Syllabus – S07

Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology

SOCIOLOGY 211: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY SPRING SEMESTER 2007 INSTRUCTOR: MS KARA N DILLARD, M.A. THROCKMORTON HALL 1014/MWF 1:30PM – 2:20PM CONTACT INFORMATION: OFFICE: Waters 253-A OFFICE PHONE: 532-7047 EMAIL: [email protected]

OFFICE HOURS: M, T, W 12:00-1:30PM Other hours by appointment only

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The study of sociology is fascinating. Much of current world events can be explained using sociological based concepts. This course is aimed to give students an introduction into the study of culture, society, and its functioning and resulting problems through sociological methods. By the end of the course, students should be able to analyze various social problems through three main theoretical perspectives. More importantly, students should come away from the class with a better understanding of how society and culture has shaped their lives and can identify and explain those sociological features. I teach this class in three sections. The first deals with the concept of the theories that create Sociology as a field, culture, and socialization. This section is to introduce students into the study of sociology and to give you a better understanding of how sociologists view the world. The second component of the course is the section on social control and the agents of socialization. We learn our identities and behaviors through a process of socialization that begins when we are infants and occurs in all areas of life including family, childcare, and education. We are socialized to learn the rules of society so our society can maintain a level of social control for the stability of the population. The third section of this course devotes time to racial and ethnic inequality, social class, and global stratification. I will detail how these three intersect at various points as well as describe that racial inequality and stratification still exist, even in 2007. This class is NOT a lecture based class. To me, the study of sociology is more than learning key terms and memorizing facts. To truly see how sociology operates in our lives, one must be willing to think critically about society and current events. Thus, I usually will not lecture but will ask questions and expect students to respond and engage not only myself but other classmates in discussion. I assume that students have read the assigned material before class and will come prepared to discuss. My goal is for students to engage their sociological imaginations in order to understand how their lives have been shaped. The textbook will be used to supplement critical sociological concepts and to facilitate more in-depth conversations in class as well as on exams. Because I choose not to lecture every class meeting, attendance and participation is a required component of the course. If you are looking for a course that you be a nameless face in THIS IS NOT THE CLASS FOR YOU. If you are looking for a course in which you can take notes, memorize, and then take a midterm and final exam THIS IS NOT THE CLASS FOR YOU. If you are looking for a course that you do not have to pay attention in, that doesn’t require you to participate in THIS IS NOT THE CLASS FOR YOU. REQUIRED TEXT: Henslin, J. M. (2005). Sociology: A Down To Earth Approach, 8th ed. Boston: Pearson / Allyn and Bacon.

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Syllabus – S07

Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology

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ACADEMIC HONESTY: Beginning in the fall 1999 semester, Kansas State University initiated an Honor System based on personal integrity, which is presumed to be a sufficient assurance that, in academic matters, one's work is performed honestly and without unauthorized assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, when they register, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the K-State Honor System. The policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, as well as on-line. A component vital to the Honor System is the inclusion of the Honor Pledge, which applies to all assignments, examinations, and other course work undertaken by students. "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work." Please see: http://www.ksu.edu/honor/ If you are caught cheating you will be reported to the Honor Council and you will receive an ‘F’ in this course. DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: Kansas State University is dedicated to providing equal opportunity and access for every student. The staff of Disability Support Services (DSS) provides a broad range of supportive services in an effort to ensure that the individual needs of each student are met. In addition, the staff functions as an advocate for students with disabilities on the K-State campus. Through active involvement with all areas of the University, the office is able to monitor conditions relevant to students with disabilities and to provide help with decisions affecting their quality of life. DSS is located at 202 Holton Hall, phone number 785-5326441 or email: [email protected]. CLASS EXPECTATIONS: • Be on time and attend class. • Access the class online before and after each class meeting. • Written assignments should be typed, double spaced with Times New Roman 12 inch font. Absolutely no handwritten assignments will be accepted. No late work without University excuse accepted. Most assignments will be turned in via K-State Online, please familiarize yourself with it. • Do NOT use cellphones, PDA’s, iPods, etc in class. If you fall asleep during class time, read the newspaper, study for another class, disrespect the instructor or another classmate and so on, you will be asked to leave (it is too distracting for the instructor and other students, and is disrespectful to the class). Refusal to comply with this request to leave the classroom can, according to the University’s Student Government Association Rules and Regulations in the undergraduate catalog, be grounds for a charge of academic misconduct. I give you my full attention during the class and I expect that you do the same. • Actively participate in each class meeting. • Treat members of the class with the respect and dignity afforded to all human beings in a just society • If you are having problems with the course in any way, shape, or form PLEASE talk to me about it BEFORE it becomes a problem. ASSIGNMENTS: In Class/homework assignments: In and out of class homework assignments will be assigned during various times in the semester. Homework will be discussed in class. In class assignments will usually consist of your response to a reading, a chapter of the book, a movie, or a group project that will be completed in class and require a paper to be written. The homework assignments will not ask for your opinion but a response to a question. Homework will be listed on the calendar section of K-State Online. In class assignments will not be listed and credit will only be given to students who are either University excused or in class that day. Homework will be turned in through K-State Online fileshare service. Instructions for turning the assignment in will be posted online.

