Sociology 2110
Taft College Introduction to Sociology (Soc. 1510) Fall 2012
Instructor: Class Hours: Location: Office Hours: E-mail:
Professor Van Ry T/TH 9:40 am – 10:55 am G-07 T/TH 1:00 – 1:30 pm in the Library (via Engrade/email) [email protected]
completing required reading, and completing written work. Required Text Henslin, James M., Essentials of Sociology: A Downth to-Earth Approach, (8 edition) 2009.
Course Description This is an introductory course of the field of sociology. This course examines a diverse range of topics on human behavior and social structure. Content focuses on developing a sociological perspective, through theory and research, for analyzing all aspects of social life. Analysis of culture, development of the self, interactions in groups, deviance and social inequality, social institutions and social change using sociological theories form the core of this course.
The dates the required readings in the text are to be completed can be found in the section titled “Course Outline.” Other required and/or recommended reading may be assigned. Readings are designed to prepare students for upcoming lectures. In other words, it is your responsibility to do the readings on your own so that you are familiar with the topic being discussed during a given class and may have had some time to think about points that will contribute to the discussion. I will not be reading the text in class. I will supplement the required reading with material that I believe will assist you in understanding the material and will provide for a good discussion. If I get a sense that the class is not doing the required reading, I reserve the right to give pop quizzes based on the information in the reading. These pop quizzes will be factored into a student’s participation grade.
Course Objectives By the end of the course, a successful student will be able to: 1.
2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
understand the nature and purpose of human behavior from a sociological viewpoint; demonstrate an enhancement of general social awareness; utilize sociological vocabulary, concepts, and basic theories in the analysis of social phenomena; evaluate sociological phenomena and theories using critical thinking; describe the sociological perspective in contrast to individualistic analysis; explain the major theoretical perspectives in sociology and how they can be applied; describe the major research methods used by sociologists; explain the sociological concept of self and the process of socialization; and analyze various social institutions such as education, medicine, or government using a sociological framework.
Engrade In an effort to go green, this class will utilize Engrade for a number of class-related items. Each student will be provided a code that will allow you to sign up and log in to Engrade. Documents: One of the first things you will need to do after you log in to Engrade is to view a copy of the syllabus. If you need to, you can print a copy so that you will have it handy during classes. Calendar: I will be using the calendar in Engrade to post when assignments are due. Grades: Grades will be posted using Engrade and this way you can keep track of your grade throughout the semester. Email: Students can email one another and the instructor using Engrade. Likewise, as the instructor, I will periodically email the class information that I believe you will find important to the course. For this reason, it is important that you check your email regularly. Discussion: The discussion section of Engrade will have a weekly topic regarding the readings. Should
Students in this class can expect to spend a minimum of six hours per week outside of the regular class time studying, answering questions, Taft College, Fall 2012
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
you have questions or difficulty understanding any part of the reading, this will be your opportunity to log in and discuss with classmates and myself. Flashcards: The flashcards section of Engrade will be utilized in this class. There you will find terms pertinent to the readings. You can use these to quiz yourself and make sure you fully understand terms being used in class.
short exams. Your final grade will include points from the top 13 short exams, allowing you to drop the lowest score. There will be no make-up opportunities provided for these examinations. In-Class Assignments/Participation There will be a number of in-class projects and exercises that you will be expected to complete. These will be announced in class. These assignments are designed to assist you in learning the material as well as in preparing for the exams. Participation for the semester is worth a total of 40 points. In order to receive the full 40 points you will need to be present, on time, and participate in the discussion each day that class meets. You will lose a point if you miss class, if you are more than 5 minutes tardy, or if you do not participate in class discussions.
Online Discussion This assignment gives you an opportunity to reflect on the readings and class discussions throughout the course of the semester and to consider how these issues relate to your other everyday activities, other material you are learning, or to events that are occurring in the world more generally. Each week you will log into the discussion of our course’s Engrade site and make at least one contribution to the weekly forum. Your post must be about the assigned reading for the week and must be substantive (for example, “I found the author’s argument on ageism to be persuasive because…”), not simply exclamatory (for example, “Awesome reading.”). I will begin the discussion with various topics relating to the chapter we are currently reading. To receive full credit, your post must be a minimum of 5-7 complete sentences or 100 words.
Research Project Students will have an opportunity to try their hand at sociological research by completing a research project and writing an analysis of the results of that project. Potential projects and research methods will be discussed in more detail as the class progresses. Research projects are worth a total of 140 points. There are due dates for each piece of the project listed below. By turning in sections of the project at various times throughout the semester, you will have the opportunity to get feedback before the final project is due. The completed project is due Dec th 13 , 2012.
