Instructor: Donna Galvan MA

•  E-Mail: galvand@macomb.edu

•  Work Telephone: 313-961-0360 x4432

SOCY-1010 - Principles of Sociology
4.00 Credit Hrs
Prerequisite: None

(Formerly SOC 101) The study of the origin, development, organization and function of human societies. Emphasis will be on culture, socialization, group behavior, social stratification, and social change. (4 contact hrs)

Available in MCC's SOUTH CAMPUS bookstore and various online retailers (e.g. Bigwords.com).
Off site book stores are less expensive than the campus book stores.

• The Learning System for Sociology 4e, Macomb Community College Edition, by Brym/Lie/Cohen/Gjokaj

OR

• Title: Sociology: Your Compass for a New World 2e Brief edition
• Author: Rober J. Brym, John Lie
• Publisher: Thomson Wadsworth
  
  
• All Textbooks and materials for online classes are available at the South Campus Bookstore. Contact Tracy Stuyck
• 586-445-7390 or email stuyckt@macomb.edu

I. INTRODUCTION to SOCIOLOGY: Sociology is one of the social sciences that are concerned with the discovery of the basic structures of human society. As a discipline, sociology is interested in identifying the main forces that hold the various structure of human society together and to understand the forces that may weaken our structure. In addition, sociology attempts to understand the mechanisms employed by society in the perpetuation of its culture.

II. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE: The focus of this course is to enable the student to think critically about the social change and the social structure in which it takes place. Emphasis is placed on both the application of Sociology as a way of understanding the different dynamics that are present in our society and a medium for learning about the difference and similarities of different societies.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

ATTENDANCE

Students are not graded on attendance, however it is highly recommended that students attend each class. Student should be in the classroom before the schedules start time for class. If lateness becomes a problem the instructor reveres the right to close and lock the door. In addition, all assignments are due at the start of class, if a student is not there the assignment is considered late.

You should also consult MCC's Student Academic Policies for Class Withdrawal guidelines.  Dropping out of this class or not completing work assignments may result in a failing grade if the proper procedures are not followed.  Drops are Student's Responsibility:  If a student elects to drop the course he/she must do so through the proper procedure. Failure to withdraw from the class will result in an "E" being recorded. 

Last Day to Withdrawal with a "W" grade is the 7th day of week 6.


PLAGIARISM STATEMENT

With online coursework, there is an assumed trust and responsibility of the student to hand in assignments they themselves have created, and to also properly acknowledge outside sources. Macomb Community College has a clear policy regarding plagiarism, and its consequences.

The Macomb Community College Student Handbook entitled, "Handbook on Rights & Responsibilities," was adopted by the MCC Board of Trustees 2/21/89. On page 7, [Article XI. Integrity of Academic Work], it states:

"Any violation of academic integrity is a serious offense for which the student will be subject to grading sanctions up to and including failure in the class involved. The grading sanctions will be administered by the classroom instructor. In addition, the student may be subject to disciplinary action on the part of the College."

Section E.
"A person is guilty of plagiarism who fails to give credit for any ideas or material taken from another for either written or oral presentation. The offering of materials assembled or collected by others in the form of projects or collections without acknowledgment also is considered plagiarism."

Students found plagiarizing will fail the course.

INSTRUCTOR & INSTITUTION POLICY ON CHEATING

Students are expected to complete work on their own (expect where it is noted as a group or team project), students that have others complete their work, copy the work of other students, or are found to cheat on test and/or other assignments will fail that assignment. Students found cheating will fail the assignment(s) which may result in failing the course.


ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments are to be typed with standard margins, 11 point Tahoma font. Students will have 10% of points allotted deducted from the grade for failure to do so.

CLASS EXPECTATION

1. Each student is expected to participate in class, as class participation excels the learning experience.
2. Students are expected to have read the materials for lecture.
3. Cell phone/pager will either be turned off or set to silent mode, if your cell phone/pager disrupts class 2 point will be deducted from your overall grade for each instance.
4. Late assignments will automatically have a 10% deduction in points.
5. NO MAKE UP TEST WILL BE GIVEN.
6. Scantron forms are the student's responsibility, for this class you will need 10, although having a few extra is recommended.
7. If you are going to miss class it is your responsibility to notify the instructor.
8. The syllabus is a guideline for when lectures, test and projects are due, the dates are subject to change.
9. The student's name should appear in the upper most right hand corner of all papers that are submitted.
10. All papers and journals should be submitted stapled in the upper left hand corner, binders or folders of any kind will not be accepted.

