Sociology
1010: Introduction to Sociology SP 2012
Teaching
Professor Robert O. Keel
- E-mail: rok@umsl.edu
(I'll try to reply to contacts within 24 hours--except on weekends)
- Office: 712
SSB Tower
- Phone: 516-6052
-
Prof.
Keel
's Homepage: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr
- Curriculum
Vitae
- Office Hours:
Monday 2:00-3:00 PM; Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 AM-12:15 PM. If these specific
times don’t meet your needs, call or e-mail to see if we can arrange
an appointment. Try "BB-IM,"
too.
This syllabus
contains:
Textbooks:
Required: Sociology, 12th edition, Richard Schaefer, McGraw-Hill,
2010. ISBN-13 9780073404332- Optional
(recommended but not required): Primis: Readings in Sociology,
Robert Keel, Primis Division, McGraw-Hill, 2005. ISBN: 0-390-54904-5 (most
of these readings will be available online).
- There will a
variety of "Virtual
Handouts" (WWW sites, online essays, and cyber-reports to read and
explore) assigned as additional readings throughout the semester. Accessing
some of these handouts will require that you log on to "Roksworld"
web site (username: student, password: umsl).
Important
Information:
- Please
do not print this document or other course materials unless absolutely necessary. All documents available
online are meant to be used online and are accessible from any internet location--save
paper, save a tree.
- There are students
from two "sections" enrolled in this course: a day section (001) meeting Tuesday and Thursday and an Internet-only section (002). The REQUIREMENTS FOR
ALL STUDENTS are exactly the same.
- MyGateway
Class Pages: http://mygateway.umsl.edu.
Here you will find a link to the class MyGateway site, all class information,
communication tools, assignments, and grades. See this
for information on logging onto and using the MyGateway site, as well as an
outline
of the contents in the class MyGateway site.
- Minimum
Technology Requirements (especially, but not just for online
students) and a variety of useful technology
tutorials.
- Course
Tools and Campus Computing Resources
- Assignments,
Readings and Class Schedule (all sections): in the Assignments area
of the class MyGateway site, or: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/010/010assign.html
- Class
Lectures and Discussion:
- All
students are expected to "attend" two
class sessions each week; Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
- All sessions
will be broadcast and archived using Wimba.
- Students
from any section that miss a live class session are expected to playback
the Wimba archive(s) from that day.
- Day
Section 001 meets:
- Tuesday
from 9:30-10:45 AM in 100 Lucas.
- Thursday
for 9:30-10:45 AM in 100 Lucas.
-
Internet-only section (002): Students are expected to attend
class using Wimba (live sessions
OR if your schedule doesn't allow you to attend the
live classes, you have 7 days following a class to review its archived recording and receive attendance credit).
- See
Wimba,
below, for information on using Wimba to "attend" class,
and for information on playing back archived class sessions. Archives
of Wimba class sessions should be reviewed
prior to the start of the following class session. See, "Attendance"
for information more information--including the use of Wimba MP3
and MP4 files of class sessions.
- Class Homepage: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/010/intro.html
- Roksworld (username: student, password: umsl)
- Sociology Department
Homepage: http://www.umsl.edu/~sociolog/
Teaching
Assistants:
Doc Luecke
Jennifer Pierce (Undergraduate Teaching Assistant)
Course
Description:
This course is
an introduction to sociological theory. It provides an overview of both
classical and contemporary sociological theory. Special emphasis is given to
the historical context and the philosophical background out of which sociological
theory emerges as well as the individuals responsible for identifying and developing
the core concepts and perspectives which serve as the basis for sociological
theorizing.
The main objective
of this course is help students understand the relevance of sociological theory
to their everyday lives--to place personal experiences into the broader perspective
of sociological understanding, and to understand the human being as a truly
social being.
Course
Objectives, Learning
Goals,
and Expectations:
The basic objective
of this course is to provide the introductory student with a general survey
of the discipline of sociology, and to place modern social thought in a historical
perspective. Lectures, reading assignments, discussions, small group interactions
and critical thinking activities will be used to familiarize students with the
theories, methods and concepts of sociological analysis. Specifically, students
will be expected to:
- Formulate a
conception of social theory as not only an abstract interpretation of social
processes, but as a practical tool for decision and policy-making.
- Develop a sense
of the sociological perspective and apply it to reach an understanding of
their own lives in a post-industrial/post-modern society.
- Assess social
scientific research in terms of theory, methods and ethics.
- Develop an analysis
of current social problems using the sociological perspective
- Demonstrate
an understanding of the mechanisms and historical course of social change
and its impact on their lives, values, and beliefs.
Students are expected
to consider each of these objectives, goals, and expectations when contributing
to class discussions and in completing their written work. The understanding
and application of the assigned readings and class discussion is a necessary
part in earning a top grade in this course.
