COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE

Introduction to Sociology
SOC 101 I01 Fall Semester 2008

The instructor for your course is Dr. Wes Abercrombie. You can speak to him by telephone at (803) 822-3227 or contact him via email at abercrombiew@midlandstech.edu. Below is a brief statement about the course orientation, required texts and the course syllabus for your review, followed by a detailed review of the course's structure. You need to read the information below entirely and thoroughly. Afterwards, you will be directed to a exam based on the readings you have just finished. The exam tests your understanding of the course format. IF YOU DO NOT MAKE AT LEAST A 70 ON THE TEST, YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. ABERCROMBIE for a face-to-face orientation the first week of the semester. IF YOU DO NOT MAKE THE APPOINTMENT, OR FAIL TO ATTEND THE APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.

Dr. Abercrombie understands that many students have taken other internet courses. The subject of this course is different. The format of this course is different. Testing, task work and discussion work is different. Past experiences with other internet courses are not an indication of potential performance in this course. You MUST either take the online orientation exam and score a minimum score of 70% or attend an orientation. If you do not, you WILL be dropped from the course.

Overview of Course

This course is divided into 3 components. Each component consists of a series of discussion questions about your reading assignments and other tasks. You must complete each set of tasks before the posted deadline, achieving a satisfactory grade, and then take the corresponding exam before the component's completion deadline. You will also have to complete a series of article reviews, each with their own deadline for completion. The course also has a research paper requirement. Finally, there is a cumulative final required at the end of the course. Since there is no formal classroom in this course, the burden for staying on schedule falls upon the student.

Course Structure

Course Modules
The course is divided into three (3) modules. This division is temporal or based on time deadlines for course materials. Module One contains Exam One, Task One, and all the discussion topics that you are responsible to do during the period between the beginning of the course and the deadlines for Exam One and Task One. Module Two Contains Exam Two, Task Two, and all the discussion topics that you are responsible to do between the deadlines for Exam One and before the deadlines for Exam Two and Task Two. Module Three Contains Exam Three, Task Three, and all the discussion topics that you are responsible to do after the discussion topics you were supposed to complete in Module Two. The last one of these topic discussion's deadline is the end of the semester. You can also access these links in the link column on the left side of the course site.

Keep in mind, the major reason students fail this course is because they fall behind and miss due dates. Don't miss a due date. You don't get credit for the work if it is late! That is why I arranged the course in modules: to help keep you on schedule. Now, I realize that you have been reading about discussion topics, exams, and task work without knowing specifically what these things are. Don't become frustrated: they are explained below along with how your grade is determined.

Course Textbook
The required textbook for this course is Michael Kimmel and Amy Aronson. Sociology Now. Allyn & Bacon and the Mysoclab access code card. The two will be shrink wrapped (plastic wrapped together) at the campus bookstore. When you purchase this book make sure the access code is included with the book. You will need your textbook; much of the materials for the online discussion and tests come from the textbook.

Your grade is determined by three major course components: tests, discussion topic postings, and your paper. I have reviewed each below. Make sure you understand what each are, how they are presented online, and what percentage each accounts for in formulating your final grade. Many questions on your orientation exam will be based on that information.

Tests
You will have There will be three (3) tests during the semester and a final exam. You must take the final exam. Each test will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. If you miss the exam deadline, I am not required to provide make-up exams. Make-up tests or exams are not considered unless you present a written excuse from a formal authority such as the police, a judge, a wrecker service, a funeral director, a hospital, a commanding officer, or a doctor. Notes from parents, friends, coaches, or spouses are not acceptable- the excuse must originate from a formal, independent, verifiable authority.

The tests are delivered online. Each test can accessed by clicking on a link. The links are located in two different places. The first is in the link column on the left side of the course site. The other link is located in the appropriate module. For example, Exam One is labeled "Exam One" and is located in Module One and posted on the link column. Exam two is labeled "Exam Two" and is located in Module Two and posted on the link column below Exam One's link.

Keep in mind these important points about the tests:
1. Make sure you turn off your pop-up blocker. After you have clicked on the link, the test will appear in a pop-up window. If yourweb browser's pop-up blocker is operational the window will not appear, but the test's timer will start anyway!
1. That right! They are timed!! Don't open a test until you are ready to take it. Once you click on the test (open it) the timer automatically starts. The computer will grade that test, whether you answer questions or not. You cannot stop a test once you have started it.
2. Make sure you can complete the test once you have started it. If you are distracted or loose your internet connection, the timer continues to go. It is automated and I cannot stop it! So, make sure everyone in your home knows not to bother you before you start. Don't start the exam during a thunderstorm.
3. Remember: Once you open a test, you have committed yourself - you are stuck with that grade.
4. You can take Exam One twice! If you take the first exam and make a grade you like, don't take it again! If you get confused and want a second try on the exam - then take it again. If you click on the link again, the grade you get for that first exam will be the average of the two attempts. Remember: if you click on that link a second time, you have committed yourself to that test. You can't change your mind!
5. The first exam is the only test you can take twice, the rest you can only take once. Since that first exam is the first time you have attempted an exam in the course, you have the cushion to take it a second time. But after that first exam you should have a good idea about what is expected of you so you should be fully prepared. You shouldn't need second chances after that.
6. The materials covered on each exam and the time you have to take exams vary- so make sure you read the description of each exam before you open it. Make sure you have enough time and have reviewed all the materials you will be tested on before you open that link.
7. Watch those deadlines. Once a deadline for a test has passed, you cannot open the test!