As in many classes, students are asked questions, in Sociology many of the questions can be of a sensitive nature. Students are expected to respond to questions in a thoughtful/non-offensive manner. While you will be allowed to offer criticisms, they must have a sound foundation that you can back with sources/facts. The instructor will notify students who are displaying offense "behavior"; continued offense will affect the student's grade.

E-MAIL PROTOCOL

Students are expected to follow the same class expectations, noted above, for e-mails. Students will also be respectful of the time it may take to respond to e-mails. Students will also not send jokes, chain letters or potentially offensive e-mails.

SYLLABUS

The syllabus serves as a guide for assignments and lectures. It is subject to change. The instructor will notify students of a change in the syllabus, however, it is the students responsibility to review and print a new version of the syllabus.

ASSIGNMENT / PROJECT / EXAMS /
# POINTS / DUE DATES

Below is an overview of assignments, each week you will be given detailed instructions for that week's assignments.

Tests - Students will complete two timed tests, serving as the mid-term and final exams. Student will be tested on the material from the book. Each test will be 100 questions and students will have 2 hours to complete them. Tests are worth 100 points each.

Total Points: 200
Dates:

Exercises - Students will be given an exercise that covers the assigned reading. The exercises consist of 25 multiple choice question, student will be allowed use their book, and this should be considered homework. (If a student is not in class on the day these are handed out they will not be allowed to make up the assignment, however the student will be proved with a copy.) These exercises can serve as study guides for the mid-tem and final exams. There will be a total of eight exercises. Each exercise is worth 25 points each.

Total Points: 200
Dates:

Article Summaries - Students will search reliable news publications (Detroit News, New York Times, Time, Newsweek, etc.) on-line to find an article that related to the reading assignment for that time frame. Students will type a one-page summation. With the following criteria: summary of the article, relation to the class (minimum of one full paragraph) and student's thoughts on the article. Students will also need to provide documentation on the article it self. Source/Publication, Title, Author and Date. An example is provided. Students will submit a total of eight article summaries, for 25 points each.

Total Points: 200
Due Dates:

Movie Reviews - Each student will be responsible to watch two movies from the list provided, and we will be watching two movies in class. Students will then type a one page minimum 2 page maximum response for each of the movies (4) based on the questions provided. We will also hold a discussion about the two movies watched in class, the discussions will focus on the Sociological impact of the movie. Students will be graded not only on their responses to the questions, but their ability to link the movie to the class. Each movie is worth 100 points.

Total Points: 400
Due Dates:

Demographic Analysis - Using American Fact Finder through the U.S. Census Bureau students will write a summation of demographics for the Zip Code they live in. They will then compare this information to the state and country overall. Students will explain difference in population composition, income, and other factors. Student will post their analysis in the discussion board set up for this assignment. Students then will discuss their findings in the discussion boards. More information will be provided on week four. The Demographic Analysis is worth 200 points.

Total Points 200
Due Date:

Extra Credit - At this time no extra credit will be offered.
Late assignments - Late assignments will automatically have a 10% deduction in the grade.
Make-up - No make up test will be allowed.

Timeliness = All assignments are due on the prescribed day at the beginning of class.  Once entries are made in the grade book, scores stand.  A zero will be entered for all missing work unless prior arrangements have been made.

Letter Grade Range

1104 to 1200 points A 92.0% -100.0%
1080 to 1103 points A- 90.0% - 91.9%
1056 to 1079 points B+ 88.0% - 89.9%
984 to 1055 points B 82.0% - 87.9%
960 to 983 points B- 80.0% - 81.9%
936 to 959 points C+ 78.0% - 79.9%
864 to 935 points C 72.0% - 77.9%
840 to 863 points C- 70.0% - 71.9%
816 to 839 points D+ 68.0% - 69.9%
744 to 815 points D 62.0% - 67.9%
720 to 743 points D- 60.0% - 61.9%
000 to 719 points E 00.0% - 59.9%

Some of the following materials are provided in Adobe PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader plug-in installed on your computer, click here to go to Adobe's web site and download it for free.

ARTICLE SUMMARY (pdf)

DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT (Word)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT (pdf)

MOVIE REVIEWS (pdf)