There may be times when the discussion resembles a verbal face-to-face discussion with students interacting with one another, asking questions and responding to those questions. Therefore, it is a good idea to periodically go back and look at the discussion. Be careful about posting something and then forgetting about it until the next topic. There is no penalty for making more than one post per week—you may use this forum for ongoing conversations related to our class. The total points possible for online discussions is 70 (5 points * 14 weeks), meaning that it is possible for you to skip or miss one week’s discussion and still receive the full 84 points. The rubric for online discussions can be found at the end of this syllabus.
Using the research model as described in your text beginning on page 20, you each will have an opportunity to try your hand at sociological research. The end result will be a scholarly piece of work that you can use for future reference to showcase your talents as a critical thinking individual. Each step in the project is outlined below.
Short Examinations There will be 14 short examinations and one cumulative final examination. Exams will be comprised of multiple-choice and true/false. Each short exam is worth a total of 20 points; the final exam is worth 100 points. With the exception of the Final Exam, all other exams will be taken utilizing Engrade. For the final exam you will have all of the allotted three hours to complete the exam. Questions for the final exam will come from previous Taft College, Fall 2012
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1.
Select a topic. Anything that interests you has potential as a research topic. By selecting something that interests you, you will enjoy discovering and learning more about it. A good place to begin is to look at any subcultures you belong to. This can be 2-3 sentences or a short paragraph.
2.
Define the Problem. Think of step 2 as refining your topic. Once you have selected a topic, it may be too broad to handle. An example would be to use the U.S. as your topic and in step 2 you narrow the topic to something more manageable like CA; then Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Kern County; then Taft; then Taft College; then Sociology 1510 at Taft College. This step may vary for each topic selected. You will need to convince the reader that the topic you have selected is worthy of research. This step is defining the problem. In order to show that your topic is a problem and worthy, it will help to cite a source from your preliminary review of the literature.
you predict (your hypothesis) what theory can you apply (symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, or conflict theory)? (b) at least two variables. You should have an independent variable—one that is constant and does not change (i.e. gender, age, race…). The other is a dependent variable. You will monitor this variable for change. One way to think of it is that the dependent variable “depends” on the independent variable. In other words, whether a person likes dolls or not (dependent variable) depends or varies according to gender (independent variable).
Some may be able to discuss how they narrowly defined the topic in a short paragraph while others may take two paragraphs. 3.
Review the Literature. Once you have your topic narrowly defined, the next step is to find out who has already done research on that particular topic. A good review of the literature will reference scholarly journals (i.e. the journals that are usually in the reference section of the library and cannot be checked out). Since this is an introductory course, you may conduct some of your review of the literature online. You might begin by selecting a few key terms relating to your topic and entering them in a search engine like Google. Always include “sociology” as one of the key terms.
(c) an operational definition. Your operational definition lets the reader know exactly how you plan to measure the variables you are studying. Using the simple example noted above the operational definition might be: allowing respondents to self-select on a survey form… Your hypothesis, if stated clearly can take not more than 1-2 sentences or a short paragraph. 5.
Research Method. As shown previously, your operational definition (the description of how you plan to measure the variables selected for your project) leads into the research method or research design. How you actually collect your data depends on the particular research method you choose. While there are six basic methods discussed in the text, I suggest you consider one of the following three: unobtrusive measures (p. 29); documents (p. 28); or secondary data analysis (p. 28). If you feel your particular research project is better suited to a different research method, please discuss with me prior to engaging in the data collection.
6.
Collect the Data. Before you begin collecting the data, be sure you email me or meet with me. In step six, you begin the work of collecting data. Make sure you follow your operational definition and measure exactly the variables that will prove or disprove your hypothesis. A summary of the process of collecting your
When you find articles with information/research on your key topic, read them or print them and make notes on how the article relates to your topic. A good review of the literature will consist of not less than five articles and your write-up of each article should be 1-2 paragraphs for each article. Be sure to include your References page with this section. 4.
Formulate a Hypothesis. Once you have reviewed the literature on your topic, you are ready to formulate a hypothesis. The hypothesis is a statement of what you expect to learn or find out once you conduct your research. It is your prediction. Your hypothesis should include the following: (a) theory. Based on the research you reviewed in the literature and the outcome
Taft College, Fall 2012
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
data can take 2-3 pages. 7.
Final Grades Final grades are based on the total number of points accumulated on the exams, online discussion, research project, and class discussion/participation. I will consider other information in reaching a final decision where an individual’s point total is on the borderline in the final grade distribution. Relevant in-class contributions, as well as other evidence of familiarity with the mastery of course material, will prove important in such a circumstance. Possible points are allocated in the following way:
Analyze the Results. Once you have gathered your data you are ready to begin analyzing it. In most all cases your data should result in a count that can be displayed in a table such as that below: Table 1. Title INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE
ROWS OF DATA Activity Class Participation Online Discussion Research Project Exams (Best 13) Final Exam Total Possible Points
Source: Using the data you will be able to prove or disprove your hypothesis. It is important to remember there is no right or wrong. It is just as important to know that your hypothesis (prediction) was incorrect as it is to know that your hypothesis was correct. Analyzing your results can take 2-3 pages. 8.