Discussion Board Postings
The discussion board posting are designed to allow you to apply your developing sociological imagination. Your goal is to demonstrate your understandings of sociology by applying them- not by simply relating to the material through your own life experiences. Instead I want you to develop a wider scope of understanding about the nature of society and how that nature directs shared patterns of behavior among the population. Discussion boards topics are designed to help you do that. These topics will be based upon the information in the course textbook, mysoc lab, other reads, and current events.

The discussion postings operate similar to discussion boards on the interent. Click on the topic, it will open up. Then after you have read the material, click on the "reply" button. In the textbox that appear in a window (make sure you turn off your pop-up blocker) type in your response, then click on the "post" button below the textbox. That is it, your through!

You will be required to post on the board weekly. If you miss more than 4 discussion board postings you will be dropped from the course for failing to meet course attendance requirements. Expectations for your postings on activities on all boards reflect those expectations applied to students in a traditional classroom. Offensive language, personal insults or other postings deemed disruptive by me (the instructor) will not be tolerated and may lead to dismissal from the course. The purpose of the boards are to provide an interactive learning environment similar to those found in a classroom to foster a sense of student community, not to afford an opportunity for the arbitrarily exercise of free speech.

Important points to keep in mind about the discussion boards:
1. Make sure your response is complete. Don't just post a sentence or two and expect to get credit!
2. If you have more than one discussion point (question) to choose from, only pick one! Don't try to respond to all the discussion points, you'll write pages and pages!
3. If you like, you can respond to a student's posting instead of a discussion point: same credit awarded!
4. These topics have deadlines, so make sure you post to the discussion topic before the deadline. The topic shuts down after the deadline automatically so you can't post to it after the deadline!
5. Once these postings are put up, you can't pull them down and everyone knows who put what on the board. So, post responsibly.

Task Work
You will be required to do three tasks. These have deadlines too. Make sure you read the tasks well before their deadlines, since some will take longer than others to complete. One of the first things to keep in mind when approaching the construction of a task response is its primary function: to afford you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the sociological imagination by applying it. You should draw upon the information reviewed in the course correspondences and textbook to formulate the foundations of your response not simply present your personal opinion. Make sure you address all parts of the task fully and your work is properly organized. Make sure you define all your terms. Make sure you illustrate your key points with detailed examples. Make sure your response is in your own words. Your response length will vary depending upon writing style and the specific task, but generally I expect between one and a half pages to three pages. Remember this is a task or project not a short answer!

Chat room use
You have access to chat rooms in the course. These are constructed for real time discussions with the instructor during office hours and with other students. Expectations for student postings on activities on all boards reflect those expectations applied to students in a traditional classroom. Offensive language, personal insults or other postings deemed disruptive by the instructor will not be tolerated and may lead to dismissal from the course. The purpose of the boards are to provide an interactive learning environment similar to those found in a classroom to foster a sense of student community, not to afford an opportunity for the arbitrarily exercise of free speech.

Grade Calculation
The average of the three (3) tests and the final exam will constitute 80% of your final grade. The all tests and the final exam are mandatory and cannot be dropped. You are also required to participate in discussion board postings on a weekly basis. Discussion board activity represents the class participation measure of the course and constitutes 10% of your final grade. If you fail to adequately complete more than 25% of the course’s task work you will be dropped from the course for failing to meet course attendance requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure all emails to the instructor are received.

If you need special accommodations for class, tests, or the final exam documentation regarding a specific disability from the Counseling Service is required for accommodation arrangements. When informed, the instructor will make necessary accommodation arrangements for students. Confidentiality for the information received will be maintained. Since there is no formal classroom in this course, the burden for staying on schedule falls upon you. Do not place tasks in binders or folders if you are handing them in physically- emailing the material will be sufficient. Do not send material as attachments- paste the tasks directly into the body of the email.

NOTE: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO DELIVER ALL COURSE MATERIALS TO THE INSTRUCTOR BEFORE THE DEADLINE DATES. IT IS NOT THE INSTRUCTORS RESPONSIBILITY TO GATHER THE MATERIALS FROM THE STUDENT. IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR EMAIL SYSTEM THEN YOU NEED TO CALL THE INSTRUCTOR DURING HIS OFFICE HOURS. IF YOU CANNOT CALL DURING OFFICE HOURS OR THE INSTRUCTOR IS USING THE TELEPHONE WHEN YOU CALL YOU SHOULD LEAVE A MESSAGE. THE MESSAGE SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1. YOUR NAME
2. A TELEPHONE NUMBER YOU CAN BE REACHED AT (SPEAK SLOWLY)
3. SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY YOU COULD BE CALLED
4. SEVERAL DAYS DURING THE WEEK THE INSTRUCTOR MAY CALL
5. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM YOU ARE HAVING

DO NOT DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. LEAVE ANY COURSE ASSIGNMENTS OR MATERIALS WITH A THIRD PARTY
2. LEAVE ANY COURSE ASSIGNMENTS OR MATERIALS IN THE INSTRUCTOR'S MAIL BOX
3. SLIDE ANY COURSE ASSIGNMENTS OR MATERIALS UNDER THE INSTRUCTOR'S DOOR
4. SLIDE ANY COURSE ASSIGNMENTS OR MATERIALS UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER OF THE INSTRUCTOR'S CAR

*Calendars, course format, test format, discussion board usage and schedules may be altered at the discretion of the instructor based upon his perception of the needs of the class as a whole.

OK!! That's it!

At this point you need to go the course and take the "Orientation Test"
REMEMBER: You need to make at least a 70% on it!
Good luck!! (Make sure you register/enter SOC 101 I01)

CLICK HERE: http://courses6.midlandstech.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct