Fall 2015 mini-syllabus- Introduction to Sociology 101
Dr. Whitney Garcia
410-704-4534 wgarcia@towson.edu LA 3342 https://pages.towson.edu/garcia
Course description: This is a freshman level course introducing students to the discipline of Sociology. No prior familiarity with
Sociology is assumed. Students are given the opportunity to acquire and use the basic tools, concepts, and perspectives of the
discipline. The fundamental subject matter of sociology is familiar to you because you are a social creature living in the social
world. The goal of the course is to foster a new way of seeing yourself and the world in which you live.
Required Texts:

The Big Picture, Jon Witt McGraw Hill, 2007

The New York Times (or other major newspaper)

Additional readings are posted on the course website.
Your final course grade is based on 100 points, which will come from one of the following options:
Exams
Exam 1: 30 pts
Exam 2: 35 pts
FX Exam: 40 pts
(includes 5 points
built in extra credit)
Exam average
105 pts possible
75
75
75
Exams
Exam 1: 20 pts
Exam 2: 25 pts
FX Exam: 30 pts
(includes 5 points
built in extra credit
Exam average
75 pts possible
75
75
75
60
60
Grade Examples
attendance
participation
10 points possible
<4
0
<4
10
5
n/a
Final Grade
.75 (105)=78.8/ C+
.75 (105) =78.8 + 10+ 88.8 / B+
.75 (105)=78.8 - 5(3)=15= 68.8= D+
Option 2: Exams and Writing
Attendance
Participation
3 or fewer absences
up to 10 points extra credit
required
(available only for students
4+ absences= change to
with 3 or fewer absences)
exam only option & -3 pts.
each retroactively
attendance
<4
<4
5
<4
<4
Option 1: Exams only
Attendance
Participation
0-3 absences =
up to 10 points extra credit
no deduction
(available only for students
4+ absences=
with 3 or fewer absences)
-3 pts. each retroactively
participation
10 pts possible
0
10
0
0
10
Writing average
30 pts possible
80
80
n/a
80
80
Writing
2 out of 3 possible
assignments
15 pts each
Final Grade
.75 (75)+ .80(30)=56.3+24=80.3 /B.75 (75)+ .80(30)=56.3+24 +10=90.3 /AChange to exam only
.60 (75)+ .80(30)=45+24=69/D+
.60 (75)+ .80(30)=45+24 +10=79 C+
Students will select their option at the end of the drop/add period. Students opting for the writing option may go back to the exam
only option, but students selecting the exam only option may not change.
Fall 2015 mini-syllabus- Introduction to Sociology 101
Exams: Exams will be based on assigned readings, lecture, other presentations, and in class work. You are allowed, indeed you
are encouraged, to bring a 5x8 index card with word-processed or handwritten notes to each exam. The note cards must be your
original work and will be submitted with your exam. We will discuss the cards in more detail in class.
Written work: Written work will be discussed in detail when it is assigned. Each assignment will average 5 typed pages. There
will be three writing assignments posted. Students taking the combined writing and exam option will need to complete two out of
the three.
End of semester extra credit assignment: An extra credit writing assignment will be given at the end of the semester. Students
taking both the exam only and the writing options may submit this assignment for up to five points on their overall course grade.
For students taking the writing option, the final extra credit assignment maybe submitted for extra credit if the required two
writing assignments have already been submitted. If only one of the required writing assignments has been submitted, the extra
credit assignment will meet that requirement but no extra credit will be available. This is a good thing to consider as you plan
your semester submissions.
Attendance & Participation: Attendance is expected; I have never found it to be optional at any job. You will not get points for
attendance, but points will be deducted from the final grade according to the charts above. I will not be differentiating between
excused and unexcused absences. If you have a true emergency that will be affecting your attendance for two weeks or more,
please speak with me as soon as possible. While attendance is expectation, participation is hoped for and generously rewarded
with up to 10 course points, or a whole letter grade elevation. Participation will be rewarded only if it is consistent, informed, and
relevant. Typically about five students out of 90 receive full participation points and contribute to virtually every class discussion
and do so in a manner which demonstrates that they have read the assigned material and are actively engaged in listening in class.
I also give partial participation points to a few additional students who may have started their active engagement in the class
more slowly. Obviously, students cannot participate if they are absent and these points are, therefore linked to attendance. As
well, if you text in class or in any other way fail to adhere to classroom policies, you will not be eligible for participation points,
regardless of the verbal contributions you make.
Classroom policies:
Electronic devices: I have no desire to police or parent students. However, past experience has shown that many students have
not monitored their own behavior well and thus, we come to this. Unless you have a form from disability services that specifies
the use of a laptop, you will not be able to use one. If you have such a form, please speak with me immediately. Phones must be
put in closed knapsacks or purses for the entire class period. Phones may not be kept on desks, in laps, in pockets, etc. even if
your intention is look something up that relates to the class. If you have an emergency and must keep your phone on, please
speak with me before class.
In and out: The suddenly increasing traffic in and out of the classroom is a relatively new issue. It is distracting to have people
walking in and out in the middle of class and students often let the doors slam behind them on the way out and on the way back
in. If you have a health problem that requires leaving and returning to the classroom on a regular basis, please speak with my by
the end of the first class and you may leave and return as needed. If you need to leave the room, please do not let the door slam
behind you as you leave or return. If this becomes a pattern for any student, we will need to talk. While it may seem ridiculous to
have this in a syllabus, it is necessary because of behavior that was so excessive that it affected the learning environment.
Late and Early: Arriving late and leaving early is also an issue. If you have an ongoing problem which will affect your ability to
get to class on time, please submit that problem to me in writing by the second class period. If you need to leave early one day,
please let me know.
Napping: If you are so tired that you cannot stay awake and must close your eyes or rest your head on the desk, please go home
and go to bed. Your attendance will not count anyway, so you might as well be comfortable somewhere else. The classroom is
part of your professional socialization and you will not retain any professional job for long if you fall asleep in a meeting.
Attending class means being here, awake, and focused on the class. Simply bringing a body to the room does not count!