Syllabus – S07

Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology

Online Quizzes through KSOL At the end of each chapter I will assign a online quiz to be completed through K-State Online. The quiz is 10 questions long and will be worth 10 points. After completion, the quiz will tell you which questions you answered correctly. Hint: Some of the questions on the midterm and final examinations will be on these quizzes; it is to your benefit to complete them. The quizzes will usually be available on a Thursday or Friday and will be due the following Tuesday giving you ample time to meet with a sociology PA if necessary. I will not accept excuses for assignments not turned in due to computer malfunctions, a misreading of due date/time, or an incorrectly submitted file. Please, do not even ask. Participation/Attendance: The class as I envision it needs your participation. I do my best to encourage you to participate because it makes you an active learner. This means that attendance and participation are both encouraged and required. As stated above you will not receive points for in-class assignments unless you are either in class or are part of an intercollegiate activity recognized by the University and the University has excused you from that day’s class. Being sick, a family emergency, a fraternity trip, a doctors appointment, another group project, or work are not acceptable excuses for missing class. Notification prior to missing class does not constitute an excuse. A note from your RA or from the Student Life does not constitute an automatic excuse. If I receive notices from these people I will investigate the absence. I also have the right to award attendance points on any day where student attendance is low. Please, do not ask to be allowed to make up missed in-class work if you do not have a University excused reason for being absent. You will not receive credit. Examinations: I will give two exams which will test your knowledge, comprehension, and ability to apply concepts. The midterm examination will cover chapters discussed in the first half of class on the idea of the sociological perspective, theory, culture, and social control and the agents of socialization. This exam will be 50 questions (multiple choice and true/false) each and will require you to bring a scantron to class. The final examination will be a cumulative exam which will incorporate materials from each of the previous exam plus the chapters on racial inequality, class, and stratification. All examination dates are noted in the course schedule. Test content will be a combination of material from the text and from in-class discussions. If you are unable to attend class on the test day contact me before the examination. If you do not contact me with documentation regarding your need to miss class you will forfeit your chance at taking the exam. If you are more than 10 minutes late to an exam you forfeit your option to take the exam. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Group project/presentation: The class will be split into small groups and given a chapter and a social problem that relates to the chapter. The groups will research all angles and arguments relating to the social problem to prepare a presentation to the class that discusses that social problem in relation to the three perspectives identified in class. Discussion topics include an overview of the issue, how it came to be, why is it a major problem, who does it effect and how, how would the three perspectives go about solving the problem? Each member of the group should participate in all aspects of the research, planning, and in-class discussion. Plan on each presentation lasting about 15 minutes long. In class meeting times, discussions about the presentation, and presentation dates are posted on the course outline. The dates for presenting are non-negotiable. Extra Credit: There will be ample extra credit opportunities, most of which involve writing a paper on a given topic. Since there are many opportunities please do not ask me at the end of the semester if I can give you extra points so your final grade will be higher or if there will be any more extra credit. I suggest that you complete at least one extra credit assignment. If you are missing more than two regular assignments you will not be able to use your extra credit at the end of the semester.

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Syllabus – S07

Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology

Final Grades: If, at the end of the semester, you are earning an 89.6% in the class I will NOT bump you up to an ‘A’ if: 1) you have not completed all assignments, 2) you have not completed at least one of the extra credit assignments and 3) I will also check your attendance and participation in the course. K-STATE ONLINE: K-State Online is a tool that can enhance your learning experience outside of the classroom. On the course website I will have extra readings related to the chapter, websites that relate to discussion materials, and anything else I can find that’s interesting. I urge you to read more about a chapter or subject you find interesting. I will try to post course PowerPoints online – I may not get to it immediately but I will do my best. Any and all information on the powerpoint is copyrighted to Kara N. Dillard. You may not take notes or print the slides or any information on the slides and sell them to others or distribute them outside of the class. You may not share any quiz or paper assignment questions with anyone outside the course. Anyone found in violation is subject to disciplinary action. If you are having problems submitting a paper or quiz to KSOL do not call me/email me/not turn in the assignment. You must get in touch with the HelpDesk: Phone (local) 785-532-7722 (toll free) 800865-6143. Email: [email protected], Walking in: 313 Hale Library. Grading, K-State Online, and Email etiquette: DO NOT: • Assume assignments are automatically graded just because you turn them in online. • Email if you are having trouble with K-State Online. Call the Help Desk • Email me regarding a submitted assignment before two weeks of turning it in. • Email me regarding you missing a class. If you have questions check the calendar. • Email me asking how you submit an assignment via K-State Online. Instructions will be posted online under the content section. If you cannot find the information please ask a classmate. • Email me about an assignment that you don’t remember doing because you weren’t in class. It means you were not in class on a day we did an in-class assignment. Grading, K-State Online, and Email etiquette cont’d: DO: • Include your full name when you email me. • Submit assignments in the proper fashion. Any assignment turned in incorrectly will not receive points. I will not accept excuses as to why you turned in your assignment improperly. And in closing…. A little about me: Manhattan is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever lived. The prairie land, the rolling hills, the trees, and the weather are all beautiful. I visited campus once as an undergraduate for a debate tournament and thought it was great, but I never imagined coming here as a student. As a Utah native I come from state and a population that prides itself on its religious and cultural values. Those values are still a large part of who I am even though college has done its best to persuade me otherwise.
I really enjoy getting to know my students and hope that we can find some things to connect over. I have three dogs and am allergic to cats. I love the Dave Matthews Band and have adopted both the KC Royals and the KC Wizards as my new favorite sports teams. You can impress me by being a part of class. I really love sociology and I’m excited about teaching it. I hope you’ll be excited about the class and will be involved.

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Syllabus – S07

Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology

Student Contract Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology Spring Semester 2007 Ms. Kara N Dillard, MA I have read and understand the information contained in the syllabus for Sociology 211: Introduction to Sociology, spring semester 2007. I understand my responsibilities in this course with regards to but not limited to: o o o o o

Class expectations Assignments Participation/Attendance Final grading policy Copyright/no sharing policy

I understand that the information contained in this syllabus will be presented to me in class during the second week in the semester as well as a copy of this syllabus will be posted on the course’s K-State Online webspace.

___________________________________ Printed Name ___________________________________ Signature ________________________ Date

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