Expectations,
Class Conduct, and Student Responsibilities (a must read!)
Course
Requirements (Students
who submit work past a due date are subject to penalties, point deductions,
or not having their work accepted for grading.)
- Syllabus
quiz: due by Friday, January 27, 2012 close of business, 5:00 PM. (15 points possible)
- Attendance/SOL
(45 points)
and
- Critical Thinking
Project: (140
points possible)
- 5 Tests:
(40 questions, 1 point per question, 200 points possible)
- Final
Exam: (100 questions, 1 point per question, 100 points)
1.
Syllabus Quiz (15 points)
- The syllabus
quiz is required.
- Read the full
course syllabus (this document including links
to supporting documents).
- Access the syllabus
quiz by the link in the Assignments area (third item in this
area) of the MyGateway course site.
- The syllabus
quiz must be completed, with a perfect score of 15, by Friday, January 27, 2012, close of business, 5:00 PM.
- If the quiz
is not completed with a perfect score of 15, NO points will
be awarded. If you complete the syllabus quiz with a score of 15,
you will be awarded 15 points.
- You can take
the syllabus quiz multiple times prior to Friday, January 27, 2012, close of business, 5:00 PM.
2. Attendance,
Introductions, and Sign of Life: They
are all really just expected (45 points for the semester).
All
students are expected to "attend" two class
sessions each week. Live class sessions are held Tuesday and Thursday from
9:30-10:45 AM in 100 Lucas.
- Students
may attend class in a variety of ways: live--face-to-face (this is the
preferred and encouraged option), live via Wimba,
or by reviewing the Wimba archives.
You are responsible for the content of all class sessions.
- If
you can't attend a live class session, the Wimba archives of that session
should be reviewed prior to the next class session, or within seven (7) days
to receive the basic attendance credit of 1 point
per class session. Click the link: Wimba,
for detailed instructions for using Wimba
Live Classroom.
- You can download mp3 and mp4 files of the Wimba archives for playback
on Ipods and home computers. PLEASE NOTE: I CANNOT track these downloads
or playbacks and therefore CANNOT assign attendance points for using these
file formats. HOWEVER, if you cannot access the online archives or cannot
attend the live class, reviewing the mp3 or mp4 recordings will provide
you with access to course content, AND you can earn additional engagement
points by making additional contributions to the weekly class discussion
forum. See, Online
and In-Class Participation--Sign
of Life (SOL) and
contact Prof. Keel for details and permission to use
this option.
Weekly
SOL: I consider attendance to involve more than simple
"presence," so a "sign of life" (SOL) posting
is expected from every student each academic week.
If you don't contribute to the live class discussion, you are expected to post an "SOL" in the online discussion board forum. Students who view the archived class recordings will have to post in the online forum to earn their SOL points. (see information on the required introduction, below).
- SOL postings
must focus on the assigned readings and lecture notes
for the week. They can be what you found most
interesting and/or what might still be confusing to you (don't simply
state you don't understand something--demonstrate what you have done to
figure out an answer to your question so we can help steer you in an appropriate
direction), or you can discuss how the material for the coming week represents
a key class theme. You are expected to provide evidence of your engagement
in the class and understanding
of the ongoing in-class discussion and presentations--approximately
50-75 words.
- The
weekly "SOL" threads in the "Sociological Imagination Sign
of Life" discussion forum open and close at 9:00 AM on Tuesday each
week.
- To
post in the SOL forum: from the class MyGateway site, select, Discussion
Board, and then click on the "Sociological Imagination Sign of Life" forum
to open it. Select the appropriate thread. Use the reply button to reply
to the message with your introduction. Be sure to use the "Submit"
button to post your reply. If you use the "Save" button,
your work will not be available to anyone other than yourself, and will
not be counted. You can detect a saved message by noting the designation
"(draft)" after the subject. You can "modify" a saved
(draft) message and submit it.
- Basic help
with using discussion forums can be found at: http://www.umsl.edu/technology/mgwhelp/stuhelp/studiscussion.html.
- Introductory
Message
- For
your first "SOL," all students are required to post an introductory
message in the "Week 1" thread in the "Sociological
Imagination Sign of Life" forum in the class Discussion Board.
- Your
introductory message should include a brief account of your background,
why you are taking this course, and what you expect to get out of
the course experience.
- Your
introductory message must be posted by Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9:00 AM.
- You are encouraged to make an additional, substantive SOL for week 1, too and earn and additional point.
- Attendance,
SOL, and Participation scores will be updated in the MyGateway class grade
book every few weeks starting the third week of the semester. Announcements
will be made in class and MyGateway when scores are updated. See 72
hour rule. Two (2) points for plain and simple attendance--one point per class session;
and 1 point for a SOL ("sign of life"). 45 points total for the
semester.
