Syllabus Checklist Snapshot
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 1 Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 1301-9M3) INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Nadria C. Moore, M.A. Email: nrobinson@lit.edu Office Hours: M-TR: 11:00 AM M-TR: 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM CREDIT 3 semester credit hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Distance Learning (Online) PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: Complete the Online Orientation and answer yes to 7+ questions on the Online Learner Self-Assessment: http://www.lit.edu/depts/DistanceEd/OnlineOrientation/OOStep2.aspx. 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. 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 Objective 1. Critical Thinking: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. 2. Communication: To include the effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication. 3. Social Responsibility: To include the intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 2 Required Textbook and Materials 1. Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2021). Introduction to Sociology 3e. Houston, TX: OpenStax. https://www.oercommons.org/courses/openstax-4/view 2. Access to media/video files via YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. 3. A laptop, computer, tablet, or iPad, and consistent and reliable internet access. Course Outline I. Welcome to Sociology a. Overview of Materials b. Definitions and objectives 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 ASSESSMENT: 1) Exams & Quizzes: Students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of the material through quizzes and examinations. There are four quizzes and three exams in this course, which consist of true or false and multiple-choice questions. Quizzes are worth 50 points, and exams are worth 100 points. 2) Discussion Board: Students will have 10 discussion posts that they will be required to complete throughout the semester. Discussion board requirements in this course consist of a minimum of 250 words, one in-text reference properly cited and listed after the discussion in APA format. Please Note: you must respond to two student discussions in complete sentences after making your initial post and you must cite your work in the initial post. All discussion posts are to be cited in proper APA format along with the listed
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 3 reference(s). (Wikipedia is NOT a valid source!). All assignments will be due by 11:59 PM on the due date. 3) Research Paper: Students will write a two to three-page essay on their background history (upbringing, family history, culture, etc.), their current major/area of focus at LIT, and their career aspirations, in addition to describing the reason(s) as to why they chose the course. Regarding the research paper, I am looking for the following things in the paper: a description of your background (your cultural upbringing), your career goals and aspirations after completing your studies at LIT, and a description of how and why a sociology course such as this one is important in your career and life outside of LIT. When working on the paper, please think about the sociological imagination and how each person’s sociological imagination differs from person to person, culturally, geographically, and from generation to generation. Questions you should ask yourself and answer when writing this paper include: Who raised you? Are you the oldest, middle child, or the youngest/only child? Were you adopted? What values were instilled in your household? Who planted the seed to pursue higher education? What is your major/area of focus? Where do you plan to work? What type of people do you anticipate working with? How will this course improve, modify, challenge and/or change your world view about the people and world around you? Please keep in mind that ALL of these sources MUST be cited properly in the paper and given proper credit as well as being properly listed in APA format on the “References Page”. 4) Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments provide an opportunity to add points to a student's overall total via projects assigned specifically by the professor. Assignments include but are not limited to typed summaries of journal articles relevant to class discussions, submitting a typed, one-page paper on a subject selected by the professor (social justice, discrimination, ageism, etc.) as it relates to the course, and/or other opportunities as they arise. ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance in this course is strongly encouraged and necessary to be successful in any course. Since sociology is a shared learning experience better suited for groups, class discussions, online discussion boards, and additional assignments (if applicable), 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
