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SOC 100 (A1) — Introductory Sociology Spring 2020
T R 9:00 – 11:50am Online Delivery
Instructor: Chris Hay Office: Online
Office Hours: Online and via email Email: [email protected]
COURSE MATERIALS:
Symbaluk D. & Bereska T. (2019). Sociology in Action: A Canadian Perspective. 3rd Edition. Nelson Publications.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course consists of an analysis of the nature of society, the interrelationships of its component groups, and the processes by which society persists and changes. Society is analyzed in terms of its structure and culture, interrelationships between various institutions (e.g. family, religion, school, government) and the process whereby an individual is socialized into society.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to give students an introduction to contemporary social issues, sociological theories, and core sociological concepts—namely the intersections of race, class and gender and the associated influences of power, inequality and discrimination. Particular attention is directed towards the development of critical thinking skills and the ways in which these skills can be applied to day-to- day social interactions.
COURSE FORMAT:
The course will consist of online pre-recorded lectures, required readings, and online class meetings.
Everything that is covered in the online classroom and in the readings should be considered “fair game”
for tests. You are responsible for all assigned readings, whether or not such readings are specifically covered in class.
2 CLASSROOM POLICIES/ATMOSPHERE:
The classroom will be a dynamic and lively place of learning, discussion, and debate. As such, I expect that you all do the readings and listen to the pre-recorded sessions before class and come to class prepared to engage with the material and ready to participate in class discussions. We will be learning with and from each other, so it is important that we all come to class with an open mind, ready to share ideas and – potentially – have them challenged by someone else (you should also feel free to question me!). When we discuss different points of view, it is imperative that we always do so respectfully and professionally.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Midterm 1 – May 14th 9:00 – 11:00am. Worth 30%
Midterm 2 – May 28st 9:00 – 11:00am. Worth 30%
Final Exam – Date TBD. Worth 40%
EXAM FORMAT and SUBMISSION RULES:
There are two midterms and one final exam in this course. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions (approximately 40 multiple choice and 2 short answer per exam). Each of your exams will be scheduled at a specific day and time similar to if you were taking the exam in the
classroom. However, because of our current reality you will complete each exam at your home from your laptop or desktop and each exam will be proctored remotely by the University. As we get closer to the date of your exams you will receive a notification on how you will log in to complete your exams.
GRADING:
Marks for graded course requirements are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from all graded components produces the final letter grade for the course. Marks for grades are not curved or scaled.
Letter % Pts Descriptor
A+ 90-100 4.0
Excellent
A 86-89 4.0
A- 82-85 3.7
B+ 78-81 3.3
Good
B 74-77 3.0
B- 70-73 2.7
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C+ 66-69 2.3
Satisfactory
C 62-65 2.0
C- 58-61 1.7
D+ 54-57 1.3 Poor
D 50-53 1.0 Minimal Pass
F 0-49 0.0 Fail
LECTURE SCHEDULE:
May 05 Introduction and Sociology and the Media Chapter 1 May 07 Applying Research methods Chapters 2 May 12 What is Canadian Culture Chapter 3
May 14 Midterm One N/A
May 19 Socialization: Self and Self Identity Chapter 4
May 21 Crime and Deviance Cont. Chapter 11
May 26 Race and Ethnicity Chapter 8
May 28 Midterm Two N/A
June 02 Sex and Gender Chapter 7
June 04 Health and Illness Chapter 12
June 09 Social Inequality Chapter 5
TBD Final Exam N/A
LECTURE FORMAT:
As mentioned above, each week I will post a pre-recorded lecture of that chapter/material that we are learning that week. I will post the pre recorded session by Monday of each week which you will see in your course in Eclass. So for example, according to our schedule above, on May 5th and 7th we will be discussing an introduction to Sociology, media and research methods. I will post the pre-recorded session for you for that week by May 4th which I expect you will log on and listen to prior to your weekly in person online meeting. To find the pre-recorded sessions go to your course in Eclass, click on the Zoom icon and then click on the cloud recordings tab. You will need a password to review these recordings which will be provided to you.
