Course Syllabus

General Course Information:

Facilitator: Rochelle R. Zaranek 

E-mail Address: zaranekr@macomb.edu

Please email me within your CANVAS course and check your Inbox daily. 

Technical Support: 877-362-2662 or onlinesupport@macomb.edu

CANVAS Support is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday.

Special hours such as Holiday and Semester Breaks will be posted on the Home Page. You can reach the Canvas staff by phone at 877-362-2662 or by email onlinesupport@macomb.edu

Any computer and/or internet issues can be addressed through Technical Support. All requests will be responded to within 24 hours.

 

Course Description:

 

This is an introductory sociology course that explores the basic concepts and the theoretical approaches of Social Science Research.  Sociology analyzes and further explains  social structure, group dynamics, socialization and the self, social stratification, culture and diversity, social change, social inequality and global dynamics. Course objectives include the ability to apply sociological concepts to group dynamics in everyday life.  The changing social world and its implications are presented and analyzed, with emphasis on human relations in society and social change over time. 

This is a four (4) credit course. You will be required to complete this course online using the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Each week you will be required to complete assigned readings from the OER textbook and actively participate in weekly Discussion Boards. There will also be three short essay assignments, two exams, and an extra credit opportunity for Service Learning/Volunteer participation.

If you are new to Canvas, please go to the home page and review the Student Introduction to Canvas tutorial before opening Week One Module.

 

 

Textbook:

Great News:  The  textbook for this class is available for FREE online!

Introduction to Sociology, 2nd Edition from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-11-5

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Understand and apply the sociological imagination to a variety of contemporary social phenomena.
  • Understand the historical development of Sociology as a separate discipline.
  • Distinguish between the use of various research methods.
  • Identify, compare and apply the primary sociological perspectives.
  • Explain and apply key sociological concepts.
  • Describe and explain the basic dimensions of social inequality and social change in historical and contemporary society.
  • Assess what social forces and organizational structures are most prominent in shaping, guiding and influencing individual and group behavior in contemporary society.

 

Instructional Methods 

  • PowerPoint slides that summarize the main ideas for select chapters in the OER textbook
  • Assigned readings for each class session
  • Online resources
  • Discussion Boards
  • Short Essays
  • One Group Discussion Board Activity 
  • Two Exams
  • Service Learning-Extra Credit

Course Content:

  • The Sociological Imagination
  • The Historical Development of Sociology
  • Major Sociological Perspectives
  • Studying the Social World: an introduction to Research Methods
  • Society and Culture
  • Socialization
  • Interaction, Groups and Organizations
  • Deviance and Social Control
  • Stratification: Class, Race, Ethnicity, Age, Sex and Gender 
  • Social Institutions: Family, Education, Religion, Medicine, Economy/Work, Politics, Science and Technology
  • Social Dynamics: Population, Urbanization, Environment and Globalization
  • Social Change

