1. Syllabus Quiz
2. Attendance, Introduction, and Sign of Life (participation)
3. LearnSmart Tutorials
4. Critical Thinking Project
5. Tests
6. Back to the syllabus.

1. Syllabus Quiz (10 points)

• The syllabus quiz is required.
• Read the full course syllabus (including links to supporting documents).
• Access the syllabus quiz by the link in Module 1 of the Canvas course site.
• The syllabus quiz must be completed, with a perfect score of 10, by Friday, Janaury 26 at 5:00 PM.
• If the quiz is not completed with a perfect score of 10, NO points will be awarded. If you complete the syllabus quiz with a score of 10, you will be awarded 10 points.
• You can take the syllabus quiz multiple times prior to Friday, January 26 at 5:00 PM.

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2. Attendance, Introductions, and Sign of Life (SOL): They are all really just expected, you will be held responsible for the content of all class sessions (40 points for the semester:

• Module 1: 10 points, 3 points for your introduction and 2 points for your first SOL, 1 point per class session for attendance.
• Modules 2-7: 1 point per SOL (one expected per module), and 1 point per class session for attendance.

1. The live class is held in Clark 213 from 11:00 AM-12:15 PM, January 17-May 2, 2018.
2. Attendance: students may attend class in one of three ways:
   1. Face-to-face in the classroom.
   2. Live via the Zoom streaming broadcast. (see: using Zoom)
   3. If you cannot attend the live sessions, you will need to review the archived Zoom recording (see: Zoom) within 7 days or by the end of a module, whichever comes first) and post an "attendance message".
      1. There are attendance threads in each module located on the Module Zoom Recordings and Attendance Threads page. Open the page, review the appropriate recording, open the appropriate thread, and click "reply" to post an attendance message. "Attendance threads" open and close on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 AM.
         1. Your attendance posts should be a minimum of 150 words in length, succinctly summarize the in-class discussion and presentation, and convey a distinct understanding of the key concepts, issues, and information covered during the class. In your reply, there is no need to mention any general announcements (e.g., project due date reminders) or proceedings (e.g., going over working in a wiki) that come at the beginning of class. Focus only on summarizing the pertinent class material. Your reply should be presented as a coherent discussion. Write complete sentences and do NOT include bulleted lists! Also, before submitting your reply, use the spell check feature in the message's user interface and proofread your message to be sure that it is free of mechanical errors and is easy to read. You have one week from the time of the actual class to review the archive and post your "attendance" message. The due dates for attendance posts are indicated in the threads in the discussion forum. Be sure to post your attendance message in the appropriate archive viewing thread for each archive reviewed.
      2. Recordings do not have to be viewed in their entirety during one sitting (you can pause, stop and resume), but your "attendance post" each week must cover the entire session.
3. Sign of Life (participation)
   1. All students are expected to make a minimum of one contribution to the class discussion for each Module.
      1. You can earn your SOL point for each module through active engagement in the live class discussion (in class or via the Zoom chat).
      2. If you do not participate in at least one live class discussion during a Module, you will need to post a message in the Module's SOL thread found in each Module (reply to the SOL message or to another student's comment). SOL posts must be a minimum of 150 words.
      3. SOL Guidelines:
         1. Your SOL contributions should demonstrate two important signs of life. First, they should document your engagement in the class. That is to say, they should show that you are keeping up with the assigned readings and in-class discussions. Second, they should establish that you are thinking critically about the key concepts, issues, and information presented in those readings and class discussions. These are the two most elemental minimum SOL requirements. To show that you are able to go above and beyond the minimum requirements, you are encouraged to attempt to extend our discussions beyond the “classroom” by doing outside research on your own and presenting your findings to the rest of the class. Doing this will always be greatly appreciated and may even earn you an additional SOL point for your contribution. Likewise, your SOL contributions should NOT simply state that you find something in the class material interesting. They should NOT simply summarize class material. And, they should NOT simply pose questions to the rest of the class. You are more than welcome to approach your SOL contributions in these ways, but be sure to follow through! For example, tell us why and how you find something interesting. If you offer a summary of something that interests you, be sure to elaborate on that summary, demonstrating that you are thinking critically about the information in the process. When posing questions to the class, be sure to show that you have attempted to address those questions on your own. Share your findings with the rest of the class so that we may share a fresh perspective on those findings and possibly point you in a new direction. Lastly, your SOL contributions should be a minimum of 150 words in length, be presented as coherent discussions (i.e., using complete sentences and thoughts), and be free of spelling and grammatical errors. 
         2. 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. After you post your introduction, you can also reply to this message (or those of your classmates) to earn the other SOL point expected for this week (you can earn this point in class, too). Furthermore, additional posts can earn you additional points--as can additional participation in class. Additional posts must follow the established guidelines and be posted on different days of the week (2 hour minimum time difference)--see the syllabus for details. Additional SOL postings can be what you found most interesting and/or what is still confusing to you, or an elaboration on a key class theme. You are expected to provide some evidence of your engagement in the class and understanding of the ongoing in-class discussion and presentations--a minimum of 150 words.
   2. All students are expected to post an Introductory Message in the Module 1 Introductions thread to earn their first SOL point for the semester. A second, subject matter related SOL contribution is also expected for Module 1.
      1. 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 (minimum of 150 words).
      2. Your introductory message must be posted by Monday, January 22 by 11:00 AM.
   3. To post in the Introduction, SOL, or Attendance threads: Go to our Canvas course site and open the Modules area. Scroll to the current module and look for either the Module's SOL Thread (Introduction and SOL Threads for Module1) or for attendance messages, the Zoom Recording and Attendance Threads links. Click the link and select the appropriate thread. For your Introduction select: "Module 1 Introductions (due by Jan. 22 at 11:00 AM)." Use the reply button to reply to the message with your introduction. Be sure to use the "Post Reply" button to post your reply.
   4. Basic help with using discussion forums can be found at: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701#jive_content_id_Discussions.
4. Optional: Additional 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 15 points for the semester (up to 1-3 points per Module) for additional contributions to the in-class or online discussion.
5. Students should display their understanding of basic sociological concepts, theories, and analysis in the class discussion forum, and/or during in-class discussions.
6. 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.
7. Appropriate resources and references should be included in your forum postings--even if you are only using the text book. See the academic integrity statement and Turnitin information.
8. 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.
9. For-credit forums will close on Sunday, May 6 at 11:59 PM.

