Professor: Jim Unnever (James D. Unnever, Ph.D., Duke, 80)
Spring, 2004, Course #: SOCY 110
Office: Young Hall 220
Office Phone: 831-5130
Office Hours:TTH 1:00-2:00 and 6:15-7:15, or by appointment
Email Address: junnever@radford.edu
Home page address: http://www.runet.edu/~junnever
Course Home page addresses: http://www.runet.edu/~junnever/lmintro/intro.html and http://www.runet.edu/~junnever/introhtml.html

Course Description

This course familiarizes students with the basic concepts and methods of sociology. Additionally, we discuss contemporary theory and research in areas such as culture, social structure, socialization, racism, sexism, social stratification, and social institutions. This course provides a general background in sociology for those students who decide to major or for those who just want a casual acquaintance with the field.

Required Readings

Society The Basics by John J. Macionis
Study Guide--optional
Amazing Grace the Lives of Children by Jonathan Kozol

These readings will help you understand the lectures and participate in class discussions. They also can provide you with a deeper emotional and intellectual understanding of your personal lives, your interactions with our society, and with people of other nation states.

Exams

Seventy six percent of your grade is based on 4 exams. The tests are composed of 50 multiple choice and true/false questions. These tests cover class lectures and discussions, the required readings, and assigned readings. I provide a study sheet for each test including the final. Each exam is 19 percent of your final grade--the final exam given during finals week counts the same as the other three exams.

Ways to improve your exam grades

I am providing you with multiple ways to improve your exam grades. First, I provide you with study guides for each exam. Every multiple-choice question on your exam from the textbook has a corresponding study guide question. Consequently, if you thoroughly review the study guide you will be able to do quite well on the exam. I strongly encourage you to form study groups to process the material on the study guide. I will give you a copy of these study guides in class and I have posted them on the World Wide Web (www.runet.edu/~junnever/study.html). Second, I have created online self-grading multiple-choice tests corresponding to each chapter in your textbook. At least one question from each exam is from the online testing program. Third, the publishers of the Macionis textbook also have created a self-grading online testing program. I will also take questions from the Macionis online testing program. If you want to do well on the exams, you need to practice with these online tests until your score correlates highly with the score you wish to achieve on our exam. The links to these online self-grading testing programs are on my home page. I have listed my home page address above. Fourth, a former student who earned an A in this course has created a web page for you. It outlines what you need to do to earn an A, how long it takes to study, and when you need to do it. A link to this page is located on the study guide page.

Assigned Readings

Throughout the course, you are required to answer quiz questions on assigned readings. These are in-class multiple-choice quizzes based on the articles in your online reserve room located on the World Wide Web. Each quiz consists of five to ten questions. Your overall quiz grade average accounts for 19 percent of your final grade. I do not drop your lowest quiz grade.

Online Class Discussion

My teaching philosophy is that our learning is not limited to the physical confines of the classroom. I also believe that we can learn from one another by engaging in academic conversations. The use of digital technology now allows us to accomplish these aims. Throughout the semester, you are required to engage in online discussions with your peers by posting your thoughts on an electronic bulletin board. The bulletin board is located on the online web page. I will monitor the forums to assure that the use of the bulletin board is to further our understanding of sociology, class discussions and the assigned readings. Five percent of your grade is based on your quantitative and qualitative contributions to the online discussions. You will not earn any points unless you contribute to the class discussions. The number of points you earn will be based on the total number of postings. The more you contribute to the online class discussions the more points you will earn (0-5). You can earn up to five points and potentially lose 5. Students who post sociologically informed thought-provoking questions would earn the most number of points. You must make ninety-five percent of your postings before the last two weeks of class in order to earn a grade.

Newspaper Clippings

In addition to the assigned readings, I have posted on the web power point presentations that include recent relevant newspaper articles. I have categorized these newspaper articles by topics relevant to different sections of the class (exams). You are responsible for the reading these newspaper articles. I will include questions from them on both your quizzes and on your exams. The newspaper articles are located in your online reserve room. You must use Microsoft's Internet Explorer to view the power point presentations. If you are having trouble viewing the articles, use the computers in Walker Hall or stop by my office.