Important Notes

  • Attendance: Your online attendance and active participation is critical to the successful completion of this eight (8) week course. It is strongly recommended that you log onto this course a minimum of4-6 times per week in order to keep up with the readings, writing assignments, online resources, and Discussion Forum posts. Time management is an acquired skill. I strongly encourage you to record ALL of the weekly activities in your own personal calendar. In addition, you should download the weekly PowerPoint slides, as well as copy/paste and save your weekly posts in a Word Document. Weekly activities and their due dates are listed on the MODULE page and within each assignment. You can also view the weekly activities and the due dates by clicking on CALENDAR.
  • Academic Honesty: The nature of higher education requires that you adhere to accepted standards of academic conduct. Violations of academic integrity/honesty will be addressed based on the provisions in the Macomb’s Student Handbook of Rights and Responsibilities www.macomb.edu/resources/.../Student-Rights-Responsibilities.pdf including but not limited to Article VII: Integrity of Academic Work.
  • All students are expected to access and understand these provisions. The violations of academic integrity listed and defined include cheating and plagiarism. Examples of both include, but are not limited to the following: Having any other person complete any portion of your assignments or exams Using or copying any other work formerly submitted by another student and/or individual Using information from any published document or online source without appropriate citations Having any other person log onto your course and participate in any of the Discussion Forums
  • Students who violate the codes for academic honesty will receive a failing grade on the assignment or exam in question. Students will also be reported to the academic dean for further disciplinary action.
  • Confidentiality and Proprietary Information: Due to the nature of an online course, you are expected to utilize your best judgment when discussing personal and/or private matters in the Discussion Forums. Please remember that every word spoken is in writing and discretion of another individual’s reputation or credibility should be a priority. Please respect the privacy of your colleagues. Confidentiality of another person’s academic information and/or personal matters should be upheld at all times.
  • ADA Students with documentation of any health and/or academic challenges and may need accommodations, you are encouraged to contact the Learning Resource Center prior to the start of this course. Accommodations will be made once you have provided the Instructor with the necessary documentation.
  • FERPA In a accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we restrict internal access to student information to persons with legitimate need-to-know. We do not release private student information to any third party without prior written consent of the student.
  • Any student needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the office of Academic Advising.
  • Duration Successful completion of this eight (8) week course requires organization and time management skills. Chapter reviews, reading assignments, exams, essay assignments, and scheduled Discussion Boards will be made available in weekly Modules throughout the eight week course.  It is strongly recommended that you log onto this course a minimum of 4-6 times per week in order to keep up with emails and assigned course work. Successful completion of the course work may take 10-12 hours per week, so please schedule your time accordingly.
  • Grades Point values, comments for each Discussion Board and Writing Assignments, both Exams, two course evaluations will be completed at the end of each week. Your final grade will be based on the total points earned at the end of the semester. I will be available to review your grades or progress in this course at any time during the semester.  Please be advised of the college’s last day to officially drop a class for the semester. If you do not drop the course by the college’s official deadline date, I have the right to submit your final grade based on your completion of any Writing Assignments, Exams, and Discussion Forum participation.      

 

Grade

Score

    A

90-100%

    B

80-89%

    C

70-79%

    D

60-69%

    E

0-59%

To check your grade:

1. Log into your SOCY 1010 online course
2. Click on GRADES

Assignments & Points Breakdown

Weekly Modules containing course assignments will be available at 12:00 a.m. every Monday and will close on the following Sunday at the end of each instructional week. Again, you should download the weekly PowerPoint slides, as well as copy/paste and save your weekly posts in a Word Document. Weekly activities and their due dates are located in the Module and within each assignment. You can also view the weekly activities and the due dates by clicking on Calendar.
Here is a brief overview of the Module assignments, which are described in detail below. You will be required to actively participate in a Discussion Board each week. This includes an Initial Post and two responses to any two of your colleagues’ posts. There will also be Four (4) one or two page Essay assignments due during specific weeks, beginning in Week Two.  Weekly Practice Quizzes are included in each Module and will assist you with the key concepts for each chapter. The quizzes are not graded, but the questions are used for the Mid-Term and Final Exams. There will be a timed Mid-Term Exam scheduled during Week Four and a timed Final Exam during Week Eight.   In addition to the scheduled exams, there will be a Mid-Course Evaluation during Week Four and a Final Course Evaluation during Week Eight.  Lastly, there is Extra Credit available, which will be based on your Community Service participation. The completed Community Service Form is due during Week Seven.  
Discussion Boards Active learning begins with your engagement and participation in a weekly Discussion Board. There are Six (6) individual DB’s and One (1) Group DB, worth a combined 100 points total.  You can access the weekly DB’s by clicking on the weekly scheduled Module.  At the start of each week, I will post a series of questions in the DB that will require you to productively apply your knowledge from the assigned chapter reading, PowerPoint outline, and personal experiences.  Thought provoking discussions, rich details, and specific examples used in your Initial Posts and both of your responses to your colleagues’ posts, the greater your chances are of receiving full participation credit. 
Once you have completed the assigned reading, go to the Discussion Board and type your Initial Post response to the weekly questions. The Initial Post is due no later than Wednesday (11:59 p.m.). You will have until the end of the week Friday (11:59 p.m.) to productively respond to TWO of your colleagues’ posts.  It is imperative that you respect the ideas and beliefs of your colleagues, so please keep this in mind when posting. Although my participation in the Discussion Boards will be limited, I will closely monitor ALL post and responses.  I will assign points and provide feedback once you have completed all of your posts.  I reserve the right to grade the DB posts as soon as they are received. You may post as much as you like, while only the FIRST three posts are graded.  
Again, it is strongly recommended that you set a timer or mark your calendar for each week’s DB Initial Post (each Wednesday) and 2 Responses (each Friday).  You cannot go back to submit a post if you've forgotten to do so during the week. THERE IS A 2 POINT DEDUCTION FOR EVERY INITIAL RESPONSE THAT IS NOT POSTED ON TIME. Your initial post response should be 175+++ words for each of the weekly questions and both of the responses should be 175+++ words for each and NOT combined.  Remember, it is both the quantity and specifically the QUALITY of your posts that count. Please use appropriate terminology and vocabulary within your responses.  Please separate and include the numbers only (please) for each of the weekly questions. The following rubric will be used to grade your initial post, two responses, and your writing and knowledge skills.

