SOC 100 A4

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Introductory Sociology Fall 2021

Instructor:

Nicole Hill, MA, PhD(c)

Office Hours:

I am available by appointment via video chat. Please email me to set up an appointment.

Email: [email protected] I will respond to emails in 1-2 business days. Please

include SOC 100 in the subject of your email.

Course

Delivery:

This course will be delivered online. We will rely on a combination of live zoom meetings and pre-recorded content. Links to join meetings and access other content will be available in eclass. See the schedule below for more details.

Course Day &

Time:

M/W/F 10-10:50am

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course we will begin to develop an understanding of the discipline of sociology, including its research methods and prominent theories. We will explore an array of sociological topics including culture, socialization, inequality, sex, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, families, knowledge, crime, deviance and control, health and illness, social change, and environmental sociology.

The University calendar describes this course as “An examination of the theory, methods, and substance of Sociology. The study of how societies are shaped including economy, culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, and groups. The process of social change through social movements, industrialization, etc.”

Note: Not to be taken by students with credit in SOC 300.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

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Develop an understanding of the discipline of sociology including its history, concepts, and theories.

●

Explore social issues and trends, as well as our own lives and perspectives, through a sociological lens.

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Develop our sociological imaginations and our ability to think critically.

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Become familiar with sociological research methods and examine sociological research related to a variety of topics.

COURSE FORMAT

We will achieve our objectives through assigned readings, lectures (live and pre-recorded), as well as other materials online. On most Mondays and Wednesdays, we will have live lectures via zoom (accessible through eclass) during scheduled class times. These live sessions will be recorded and made available in eclass so that students who cannot attend live may view the recordings at another time. It is the responsibility of students to either attend lectures live or watch the recordings afterwards. Assessments will occur through eclass. See the schedule below for specific details.

CLASSROOMPOLICIES/ATMOSPHERE

Please come to this course with an open mind. Be aware that content in this course may challenge your perspectives and opinions. Students are expected to behave respectfully to one another at all times. Questions and discussions are encouraged and I am always happy to answer questions via email or office hours meetings.

COURSE MATERIALS

Symbaluk, Diane G. & Tami M. Bereska (2022). Sociology in Action: A Canadian perspective

Fourth Edition. Toronto: Tophat. ISBN 13:9781774128435.

The text is available in print or as an eBook through the campus bookstore.

Additional online materials may be shared in eclass. Students will also need a device and internet access to join and view lectures and to complete and submit assessments.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Assessment

Due Date Weight

Midterm 1 September 29th 30%

Midterm 2 October 25^th 30%

Final exam Date TBD (see Beartracks) 40%

EXPLANATORY NOTE ON COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Midterms will be available from 12:00am to 11:59pm MST on the date they are scheduled. Midterm tests are timed--students will have 50 minutes to complete each test once they begin. The midterms will be open book and will contain a variety of question types. Practice questions will be posted to eclass.

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3 Students are expected to work alone and submit only their own work. Any suspicious submissions will be investigated and referred to the University.

Midterm 1 will be based on the assigned readings and lecture materials for chapters 1-4. Midterm 2 will be based on the readings and associated lecture materials for chapters 5-8. The final exam is based on the readings and associated lecture content for chapters 9-14. The date and time of the final exam will be made available in Beartracks and posted to eclass once it is scheduled by the university.

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+ 95-100 4.0

Excellent

A 90-94 4.0

A- 85-89 3.7

B+ 80-84 3.3

Good

B 75-79 3.0

B- 70-74 2.7

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

LECTURESCHEDULE

Date Topic/Reading Activities & Assessments

Sept. 1 Introduction to the course ● Attend/view lecture

● Read syllabus

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● Familiarize yourself with our course page in eclass

Sept. 3 Chapter 1 ● Read Chapter 1

● View pre-recorded lecture content

Sept. 6 No class No class

Sept. 8 Chapter 1 ● Attend/view lecture

Sept. 10 Chapter 2 ● Read chapter 2

● View pre-recorded lecture

Sept. 29 Midterm 1 ● Complete the first midterm in

eclass

● No lecture or live meetings today

Oct. 1st Chapter 5 ● Read chapter 5

Oct. 4 Chapter 5 ● Attend/view lecture

Oct. 8 Chapter 6 ● View pre-recorded lecture

Oct. 11 No class Oct. 11 ● No class

Oct. 13 Chapter 7 ● Read chapter 7

● Attend/view lecture

Oct. 25 Midterm 2 ● Complete midterm 2 in eclass

● No lecture content today

Nov. 1 Chapter 10 ● Read chapter 10

Nov. 3 Chapter 10 ● Attend/view lecture

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● View pre-recorded lecture Week 11

(Nov. 8-12)

Reading week, no classes ● No classes

Nov. 26 Chapter 12 ● View pre-recorded lecture

Dec. 1 Chapter 13 ● Attend/view lecture

Dec. 3 Chapter 14 ● Read chapter 14

Dec. 6 Chapter 14 ● Attend/view lecture

Final Exam

(Date TBD) • Final exam

• Find scheduling details on beartracks

ATTENDANCE,ABSENCES,ANDMISSEDGRADECOMPONENTS

Regular engagement with course content is essential for optimal performance. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the Attendance section of the University Calendar. In our online environment, regular attendance translates to regular engagement with the course material, including keeping up with lectures material (live or recorded) and readings. Students will need to engage in the assigned reading, as well with the lecture material to be successful.

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.

Policy for Missed Term Exams:

If students miss a midterm exam a make-up examination may be scheduled pending instructor approval. The make-up exam may or may not be the same format as the original.

Absence from Final Exam

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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:

Students approved for a deferred final exam will write on a date to be determined and shared in eclass.

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.

RESOURCESFORSTUDENTS

The best all-purpose website for student services on campus, including academic, financial, health, safety, career development services and more is https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/.

ACCESSIBILITYRESOURCES

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.

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.”

Students are expected to engage in the highest level of honesty in their work. It is possible, however, to violate academic integrity even if you believed you were being honest. The onus is on students to understand the University of Alberta's expectations regarding academic integrity. Not knowing is not an excuse. Resources and more information on the standards of Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Behaviour can be found at https://www.ualberta.ca/currentstudents/academic-

resources/academic-integrity/.

An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other

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7 students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process for details.

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).

LEARNINGANDWORKINGENVIRONMENT

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.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY

It is the policy of the University of Alberta that sexual violence committed by any member of the

University community is prohibited and constitutes misconduct. Resources and more information can be found at https://www.ualberta.ca/campus-life/sexual-violence

TRADITIONALTERRITORIALACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.

COURSEOUTLINEPOLICY

"Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar."

COPYRIGHT: Nicole Hill, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta (2021)