Download Syllabus - My SMCC - Southern Maine Community College

SOUTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
South Portland, Maine 04106
Title: Sociology
Credit Hours: 3
Dana M. Hardacker
Total Contract Hours: 45
On-line
Catalog Number: SOCI-100-D1
Lecture, 45
Lab: 0
[email protected]
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Sociology is a one-semester introductory course, which covers the concepts and methods of sociology,
as well as the social dynamics we experience in our society. Social dynamics and social institutions
will also be explored, coupled with the ever-present issues of social change and the impact of these
changes on society and the individual.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to
1)
Identify and discuss the philosophical and historical bases of the major theoretical approaches
found in the study of sociology,
2)
Explain how gender operates as a basic dimension of social organization,
3)
Demonstrate the value of applying sociological concepts to their everyday lives,
4)
Understand social dynamics, social division, social institutions, and social change in the study of
sociology, and
5)
Develop critical thinking skills by seeking out and challenging common assumptions, identifying
and weighing appropriate evidence, and reaching reasoned conclusions.
Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking:
Competency #1 - Read and demonstrate orally and in writing, competing interpretations of and
multiple perspective on contemporary social issues key concepts.
Competency #2 - Apply orally and in writing, competing interpretations of and multiple theories on
contemporary social issues
Competency #3 - Analyze and evaluate data to produce a well-reasoned argument or position on
contemporary social issues.
Learning Outcomes:
Competency #1 – SMCC students can explain how social interactions are influenced by local,
regional, national, and/or global cultures.
Competency #2 – SMCC students can recognize cultural and individual differences that underlie the
complexities of human behavior and social interactions.
Topical Outline of Instruction
1)
Introduction -
Chapter 1/assignments of groups
9) Spring Break
2) Chapter 2
10) Chapter 10
3) Chapter 3
11) Second 11
4) Chapter 5
12) Chapter 12
5) Chapter 6
13) Chapter 13
6) Chapter 7
14) Chapter 14
7) Chapter 8
15) Chapter 15
8) Chapter 9
Course Requirements
Attendance is monitored during the semester. If you miss the first two weeks you will be reported as a
No Show to the administration and dropped from the class. If you miss two consecutive assignment
periods during the semester you will be removed from the class with a grade of AF.
Group discussions and participation is considered to be a valuable part of the course and each student
will receive a grade on individual and group participation.
All assignments will be professionally typed, double-spaced and in APA format. All assignments must
be completed on time.
Students will be assigned to one of three groups. Each group will represent a Sociological side of a
current issue. The group will discuss each issue and complete a written report on each topic. Each
group will defend their specific social stance on a current issue. Each individual will receive a grade on
the work. The grade will be from the members of each group. The grade will be based on each
members participation in the group assignment. An incomplete will be given only in extraordinary
circumstances.
Students will have a choice between a research paper or community service project due at the end of the
term. The research paper will be 10 – 15 pages long, doubled spaced, typed and using no less then 12
fonts and no more than 14 fonts in APA format. The community service project instructions will be
forwarded to students that chose that option at the beginning of the course.
There will be an exam at the end of each week for the course. There will be no make-up on weekly
exams. You must take these exams when scheduled.
Plagiarism:
Do not plagiarize the work of others!!!!!!!!!!!! Plagiarism is an extremely serious offense. The
maximum penalty is expulsion from Southern Maine Community College. To assist you in
understanding plagiarism please read the explanations below:
Quotations: When someone repeats a passage or statement word for word you are quoting
another person. When you quote someone in your paper without acknowledgement, you have
plagiarized their work. Quotations must be designated and cited usually by placing quotation marks
around the repeated statement. To avoid plagiarism, you must include the quotation marks and the
citation.
Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing is when a person restates a passage while keeping the essence or
central idea of the original passage and only altering its form or substituting other words. This
technique is useful when avoiding stringing direct quotes together. If you present the idea as your own
and/or do not properly cite the original source it is considered plagiarism. The way to avoid this
situation, the first include the information about the author in the text i.e. “according to Jones” or “as
suggested by the U.S. Army."
Additional Cautions: Buying or submitting papers or exams by another person is a very
serious form of plagiarism and will result in an “F” for the course.
Professional Courtesy: Courses in Sociology cover a variety of issues that are sensitive in nature.
While someone may not find every topic controversial, a particular idea may indeed be emotionally
charged for him or her. Therefore everyone must be tolerant of other’s opinions and their right to
express themselves, providing that the views that are expressed are not hateful or derogatory in nature.
Should someone feel that it is his/her right to put down or malign other’s views or their person, then the
offending individual will be immediately instructed to leave the classroom and will not be readmitted
without first meeting with Student Services. The student will not return to class without permission of
the instructor and Dean of Students.
Student Evaluation and Grading
Course grade criteria will be determined as follows:
Group discussions and participation
Weekly exams
Applied Sociology assignments
Written Individual Report/Service Learning
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=
=
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15%
30%
15%
40%
Text, Tools, and/or Supplies
Essentials of Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach (8th Ed.), Henslin, James M.
Pearson Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA
ADA STATEMENT
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer.
For more information, please call 207-741-5798
If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable
access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the disability services
coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be reached at 741-5629 (TTD 207-741-5667).
Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is
available upon request at this number.