Criterion

Outstanding

Proficient

More Effort Needed

Initial Post

Substantive course content and personal experiences clearly interwoven. On time.

3 points

Limited course content and/or personal experiences. Not clearly interwoven. On time.

1-2 points

Course content and/or personal experiences not included.  Not on time.

0 points

Replies

Demonstrate thoughtful analysis of 2 posts.  Used knowledgeable strategies to promote deeper dialogue with others.

 6 points

Demonstrate thoughtful analysis of 2 posts. Did not use knowledgeable strategies to promote deeper dialogue with others.

1-5 points

Only one or no attempt to interact and/or enrich the discussion. 

 

0 points

Writing

No writing errors. 

1 points

Several writing errors. 

0 points

Difficult to understand. 

0 points
Essay Assignments In order to understand the dynamics of social science research, you will have the opportunity to explore society from a sociologist perspective. Each essay assignment is unique and will involve a discussion of your own perspective as it relates to a variety of past & current events. Essay assignments are worth 25 points each. Instructions for each essay, the due date, and a grading rubric will be located in the actual assignment.  Each essay will be a minimum of One Full page or Two Full 2 pages, typed in a Word Document, 12 font size, double spaced, name ONLY in right hand upper corner. You will have until the end of the instructional week to complete and submit your essay assignment. You are required to demonstrate your ability to incorporate a variety of sociological concepts, thoughts, ideas and examples to help support your perspectives and ideas.
If you are a Mac user, you MUST CONVERT YOUR ESSAY into a WORD document before submission. Please contact the Canvas Team if you need assistance with any conversion or submission of an essay assignment.
Exams There will be two Multiple Choice exams during the course semester. The Mid-Term exam is scheduled during the Fourth week and the Final Exam is scheduled during the Eighth week of class. Each exam is comprised of 50 multiple choice questions, worth 1 point each (50 points total). The Mid-Term exam will cover Chapters 1-7; the Final Exam will cover Chapters 9,11-12, 14, & 21.  Exams can be accessed in the Module or in Quizzes. Once you click on the exam, you will have exactly 2 hours to complete 50 questions, which will be shown one at a time.  Time yourself accordingly, as you will not be able to change your response once you move to the following question. If you do not complete the exam within the noted time frame, your exam will close and you will receive 0 points. Be prepared with your textbook, PowerPoint slides, and notes. Exam scores can be accessed within one day following the completion of the exam.
There will be no early access to the exams. There are NO EXCEPTIONS for scheduling another exam date, unless there is in-patient hospital documentation for yourself or if there's an immediate family loss. Otherwise, do not inquire about making up an exam. You are expected to take each exam on your own and without any assistance. 

Service Learning and Civic Engagement Opportunity (Extra Credit)  Throughout the current semester, you may participate in a community service opportunity.  On your own, locate a non-profit community organization in which to participate in a minimum of Three (3) volunteer hours. This assignment not only allows you to develop networking skills, but will build upon your knowledge and community service engagement.  This hands-on learning experience will further enhance your long term goals of attaining employment, attending graduate school, and applying for college scholarships. During Weeks One & Seven, I will provide a blank Community Service Form in the Module.  When volunteering, you must have the form completed by the organization’s supervisor, scan it, and then submit it during Week Seven in order to receive the full 20 points Extra Credit.  Community service engagement can be achieved at any time throughout the first seven weeks of the semester.  Please contact me if you’re uncertain about where to volunteer in your community.      

Course Evaluations During weeks Four and Eight, you will be able to evaluate this course by completing a brief Mid-Course and Final Course Evaluation worth 5 points each (10 points total).  Course Evaluations will be located in the weekly Module or in Assignments. In order for me to properly assess your active learning and success in this course, it is important for you to provide constructive feedback on each component of the SOCY 1010 online course. Your responses are confidential. Please explain what you’ve enjoyed participating in, including recommendations that you would like to contribute to this course. 

