Please Read Carefully:
This course is being offered using Blackboard Vista as the Learning Management System. If you have never used Blackboard vista before, please visit the orientation site.  http://www.ccconline.org/support/vista

You will access your CCA Blackboard Vista course at http://online.ccaurora.edu

Note:  You will not be able to access your course until the start date, June 2^nd.

New this semester: A support desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with setting up your computer and solving problems. http://www.ccaurora.edu/students/helpdesk/

Introduction to Sociology I

SOC 101-176 & 177 (Online)

3 Credit Hours

(June 2 to Aug 9)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the basic concepts, theories, and principles of sociology.  Topics include human cultures, social groups, and the social issues of age, gender, class, and race. You should plan to spend at least 9 hours per week for 15 weeks on this 3-credit course, or 13.5 hours per week during the 10-week summer session. 

The course focuses on nine topics.  In “The Sociological Viewpoint,” we look at grand theories, overall ideas of how society works.  In “Sociological Analysis,” we consider how to do and understand sociological research.  In “Culture” we distinguish culture from other behavior. In “Socialization and Social Control,” we study how children and newcomers learn how to fit in.  In “Social Groups,” we talk about durable relationships and formal organizations.  In “Deviance” we look at behaviors that don’t fit in.  In ”Social Stratification,” we discuss levels of society, how levels are defined, and movement between levels. In “Inequalities of Gender and Age” and “Race and Ethnic Relations,” we add some new concepts and discuss contemporary social issues.

COURSE WEBSITE:

http://online.ccaurora.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Name

Dr. Gregory B. Appling

Phone

303-360-4719 voicemailbox 5403

E-mail

Please use the email inside the Blackboard Vista course, but appling@webcoast2coast.net will also work.

Fax

Mailbox Location

Other

REQUIRED COMPUTER SKILLS:

·        Send/receive mail

·        Download files to your computer and then open them

·        Basic word processing skills 

·        Experience with the Blackboard Vista tool or having read the orientation guide at http://www.ccconline.org/support/vista

REQUIRED TEXT BOOK(S):

The required textbook is:  Richard T. Schaefer, Sociology, 10^th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2007. 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

REQUIRED HARDWARE/ SOFTWARE:

·        Supported Web-browser

·        Supported version of Java

·        To confirm your software is supported, run the Browser Check at http://online.ccaurora.edu

HOW TO GET STARTED:

Select this course from the Course List when you login to Blackboard Vista.  Read the announcements if there are any.  Read the course description.  Read the calendar.  Check for assignments and tests.  Explore the class website thoroughly.

ORIENTATION SESSION/FIRST MEETING:

None.  You may work on, and submit, assignments and tests as soon as they appear in this Blackboard Vista course.

OTHER INFORMATION:

GRADING.  Your grade in this course will reflect your work.  Your intentions, your personal worth, and your character will not determine your grade, except to the degree that they lead you to do the work well. Medical and family emergencies and job priorities may reduce your ability to do the work, and may therefore reduce the grade you earn.  The tentative grading plan is shown below. The course syllabus, which will be available before classes start, will present a firmer plan. 

Thirteen e-notes (email letters and threaded discussion postings) as assigned – 5 points each

Thirteen open-book quizzes with multiple-choice and essay questions – 10 points each

One open-book mid-term test with multiple-choice and essay questions – 45 points each

One open-book final examination with multiple-choice and essay questions – 70 points

For an A grade, you will need 280-310 points.

For a B, earn 249-279 points.

For a C, earn 218-248 points.

For a D, earn 187-217 points.

For an F, earn 0-186 points.

LATE WORK.  You are entitled to no credit for late work.  Even if I accept your work late, which I might do in case of medical or family emergency for up to two days, I will reduce the possible points for the work.  I will award only up to 80 percent of the originally possible points for work that is one day late, and only up to 60 percent for work that is two days late.  You would need to describe your emergency when you submit your work, or before.  Weekend days count.  You may need a password from me to take a test late.  Late work makes it hard for you to keep up, inconveniences the instructor, and delays the class discussion of the assignments and tests. 

WITHDRAWALS.  Once you enroll in the course, unless I learn from the college registrar that you have dropped the course or withdrawn from the course – these are official actions that you can take – I will give you a grade based on the required work for the whole course.