be ordered
through the bookstore, or online. There are many other reliable scholarly works on
immigration, and you may use any of them as long as they are scholarly publications.
Avoid opinion/editorial commentary on this topic, and rely on the available research
in answering the question.
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Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
3
Dr. George Weissinger
Readings & Test Dates:
1. Read
Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
Chapter 2: Culture
Assessment Ch 1_2 Online Quiz (2.5 points)
Due: 1/30
2. Read
Chapter 3: Socialization
Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction
Assessment-Ch 3_4 Online Quiz (2.5 points)
Due: 2/13
3. Read
Chapter 5: Social Groups and Formal Organizations
Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control
Assessment Ch 5_6 (2.5 points)
Due: 3/6
4. Midterm Examination: Chapter’s 1-8 (25 points)
Assignment: Online Assessment-Midterm
Due: 3/20
5. Read
Chapter 9: Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 10: Inequalities of Gender and Age
Assessment-Ch 9_10 (2.5 points)
Due: 4/3
6. Read
Chapter 11: Politics and the Economy
Chapter 12: Marriage and Family
Assessment Ch 11_12 (2.5 points)
Due: 4/24
7. Read
Chapter 13: Education & Religion
Chapter 14: Population and Urbanization
Assessment Ch 13_14 (2.5 points)
Due: 5/1
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Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
4
Dr. George Weissinger
8. Assignment – ANSWER ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING, A OR B:
15 POINTS-All work must be submitted through the Blackboard course. Do
not send email attachments. Submit the assignment through the submission
box in the assignment as a file attachment (note file format restrictions
below), or copy and paste your work directly into the submission box.
Due: 5/1/15
A. Global Stratification & Social Class in the US: Ch’s 7-8 textbook.
Henslin provides a summary of the functionalist and the conflict views on social
class (sometimes referred to as the conservative vs. the radical thesis). Using these
and the other theories discussed in chapter's 7-8, which do you think provides the
most accurate description of social class, or inequality.
In addition to the textbook, find at least two sources to support your report
and cite them in proper format (bibliography included). You should use the NCC
virtual library to find academic journal articles. Avoid newspaper/magazine articles
and rely on academic research. Do not use Wikipedia, or other similar databanks. The
NCC virtual library allows you to access the latest academic material, including FILMS
ON DEMAND for relevant and reliable information.
I recommend keeping a copy of the report in case submission fails, or errors
are encountered in submitting the report. Please do not use Microsoft Works file
format (.wps). If you have Works software you should be able to convert the file to
an acceptable format (.doc, .rtf, .txt), or copy and paste the report into the
submission box.
Points may be deducted for late submissions. Please comply with the due
dates.
OR
B. The Immigration Debate
The controversial debate over amnesty for undocumented immigrants continues.
Answer all parts of this question.
(a)
Discuss the pros and cons of this debate, and offer your opinion (supported by
properly cited research) regarding amnesty for undocumented aliens. Opinions
and feelings about this topic must be supported by empirically based research
and will be graded accordingly. Use academic research articles and avoid
Wikipedia, or magazine/newspaper editorials. The optional book, Law
Enforcement & the INS, 2nd edition, offers some insights and data about this
debate. Use the Henslin textbook, especially pp. 268-270 for some basic
background, or any other reliable research material to support your opinion.
Cite the sources you use and include bibliography.
(b)
Watch the films listed below and use these as sources of information.
We now have access to Films on Demand here at NCC. I found some videos that
will assist you in understanding this controversial debate. Note: If the link does not
work, simply log into the NCC library and search for the topics in the Films on
Demand section. You may also use other sources besides the linked topics.
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Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
5
Dr. George Weissinger
The Immigration Debate
Films on demand-Illegals Still Migrate
NumbersUSA offers an interesting view on immigration and the environment. Total
growth depends on immigration+birth rate-mortality, or the death rate. This brief
presentation discusses the environmental impact of immigration. Immigration &
Environment
9. Discussion Questions—there are 5 discussion questions listed in the discussion
area. Post one response to each discussion question including references to the
textbook, and an additional source to support your post. The additional source may
be a sociologically relevant research article as well as other media source material
such as the NCC library database FILMS ON DEMAND. The discussion post should be
a minimum of 250 words. Learners may comment on the posts of others, but one
original post by each learner is required and only the original response to the
question post will be graded. The discussion area will remain open until May 15th but
each discussion question has a due date:
a. The sociological imagination due 2/6
b. Inequality or amnesty due 2/27
c. Inequality & the ACA due 3/27
d. Perception due 4/24
e. Deviance due 5/15
Assessment: Final Examination: Chapter’s 9-15. (25 points)
Due: 5/15
Last Day of Class-May 18 2014 (Monday)
Course Requirements:
All students are expected to log on to the course on a regular basis. The amount of
time you devote to this online course should equal the same amount of time you
would spend in a regular lecture class. Most online students exceed this guideline.