Course Points

Activity

Points

Percent Of Total

Participation/Contribution   

Getting Acquainted

10

 

6 Discussion Boards (10 pts. each)

60

 

1 Group Discussion Board (20 points)

20

 

Subtotal

90

30%

Assignments

4 Essay Assignments (25 pts. each)

100

 

Community Service (20 pts.) Extra Credit

(20)

 

Subtotal

100

33%

Evaluations (Mid and Final Course)

10

 

Exams: Mid-Term

50

 

              Final

50

 

Subtotal

110

37%

TOTALS

300

100%

 

Guidelines for a Successful Online Learning Experience Successful online learning requires your commitment, time, and active participation. You will be expected to complete the reading and essay assignments, contribute to discussion forums in a productive and respectful manner, and perform satisfactorily on the exams. A rich and rewarding learning experience occurs when everyone is engaged and actively contributes to each other’s learning.  Feel free to use the Marx, The Spot to get better acquainted with one another and provide support to each other.  

Student Resources On the Student Resources Canvas page, you can access Macomb’s Student Resources, technology resources, software accessibility statements, and other college resources and information.

Student Assistance and Special Services Students who require assistance to succeed in college due to a physical disability, learning disability, or language barrier should contact the Office of Special Services (586) 445-7420. This should be done within the first two weeks of class. Additional information is available at Special Services.

Food for Thought Student Food Pantry If you need help putting food on the table, please visit Macomb’s Food for Thought Student Food Pantry (My Macomb login required). The Food Pantry is available to currently registered students. South Campus K-251 • sasouth@macomb.edu • 586.445.7446 Center Campus P-127 • sacenter@macomb.edu • 586.286.2090

Student Options for Success The SOS program connects Macomb’s students with a variety of community and public benefit organizations that can you help with living expenses while you pursue your education. Contact the SOS office at 586.447.8609 or SOS@macomb.edu for information about the program and how you may qualify. Please visit the SOS Program website.

Institutional Policies Macomb Community College students must adhere to the policies described on the Policies on Rights and Responsibilities website and the Macomb Student Code of Conduct.

Title IX Like all faculty and staff at Macomb Community College, I am required to share any information that you disclose to me in class discussion, papers, journals, meetings or otherwise about your experiences of abuse, sexual assault or sexual harassment to our Title IX coordinator. If you share information with me about a recent sexual assault, the police will be notified. If you would like to discuss these issues in a confidential setting, please consider reaching out to Turning Point at 586-463-6990 or the Turning Point website. For more information, please visit the Macomb Title IX website.

Confidentiality and Proprietary Information To ensure free and open discussion we ask you to respect the confidentiality of the information that is shared, while exercising good judgment in what you choose to share, avoiding non-public or sensitive information. Please refrain from sharing any proprietary, confidential, organizationally-sensitive, or protected trade secrets information. The safest way to share your experiences is to ensure the organizations and/or individuals are not identified.

Successful Learner Interaction

1.Successful learners in a college course are active and contribute. This means attending regularly, and completing your assignments in a timely manner. The greatest learning emerges when you are actively engaged with others in the learning process.

2.Model the behavior you’d like others to emulate; be an active, engaged learner who completes assignments on-time, asks for help when needed and treats everyone with respect. We are all teachers and learners who have much to learn from one another. There are no “experts.” We are working together and learning from one another.

3.An important foundation for building solid learning communities is to get to know your peers. Each person has unique perspectives and experiences that can expand our thinking. Take time to respond to different peers rather than limit yourself to those you know. This will enhance your learning and network of peers well beyond this course.

4.To succeed, be sure to block enough time to complete each week’s assignments. It is difficult to “catch up” once you have fallen behind schedule and I certainly don’t want you to subject yourself to any unnecessary stress.

5.Since learning takes place in real-life, like you, I face many everyday life challenges. Given the interdependence of learning in a college course, you are required to submit assignments when they are due. Handing in assignments after a topic has been covered hinders the class and impacts everyone’s learning. Please contact me to discuss your situation any time you feel you might be falling behind in the course. I am a professional, considerate person vested in your success.

What You Can Expect of Me

I am committed to your academic success. Although I will limit my engagement in the Discussion Forums to allow you and your colleagues to discuss important topics, I will monitor your participation in the forum throughout the course semester.  Each week, there is a page that introduces the activities for that week. Be sure to go to MODULES so you can see everything laid out from week to week. If you need further assistance or have any inquiries, please let me know via Course Mail  I will respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.