HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
LIBERAL ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Prefix: SOC 101-11
Course Title: Introduction to Sociology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours 3
Days & Times Monday and Wednesday 3:30 – 4:45
Room: ICB 2707
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.
:
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of society. Topics include power and inequality, change, deviance, education, occupations, organizations, family/gender, religion, and racial/ethnic groups. Students will develop a critical understanding of social forces.
Prerequisite(s): None.
:
Instructor name: Treyce’ L. Spears
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 268-8590
Instructor e-mail address: Treyce.Spears@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2100
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: By appointment only.
Textbook Required: Sociology, The Core ; 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 be 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.
Methods of Instruction: The course will be taught through a combination of lecture, in class group activities, and videos.
Participation/Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities each class day. Attendance will be taken at the start of each class period. Please be prompt to assure that you attendance record is accurate. Please provide an official letter notifying me of any affiliation with organizations that may require that you attend a college-sanctioned event that conflicts with class schedule. Arrangements can be made to make up coursework.
Announcements regarding extra credit opportunities, changes in due dates, or changes in examination dates will be made during class time. It is in the student’s best interest to attempt to acquire notes/announcements from at least two students for a class period missed. The instructor will not provide the student with missed notes or announcements .
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes): At the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following objectives:
1.
Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the science and research methods developed in sociology.
2.
Apply the basic sociological paradigms – structural functional, social conflict and symbolic interaction.
3.
Define, give examples and demonstrate the relevance of the following sociological notions: culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, social structure and 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.

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

August 19 and 21 Introduction to Sociology –Cover syllabus and course expectations
August 26 and 28 Chapter 1 Developing a Sociological Consciousness
(September 1, 2014 Labor Day – College closed)
September 2 and 4 Chapter 2 Culture and Social Structure
September 9 and 11 Chapter 3 Socialization
September 16 and 18 Chapter 4 Social Groups and Formal Organizations
September 23 and 25 Chapter review 1,2,3 and 4. Test September 25th
September 30 and October 2 Chapter 5 Deviance and Crime
October 7 and 9 Chapter 6 Social Stratification
October 14 and 16 Chapter 7 Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity
(Mid-term grades due by Midnight)
October 21 and 23 Chapter 8 Gender Inequalities
October 28 and 30 Review Chapters 5,6,7 and 8. Test October 30.
November 4 and 6 Chapter review 5,6,7 and 8
November 11 and 13 Chapter 9 Political and Economic Power
November 18 and 20 Chapter 10 The Family
November 25 Test Chapters 9 and 10
December 2 and 5 Chapters 11,12, and 13
December 9 and 11 Chapter review 11,12,and 13. Final Exam December 11
(Final Grades due December 15 at Midnight)
Please note: The Instructor reserves the right to deviate from the schedule realizing that some topics may warrant additional coverage. Changes to the schedule will be communicated during normal class period.
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.
Confidentiality of Educational Records: Should you require the release of information concerning your performance in this class, attendance, or final grade, etc., a written request that contains your signature and the date, along with the following information will be required:
(1) what record is needed; (2) name and relationship of person to whom information will be disclosed; (3) the specific purpose or intended use of the information requested.

Methods of Instruction: The course will be taught through a combination of reading assignments, lecture, in class (group) activities, debates, panel discussions, and videos.
Method of Evaluation: Expected Exams, Papers and Other Assignments: A student’s average percentage on these will be worth 100 points. If the student achieves 90%, for example, he/she will have earned 90 of the 100 points. Exams: Four (4) examinations will take place and one research paper will be required. Each examination will include material from current reading assignments, and in class notes. The examinations will be evenly spaced out throughout the course. Each examination will be worth 100 points. The Paper (if assigned) will also be worth 100 points.
Grading System
500 3-Exams @ 100 each; Final a 200 = 500 points
100 From a Sociological Viewpoint Papers (In class) @ 25 x 4 = 100 points
100 Attendance and Participation (mandatory) = 100 points
100 Homework assignments and/or Group projects @ 100 = 100 points
Total: 800 points. Your total points will be added and divided by 800 to arrive at your percentage: Example: 741/800=.926 or 93%
100 - 90
89 - 80
79 - 70
69 - 60
A
B
C
D
59 & 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.
Mid-Term Withdrawal Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes and meaningfully participate each day. Any student who does not make reasonable attempts to successfully complete all course activities (exams, homework, quizzes, etc.), may be withdrawn from the course at midterm.
However, if any of the following situations apply, the student will be automatically withdrawn by the end of week 8:
 was absent for any 2 consecutive weeks without appropriate notice
 has more than 5 unexcused absences
 Did not complete at least 60% of assignments
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 make-up assignment will be assigned. This assignment will be a research paper (Minumun 6-typed

pages) on the topics covered on the exam. If a student misses an 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 are as stated. However, they may be changed at the instructor’s discretion. Any changes will be announced during normal 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. INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO TAKE DEVICES WHEN VIOLATIONS OCCUR.
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.
Any behavior that is disruptive to the class will be subject to disciplinary actions.
4.
An exception: If you take notes using a laptop during class, you cannot surf the net or check e-mails, etc., during class time.
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, and 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.

3
4
1
2
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:
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
5
6
Paraphrasing someone else's line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were your own.
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.
Confidentiality of Educational Records: Should you require the release of information concerning your performance in this class, attendance, or final grade, etc., a written request that contains your signature and the date, along with the following information will be required:
(1) what record is needed; (2) name and relationship of person to whom information will be disclosed; (3) the specific purpose or intended use of the information requested.