3.
Optional:
Online and In-Class Participation. Class
participation, over and above the basic level of participation expected
as part of your attendance/SOL score, is
an optional component of the class. Students can earn
up to 30 points (up to 1-2 points per week during the regular semester, 2-3
points per calendar week during the summer) for
additional contributions to the current week's "SOL" thread
in the "Sociological Imagination Sign of Life" discussion forum (threads
open and close at 9:00 AM on Tuesday each week and are checked
daily by TAs and/or instructor).
- Additional
SI-SOL postings must be of at least 75 words and convey a distinct
sense of understanding of the ongoing in-class discussion and presentations.
- Additional
SI-SOL postings must be made on separate days (minimum 2 hour time
interval).
- Simple
messages indicating agreement (or just your presence) will earn less than
1 point, messages displaying an understanding of basic concepts, theories,
and ideas can earn 1-2 points, and messages extending and applying core concepts
and perspectives can earn up to 3 points (exceptional work).
- For
those attending live class sessions, exceptional In-class participation will
be counted as part of your participation score.
- Participation (over and above the expected SOL) can also be a means of earning
points for viewing Wimba MP3 and MP4 files in lieu of in-class attendance
or Wimba archive viewing. You must contact
Prof. Keel
for details and permission to use this option.
Students
should display their understanding of basic sociological concepts, theories,
and analysis in main class discussion forum, and/or during in-class discussions
and presentations. Messages and commentary in the for-credit forums should
be questions, comments, extensions of in-class discussion, "mini-reports"
on individual research, and/or replies relevant to the theme of the ongoing
online discussion.
- You can
find further guidance on our expectations for online participation in
the "General Class Discussion" forum in the class MyGateway
site.
- Since a
mark of an educated individual is the ability to communicate effectively
and precisely, style, grammar, and spelling count. Poorly organized postings
and those that have multiple grammatical and spelling errors will not
be acceptable.
- Appropriate
resources and references should be included in your forum and communication postings--even
if you are only using the text book. See academic integrity
statement and Turnitin
information.
- "Weeks"
begin and end at 9:00 AM on Tuesdays. Attendance and SOL/Participation
scores will be updated in the MyGateway class grade book every few weeks
beginning the third week of the semester. Announcements will be made in
class and MyGateway when scores are updated. See 72
hour rule.
NOTE:
Multiple messages posted on a single day to a single forum may not necessarily
count towards the semester total unless they each contribute substantially
to the forum topics. Multiple messages in the final weeks and/or days
of the semester by students who have not been active in the class do not
reflect "class engagement," and will NOT necessarily be counted
toward your point total. All students will receive periodic feedback
(public and private) from the instructor (or TAs) to keep them aware of
their progress with this requirement. It is critical that students
check their campus email to receive private communication from the instructor.
See the orientation message in the general discussion forum for more information.
The instructor
and TAs will post questions of substantive concern for class discussion,
but students are encouraged to initiate their own discussion topics. Students
are expected investigate relevant resources, and participate in the ongoing,
online, class discussion; and attend weekly in-class discussions on a regular
basis.
For-credit forums
will close on Sunday, May 6, 2012 (end of day).
4.
Critical Thinking Project
(140 points possible):
- There is a 3
part (plus set-up) critical thinking project to be completed over the course of the semester.
Ideally students will work together on the project, however failing cooperation,
it is certainly possible for a student to complete the project on their own.
Every student is responsible for the completion of the project and the group
wiki.
- See the Critical Thinking
Project folder in the class MyGateway site's "Project" (or
Assignments area) for details.
- Groups/individuals will
use wikis to document and report their group activity.
- Due dates are
posted on the "Assignments, Readings, and
Course Schedule," and can be found on the various assignments
posted in the "Group Areas" section of the MyGateway site.
- Be sure
to complete the "Email Feedback Consent." You can find the email
feedback consent "test" in the "Project" section
of MyGateway. Until you give consent, you will have to visit Prof.
Keel or a TA to receive full feedback on the group project.
- See
academic integrity statement and Turnitin
information.
- Critical Thinking Project
(set-up plus 3 parts): 140 points total.
5.
Tests
(200 points possible for 5 tests and 100 points for the Final Exam; total 300
points possible)
There will be five (5) tests (40 questions, 1 point each, 40 points per exam)
given during the semester and a comprehensive Final Exam. The
tests are designed to evaluate your comprehension of the basic material presented
in the course: assigned readings, online lecture notes, and other online resources.
All these resources will be supplemented by in-class and online discussions.
Class engagement and participation (face-to-face, online, and written work)
will be another part of your evaluation-they are not designed to cover "what
is on the test," rather they are designed to evaluate your ability to synthesize
course material and develop a sociological understanding of life in modern society