Participation in the online requirements is mandatory for a satisfactory outcome.
Evaluation of your grade will be determined by a Midterm Exam, Assessments,
Written Assignment, Discussions, and a Final Exam.
Many documents, lecture, and review notes, and other important information will be
placed in the Course Documents section for this course. All quizzes/exams will be
administered online. The quizzes are untimed but must be completed by the due
dates listed. You must take the test by the scheduled due date. All required work will
be posted on the Calendar as well. Once you open an assessment, you must complete
it. You should not open an assessment until you are ready to complete it at one
sitting.
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Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
6
Dr. George Weissinger
Grading Policy:
NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS, DISCUSSIONS, AND ASSESSMENTS/EXAMS MUST BE
COMPLETED WHEN DUE. THERE WILL BE LIMITED EXCEPTIONS TO SUBMISSION OF
WORK AFTER THE DUE DATE. ANY LATE WORK SUBMITTED WILL LOSE SIGNIFICANT
POINTS. FORGETTING TO DO THE ASSIGNMENT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A VIABLE
EXCEPTION. TAKING A VACATION IS FINE AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN A PLACE THAT
HAS AN INTERNET CONNECTION AND YOU CAN SUBMIT THE WORK BEFORE THE DUE
DATE.
Assignments will be graded on how well you incorporate the textbook information,
research on the topic under consideration, and your personal
observations/experiences that might relate to a specific question. All assignments
require the use of the textbook, listed sources, and additional research. Research
materials cited should be scholarly sources of information such as the American
Journal of Sociology, American Sociological Review, Social Science/Criminal Justice
Journals, etc., and not popular magazines, newspapers, or encyclopedias. Use of the
NCC virtual library is available and highly recommended. Participants are encouraged
to embed videos from reliable scholarly sources such as the NCC Films on Demand
database, or other media. All such sources must be properly cited and in accordance
with copyright law. Avoid lengthy citations from other work, and focus on answering
the question in your own words with your sources as references. Avoid Wikipedia or
other such sites. Plagiarism is prohibited.
If you have a problem submitting an assignment send me an email and I can reset it.
If you miss a due date, you need to submit a request via email and explain why you
missed the due date. Points may be deducted for late submission and resetting a
missed due date is at the discretion of the instructor. You need a computer to
successfully manage this course. Mobile Learn and the use of tablets do not replace
computers. Submission errors often occur using such devices.
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Course Outline
Introduction to Sociology
All Sections
7
Dr. George Weissinger
Due dates are listed for each:
1 Written Assignment =15 points
6 Assessments (quizzes) 2.50 points each=15 points
Midterm=25 points
Final=25 points
Class Participation=5 points (based on compliance with course requirements
and quality of work).
Discussion=15 points based on the submission of relevant posts in the
discussion area.
A 90 +
B+ 86-89
B 80-85
C+ 76-79
C 70-75
D+ 66-69
D 60-65
Email: George.Weissinger@ncc.edu
The quickest way to reach me is via email. Please use the Blackboard mailbox for
communication. Do not send any work via email attachment. All work for the course
must be submitted in the Blackboard submission utilities on the course.
Sociology Dept. Office: 516-572-7257 (leave message) this is a fully-online course.
All course work and communication is through the online course.
"If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may have an
impact on your ability to carry out the assigned coursework, I urge you to contact the
staff at the Center for Students with Disabilities(CSD), Building U, (516) 572-7241,
TTY (516) 572-7241. The counselors at CSD will review your concerns and determine
to what reasonable accommodations you are entitled as covered by the Americans
with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All information
and documentation pertaining to personal disabilities remains confidential."
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