Curving Grades

I curve grades in two ways. First, I curve each exam. The curve equals the number of points that the median exam grade falls below a 75. For example, if the median exam grade is a 72 everyone in the class will have 3 points added to their exam score (i.e., an 89 becomes a 92). Secondly, at the end of the semester, if no one has earned an A (a ninety or above) I will curve your grades so that the highest score in the class is a ninety-two. For example, if the highest cumulative grade is an 89 everyone in the class will have 3 points added on to their final cumulative score.

Bonus Points

You can also earn bonus points that I will add to your final cumulative score. You will earn 3 bonus points if your quiz average is above an 85.0. You will earn 2 bonus points if your quiz average is above a 75.0. You will earn 1 bonus point if you take every quiz and your average is above a 65.0. The grade sheet I post on the web will keep a running total of the number of bonus points you have accumulated throughout the semester. Check your grades after we have each quiz to keep track of your quiz average and the number of bonus points that you have accumulated. Your quiz average does not include your extra credit points.

Extra Credit

Videos and Events
Throughout the semester, there will be opportunities to do extra credit. Attached to this syllabus and posted on the web is a list of videos that you can watch at any time to receive extra credit. To earn your extra credit points you must turn in a one page, typed, summary and "emotional reaction paper." You must include the receipt of when you checked the video out of the library or from the video store. If you watch the video in the library, have the media service receptionist sign a slip of paper that states what video you watched and the time and date of when you watched it. You will not get credit for your work unless you include this information on your extra credit. Start your extra credit with a paragraph summary of your assignment. Also, include your "emotional reaction" to the video or extra credit opportunity. This consists of your reaction to the extra credit assignment. This means that you type out your emotional reaction to what you saw--were you angry, sad, happy, etc. Printouts of the web pages you visited must accompany any extra credit assignments done on the web.

Extra Credit on the Web

Bonus Quizzes
At your leisure, you can earn extra credit points by taking Bonus Quizzes. There are 120 extra credit points associated with the Bonus Quizzes that you can potentially earn. I have placed the Bonus Quizzes on your web page titled "Extra Credit." I have created a Bonus Quiz for each segment of our course. To earn these extra credit points, print and turn in your Bonus Quiz pages with the correct answer circled. Do not forget that you can earn 10 extra credit points by visiting each of the sites included in the Bonus Quizzes. To earn these extra credit points, make copies of the web pages you visited and turn in a summary and reaction to the web site you visited. There are also numerous other opportunities for you to earn extra credit on the web. You can access these extra credit web opportunities from your course home page. To earn your extra credit points complete the assignments and make copies of the web pages you visited. See me if you have any questions.

Extra Credit and Your Grades
I add your extra credit points on to your quiz grade scores. For example, if you have done three extra credit assignments, each for ten points, I will add 30 points to your overall quiz score total. If you have a quiz score total of 480 points (6x80), your overall quiz score will be 510, (480+30)=510. You can accumulate up to 100 extra credit points. Your extra credit must be handed in the first class period of the second to last week of classes. Most of your extra credit assignments are in the library. See the media services desk. Please note that I have caught numerous students cheating on their extra credit. Be assured that I will catch you if you cheat. All extra credit assignments must be done individually.

Grades

In summary, your overall grade consists of three main components. 76 percent of your grade consists of four exams each worth 19 percent. 19 percent of your grade is your quiz average. The final 5 percent of your grade is based on your participation in online class discussions. For example, your test scores are 80, 75, 92, and a 90, and you have a 92 quiz grade and your online class discussion grade is an 80. Your final grade would be:

(1) 80+85+92+90=347, test score average=86.75, 86.75 x .76=68.53,
(2) quiz average of 95 x .19=18.05 (this will earn you 3 bonus points),
(3) online class discussion grade of 80 x .05 =4.0
(4) final grade is 68.53 + 18.05 + 4 = 90.58 + 3 bonus points=94.

Your overall grade for the course would be an A.

If you have any questions about your specific grade please see me during my office hours or make an appointment. During these meetings, I will discuss the content of the quiz or test but not points.