Concerning our in person online weekly meetings, I have broken the class into 6 sections. Each section will have a 50 minute meeting on Tuesday or on Thursday during regular class time. That is, it would be too difficult to have all 80 of us in one meeting room at the same time so I have broken the class into 6 sections which contain 12-18 students each. In Eclass you will see a “meeting invite” link for you to click on and join the meeting. You will click on the link on your assigned date and time and join the meeting.
It is my intention that you have read the chapter(s) and have listened to the pre-recorded lecture and are coming to the meeting prepared to discuss that material. Please read directly below for how I have divided the class up.
4 Note: Please be aware that the pre-recorded sessions are considered copywritten and cannot be
duplicated or shared online in any way. These recorded sessions are for you in this specific class only and any duplication or sharing of these files beyond your viewing on your device can lead to academic penalty.
Online In-Person Meeting Schedule:
Tuesdays from 9:00 to 9:50am – Students with last names A through C inclusive.
Tuesdays from 10:00 to 10:50am – Students with last names D through H inclusive.
Tuesdays from 11:00 to 11:50am – Students with last names I through N inclusive.
Thursdays from 9:00 to 9:50am – Students with last names O through R inclusive.
Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:50am – Students with last names S through V inclusive.
Thursdays from 11:00 to 11:50am – Students with last names W through Z inclusive.
So to recap, prior to our in person online meeting, you are expected to have read the chapters for that week and listened to the pre-recorded session that will be saved for you in cloud recordings in your course in Eclass by the Monday of each week. Then you are to find yourself on the list above based on your last name and attend that in person online meeting to discuss the material that you read and listened to. Each subsequent week will follow the exact same format. So lets say that your name is John Doe and its week 1 in our course (May 4-8). First, on May 4th John will listen to the pre-recoded session located in cloud recordings. Second, John will have also read chapter 1 and 2 by May 4th. Third, on May 5th at 10:00am (John Doe’s assigned meeting date and time) John will click on the meeting link in Eclass to join the meeting for 50 minutes. That will be the extent of work for John for week 1 of our course.
ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND MISSED GRADE COMPONENTS:
Regular attendance is essential for optional performance as I will expect you to use material from the chapters, the pre-recorded sessions and our in person online meetings in your written exams. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the 1 section of the University Calendar.
Absence from Term Work
Students are required to contact me within two working days following the missed exam (or as soon as possible, considering the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence. Excused absences are not automatic and are at my discretion. Below is a list of acceptable documentation to support an absence:
For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:
o “University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents).
o “Request for Excused Absence or Deferral of Term Work/Examinations” can be found using the following link: https://www.ualberta.ca/arts/student-services/undergraduate-student- services/forms-for-students.html
o Statutory Declaration" (to be obtained from the Office of the Registrar).
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For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit documentation appropriate to the situation. This could include the following:
o For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate o For a religious conflict – a letter from the church or pastor o For a car accident – a copy of the accident report
o For other serious afflictions – consult the Instructor or Department about appropriate documents
Policy for Missed Term Exams: If you miss a midterm exam you must contact me within 2 days of the missed exam and the appropriate documentation needed is listed above. If I approve the reason for a missed exam, an alternative exam will be given.
Absence from Final Exam
If you miss the final exam, you must formally apply to your Faculty Student Services office to be considered for a deferred final exam within two working days from the date of the missed exam (or as soon as possible, considering the circumstances). I cannot approve or deny requests for deferred final exams. Refer to the Absence from Final Exams information provided in the Attendance section of the University Calendar for full details.
Date of Deferred Final Exam: The date of the deferred final exam is TBD.
Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted.
Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
STUDENT RESOURCES:
The best all-purpose website for student services is: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Accessibility Resources (1-80 SUB)
The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment. For general information or to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage.
LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.
6 The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
REQUIRED NOTES:
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
Audio or Video Recording
“Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the Instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or Instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).”
Course Outline Policy
"Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar."