CRJ 1020 - Introduction to Sociology

Course Structure

This class includes classroom and online activity. We will use this online classroom for many graded class activities, so please take the time to get to know how everything works. Although this online classroom is used for many graded activities, this is NOT an online class. We will meet in the classroom each week and classroom attendance is expected. The course outline is posted online and all quizzes will be completed in the cjcampus classroom.

Course Description

An introduction to scientific study of human society and social behavior.

Readings

Curry, T., Jiobu, R., and Schwirian, K. (2008). Sociology for the 21st Century, 5th edition. Pearson. (ISBN: 0-13-228821-4)

Although this text is not available in an electronic version, the soft cover edition should cost only around $40. Please consider saving even more with a used textbook. A recycled text is a good way to get started on our efforts toward sustainability.

Evaluation Criteria

Online Exams (40%)
Internet Activities (30%)
Research Project (20%)
Sustainability Activities (10%)
Class Participation and Attendance (-10%)

A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89.99%
C = 70% - 79.99%
D = 60% - 69.99%
F = 59.99% or below

Assignments

Online Exams: (40%)

Seventeen multiple choice exams will be given throughout the semester (one covering each chapter of the text). Each exam will be completed in the cjcampus classroom. The format of these exams (quizzes) provides partial credit for missed responses, so be sure to closely review information regarding format. The cjcampus calendar and clock is ruthless and will not allow you to take late exams. Missed exams are recorded as a zero. Make-up exams are given only in extreme circumstances. Please keep up with your assignments. Pace yourself. Do not wait till the last day of the week to complete your assignments.

Internet Activities: (30%)

Ten online activities will be posted in the cjcampus online classroom. Assignments include internet activities that direct you to content that you will review and respond to in writing. These assignments will vary in difficulty and format, but will typically require web site review, various computer-related activities, outside reading, and/or other preparation. In each case a written essay will be required. Several of these activities are completed in the online forum, with submissions evaluated and commented on by classmates. The rating of these activities is an important component of the class participation score.

Research Project: (20%)

The research project assignment is active throughout the entire class. You will be asked to submit something related to this assignment at several points throughout the semester. Each of these submissions is designed to lead to the final research paper. You will receive up to 10 percent for each preliminary assignment and up to 70% for the final paper. Each of these submissions is designed to lead to the final research paper, which should include the following:

* Statement of the problem
* Review of previous research and literature
* Description of challenges and/or methods of addressing the problem, grounded in previous research and literature

More information will be provided in class, with all paper topics requiring approval. Projects will be peer reviewed by classmates, with eventual publication on the cjencyclopedia site, Wikipedia, YouTube, or similar resource. All projects will be graded with reference to the grading rubric provided in class. It is very important to develop your scholarly research and writing skills. Several class meetings will be devoted to these projects, with more information provided in class.

Although some flexibiltity is necessary due to the variety of potential projects, projects should provide a detailed analysis of the topic and a discussion of how this work fits in the context of research discussed throughout the semester. Projects should also analyze, ask why, discuss consequences, make an argument supported by evidence and reasoning, and/or otherwise demonstrate critical analysis of the subject. Critical analysis of the topic does not merely repeat what the sources tell you - the strongest projects generally draw from descriptions and analyses of various sources, integrated and synthesized to present coherent argument and conclusions on the subject - with conclusions supported by evidence and reasoning.

If writing a traditional "research paper," your submission should be between 5 and 6 pages, exclusive of the title page, references, and any appendixes or diagrams. The major points in your paper must be substantiated by references to articles in academic journals, professional books, and scholarly sources found on the Internet. A minimum of 5 citations is expected, using APA format. Plagiarism rules apply and you are encouraged to use Turnitin to address any plagiarism issues prior to final submission.

Other formats are possible, including the production of websites, videos, slideshows, and presentations - either online or to local schools. You are encouraged to be creative. This will be discussed in class. Peer Support Teams will be formed after our initial class discussion.

Sustainability Activities: (10%)

This class will join other classes in an examination of sustainability. In addition to learning more about sustainability, especially as related to the subject matter of this course, we will be working on a research project intended to assess the potential environmental impact of technology-assisted learning. Although these activities will be relatively easy, full participation is expected. More information is provided in the online classroom.

Participation and Engagement: (up to 10 points will be deducted)

Students are expected to attend each class fully prepared to discuss the reading material assigned for that day. The instructor will call upon different students to share what they have learned from the readings with the rest of the class. Each student is expected to come to class with notes on the themes and main points of each of the readings. Attendance will be taken regularly and will be included in the computation of grades, but remember that the focus is on active participation rather than attendance alone.

This course will be better if you talk more and I talk less. I prefer not to dominate the discussion, so each of you will need to remain active throughout the course. You all have interesting ideas and viewpoints and we learn more by sharing and trying to understand various views. The assumption is that you will participate and remain engaged throughout the class. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of up to 10 points from the final grade.

Note that this criteria includes participation and engagement. While we may be able to assess participation through a simple count of posts, we are also interested in active engagement throughout the course. Engagement is demonstrated by remaining active each week, submitting assignments on time, joining discussions at the beginning of each week, and helping each other create a vibrant learning environment.

As noted above, several class activities are evaluated by classmates. The rating of these activities is an important component of the class participation score.

Teaching Strategies

This course has been designed as a "learning environment." You are all familiar with the dynamic of the classroom - the professor lectures while students listen and occasionally interact. The reality is that most classrooms are designed as "teaching environments." Students may not be an integral part of a teaching environment and in some cases the class could be held even if no students were in attendance.

In contrast, a learning environment requires student engagement, especially when the course content includes online elements. In fact, the environment fails to function if students are not engaged. The course design includes materials that if consumed, will result in learning. Like the story of "leading a horse to water," this course environment is the water. To make it work, you must each "take a drink."

You are all expected to help each other. Your professor has a great deal of knowledge about the subject matter. Each student in this class also has knowledge that can help us learn. For example, if a student posts a question to the discussion forum we do not need to wait for an "official" response from the professor. Help each other learn as we make our way through the materials.

Course Policies

Deadlines

Deadlines are not suggestions. All written material will rapidly lose points in the days following the due date. Zero points will be awarded for missed assignments.

ADA

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, Room 107, or call 910-521-6695 for an appointment. See http://www.uncp.edu/dss/ for more information.

Class Withdrawal

Class withdrawal is your responsibility. If you disappear, we will wonder where you are. However, we will not drop you from the class. Withdrawals should follow University procedure. The student is responsible for obtaining all necessary signatures on drop slips.

Academic Misconduct

A very high price can be paid when you are caught cheating. Too high to risk. All written material must be your own composition. It is not appropriate to submit work originally completed for another course. Appropriate credit must be given for sources used in developing your ideas and arguments. You must provide appropriate citations, following APA Style guidelines. It is easy to see when large sections of text have been lifted from web pages or other sources. This is quite easy to verify as well. Penalties for engaging in any of these acts of academic misconduct will be determined on a case-by-case basis but will follow general university guidelines. The UNCP Academic Honor Code information is available in the UNCP Faculty Handbook, Student Handbook, or online at: www.uncp.edu/sa/pol_pub/

Classroom Climate

Classroom climate is not solely the Professor's responsibility. We encourage each of you to engage in conversation on any issue. The University is a place for free speech, limited through individual choice. These choices may be altered with awareness of the real or potential reaction of others. However, you should not be intimidated into keeping quiet. We do not condone racist, sexist, homophobic, or other hateful speech. You are all adults, capable of understanding generally accepted rules of conduct and modifying your behavior in an effort to comply with these social or legal expectations. You are responsible for your behavior.

Final Grades

If grades are made available online, be advised that if there is any error the grade you receive from the registrar is your official grade. Grade changes will be made only in cases of data or computation error. Please do not ask, beg, or otherwise attempt to change a properly computed grade.

Course Outline

This course outline is intended to define much of what will happen throughout this course. Changes are possible. Any changes will be clearly presented to the class and will often include class discussion. Changes will apply to all students enrolled in this course, without regard to whether they were involved in the discussion.