Format of the class

I have designed this course to maximum class discussion. Most of the materials that you would take notes on I have placed on the web. Additionally, you will have no less than 13 quizzes on assigned readings. Together, this means that the students who get the most out of my class like to read, enjoy class discussions, and, most importantly, would rather think than just come to class and take notes. Some of the required and assigned readings are not specifically gone over in class. I considered them to be in addition to the class lectures and discussions. I do not create my class lectures directly from the textbook. You are required to understand the textbook on your own. Therefore, you must bring up in class specific questions on the required and assigned readings. This also means that to do well in the class you must regularly attend. Approximately 50 percent of the questions on the exams are taken from class lectures. At least 50 percent of the questions on the exams are from the required and assigned readings.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required. If you miss a test, for whatever reason, you can make it up on the first Tuesday of the last week of classes at 6:15 pm. This is the only time you can make up an exam. You can only make up ONE test. You will receive a 0 for tests that you missed and cannot make up. You must take the final exam during the hour and day it is scheduled. You cannot make-up quizzes unless you have official documentation stating why you could not attend class. Students who only attend when we have a quiz or an exam will receive an F for the course regardless of their scores on the quizzes and exams. I will only you give you one warning about your attendance before I assign a grade of F.

I occasionally will assign new material by sending you an email. You are responsible for these assignments. This means that you need to check your email throughout the week and over breaks. In addition, on occasion, I will schedule an exam or quiz the class period before a scheduled break or holiday. You are required to attend class on these days.

Cooperative Learning--Building Community

At the beginning of nearly every class, I will break us up into informal collaborative learning groups. These groups will consist of roughly five people. The purposes of these collaborative group interactions are, in general, twofold. First, these groups will serve the purpose of facilitating collaborative learning. I will assign a topic of discussion for each group to explore. I hope that through these collaborative learning experiences each individual will recognize and honor the diversity of opinions that exist within their group and will deepen their own understanding. One person (the recorder) in each group will be responsible for sharing the group's collective efforts and thoughts with the rest of the class. The second general purpose of these collaborative learning groups is to facilitate a sense of community among us. I will request that each time we meet in groups that its members primarily consist of people that you have not previously met. Once you have created a group, the first thing you must do is to introduce yourself to every other member of the group. After a relatively short time, you will have personally met everyone in the class and will have shared your ideas and knowledge with them. It is my hope that by creating these informal rotating groups we will be able to break down some of the formal barriers that inhibit free-flowing class discussions.

Cheating Policy

Anyone caught cheating (please see Student Handbook for the university's definition of what constitutes cheating) receives an F for the course--with no exceptions. I have caught numerous students cheating on their extra credit. I read every extra credit assignment. I will bring you to the Judicial Board if I catch you cheating.

Tentative requirements for the tests (What is on the test?)

The first test covers chapters 1 and 2 in Macionis and pages 132-146 (structural-functional, symbolic interaction, and the social-conflict analysis of deviance), the class lectures, newspaper clippings, and the assigned readings.

The second test covers chapters 3, 7, and the section on the family in Chapter 13 in Macionis, the Bradshaw video, newspaper articles, the assigned articles, the class lectures, and web assignments "The most recent data on child abuse and neglect," "Interesting Facts about the American Family," "Breaking the Cycle of Violence," and "Notes from the Bradshaw Video."

The third test covers chapters 10 and 11 in Macionis, the newspaper articles, assigned readings including the articles "Where Bias Begins," and "Prejudice and Racism" You are also responsible for the material on the web "Data on White/African-American Comparisons" and "Sociological Comparisons between Men and Women."

The fourth test (which is your Final Exam given during finals week) includes all the material included in Amazing Grace. It also covers chapters 8,12, and the education section in Chapter 14 in Macionis, the newspaper articles, the assigned articles including "Schooling and the Reproduction of Inequality" and "Where Do Profits Come From" and the class lectures. You also are responsible for the material on the web from "On Inequality," "The Structural-Functional Theory of Social Stratification," and "The Federal Government's Definition of Poverty Plus other Material."

