Course Syllabus

Welcome to SOC 001: Introduction to Sociology

Here are a few pointers for navigating this page:

• See the Assignments Summary (Schedule) below. This table lists assignments by due date.
  Note: This table is similar to the Agenda view on the Calendar.
• Click the Jump to Today link at the top of the page to jump directly to today's date on the Assignments Summary.

Overview

CATEGORY	INFORMATION
Credits	3
Prerequisites	None
Delivery	Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com)
Dates	See the Calendar.
Instructor	See the Orientation module under the Modules tab.

Description

This course provides an overview of how a sociological understanding can help us to better make sense of how we live our lives as social beings, why our society  is organized as it is, and the possibilities for social variation and change. By disrupting our "common sense" expectations and explanations, sociology allows for a greater understanding of human thinking and behavior by considering individuals in their social context. This course introduces students to the social science of sociology by demonstrating how theory and research reveal the social nature of the human experience. Students will learn how to think sociologically about a range of topics, including culture, socialization, deviance, inequality, and social change.

Objectives

This course has three major objectives that will be useful to you whether or not you go on to take other sociology courses.  In this course you will be encouraged to:

1. Develop your "Sociological Imagination" This course is less about learning bits of information  and  more  about  learning  how  to  process  information  using  different sociological perspectives. While a "sociological imagination" is not easily acquired, this course provides a first step toward developing a greater awareness of how society works, how it affects us, and how we shape it.

1. Gain a Basic Understanding of Sociological Concepts, Theories, and Research Methods This course introduces the major sociological concepts and provides an overview of their application in a number of areas of social We will go into some depth in our exploration of selected topics to help you develop an understanding of how sociologists address central questions about life in modern society.
2. Practice Sociological Thinking This course encourages the development of ways of seeing the "big picture". Because you can't learn about sociology without practicing sociological thinking, we will work together to develop more complex understandings of sociological concepts, theories, and ideas by applying them to the "real world".

Prerequisites

None

Organization

This online course is divided into 12 Lessons. Each lesson introduces students to a different aspect of sociology. Prior to Lesson 1 students will complete a course orientation to make sure they understand the course requirements and how to take the course online. Plan on reviewing the Course Schedule frequently since this is the map of the course that will allow you to successfully navigate your way through the lessons and complete the graded work on time.

Each of the 12 Lessons that make up the course content is made up of a series of learning activities that student need to complete. All lessons include a reading assignment, a selection of practice activities, and a lesson quiz. In addition, the first four lessons each include a Lecture presented by Professor Jarl Ahlkvist, the designer of this online course. Students are expected to work through each lesson on their own in order to prepare them for the lesson quiz as well as the midterm and final exams. In addition, completing the requirements of each lesson is necessary in order to do well on the individual and group assignments. As shown on the Course Schedule students are often expected to simultaneously be completing a lesson and working on an individual or collaborative assignment.

Online Learning and Attendance

This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.

Materials

Texts and Other Materials

The following texts are required:

• The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 4th ed. By Kerry Ferris & Jill Stein. ISBN: 978-0393922585

  OR

• The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 5th ed. By Kerry Ferris & Jill Stein. ISBN: 978-0393264302

  OR

• The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 6th ed. By Kerry Ferris & Jill Stein. ISBN: 978-0393664478

       OR

• The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 7th ed. By Kerry Ferris & Jill Stein. ISBN: 978-0393419337

       OR

• The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 8th ed. By Kerry Ferris & Jill Stein. ISBN: 978-0393887341

Library Services

Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.

Getting Started with Tutor.com:

Tutor.com

Tutor.com is a 24/7 tutoring service that provides students with assistance in coursework, test preparation, research, writing, and more for various subjects. The tutors are subject-matter experts, and each student will have personalized one-on-one sessions with them. Students can schedule their own tutoring appointments to engage in interactive sessions that include a whiteboard and chat feature. The service can be utilized on any device that has Internet access. Students are encouraged to use the service throughout the semester.
You can access this service by selecting Tutor.com from your course navigation menu. Here you can select your subject, enter a question, and begin your tutoring session.
Reminder: Please keep in mind that you can use the free Tutor.com services to assist you in preparing for your assignments and understanding key concepts. You may NOT use this service during graded assignments, quizzes, or exams. Students AND instructors have access to transcripts from tutoring sessions.
Canvas: 
You will need to provide the students with details on how to use Tutor.com and how to access it. Here is an example of information you can provide to the students:
Getting Started with Tutor.com:
•    Launch Tutor.com by clicking the Tutor.com link in the Course Navigation Menu.
•    Select the topic you are studying from the drop-down menu.
•    From the subject drop-down menu, select your course.
•    Ask your tutor a question in the text box. If you're working with a document, such as a rough draft of a writing assignment, you can upload the file here as well.
•    Once you have made these selections, click Get a Tutor, and a tutor will be assigned to you within two minutes.
•    You will then enter a virtual classroom with your tutor. Here, the interactive whiteboard and chat feature will be available. You will be able to talk with your tutor and use the tools. File sharing will be available for you and your tutor to review a document at the same time.
•    After your session, please fill out the post-session survey to offer feedback on your experience.
•    For a more detailed overview of Tutor.com, please view the How It Works video or read the "How It Works" guide. If you have any questions or need additional help logging in, please contact studentsupport@tutor.com.

