Syllabus Checklist Snapshot
SOCI 1301.2B2 8-Week Fall 2025 CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours MODE OF INSTRUCTION 100% Online PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Check with your advisor. COURSE DESCRIPTION The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance. This course is time-bound, structured, and completed 100% online. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology. 2. Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology. 3. Describe key concepts in sociology. 4. Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology. 5. Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces. CORE OBJECTIVES 1. Critical Thinking: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information. 2. Communication: To include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication. 3. Social Responsibility: To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Jana Tiefenwerth, M.S.
2 Email: JTiefenwerth@lit.edu (Usually responds within two hours.) Department Phone: 409.880.8191 Office Location: Online Virtual Office Only Virtual Office Hours: Phone Conferences Weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Appointment Required Free Textbook Link https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/1-introduction Required Textbook and Materials 1. Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2021). Introduction to Sociology 3e. Houston, TX: OpenStax. See link above. 2. Access to media/video files via YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. 3. A laptop, computer, tablet, or iPad, and consistent and reliable internet access. ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to participate in the course at a minimum three times a week by completing weekly assignments and reading/viewing all posted resources and textbook reading assignments by the listed due dates. Due dates are within the Course Schedule. Attendance in this course is strongly encouraged and necessary to be successful, as in any course. Since sociology is a shared learning experience better suited for groups, online discussion boards and additional assignments will make up a significant portion of one’s participation and attendance in the course. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified drop date as listed on the Academic Calendar. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. STUDENT EXPECTED TIME REQUIREMENT For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16- week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as in the traditional, face-to-face class. COURSE OUTLINE I. Welcome to Sociology a. Overview of Materials b. Definitions and objectives
3 II. An Introduction to Sociology in The Global Age a. The Sociological Perspective or Imagination i. The Changing Nature of the Social World – and Sociology. ii. Thinking about and researching the Social World – classical sociological theory, theorist, and sociological research. 1. Culture – Material and Nonmaterial 2. Socialization and Interaction – The process of learning to be human 3. Organizations, Societies, and The Global Domain – Groups in Society III. Social Groups and Social Problems in Society a. Deviance and Crime – Shifting Definitions of Deviance. b. Social Stratification in the United States and Globally – Rankings of Property, Power and Prestige c. Race and Ethnicity – Recognizing Racism in Society d. Gender and Sexuality – Gender Diversity, Femininities and Masculinities, Sexuality IV. Social Institutions a. Families b. Education and Religion c. Politics and the Economy d. The Body, Medicine, Health and Health Care e. Population, Urbanization, and The Environment V. Social Change, Social Movements, and Collective Actions COURSE CALENDAR (SCHEDULE) Since students are allowed and encouraged to work ahead, NO LATE WORK will be accepted. There are eight assignment due dates with multiple assignments due on those due dates. Q = Quiz DB = Discussion Board Due Dates: Week One [8/25 to 8/31] What’s due on 8/31? [2 quizzes, 1 Meet & Greet, 1 discussion and the required replies.] Read ALL the posted instructions on day one. This is critical for your success. ☐ – Unit 1: Q1 & Meet & Greet on discussion board. ☐ – Unit 2: Q2; DB1: What is Sociology? & two replies. Week Two [9/1 to 9/7] What’s due on 9/7? [2 quizzes, 1 discussion and the required replies.]