Ways to Improve the Quality of the Course

I have posted on the web a 24-hour completely anonymous suggestion box. It is located on the same page as your grades, reserve room, etc.--the page that follows your use of the password protection program. Please use the suggestion box to offer constructive comments as to how I can enhance the quality of your learning experience. I will take them very seriously. This suggestion box is completely anonymous so feel free to be honest and direct with your comments. However, please note that I will completely ignore suggestions that are not constructive. I thank you for taking the time to make your suggestions. I also welcome you to visit me during my office hours.

Classroom Behavior

By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. I will not tolerate violations of academic integrity. I will conduct this class in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details. If you are found cheating, I will immediately dismiss you from the class and you will receive an F for your final grade (see your Student Handbook for Radford University's definitions of what constitutes cheating). You must complete all take home assignment on your own. You cannot share your answers to take home assignments. This includes tests, quizzes, extra credit, etc. The above means that you cannot discuss the answers to the tests--you can only discuss the material covered by the tests. In short, you must complete all take home assignments by yourself. If you have any questions concerning these restrictions, come see me before, not after, you engage in what Radford University defines as cheating. I have caught six people who cheated. I have taken students to the Judicial Board; do not become one of them!

I reserve the right to dismiss any student from this class with a grade of an F who violates the Honor Code and/or systematically engages in conduct that disrupts my ability to teach this course effectively. I will only give one warning to the student before I dismiss him or her.

My function as a professor is to create a healthy classroom atmosphere that enhances your critical ability to think about contemporary issues such as racism, sexism, and classism. My intent is to make everyone aware of the effects that these social forces have on the group being discriminated for and against. I discuss these issues in terms of group membership not in relation to you as an individual. If these discussions offend you, they more than likely have been personalized. That is not my intent. Remember that when I use the word "you" I am using it in its plural form not its singular form. If I am referring to you as an individual, I will call on you by your specific name. If you feel uncomfortable with our class discussions, please make an appointment to see me.

I do not lecture from the textbook. This class is not for you if you want a professor who gives a lot of notes, bases the class lecture on a chapter from the textbook, outlines the lecture on the blackboard, and gives a test that directly relates to the textbook, outline, class lecture. You will get pleasure from this class if you enjoy listening to my lectures and discussing them in class and on the bulletin board. You are primarily responsible for what is in the textbook. Note that my function as a professor is to present a diversity of analyses and to challenge you to think. At times, I will attempt to provoke you into reconsidering your position on specific topics. I am a "thought provocateur." Consequently, some of the theoretical analyses I present may challenge your value system. Please remain open-minded during these discussions. Remember that not everyone in the world shares the same opinions and analyses that we have as individuals. Also, remember that no one's opinions, including mine, are "right" or "wrong." It is OK to disagree. If you feel uncomfortable with our class discussions, please make an appointment to see me.

Warning: Unfortunately, I have the tendency especially when I am on "a roll" to interrupt people when they are talking or asking a question. Please do not be offended and persist with your comment or question particularly if I did not "get it right."

I do not allow tape recorders unless you are handicapped and have a note from a proper campus department.

If, for whatever reason, you need to leave a class early you must see me before the class begins. If I give you permission to leave before the class is over, then you must sit in the chair that is closest to the door. My general policy is that if you cannot attend the entire class, then do not come at all. When we have a quiz, you must attend the entire class period. I will not excuse you to leave early for any reason when we have a quiz. When we have a quiz do not even bother to ask to if you can leave early. If you cannot attend the entire class period when we have a quiz then you will miss the quiz and will receive a zero for that particular quiz.
If you have questions concerning any of my policies, you must see me at the beginning of the course. If you do not see me at the beginning of the semester then I assume that you are clear about my policies and have agreed to abide by them.
I will not respond to emails with spelling errors or with egregious grammatical errors.

Introduction to Sociology

I do hereby resolve to uphold the Honor Code of Radford University by refraining from lying, from the stealing or unauthorized possession of property and from violating the Standards of Student Academic Integrity.

I have read and agree to abide by the syllabus for INTRO, SOCY 110. To remain enrolled in this class, this agreement must be signed and returned to me by the end of the second week of the semester.

Signed,

Print name

Student ID no.