Course Syllabus

Introduction to Sociology
SYG 2000-05283
Meets Tuesday 7:00 pm-9:45 pm (DSSC 224)
Fall 2010
Credit Hours: (3)

Michael Boroughs, M.A.

mboroughsstuart@hawkmail.hccfl.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 6:30pm-7:00pm (DSSC 204) and 9:45 pm-10:15 pm (DSSC 224)

Introduction to Sociology is course designed to introduce students to a social science discipline

called Sociology. This course will familiarize students with the Sociological Perspective and will
examine how we have changed from an agrarian to an industrial and now information based
society. We will begin the course by learning some of the basics including Sociological theoretic
perspectives and research methods. Once we have learned these elements as a foundation, we
will then discuss different social issues such as culture, socialization, urbanization, and also
social problems such as classism, and sexism.

Prerequisites: College level reading and writing skills are required.

Text: “Introduction to Sociology” 10th edition (2010). Tischler.

Grading Policy and Exams: The class grading policy is based upon exam performance, quiz
grades, and class participation grade (see below). Students‟ grades will be determined by the
average score on four exams and all extra credit points that are derived via quizzes. All students
will take their exams and quizzes together on the same date and time with the exception of Exam
One. There will be no make-up exams or quizzes. Students should plan on being in class for
their exams on the dates and times noted in this course syllabus. Arriving late on quiz or exam
day is to your detriment because you will have to take these tests without the verbal instructions
given to the class. It is not possible to disturb the rest of the class to re-explain the instructions.

If you arrive late for an exam, you will still be allowed to take it as long as no other student has
completed their exam and left the room. Once one student leaves the room, the exam is closed to
any new test takers. Therefore, plan on arriving to class on-time. You must bring several
sharpened #2 pencils and an eraser to all exams along with an HCC scantron, which can be
purchased at the HCC bookstore. An average grade of 90-100 earns an “A”; 80-89 earns a “B”;
70-79 earns a “C”; 60-69 earns a “D”; and below 60 will result in an “F”.

It is expected that students will read the assigned chapters before coming to class thereby
allowing them to be prepared for class discussions. This will also allow students to gain extra
credit points, which will be awarded via unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. Exams
will consist of multiple choice questions, and true/false items. Both lecture content and the
assigned readings will be reflected in exam questions. Students who read their assigned chapters
before class and regularly attend lectures have the best overall outcomes in their class
performance.
 Last Day to Withdraw: The last day to withdraw from this course and receive a grade of “W”
is Monday, November 1, 2010.

Class Participation: It is expected that students will read the assigned chapters before coming
to class thereby allowing them to be prepared for class discussions and maximize their ability to
gain extra credit points awarded via the aforementioned unannounced quizzes. Students will
maximize their points for participation (accounting for 10% of your course grade) with regular
attendance, punctuality, and active and appropriate class participation in class discussions.
Chronic lateness, early departures from class, inappropriate laptop use, and interruptions by
cellular devices will negatively affect your participation points! Cellular phones, blue-tooth
headphones, and other communication devices are to be turned off (or on „silent‟) and stowed
during class time. These devices may only be used before class, during breaks, after class or
during an emergency. For students who participate actively and appropriately during the
semester, your participation points may exceed your class average (increasing your grade), for
students who attend but do not actively participate, your participation points will approximate
your class average (not affecting your grade), and for students who attend but exhibit anti-social
behavior, your participation points will be 0 (lowering your grade).

Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected (and encouraged) for every class in order to
maximize learning and performance. Roll will be taken in accordance with the college policy.
Each student is responsible for mastering the materials through their own efforts. Although each
lecture does have a corresponding chapter in the text, exams will contain materials discussed in
class, therefore, missing class will mean missing out on important information and will most
likely impact your performance. Few students achieve peak performance with frequent absences.

Academic Integrity: Cheating, plagiarism, copying, and other behaviors that are contrary to
Hillsborough Community College‟s standard of behavior will not be tolerated. Any student
found guilty of such offenses will be given an “F” as a final course grade and have their name
turned over to the Dean of Students.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Any student whose disability falls within the
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations should contact the Office
of Services for Students with Disabilities. The office is located in the Student Services Building,
(DSTU) Room 204. You may also reach the office by phone at 813.259.6035.