4 ☐ – Unit 3: Q3; DB2: Sociological Imagination/Ethics/Culture & two replies. ☐ – Unit 4: Q4 Week Three [9/8 to 9/14] What’s Due on 9/14? [2 quizzes] ☐ – Unit 5: Q5 ☐ – Unit 6: Q6 *Helpful Hint: Work Ahead on your Sociology Core Project. Week Four [9/15 to 9/21] What’s Due on 9/21? [2 quizzes, 1 discussion and the required replies.] ☐ – Unit 7: Q7 & DB3: Social Interaction/Groups/Crime & two replies. ☐ – Unit 8: Q8 Week Five [9/22 to 9/28] What’s Due on 9/28? [2 quizzes] ☐ – Unit 9: Q9 ☐ – Unit 10: Q10 Week Six [9/29 to 10/5] What’s Due on 10/5? [2 quizzes, Sociology Project Part One: Homework Assignment, 1 discussion and the required replies.] ☐ – Unit 11: Q11 & DB4: Race/Gender & Sexuality/Aging & two replies. ☐ – Sociology Core Project Part One: HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT ☐ – Unit 12: Q12
5 Week Seven [10/6 to 10/12] What’s Due on 10/12? [2 quizzes, Sociology Project Part Two: Research Paper.] ☐ – Unit 13: Q13 & SOCIOLOGY PROJECT CORE RESEARCH PAPER- Part Two ☐ – Unit 14: Q14 Week Eight [10/13 to 10/17] What’s Due on 10/17? [Final Exam] ☐ – Comprehensive Final Exam (Over all units and quizzes.) If there is any discrepancy in your list of grades, you must notify the professor before the final exam. The last day to drop this class with penalty is Sept. 26. Please double-check this date in the Academic Calendar. COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: i. [14 Quizzes] (100 points each); There will be 20 MC/TF questions on each timed exam worth 5 points each. Some exam questions relate to the textbook reading, and relate to the posted resources (videos, files, etc.). Quizzes are open-book and do not have a time limit. ii. [4 Discussion Board Mini-Papers] (100 points each); All discussion board mini papers (your original discussion that addresses the topics which includes two substantive replies to other students’ posts), are worth 100 points each. Each reply (2 required) to other students is worth ten points each. The point of the discussion board is to continue ongoing discussion of the topics. iii. [Sociology Project Core Research Paper] 100 points. There are two parts for the project: Part 1 a non-graded, but required, homework assignment, and Part 2 includes a Research Paper, with parts based on the homework assignment. The paper is worth 100 points. See detailed instructions for this SOCIOLOGY PROJECT Core Research Paper in the course room. iv. [FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM] is worth 100 points. It will consist of 50 MC/TF questions. Many questions on the final exam will be similar to those seen on the unit quizzes. There will be a two-hour time limit. These grades will be combined and are weighted as listed below: 1. Fourteen Quizzes [100 points each] Counts 35% of the final course grade.
6 Each quiz counts 2.5% of the final course grade. 2. Comprehensive Final Exam [100 points] Counts 18% of final course grade. NOTE: The quizzes/exam combined count 53% of your final grade. 3. Four Discussions [100 points each] Counts 26% of the final course grade. Each discussion and required replies count 6.5% of your final grade. 4. SOCIOLOGY PROJECT [100 points] Counts 21% of the final course grade. There are two parts to this Sociology Project, a non-graded homework assignment and a research paper. The paper will include online research and academic writing. _________________________________________________________________ These 4 types of learning opportunities combined = 100% of the Final Course Grade. NOTE: Grade weights are determined by the Sociology Department, not by the individual instructor. GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F LIT does not use +/- grading scales Grading Procedure: How quickly are assignments graded in this class? Usually, assignments are graded within three class days. Sometimes it takes longer. LIT now recognizes “D” as a passing grade. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed
7 disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Students found to be committing academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, or collusion) may receive disciplinary action. Students need to familiarize themselves with the institution’s Academic Dishonesty Policy available in the Student Catalog & Handbook at http://catalog.lit.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=80#academic-dishonesty. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses. THE USE OF AI IN THIS COURSE The instructor reserves the right to run assignments through a variety of AI detection software, specifically ChatZero. AI should be used to supplement your learning, not replace your own thinking and effort. You are required to disclose any use of AI in your assignments, including how it was used and the specific tools employed. Misuse of AI, such as using it to complete assignments without proper attribution or during assessments/quizzes, will be considered a violation of academic integrity policies."