Step 1 – Select a topic Step 2 – Define the problem Step 3 – Review the literature Step 4 – Formulate a Hypothesis Step 5 – Decide on a Research Method Step 6 – Collect the Data Step 7 – Analyze the Data Step 8 – Share the Results Total Taft College, Fall 2012
Points Possible 5
Due Date Sept 13
15
Sept 27
25
Oct 11
10
Oct 25
10
Oct 25
25 25 25 140
Nov 8 Nov 29 Dec 13
Percentage of Final Grade 15% 10% 21% 39% 15%
670
100%
I will consider other information in reaching a final decision where an individual’s point total is on the borderline in the final grade distribution. Relevant in-class contributions, as well as other evidence of familiarity with the mastery of course material, will prove important in such a circumstance.
Share Your Results. By the time you get to this step you should have all of the various pieces (steps 1-7) completed. Now all that is left is to add page numbers, a cover page and cite your sources using APA format, so that you have a complete sociological research project ready to share with others. Use headers for each of the seven steps and include an introductory and closing paragraph. Margins are one-inch on all sides; it’s double-spaced; and the font size is 12.
Research Project Steps
Points Possible 100 70 140 260 100
Policy on Academic Dishonesty Instances of academic fraud or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Falsifying sources, data or experimental results, submitting others’ work as if it was yours, presenting the words or ideas of others without full and appropriate citation, and cheating on examinations are all instances of academic fraud. Students who knowingly commit any of these offenses will (1) receive a failing grade in the course, and (2) will receive a letter of reprimand from the instructor, a copy of which will be placed in their files. A repeated instance of academic fraud or plagiarism will result in a petition to have the student permanently expelled from the college. Miscellaneous Comments I expect you to regularly attend class. It will be to your advantage to do so. Class will start promptly at the scheduled time. I expect you to be ready to start at that time. I do not expect people to come to class late or to leave the classroom during a lecture or discussion and then return. You are not to leave the classroom during an examination, unless you are
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
finished. I do expect people to conform to appropriate classroom etiquette.
first two weeks of class so that an alternate format of the syllabus and class handouts can be made available.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities or students who think they may have a learning disability and who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Student Support Services (763-7769 or 763-7927) as soon as possible to better ensure that any accommodations are in place in a timely manner. It is further recommended that any student with disabilities discuss academic accommodations with their professors during the
Taft College, Fall 2012
Course Repetition and Withdrawal: Students who have received a course grade of D, F, NP or W 3 times will not be permitted to take the course again at Taft College. If extenuating circumstances apply, students may petition to enroll in a course the fourth time. For further information, please contact the Counseling Center at 661-763-7748
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology –Fall 2012 “Dynamic” Course Outline Date Aug 28
Tuesday Introductions, Syllabus, Course Outline Review, Demonstration of Engrade
Date
Thursday
Aug 30
Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
Sep 4
Research Matrix
Sep 6
Chapter 1: Quiz
Sep 11
Chapter 2: Culture
Sep 13
Chapter 2: Quiz Step 1 of Research Paper Due Today
Sep 18
Chapter 3: Socialization
Sep 20
Chapter 3: Quiz
Sep 27
Chapter 4: Quiz Step 2 of Research Paper Due Today
Oct 4
Chapter 5: Quiz
Sep 25 Oct 2
Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction Chapter 5: Social Groups and Formal Organizations
Oct 9
Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control
Oct 11
Chapter 6: Quiz Step 3 of Research Paper Due Today
Oct 16
Chapter 7: Global Stratification
Oct 18
Chapter 7: Quiz
Oct 22
Chapter 8: Social Class in the United States
Oct 25
Chapter 8: Quiz Steps 4 & 5 of Research Paper Due Today
Oct 30
Chapter 9: Race and Ethnicity
Nov 1
Chapter 9: Quiz
Nov 6
Chapter 10: Gender and Age
Nov 8
Chapter 10: Quiz Step 6 of Research Paper Due Today
Nov 13
Chapter 11: Politics and the Economy
Nov 15
Chapter 11: Quiz
Nov 20
MOVIE: TBA
Nov 22
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Nov 27
Chapter 12: Marriage and Family
Nov 29
Chapter 12: Quiz Step 7 of Research Paper Due Today
Dec 4
Chapter 13: Education and Religion
Dec 6
Chapter 13: Quiz
Dec 11
Chapter 14: Population and Urbanization
Dec 13
Chapter 14: Quiz Step 8 of Research Paper Due Today
th
Final Exam will be: Thursday, December 20 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 p.m. in G07
Taft College, Fall 2012
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Rubric for Research Projects
1-Topic (5 pts.)
2-Define the Problem (15 pts.)
3Literature Review (25 pts.)
4Formulate Hypothesis (10 pts.)
