Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | SOC-1010-VU01 - Introduction to Sociology

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Michael Richman and Quinton Applegate
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Gilberto Diaz Santos

General Education Requirements

VSCS Social Sciences

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is a survey of the basic issues, concepts, theories, and methods of sociology. Students learn to think critically about the nature of society and social institutions, and the relationship among individuals and groups. Topics will include social organization, socialization and social change, social stratification, class and class conflict, biological sex, gender expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, age, and ability.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe the origin and development of sociology as a social science and give examples of how sociological concepts, theories, and methods can be used to explain cultural and social phenomena around the world.
2. Discuss how the interrelationships of heredity, environment, and social agents contribute to the development and socialization of the self.
3. Discuss the influence of social, cultural, and institutional contexts on behavior norms in global societies.
4. Compare the structure and function of various social groups and identify the factors which affect group dynamics.
5. Differentiate between functionalist, conflict, and interactionist explanations of deviance and social control.
6. Compare theories of social stratification based on biological sex, gender expression, sexuality, class, race, ethnicity, age, and ability and discuss resulting inequalities including power differentials, prestige, and privilege.
7. Identify key social institutions such as the family, education, religion, politics, and economy and examine their composition and function in global societies.
8. Demonstrate and interpret how demographic and statistical research is used to understand and respond to social change and recognize critical questions and ethical issues related to quantitative claims.
9. Describe the applications of sociology locally and globally and the various roles that sociologists play in today's societies.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Spring 2024 textbook details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

SOC-1010-VU01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

This class uses a variety of different teaching methods. During class, we prioritize group discussion and the class is generally led by the students. We also use various worksheets, handouts, and activities, working individually, in small groups, and as a whole class. Homework generally consists of brief readings and small essay assignments but varies from week to week. Ultimately, this class is a democratic learning environment, as the students are able to lead the class in a general direction if it is agreed upon by the majority of students.

Evaluation Criteria

This class is graded on a traditional A-F grading scale. Each week, there are homework assignments which are graded on completeness, ability to follow instructions, and clarity in expressing oneself. During class, students are expected to be present and participate in a meaningful, contributive way. This class has a few major assignments as well including two papers (the midterm and the final Sociological Inquiry) and two presentations (the Sociological Perspective and the Sociological Inquiry)

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Absence: It is expected that students will attend all classes. Your first absence is minus two points, second absence is an additional three points, the third absence is additional minus five points, for a total of 10 points. Missing a fourth class will result in a failure of the course!

Lateness: Students who come late to class, or leave early, will have the time count against their attendance. Coming in late to class is disruptive and will not be tolerated on a regular basis.

Participation: When in class, students are expected to be respectful and attentive. While everyone might not share equally, you are expected to be respectful of your classmate's ideas and contribute to class in a meaningful way.

Missing & Late Work Policy

• I will not accept late homework.Homework is to be handed in on the date due. Absence is no excuse. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to have your homework in on the date of the class. Give your assignment to the receptionist who will date it and put it in my mailbox or email the homework directly to me. Remember a zero on a homework assignment drastically lowers your homework average.
• The article assignment must be done on the date that it is scheduled since itcorresponds with the subject matter discussed that day.The article oral report/paper will not be accepted late.
• The Final Sociological Inquiry needs to be handed in on the date due. Late Inquiries will be reduced by 5 points for each day late and will not be accepted after 7 days.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity