Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction to Sociology
Methods of Instruction: Readings, lectures, videos, discussions, Power Points, and an end of
the semester review activity.
Methods of Assessment: Pretest, quizzes, and final exam.
Required Text: Our Social World Sixth Edition, by Jeanne H. Ballantine and Keith A. Roberts.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage/Pine Forge.
Course Catalog Description: Introduction to the basic concepts of sociology relating to the
study of people as participants in group life. Particular attention is given to culture, socialization
and self development, social class, and major social institutions. Satisfies the university general
education requirement in the social science knowledge exploration area. Satisfies the university
general education requirement in U.S. diversity.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course students should be able to identify the major
sociological theorists as well as the major sociological areas of study, including both micro and
macro level approaches. In addition, students will become familiar with the most common
methodological and analytical tools used by social scientists in the research process. These
objectives will be achieved through course readings, lectures, discussions, quizzes, and through a
class presentation.
Attendance/Participation: All students are allowed 3 unexcused absences without penalty, but
after the 3rd absence there will be an 8 point reduction in participation points for each unexcused
absence. If students have 3 or less absences, then they will receive the full 50 participation
points. I will excuse absences for extreme emergencies and for students who have a note from
their doctor. Students who do not attend for the full class period will be considered absent,
unless if there is a legitimate reason for leaving early. Students should share their reasons for
leaving early with the instructor at the beginning of class, otherwise they will be marked absent.
Students who are more than 10 minutes late for class are considered tardy. Three unexcused
tardies equals one absence.
Cell Phone/Lap Top Policy: Please do not use lap tops, tablets, or cell phones while class is in
session.
Extra Credit: Extra credit will be given out to all students who choose to volunteer at least 1
hour of their time to help their community. Students can choose the organization that they wish
to volunteer for, but some possibilities would include: The Salvation Army, The Red Cross, soup
kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, tutoring, etc. Students must provide an official letter
from a site manager in order to receive 10 extra credit points. Another way to receive 25 extra
credit points would be to give a 10 minute in-class presentation on the topic of your choice, so
long as it is sociological. Students should submit their topic outlines to me by
Pretest: The pretest will occur on the first week of instruction. This pretest is worth a total of 10
points. All students will receive the full 10 points regardless of how many right or wrong
answers they select. This test is simply to assess the base sociological knowledge that students
are bringing with them at the start of the semester.
Quizzes: There will be 13 quizzes given throughout the semester. Each quiz will be worth 20
points for a total of 260 points. Quizzes will be given out every week on Fridays. If students
miss quizzes due to absences they cannot make them up by taking the quizzes at later dates,
but they can make up the points by writing a two page summary of the reading that was
assigned for the class that was missed. Students who have taken a quiz(s), but did not score as
high as they would have liked, can replace their quiz(s) score by writing a two page summary
outline of the reading that they were quizzed on. Summaries should be typed using 12 point font
with 1 inch margins all around. Scantron sheets are required for quizzes.
Final Exam: The final exam will be worth 60 points and will be given on the last day of class. I
will provide a final exam study guide toward the end of the semester. Scantron sheet is required.
Review Activity: On week fourteen there will be a review activity that will allow you to
synthesize the theoretical perspectives, methodologies, and major sociological principles covered
throughout the semester. I will provide directions for this exercise at the same time that the
assignment is posted on Blackboard. This exercise will also serve as a review for the online
exam. This activity will be worth a total of 20 points.
Course Points:
Quizzes – 20 points ea. 260 total points
Pretest – 10 - points
Review Activity – 20 points
Final Exam – 60 points
Participation/attendance – 50 - points
Extra Credit - up to 35 possible points
January
February
March
April