5-Research Method (10 pts.) 6-Collect Data (25 pts.) 7-Analyze Results (25 pts.)
8-Share Results/ Mechanics (25 pts.)
A Paper A reasonable topic has been selected, and properly defined. (5) The topic/problem statement has clearly been explained with 1-2 supporting paragraphs and a citation. (14-15)
B Paper A reasonable topic has been selected and defined. (4)
There are at least 5 sources, one being a scholarly journal. There is a complete paragraph summarizing each article. References are included and are APA formatted. (2325)
There are 5 sources, one being a scholarly journal. There is a complete paragraph summarizing each article. References are included and are APA formatted. (2022)
Hypothesis statement is clearly stated as ITTT. Clearly identifies a supporting theory, and has operationalized the independent and dependent variables. (9-10) Supporting research method is clearly defined and discussed. (9-10) Thorough discussion of data collection process. (23-25) Tables are clearly formatted and labeled to show variables and results. Good discussion on prediction. (23-25) All sources are accurately documented in APA format. Paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details and concluding sentence. No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. (23-25)
Hypothesis statement is stated. A supporting theory is identified along with independent and dependent variables. Operationalization is missing or incorrect.(8) Research method is defined and discussed. (8)
Taft College, Fall 2012
The topic/problem statement has been explained with 1-2 supporting paragraphs and a citation. (12-13)
Good discussion of data collection process. (20-22) Tables are formatted and labeled to show variables and results. Good discussion on prediction. (20-22) All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in APA format. Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. (20-22)
C Paper A topic has been selected but may need modification. (3) The topic/problem statement has been explained with a paragraph for explanation and includes a citation(11) There are 5 sources but most are from the Internet. There are only 3-4 paragraphs summarizing the literature review. References are included but not all are APA formatted. (18-19) Hypothesis statement is stated but may need some work. The theory is identified; variables are identified but may be incorrect. Operationalization may be missing. (7)
D Paper A topic has been selected but needs much work for clarification. (1-2) The topic/problem statement is not clearly explained but includes at least 1 variable discussed in length. (9-10)
F Paper No topic has been selected. (0)
There are less than 5 sources and most are from the Internet. There are only 2-3 paragraphs summarizing the literature review. References are included but are not APA formatted. (1517) Hypothesis statement may or may not be present. Theory is missing but variables have been identified. Operationalization may be missing or poorly stated. (6)
There are less than 5 sources and all are from the Internet. There are only 1-2 paragraphs summarizing the literature review. References are missing.(0-14)
Research method is defined, but may need modification. (7) Adequate discussion of data collection process. (18-19) Tables are labeled to show variables but may not be properly formatted. Adequate discussion on prediction. (18-19) All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in APA format. Paragraphs include related information but were typically not constructed well. A few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. (18-19)
Research method is incorrectly defined or there is no discussion. (6) Poor discussion of data collection process. (15-17) Tables are poorly labeled or unclear to read. Discussion relating to prediction is poorly written. (1517) Some sources are not accurately documented and are not in APA format. Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not related within the paragraphs. Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (15-17)
Research method is missing or not discussed. (0-5)
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The topic/problem statement is not clearly explained. (08)
Hypothesis statement is missing. Theory and variables are missing or poorly stated. Operationalization is missing. (0-5)
Poor or missing discussion of data collection. (0-14) Tables are missing. Discussion relating to prediction is poorly written or missing. (0-14) Many sources are not accurately documented and are not in APA format. Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not related within the paragraphs. Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (0-14)
Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Rubric for Online Discussion
Timeliness Length
Content
5 points Logged in and responded within 3 days of posting, giving others an opportunity to respond. Responds with 100 words or 5-7 complete sentences Comments add significantly to the discussion by suggesting other solutions, pointing out problems, or even respectfully disagreeing. Student also substantiates any comments made with reasoning pertaining to the course content.
3 points Logged in and responded after 3 days. Responds in less than 100 words. Some comments add to discussion but do not offer other solutions or connections. There are no sociological connections made to the chapter material.
0 points Failed to log in and respond or logged in after the next week’s topic was posted. Responds with fewer than 100 words. Does not make connection to the course content or merely repeats content from the textbook.
Rubric for Final Grades Grade
Points
Percentage
A
670-603
90% and above
B
602-536
80-89%
C
535-469
70-79%
D
468-402
60-69%
F
< 401
Below 60%
Taft College, Fall 2012
Expectations Student clearly stands out as an excellent performer. Student has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Student articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Student integrates ideas previously learned from this as well as other classes. Student grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Student participates actively in class discussion, writes well and speaks well during discussion. Student produces high quality work. Student demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Student accomplishes only the minimum requirements and displays little or no initiative. Student communicates orally and in writing at an acceptable level for a college student and has an acceptable understanding of all basic concepts. Quality and quantity of student’s work is below average and barely acceptable. Quality and quantity of student’s work is unacceptable.
