dr. ann marie yaros

SOCIOLOGY A101 (3 CREDITS)

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE

SUMMER Sample

INSTRUCTOR:           Ann Marie Yaros,  MSW, Ph.D., LCSW

PHONE:                      745-9757    pfamy@uaa.alaska.edu

OFFICE HOURS:       Before and after class and by appt. 

TEXT:    SOCIOLOGY, 8th Edition, Rodney Stark

COURSE OVERVIEW:     Students will be introduced to the discipline of sociology, emphasizing social processes which give rise to and shape human's language, experiences, perception, meaning and behavior.  Multiple frameworks are used in understanding and predicting human behavior.

OBJECTIVE:   Summarize major theoretical perspectives for society, cultures, social institutions, and historical processes; Discuss major social conditions and trends in contemporary United States; Compare and contrast social structural forces with individual opportunities and constraints; Interpret descriptive tables and graphs based on raw numbers, percentages, and averages; Infer and generalize social causes and effects based on empirical evidence.

The student is to demonstrate learning of the material by: Participating in class discussions, Passing quizzes, Writing a term paper or doing a research project.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  This is a lecture-discussion class.  Attendance is important and will be taken at each class.  The student is expected to have read the text before each class in order to participate in the group discussions.

The first absence is tolerated.  The second and third absence must be made up with a five (5) page outline on the missed text chapters to be turned in at the next class period.  Three missed absences in a row, or five total absences or frequent late arrivals or early departures will result in the student being dropped from the course.  Three or more absences will result in a lower grade regardless of points earned.  There will be 1 point taken off for each class missed.  No student will be able to attain a grade of “A” with 3 or more absences regardless of total points earned.

GRADING POLICY:  Each student is expected to do the work required or to withdraw.  Grades are determined by points earned.

REQUIREMENTS:  Grades are determined by points earned.

A:  Honors - Comprehensive mastery of the required work 92 - 100 points

B:  High level of performance - 82 - 91 points

C:  Satisfactory Performance - 72 - 81 points

D:  Lowest passing grade - 62 - 71 points

F:  Failure - 0 - 61 points

MSC and UAA's Policy on an Incomplete Grade

Incompletes may be granted at the discretion of the instructor only if the student has a C average, has completed 75% of the course, and is able to demonstrate extenuating circumstances.

REVIEWS:    60 POINTS

There will be four reviews.  Reviews are take-home, due at the beginning of class.  There will be 15 points possible for each review.  Reviews will be discussed in class after grading.  Penalty for a review handed in late, regardless of reason, is 5 points taken off.

PAPER:    30 POINTS

The student may write on any topic of interest related to the field.  An "A" student should be able to demonstrate excellence both in knowledge of the topic and ability to communicate the content well.  The paper must be typed, double spaced, and documented, using the APA style of documentation.  A minimum of 5 books and/or scholarly journals are to be used for reference materials.  At least two of the references must be within the past five years.  The paper may not be redone after grading.  Any paper turned in late, regardless of reason, will be penalized 10 points.  University policy for plagiarism is dismissal.  The paper should be a minimum of 10 pages, not including outline, bibliography, notes, charts, etc.

Typed topic/thesis statement = 5 points

Typed outline and bibliography = 5 points

Final paper = 20 points

The paper itself should be a minimum of 10 pages (does not include outline, bibliography, end notes, charts, etc.).  The topic/thesis statement, outline, and bibliography must be turned in on the date specified AND must also be included with your final paper.

FINAL EXAM:    10 POINTS

CHEATING

Cheating is not tolerated at Matanuska-Susitna College.  It constitutes grounds for dismissal from the University.  Cheating is defined as any means by which a student uses unauthorized assistance to prepare materials submitted as his/her own.

Student is expected to have read the information in the MSC Catalog and the Student Handbook and to comply with all College and University regulations.

There are no prerequisites for this class.

Students are responsible for following rules and regulations in the Matanuska-Susitna Catalog, the University of Alaska Anchorage Catalog, and the Student Handbook. 

SOCIOLOGY A101