Grading Criteria:

            Your performance in this course will be evaluated on the bases of two exams, class attendance, participation, activities and a major term paper

.           Exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions based upon your reading assignments and class lectures and exercises.  Students will be responsible for all information in assigned readings whether those readings are discussed in class or for testing purposes.  Exams cannot be made up unless the student’s absence is excused and was discussed with the instructor prior to the examination.  Any make-up exams granted will be essay exams taken in the testing center.

Activities will be randomly given in class as a marker of attendance and participation.  ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED TO RECEIVE OR SUBMIT AND ACTIVITY - NO EXCEPTIONS!  Activities will include homework, group activities (in class), and pop quizzes.  Activities handed out in class are due the next class period unless otherwise instructed.  Activities must be submitted by the student themselves – no using a classmate for submission.  If you are found having a classmate submit, then both you and the classmate will receive no credit for the activity.  Since activities measure both attendance and participation there will be no late activities accepted under any circumstances.  Activities are expected to be neat, typed, min. two paragraphs in length and thoughtful, but they are also subjective – so if you turn them in full points is typical.  However, avoiding the above criteria can result in loss of points. Each activity will vary in point value for an accumulated total of 150 points possible.  Handwritten activities are accepted but must be legible – and neat.  I strongly suggest typing.  Absolutely NO PENCIL!  Submitting paper in script will result in a point deduction.

Term papers will be due in the second half of the semester and can be written on any sociological topic of interest – See attached “major paper guidelines” for more information.  Term papers will be graded based on the following criteria:

Depth of Scholarship 25%

Concepts, vocabulary & theoretical framework 15%

Critical analysis 15%

Consistency and logic 15%

Format and organization 10%

Spelling and Grammar 10%

Neatness and Presentation 10%

                        Total = 100%

Class attendance is mandatory.  Class attendance will be taken as an activity grade randomly during the semester, if you are consistently late or absent this will impact your grade.  Though absences and tardiness are excused for valid reasons, you are expected to make every effort to attend class.    All absences must be addressed by the student as soon as they return to class, and it is highly recommended that you find another student willing to share information and notes should you be late/absent. 

GRADE SCALE

Midterm = 100 pts                                         450 – 500 =A                         

Final = 150 pts                                                400 – 449 =B                                     

Activities/Attendance = 150 pts                    350 – 399 =C                                     

Term Paper = 100 pts                                    300 – 349 =D                         

Total points possible = 500                            299 OR BELOW =F                         

Required Text:

Summer I  -   Kendall, Diana, Sociology in our Times, 7^th ED.

*Course Outline: TEXT READINGS

Week One       - Intro, Theory, Culture

Week Two       - Culture, Interaction, Socialization, Deviance

Week Three     - Deviance *Midterm

Week Four       - Class, Race  *Paper Due

Week Five       - Race, Gender

Week Six         -*Final Exam

* Please note that instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule at any time.

Course Description:

 This course is an introduction to the principles and methods of sociology.  Topics include society and culture, socialization, family, social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, deviance, social movements and social control.  No prerequisites required.

Course Objectives:

To introduce students to the academic discipline of sociology through lecture, discussion, debate, and study with an emphasis on race, class and gendered intersections;

            To introduce students to the theoretical perspectives that guide and influence sociological thought, the social construction of society, and the sociological imagination;

            To introduce students to critical thinking about cultural by-products including inequality in the U.S. and throughout the world, using sociological research and perspective;  Social problems with regard to these foundations will be used to deconstruct them and to discuss the social development of human rights;

            To help students develop an understanding of the sociological approach to issues affecting social life and the individual, to understand the connection between the biographical and the historical;  to understand the affects of social institutions on individual free will and expression;

            To introduce the student to the broad spectrum of issues addressed by sociologist and to deconstruct these issues, and discuss alternative approaches using theory and critical analysis;

            To facilitate and provide practice in developing the scholarly ability of critical thinking and to convey that thought into written and verbal analysis.