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Instructor: Class Hours: Location: Office Hours: E-mail:
Professor Van Ry T/TH 9:40 am – 10:55 am G-07 T/TH 1:00 – 1:30 pm in the Library (via Engrade/email) [email protected]
completing required reading, and completing written work. Required Text Henslin, James M., Essentials of Sociology: A Downth to-Earth Approach, (8 edition) 2009.
Course Description This is an introductory course of the field of sociology. This course examines a diverse range of topics on human behavior and social structure. Content focuses on developing a sociological perspective, through theory and research, for analyzing all aspects of social life. Analysis of culture, development of the self, interactions in groups, deviance and social inequality, social institutions and social change using sociological theories form the core of this course.
The dates the required readings in the text are to be completed can be found in the section titled “Course Outline.” Other required and/or recommended reading may be assigned. Readings are designed to prepare students for upcoming lectures. In other words, it is your responsibility to do the readings on your own so that you are familiar with the topic being discussed during a given class and may have had some time to think about points that will contribute to the discussion. I will not be reading the text in class. I will supplement the required reading with material that I believe will assist you in understanding the material and will provide for a good discussion. If I get a sense that the class is not doing the required reading, I reserve the right to give pop quizzes based on the information in the reading. These pop quizzes will be factored into a student’s participation grade.
Course Objectives By the end of the course, a successful student will be able to: 1.
2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
understand the nature and purpose of human behavior from a sociological viewpoint; demonstrate an enhancement of general social awareness; utilize sociological vocabulary, concepts, and basic theories in the analysis of social phenomena; evaluate sociological phenomena and theories using critical thinking; describe the sociological perspective in contrast to individualistic analysis; explain the major theoretical perspectives in sociology and how they can be applied; describe the major research methods used by sociologists; explain the sociological concept of self and the process of socialization; and analyze various social institutions such as education, medicine, or government using a sociological framework.
Engrade In an effort to go green, this class will utilize Engrade for a number of class-related items. Each student will be provided a code that will allow you to sign up and log in to Engrade. Documents: One of the first things you will need to do after you log in to Engrade is to view a copy of the syllabus. If you need to, you can print a copy so that you will have it handy during classes. Calendar: I will be using the calendar in Engrade to post when assignments are due. Grades: Grades will be posted using Engrade and this way you can keep track of your grade throughout the semester. Email: Students can email one another and the instructor using Engrade. Likewise, as the instructor, I will periodically email the class information that I believe you will find important to the course. For this reason, it is important that you check your email regularly. Discussion: The discussion section of Engrade will have a weekly topic regarding the readings. Should
Students in this class can expect to spend a minimum of six hours per week outside of the regular class time studying, answering questions, Taft College, Fall 2012
-1-
Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
you have questions or difficulty understanding any part of the reading, this will be your opportunity to log in and discuss with classmates and myself. Flashcards: The flashcards section of Engrade will be utilized in this class. There you will find terms pertinent to the readings. You can use these to quiz yourself and make sure you fully understand terms being used in class.
short exams. Your final grade will include points from the top 13 short exams, allowing you to drop the lowest score. There will be no make-up opportunities provided for these examinations. In-Class Assignments/Participation There will be a number of in-class projects and exercises that you will be expected to complete. These will be announced in class. These assignments are designed to assist you in learning the material as well as in preparing for the exams. Participation for the semester is worth a total of 40 points. In order to receive the full 40 points you will need to be present, on time, and participate in the discussion each day that class meets. You will lose a point if you miss class, if you are more than 5 minutes tardy, or if you do not participate in class discussions.
Online Discussion This assignment gives you an opportunity to reflect on the readings and class discussions throughout the course of the semester and to consider how these issues relate to your other everyday activities, other material you are learning, or to events that are occurring in the world more generally. Each week you will log into the discussion of our course’s Engrade site and make at least one contribution to the weekly forum. Your post must be about the assigned reading for the week and must be substantive (for example, “I found the author’s argument on ageism to be persuasive because…”), not simply exclamatory (for example, “Awesome reading.”). I will begin the discussion with various topics relating to the chapter we are currently reading. To receive full credit, your post must be a minimum of 5-7 complete sentences or 100 words.
Research Project Students will have an opportunity to try their hand at sociological research by completing a research project and writing an analysis of the results of that project. Potential projects and research methods will be discussed in more detail as the class progresses. Research projects are worth a total of 140 points. There are due dates for each piece of the project listed below. By turning in sections of the project at various times throughout the semester, you will have the opportunity to get feedback before the final project is due. The completed project is due Dec th 13 , 2012.
There may be times when the discussion resembles a verbal face-to-face discussion with students interacting with one another, asking questions and responding to those questions. Therefore, it is a good idea to periodically go back and look at the discussion. Be careful about posting something and then forgetting about it until the next topic. There is no penalty for making more than one post per week—you may use this forum for ongoing conversations related to our class. The total points possible for online discussions is 70 (5 points * 14 weeks), meaning that it is possible for you to skip or miss one week’s discussion and still receive the full 84 points. The rubric for online discussions can be found at the end of this syllabus.