Communication

There are several ways to communicate with classmates and the instructor, including Course Mail and discussion forums. Take advantage of these tools and get to know your classmates!

When corresponding with the instructor or classmates, please use appropriate language and etiquette. Messages should be free of grammatical errors. Slang is not appropriate in an instructional setting.

Note on Response Time: Your instructor will reply to your questions, concerns, and comments in a timely manner, not to exceed TWO business days.

General Questions

If you have a question relating to the course or content, please go to Modules/Course Support and Resources and make a post in the General Questions discussion forum. The General Questions discussion forum should be your first recourse for instructor assistance. You are encouraged to respond to the problems and questions posted by your classmates.

Technical Help

If you experience a technical problem, please go to the Course Support Module and make a post in the Technical Help discussion forum. The Technical Help discussion forum should be your first recourse for technical assistance or other computer applications. Someone will attempt to resolve the problem. Again, you are encouraged to respond to the problems and questions posted by your classmates.

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Grading

Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.

Scale

LETTER GRADE	MINIMUM PERCENT	MINIMUM POINTS
A	95	342
A-	90	324
B+	87.9	316
B	83.3	299
B-	80	288
C+	75	270
C	70	252
D	60	216
F	0	0

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g. hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Notes

• To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.
• Late Assignments: Late assignments are at the discretion of the instructor.

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Assignments

Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.

You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within one week of the due date.

ASSIGNMENT GROUP	POINTS	% of Grade
Orientation Quiz	10	2
Quizzes	100	28
Breaking Social Norms Assignment	50	14
Video Reviews	100	28
Midterm Exam	50	14
Final Exam	50	14
Total	360	100

Orientation Quiz

Value: 1 x 10 PTS, 10 PTS total

There is one orientation quiz during the first week of class. The purpose of the quiz is to be sure that you read and understand the syllabus and that students understand what will be expected during the course.

Quizzes (Best out of 12 drop 2 lowest)

Value: 10 x 10 PTS, 100 PTS total

All quizzes are made up of 10 true/false and/or multiple choice questions based on material covered in a given lesson. Students must complete each quiz in a single 20- minute session – you cannot save a quiz and return to it later so be sure you have sufficient time to complete a quiz before you begin.  All students are required to take the Orientation quiz, but your cumulative lesson quiz grade in the course is derived from the 10 highest scores from the 12 lesson quizzes.  You may take all 12 lesson quizzes and drop your two lowest scores or skip up to two quizzes with no penalty.

NOTE:  You will be able to view your quizzes starting 24 hours AFTER the quiz closes

Breaking Social Norms Assignment

Value: 1 x 50 PTS, 50 PTS total

This assignment uses the breaking of social norms to make visible the taken-for-granted social forces that we count on every day.  You will be asked to conduct a “breaching experiment” in which you deliberately interfere with other people’s social expectations and then observe their reactions. Completing this assignment will deepen your sociological understanding of culture, socialization, symbolic interaction, group conformity and deviant behavior.

Video Review/Group Assignment (Choose 4 of 5)

Value: 4 x 25 PTS, 100 PTS total

You will be assigned to a Learning Group made up of 5 students who will participate together in four Group Discussions.  A different member of the Learning Group will serve as group leader for each discussion. The group leader is responsible for writing up and submitting the group’s collective product: A sociologically informed Video Review.

Midterm Exam

Value: 1 x 50 PTS, 50 PTS total

Each exam is made up of 50 true/false and/or multiple choice questions based on material covered in multiple lesson. Students must complete each exam in a single 100- minute session – you cannot save an exam and return to it later therefore be sure you have sufficient time to complete each exam before you begin.

Final Exam

Value: 1 x 50 PTS, 50 PTS Total

Each exam is made up of 50 true/false and/or multiple choice questions based on material covered in multiple lesson. Students must complete each exam in a single 100- minute session – you cannot save an exam and return to it later therefore be sure you have sufficient time to complete each exam before you begin.

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University Policies

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.   

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).

Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:

• Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
• All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
• All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
  
  

Disability Access

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. at https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources/campus-offices. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Nondiscrimination

Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office Website at http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/.

Reporting a Bias Incident

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.

Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/contact_form.shtml to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.

Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.

TEACH Act

The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

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University Emergency Procedure

In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.

In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at http://www.psu.edu or Penn State News at http://news.psu.edu.

To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.

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Syllabus Subject to Change

The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.