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3.LearnSmart Tutorials (one per chapter, 20 chapters, 10 points each, 200 points total)

1. The cost of your eBook (Connect Plus (eBook); Schaefer, Richard. 2012. Sociology, 13th edition.) and the McGraw-Hill Connect access code will be automatically added to your tuition and fees for this class by the end of January. If you drop the class prior to Janauary 30, your account will be credited accordingly--DO NOT OPT OUT if you wish to stay in the class--you will need to have access to the digital text and LearnSmarts in order to successfully complete the course.  See "AutoAccess FAQs". To access the eBook and the Connect LearnSmart tutorials:

   1. Go to the Modules area of our Canvas course site and open Module 1
   2. Open the page, "Module 1 Chapters, LearnSmarts, and Other Readings".
   3. click on the "Chapter 1. Understanding Sociology" link. You'll be redirected to the McGraw-Hill Connect site.
   4. Click "Continue," then click "Register." Enter your email address to verify or create a Connect account. If there is no account registered for the email address, you will be prompted to create an account.
   5. After an account is verified or created, a screen will appear noting that there is no fee or access code required. You will now have full access to the ebook and the Connect LearnSmart tutorials.
   6. Connect Tech Support can be reached at: 800-331-5094.
2. The LearnSmart tutorials are part of the required McGraw-Hill Connect system. You will find links for the LearnSmart tutorials are found in each module. Always use these links to access and complete the LearnSmart tutorials. If the link doesn't take you directly to the appropriate chapter, select it from the list presented.  Click "Practice" in the lower left-hand corner to open the LearnSmart or click "Read" to read the chapter. To receive full credit (10 points) for the LearnSmarts you must work through all the questions.  Please complete the LearnSmarts by the dates listed in each module in Canvas for the best learning experience (Chapter 1 LearnSmart is due by 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 24). For LearnSmarts 2-22, if you don't complete them by the listed dates, you can still earn full credit if you have them done by the end of the Module--and please complete them prior to taking the test.
3. Here is a brief description of LearnSmart from the McGraw-Hill FAQ page: "LearnSmart is a study product. As such, it is different from most other products you have used before. The goal of LearnSmart is to help you learn the topics presented in each assignment. To do this, LearnSmart will ask you a series of questions that will adapt to your strengths and weaknesses to guide you through the material you need to learn. By answering questions correctly, you work towards completing your assignment. However, you are not penalized for getting a question wrong. You will be given the opportunity to answer a question on the same topic later in your study session. If you are willing to put in the time, you can always achieve 100% completion on your assignments." You can find other information, and help on using LearnSmart on the McGraw-Hill FAQ page. Here is a short video on using LearnSmart.
4. Each course module lists the due dates for completing the assigned reading and LearnSmart tutorials. The LearnSmarts must be completed by the due date for the test in each Module of the course, however I would STRONGLY encourage you to complete them based on the "Assignments, Readings, and Course Schedule". Using these LearnSmarts and the rest of the eBook is the equivalent of doing the assigned reading for the class.

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4.Critical Thinking Project (100 points possible):

1. There is a Critical Thinking Project (Living at the Poverty Line) to be completed over the course of the semester. Every student is responsible for the completion of the project. If you wish to collaborate with another student or a group, please notify Prof. Keel or the TA by the end of the first week of the semester.
2. See the "Critical Thinking Project" area in the class MyGateway site for details and to access the class wikis, and for "wiki help."
3. Students will use our class wikis to document and report their activity.
4. the due date is listed in canvas, posted on the "Assignments, Readings, and Course Schedule", and can be found on the various assignments posted on the "Critical Thinking Project" web page.
5. See academic integrity statement and Turnitin information.
6. Critical Thinking Project (set-up and Living at the Poverty Line): 100 points total.

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5. Tests (275 points possible)

1. There will be seven (7) tests (35-40 questions each), 1 point per question) given during the semester-one for each module. 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.
2. Tests can be found in each module in our Canvas course site.
3. The tests are of mixed, objective format, consisting of multiple choice and true/false questions.
4. All tests are available. The specific due dates for the tests are detailed on the "Assignments, Readings, and Course Schedule" and in each course Module.
5. Tests may be taken from any Internet location, so in effect, the tests are "open book."
6. The tests are "timed" and it is advisable to use the Firefox web browser (or Google Chrome).
7. Each test can be taken twice. Your high score from the two attempts will serve as your final score on that test.
8. Following completion of a test, you will receive feedback--the questions, your answers, and whether your answers were right or wrong. It makes sense to use the feedback from a first attempt at a test as a study resource prior to taking the second attempt
9. You can also review your work on a test (after completion) by clicking on the grade in the grade reporting area of MyGateway: MyGrades.
10. If you go over time on a test attempt, you will be subject to a penalty of 2 points per minute (or fraction thereof) over time or not having the attempt count.
11. An attempt is an attempt. You may request up to three resets for technological "glitches" over the course of the semester. Submitted exams will not be available for reset.
12. BE PATIENT: when you click the "Begin" button to access an exam, ONLY CLICK ONCE, a double click will count as two attempts (and an attempt is an attempt).
13. Any concerns regarding your tests must be addressed within 72 hours following the end of an exam.
14. Note: TAs are available for review and discussion sessions (they may be online). The sessions will be offered based on student interest and initiative (you need to contact Prof. Keel and course TAs to arrange review sessions). The sessions will be a general review of the material to be covered on the test.

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