Using the research model as described in your text beginning on page 20, you each will have an opportunity to try your hand at sociological research. The end result will be a scholarly piece of work that you can use for future reference to showcase your talents as a critical thinking individual. Each step in the project is outlined below.
Short Examinations There will be 14 short examinations and one cumulative final examination. Exams will be comprised of multiple-choice and true/false. Each short exam is worth a total of 20 points; the final exam is worth 100 points. With the exception of the Final Exam, all other exams will be taken utilizing Engrade. For the final exam you will have all of the allotted three hours to complete the exam. Questions for the final exam will come from previous Taft College, Fall 2012
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1.
Select a topic. Anything that interests you has potential as a research topic. By selecting something that interests you, you will enjoy discovering and learning more about it. A good place to begin is to look at any subcultures you belong to. This can be 2-3 sentences or a short paragraph.
2.
Define the Problem. Think of step 2 as refining your topic. Once you have selected a topic, it may be too broad to handle. An example would be to use the U.S. as your topic and in step 2 you narrow the topic to something more manageable like CA; then Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Kern County; then Taft; then Taft College; then Sociology 1510 at Taft College. This step may vary for each topic selected. You will need to convince the reader that the topic you have selected is worthy of research. This step is defining the problem. In order to show that your topic is a problem and worthy, it will help to cite a source from your preliminary review of the literature.
you predict (your hypothesis) what theory can you apply (symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, or conflict theory)? (b) at least two variables. You should have an independent variable—one that is constant and does not change (i.e. gender, age, race…). The other is a dependent variable. You will monitor this variable for change. One way to think of it is that the dependent variable “depends” on the independent variable. In other words, whether a person likes dolls or not (dependent variable) depends or varies according to gender (independent variable).
Some may be able to discuss how they narrowly defined the topic in a short paragraph while others may take two paragraphs. 3.
Review the Literature. Once you have your topic narrowly defined, the next step is to find out who has already done research on that particular topic. A good review of the literature will reference scholarly journals (i.e. the journals that are usually in the reference section of the library and cannot be checked out). Since this is an introductory course, you may conduct some of your review of the literature online. You might begin by selecting a few key terms relating to your topic and entering them in a search engine like Google. Always include “sociology” as one of the key terms.
(c) an operational definition. Your operational definition lets the reader know exactly how you plan to measure the variables you are studying. Using the simple example noted above the operational definition might be: allowing respondents to self-select on a survey form… Your hypothesis, if stated clearly can take not more than 1-2 sentences or a short paragraph. 5.
Research Method. As shown previously, your operational definition (the description of how you plan to measure the variables selected for your project) leads into the research method or research design. How you actually collect your data depends on the particular research method you choose. While there are six basic methods discussed in the text, I suggest you consider one of the following three: unobtrusive measures (p. 29); documents (p. 28); or secondary data analysis (p. 28). If you feel your particular research project is better suited to a different research method, please discuss with me prior to engaging in the data collection.
6.
Collect the Data. Before you begin collecting the data, be sure you email me or meet with me. In step six, you begin the work of collecting data. Make sure you follow your operational definition and measure exactly the variables that will prove or disprove your hypothesis. A summary of the process of collecting your
When you find articles with information/research on your key topic, read them or print them and make notes on how the article relates to your topic. A good review of the literature will consist of not less than five articles and your write-up of each article should be 1-2 paragraphs for each article. Be sure to include your References page with this section. 4.
Formulate a Hypothesis. Once you have reviewed the literature on your topic, you are ready to formulate a hypothesis. The hypothesis is a statement of what you expect to learn or find out once you conduct your research. It is your prediction. Your hypothesis should include the following: (a) theory. Based on the research you reviewed in the literature and the outcome
Taft College, Fall 2012
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
data can take 2-3 pages. 7.
Final Grades Final grades are based on the total number of points accumulated on the exams, online discussion, research project, and class discussion/participation. I will consider other information in reaching a final decision where an individual’s point total is on the borderline in the final grade distribution. Relevant in-class contributions, as well as other evidence of familiarity with the mastery of course material, will prove important in such a circumstance. Possible points are allocated in the following way:
Analyze the Results. Once you have gathered your data you are ready to begin analyzing it. In most all cases your data should result in a count that can be displayed in a table such as that below: Table 1. Title INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE
ROWS OF DATA Activity Class Participation Online Discussion Research Project Exams (Best 13) Final Exam Total Possible Points
Source: Using the data you will be able to prove or disprove your hypothesis. It is important to remember there is no right or wrong. It is just as important to know that your hypothesis (prediction) was incorrect as it is to know that your hypothesis was correct. Analyzing your results can take 2-3 pages. 8.