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 4 students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as in the traditional, face-to-face class. COURSE CALENDAR SOCI 1301: Introduction to Sociology, Professor Nadria Moore, Spring 2025 DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due for the Week) Discussion Board (Due on this Date by 11:59 PM) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date by 11:59 PM) 01/19-01/25 Week One: Introduction to Sociology Chapter 1 (01/24/2025) Discussion Board #1: Introduction (01/25/2025) Syllabus Quiz Due 01/26-02/01 Week Two: Sociological Research & Culture Chapters 2 and 3 (01/31/2025) Discussion Board #2: Culture (02/01/2025) Quiz #1 Due 02/02-02/08 Week Three: Society & Social Interaction & Socialization Chapters 4 and 5 (02/07/2025) Discussion Board #3: Socialization (02/08/2025) Exam #1 Due 02/09-02/15 Week Four: Groups and Organization Chapter 6 02/16-02/22 Week Five: Deviance Chapter 7 (02/21/2025) Discussion Board #4: Deviance 02/23-03/01 Week Six: Media and Technology Chapter 8 (02/28/2025) Discussion Board #5 (03/01/2025) Quiz #2 Due 03/02-03/08 Week Seven Social Stratification and Global Inequality Chapters 9 & 10 (03/07/2025) Discussion Board #6 (03/08/2025) Midterm Exam 03/09-03/15 Week Eight Race and Ethnicity Chapter 11 (03/14/2025) Discussion Board #7 03/16-03/22 Week Nine Gender, Sex, and Sexuality Chapter 12 (03/21/2025) Discussion Board #8 03/23-03/29 Week Ten Chapter 13 (03/29/2025)
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 5 Aging and the Elderly Quiz #3 Due 03/30-04/05 Week Eleven Marriage and Family Chapter 14 04/06-04/12 Week Twelve Religion Chapter 15 04/13-04/19 Week Thirteen Education Workforce and the Economy Chapter 16 and Chapter 18 (04/18/2025) Discussion Board #9 (04/19/2025) Research Paper Due 04/20-04/26 Week Fourteen Health and Medicine Chapter 19 (04/26/2025) Quiz #4 Due 04/27-05/03 Week Fifteen Population, Urbanization, and the Environment Chapter 20 (05/02/2025) Discussion Board #10 05/04-05/14 Week Sixteen Social Movements and Social Change Chapter 21 (05/12/2025) Final Exam Due Course Evaluation Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: 1. Quizzes/ Exams 49% 2. Discussions 20% 3. Research Paper 31% Grade Scale 90 – 100 A 80 – 89 B 70 – 79 C 60 – 69 D 0 – 59 F LIT does not use +/- grading scales Course Policies 1. No food, drinks, or use of tobacco products in class. 2. Cell phones, pagers, earbuds, and other electronic devices must be turned off placed at the lowest possible noise level (silenced) while in class. 3. Earbuds, headphones, beats should not be worn in class.
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 6 4. If you wish to drop a course, the student is responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an ‘F’ in the course. 5. No late work. In the case of a documentable emergency beyond the student’s control, make-up work may be accepted solely at the professor’s discretion. Discussion board assignments will have a courtesy of up to one day beyond the listed due date to post assignments without penalty. Make up work for quizzes, exams, additional assignments, and extra credit are solely at the discretion of the professor. 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. 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. 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. INSTRUCTOR STATEMENT ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE As your instructor in this sociology course, it is imperative to acknowledge the state of higher education with regard to utilizing AI in the classroom. I believe that if used ethically and responsibly, AI can truly help enrich and revolutionize one’s educational journey. With that being said, if a student decides to utilize AI technology and/or software, the method and manner of said usage must be documented in terms of providing the name of the tool, the date of access, the URL, and the assignment you selected to create your response of answer. Remember that you are responsible for any mistake made by the software and that the first incident of academic integrity or dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment with the option to resubmit it, which is at the discretion of the instructor. The second offense would result in a zero on the assignment without the option to correct the offense. The third offense would result in an F in the course and a meeting with the Department Chair of General Studies and Developmental Education. Please make sure to properly cite your source as well in the references section of your assignment(s).
SOCI 1301 COURSE SYLLABUS 7 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 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. 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 I’ll reply to your questions within 24-48 hours except during holidays or weekends. I am also an Academic Advisor at Lamar University; during busy parts of the semester, please give me a grace period of 72 hours. When emailing, always list your name, the course and section number. Example: SOCI 1301. 2A1. [2A1 is the section number in this example.] Make sure to always use proper email etiquette when emailing and/or responding to classmates on the discussion board. All assignments must be submitted by the due date unless specified by the professor with a valid excuse. Students are required to participate by interacting with other students via discussion board assignments, in-class discussions, group activities, and the research.