8 Instructor's Personal Policy: If you submit AI generated work without giving credit to your source and without putting the information into your own words, using your own thoughts, you will receive a zero on the assignment. You may (at the instructor’s discretion) be able to redo the assignment for a grade of 80 for a perfect paper. The instructor must be able determine the work you submit clearly is from your own thought processes. To avoid receiving a zero, please avoid using AI generated information which defeats your own learning processes. If there is any doubt as to the originality of your work, you will receive a zero. The instructor reserves the right to run assignments through a variety of AI detection software such as ChatZero. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION Course Requirements: • This course is 100% online. No quiz or exam will be proctored. • Students are required to have the necessary computer equipment, software, Internet access, and supplies to complete all assignments. • It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that assignments are submitted properly by the listed due date, Central Standard Time. • Read the Syllabus carefully. • Review all instructions carefully. • Students are expected to log on daily to check for any posted announcements and check for e-mails, and twice weekly to submit assignments and continue discussions on the discussion board in the assigned weeks. If you are not receiving posted announcements in your LIT email, please contact the instructor. • Students need Microsoft PowerPoint software. Grades of INCOMPLETE are rarely allowed and only under the most unusual circumstances. Incomplete grades will involve alternate research papers in APA format within a strict time frame and alternate timed exams that may be proctored. Additional Instructions: If at any time during the semester a student finds that course content is not visible on the student’s end, please contact the instructor immediately through e-mail. Sometimes a link may be broken, or a module may have been closed inadvertently, so please feel free to contact the instructor if a problem such as this arises. Students should read ALL posted instructions before emailing the instructor with a question about instructions for assignments.
9 If a student stops participating in this online course, or does not ever participate in the course, he or she may receive a failing grade on his or her transcript. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the GEDS department to officially drop the course by the final drop date listed in the Academic Calendar. No extra credit will be offered. This is the recommended policy at LIT. NO LATE WORK will be accepted. Students are allowed to work ahead. Students should not wait until the last minute to attempt to complete assignments since something may happen to prevent timely submissions. In cases of illness or family emergencies, late work may be considered at the instructor’s discretion, but it requires immediate communication with the instructor and appropriate documentation, such as a doctor’s note. For late work submissions, a 10-point penalty will be applied to all assignments submitted after the five-day grace period. Any work submitted more than five days after the original deadline will receive a grade of zero. Please note that late assignments may take longer to grade, and feedback may be delayed as a result. It is crucial that all sources used in your assignments are properly cited in APA format, including references to textbooks, articles, and online resources. Failure to provide appropriate citations or references will result in a loss of points and may lead to academic integrity concerns. Ensure that you list all references used in your work to maintain proper academic standards. *Students must alert the professor to any discrepancy in their list of grades prior to the final exam. *Assignments will only be accepted through Blackboard unless otherwise specified. Do not e-mail assignments to the instructor. They will not be graded if submitted by e-mail. Additionally, all assignments must be completed and submitted as a Microsoft Word document. Following these practices will help ensure a smooth and successful course experience. STUDENT CONCERNS AND COMPLAINT RESOLUTION If you have any concerns or complaints during this course, please follow the chain of command outlined below to ensure your issue is addressed promptly and appropriately: 1) Instructor: Your first point of contact should be your instructor. They are available to discuss any issues related to the course content, assignments, or classroom environment. (If you instructor has not responded to your email in a timely manner, please proceed to send a complimentary email to follow up. 2) Program Director/Lead Faculty: If your concern is not resolved after speaking with your instructor, please contact their Program Director or Lead Faculty. They can provide additional support and mediation. 3) Department Chair: Should the issue remain unresolved your complaint will be escalated to the Department Chair. The Chair's office is equipped to handle more serious or persistent issues. CLASS ETIQUETTE POLICY Respect and professionalism are crucial in this course. All interactions, whether with the instructor or other students, should reflect courtesy and mutual respect. This includes maintaining professionalism when sending emails. This document is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.