Course Objectives and Goals: SYG 2000 introduces the student to aspects of Sociology and the
sociological perspective on society. Students will learn about theoretical frameworks that
explain some of the problems that a contemporary industrial society faces in addition to being
exposed to more recent social research. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with a
broad view of Sociology and its purpose within different cultures and societies. This course
counts as a Gordon Rule class and towards the Sociology major. The “Gordon Rule” established by the
State Board of Education, requires that all students in this course be given a writing assignment to demonstrate
their ability to effectively communicate in writing. For these assignments, students are required to write at a
passing level to receive any grade higher than a “D” in the course regardless of test scores.

Instructional Methods: Lectures may include presentations delivered via MS Powerpoint, video
presentations, audio presentations, internet demonstrations, and traditional verbal lectures.
Questions are encouraged. If you miss a class, it is suggested that you ask one of your
classmates for a copy of their notes. Structured reviews for class exams will not be distributed,
though time will be allotted the class before an exam to answer student generated questions
about the structure of the exam and to assist students with the synthesis of information.

Class conduct: You are expected arrive to class on time, and stay in class for the duration of the
lecture. It is also expected that you actively participate in classroom discussions. You may take
any position you like on an issue as long as you can support that position with logic, tact, and
reason. You must also respect the rights of others during classroom discussions; this means you
must afford others the chance to speak as they have allowed you. Pejorative statements directed
at groups, or your classmates, will not be tolerated. This means that while it is acknowledged
that racism, sexism, heterosexism and other social problems exist in our society; perpetuation of
these ideas will not be tolerated in the classroom environment.

If you arrive to class late, please do so in as quiet a manner as possible. It is inappropriate, once
class begins, to read a newspaper, do homework for another class, listen to stereo headphones or
talk while the instructor or fellow classmates talk. Please silence (silence does not mean vibrate,
but „off‟ or „silent‟) all watch alarms, cell phones, and pagers when in class particularly during
exams.

Writing Assignment: Students will write summary paragraphs on materials from chapter 3 as a
part of their first examination to fulfill the Gordon Rule writing requirement. The paragraphs
will be graded as either “S” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory). Students must earn an “S” on
at least one of the paragraphs; failure to do so will result in the loss of a letter grade.

Required Readings and Examination Schedule

Week 1 August 24 Introduction to Sociology Chapter 1

Week 2 August 31 Theory, cont./Methods Chapter 2

Week 3 September 7 Culture Chapter 3

Week 4 September 14 EXAM 1 - Testing Center §
Week 5 September 21 Socialization Chapter 4
Week 6 September 28 Social Interaction Chapter 5

Week 7 October 5 Collective Behavior Chapter 18

Week 8 October 12 EXAM 2 – DSSC 224/ Education Chapter 14
Week 9 October 19 Politics and Economy Chapter 15
Week 10 October 26 * Population & Urbanization Chapter 16

Week 11 November 2 Health Chapter 17

Week 12 November 9 EXAM 3 – DSSC 224
Week 13 November 16 Social Class and Classism Chapter 8 & 9
Week 14 November 23 Sex/Gender and Sexism Chapter 11
Week 15 November 30 Race/Ethnicity and Racism Chapter 10

Week 16 December 7 Sexuality and Heterosexism Chapter 12

December 14 Final Exam (non cumulative) DSSC 224
§ The first exam will be completed at the HCC Testing Center DTSU 203. Students may sit for
this exam anytime during the testing center hours from Monday September 13, 2010 at 8:00am
until Tuesday September 14, 2010 at 9:00pm. Failure to complete Exam 1 during these times
will result in a 0 for that exam.

* Last day to withdraw from the course with the grade “W” is November 1, 2010.

Final Exam: Tuesday December 14, 7:00pm-9:45pm, DSSC 224

Note: Exam times are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Any changes
to the syllabus will be discussed in class with as much advanced notice as possible.