Step 1 – Select a topic Step 2 – Define the problem Step 3 – Review the literature Step 4 – Formulate a Hypothesis Step 5 – Decide on a Research Method Step 6 – Collect the Data Step 7 – Analyze the Data Step 8 – Share the Results Total Taft College, Fall 2012
Points Possible 5
Due Date Sept 13
15
Sept 27
25
Oct 11
10
Oct 25
10
Oct 25
25 25 25 140
Nov 8 Nov 29 Dec 13
Percentage of Final Grade 15% 10% 21% 39% 15%
670
100%
I will consider other information in reaching a final decision where an individual’s point total is on the borderline in the final grade distribution. Relevant in-class contributions, as well as other evidence of familiarity with the mastery of course material, will prove important in such a circumstance.
Share Your Results. By the time you get to this step you should have all of the various pieces (steps 1-7) completed. Now all that is left is to add page numbers, a cover page and cite your sources using APA format, so that you have a complete sociological research project ready to share with others. Use headers for each of the seven steps and include an introductory and closing paragraph. Margins are one-inch on all sides; it’s double-spaced; and the font size is 12.
Research Project Steps
Points Possible 100 70 140 260 100
Policy on Academic Dishonesty Instances of academic fraud or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Falsifying sources, data or experimental results, submitting others’ work as if it was yours, presenting the words or ideas of others without full and appropriate citation, and cheating on examinations are all instances of academic fraud. Students who knowingly commit any of these offenses will (1) receive a failing grade in the course, and (2) will receive a letter of reprimand from the instructor, a copy of which will be placed in their files. A repeated instance of academic fraud or plagiarism will result in a petition to have the student permanently expelled from the college. Miscellaneous Comments I expect you to regularly attend class. It will be to your advantage to do so. Class will start promptly at the scheduled time. I expect you to be ready to start at that time. I do not expect people to come to class late or to leave the classroom during a lecture or discussion and then return. You are not to leave the classroom during an examination, unless you are
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
finished. I do expect people to conform to appropriate classroom etiquette.
first two weeks of class so that an alternate format of the syllabus and class handouts can be made available.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities or students who think they may have a learning disability and who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Student Support Services (763-7769 or 763-7927) as soon as possible to better ensure that any accommodations are in place in a timely manner. It is further recommended that any student with disabilities discuss academic accommodations with their professors during the
Taft College, Fall 2012
Course Repetition and Withdrawal: Students who have received a course grade of D, F, NP or W 3 times will not be permitted to take the course again at Taft College. If extenuating circumstances apply, students may petition to enroll in a course the fourth time. For further information, please contact the Counseling Center at 661-763-7748
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology –Fall 2012 “Dynamic” Course Outline Date Aug 28
Tuesday Introductions, Syllabus, Course Outline Review, Demonstration of Engrade
Date
Thursday
Aug 30
Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
Sep 4
Research Matrix
Sep 6
Chapter 1: Quiz
Sep 11
Chapter 2: Culture
Sep 13
Chapter 2: Quiz Step 1 of Research Paper Due Today
Sep 18
Chapter 3: Socialization
Sep 20
Chapter 3: Quiz
Sep 27
Chapter 4: Quiz Step 2 of Research Paper Due Today
Oct 4
Chapter 5: Quiz
Sep 25 Oct 2
Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction Chapter 5: Social Groups and Formal Organizations
Oct 9
Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control
Oct 11
Chapter 6: Quiz Step 3 of Research Paper Due Today
Oct 16
Chapter 7: Global Stratification
Oct 18
Chapter 7: Quiz
Oct 22
Chapter 8: Social Class in the United States
Oct 25
Chapter 8: Quiz Steps 4 & 5 of Research Paper Due Today
Oct 30
Chapter 9: Race and Ethnicity
Nov 1
Chapter 9: Quiz
Nov 6
Chapter 10: Gender and Age
Nov 8
Chapter 10: Quiz Step 6 of Research Paper Due Today
Nov 13
Chapter 11: Politics and the Economy
Nov 15
Chapter 11: Quiz
Nov 20
MOVIE: TBA
Nov 22
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Nov 27
Chapter 12: Marriage and Family
Nov 29
Chapter 12: Quiz Step 7 of Research Paper Due Today
Dec 4
Chapter 13: Education and Religion
Dec 6
Chapter 13: Quiz
Dec 11
Chapter 14: Population and Urbanization
Dec 13
Chapter 14: Quiz Step 8 of Research Paper Due Today
th
Final Exam will be: Thursday, December 20 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 p.m. in G07
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Rubric for Research Projects
1-Topic (5 pts.)
2-Define the Problem (15 pts.)
3Literature Review (25 pts.)
4Formulate Hypothesis (10 pts.)
5-Research Method (10 pts.) 6-Collect Data (25 pts.) 7-Analyze Results (25 pts.)
8-Share Results/ Mechanics (25 pts.)
A Paper A reasonable topic has been selected, and properly defined. (5) The topic/problem statement has clearly been explained with 1-2 supporting paragraphs and a citation. (14-15)
B Paper A reasonable topic has been selected and defined. (4)
There are at least 5 sources, one being a scholarly journal. There is a complete paragraph summarizing each article. References are included and are APA formatted. (2325)
There are 5 sources, one being a scholarly journal. There is a complete paragraph summarizing each article. References are included and are APA formatted. (2022)
Hypothesis statement is clearly stated as ITTT. Clearly identifies a supporting theory, and has operationalized the independent and dependent variables. (9-10) Supporting research method is clearly defined and discussed. (9-10) Thorough discussion of data collection process. (23-25) Tables are clearly formatted and labeled to show variables and results. Good discussion on prediction. (23-25) All sources are accurately documented in APA format. Paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details and concluding sentence. No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. (23-25)
Hypothesis statement is stated. A supporting theory is identified along with independent and dependent variables. Operationalization is missing or incorrect.(8) Research method is defined and discussed. (8)
Taft College, Fall 2012
The topic/problem statement has been explained with 1-2 supporting paragraphs and a citation. (12-13)
Good discussion of data collection process. (20-22) Tables are formatted and labeled to show variables and results. Good discussion on prediction. (20-22) All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in APA format. Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. (20-22)
C Paper A topic has been selected but may need modification. (3) The topic/problem statement has been explained with a paragraph for explanation and includes a citation(11) There are 5 sources but most are from the Internet. There are only 3-4 paragraphs summarizing the literature review. References are included but not all are APA formatted. (18-19) Hypothesis statement is stated but may need some work. The theory is identified; variables are identified but may be incorrect. Operationalization may be missing. (7)
D Paper A topic has been selected but needs much work for clarification. (1-2) The topic/problem statement is not clearly explained but includes at least 1 variable discussed in length. (9-10)
F Paper No topic has been selected. (0)
There are less than 5 sources and most are from the Internet. There are only 2-3 paragraphs summarizing the literature review. References are included but are not APA formatted. (1517) Hypothesis statement may or may not be present. Theory is missing but variables have been identified. Operationalization may be missing or poorly stated. (6)
There are less than 5 sources and all are from the Internet. There are only 1-2 paragraphs summarizing the literature review. References are missing.(0-14)
Research method is defined, but may need modification. (7) Adequate discussion of data collection process. (18-19) Tables are labeled to show variables but may not be properly formatted. Adequate discussion on prediction. (18-19) All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in APA format. Paragraphs include related information but were typically not constructed well. A few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. (18-19)
Research method is incorrectly defined or there is no discussion. (6) Poor discussion of data collection process. (15-17) Tables are poorly labeled or unclear to read. Discussion relating to prediction is poorly written. (1517) Some sources are not accurately documented and are not in APA format. Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not related within the paragraphs. Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (15-17)
Research method is missing or not discussed. (0-5)
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The topic/problem statement is not clearly explained. (08)
Hypothesis statement is missing. Theory and variables are missing or poorly stated. Operationalization is missing. (0-5)
Poor or missing discussion of data collection. (0-14) Tables are missing. Discussion relating to prediction is poorly written or missing. (0-14) Many sources are not accurately documented and are not in APA format. Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not related within the paragraphs. Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. (0-14)
Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
Rubric for Online Discussion
Timeliness Length
Content
5 points Logged in and responded within 3 days of posting, giving others an opportunity to respond. Responds with 100 words or 5-7 complete sentences Comments add significantly to the discussion by suggesting other solutions, pointing out problems, or even respectfully disagreeing. Student also substantiates any comments made with reasoning pertaining to the course content.
3 points Logged in and responded after 3 days. Responds in less than 100 words. Some comments add to discussion but do not offer other solutions or connections. There are no sociological connections made to the chapter material.
0 points Failed to log in and respond or logged in after the next week’s topic was posted. Responds with fewer than 100 words. Does not make connection to the course content or merely repeats content from the textbook.
Rubric for Final Grades Grade
Points
Percentage
A
670-603
90% and above
B
602-536
80-89%
C
535-469
70-79%
D
468-402
60-69%
F
< 401
Below 60%
Taft College, Fall 2012
Expectations Student clearly stands out as an excellent performer. Student has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Student articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Student integrates ideas previously learned from this as well as other classes. Student grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Student participates actively in class discussion, writes well and speaks well during discussion. Student produces high quality work. Student demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Student accomplishes only the minimum requirements and displays little or no initiative. Student communicates orally and in writing at an acceptable level for a college student and has an acceptable understanding of all basic concepts. Quality and quantity of student’s work is below average and barely acceptable. Quality and quantity of student’s work is unacceptable.
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Soc. 1510 – Intro to Sociology
