Syllabus
UNE Summer Session
SOC 150: Intro to Sociology – 6 Weeks
Credits - 3
Description
The main objective of this course is for students to develop what C. Wright Mills called a ‘sociological imagination’. Having a sociological imagination entails connecting ‘personal troubles to public issues’, and thus this course will focus on the relationship between the individual and society. To that end, the course introduces students to a broad range of sociological theory and research to think through the impact of society on individuals (and vice versa) as we consider the role of social structures, culture, institutions, social relations, social interaction, and so forth. The course examines key themes addressed by contemporary sociologists, including: social inequality, poverty, race, gender, globalization, deviance, the media, health care, and more.
The knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the ‘imagination’ gained in this course will aid students as they embark in future studies within a variety of disciplines.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Course Goals
Specifically, this course aims:
- To provide the opportunity for students to develop a ‘sociological imagination’.
- To show how sociology differs from other academic disciplines.
- To explore the idea that our ‘reality’ is socially constructed.
- To introduce students to at least four major sociological perspectives (Functionalist, Conflict, Symbolic Interactionist, Feminist thought, etc)
- To explore the consequences of social structures, culture, and multiple forms of social stratification (including race, class, and gender) for individuals and society.
- To explore the relationships between social institutions, socialization, social control, and human behavior.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course students should be able to:
- Recognize the differences and similarities between sociology and other social science perspectives.
- Describe at least four major sociological perspectives.
- Evaluate the impact of various forms of inequality and stratification (including race, class, and gender).
- Describe the features of a social institution and analyze their impact on society and individuals.
- Apply the sociological imagination to their own lives.
Assignments
Each week students will have a series of readings from the textbook or library resources, followed by an online reading quiz for comprehension and discussion assignments in Brightspace forums.
There are also two exams, a short review assignment, and a final sociological memoir
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Homework/Reading Quizzes | 20% |
| Discussion Forum | 20% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Sociological Memoir | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Schedule
Week 1: Introductions, Syllabus and Expectations/What is Sociology? and Perspectives in Sociology
Week 2: Sociological and Individualistic Explanations for Human Behavior/Culture and Society: Norms, Values, and the Stuff of Life
Week 3:Socialization: Becoming Human and Social Interaction and Everyday Life
Week 4: Deviance, Crime and Social Control
Week 5: Class and Gender Inequalities
Week 6: Sociology of Health
Student Resources
Summer Session Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. If you are a current UNE undergraduate taking online Summer Session courses, please continue to work with your Advisor and include them on your outreaches.
Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance and Accommodations
Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.
If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.
If you are a current UNE undergrad, please continue to work with your coordinator at bcstudentaccess@une.edu and ensure any accommodations you have in place - are put in place for your online Summer Session course(s).
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
Policies
Late Assignments:
Late assignments will be marked down by one letter grade (i.e. B+ to C+). Assignments submitted more than one week after the submission date will receive a zero. Extensions will only be considered if the student contacts me prior to the assignment due date and we can discuss the situation.
Assignment Submission and Feedback
We are all still learning new electronic systems (i.e. Brightspace) and methods for giving meaningful feedback. If you would like more detailed feedback on any assignment or your performance in the class in general, please email me! I am always happy to provide more detailed feedback for students who would like it.
Just as students are expected to produce a readable version of assignments to be handed in physically in a timely fashion, students are responsible for submitting readable digital files by the appropriate time through the appropriate channels. An assignment will not be considered submitted until a readable file is submitted.
All written assignments in this course must be written by wholly the student. Any automatically generated text (i.e. “artificial intelligence” language models such as ChatGPT, Bard, Grammarly, or any not yet invented or released; ’paraphrasers’ or any add ons/extensions of word processors which modify text or suggest phrasing, etc.) is considered an unacceptable source of material for all assignments in this course as per section A part 3 of the Academic Misconduct Policy in the Student Handbook. Likewise, I will not be using any such technology to produce course material, exam questions, for grading, etc.
Any instances where a student is suspected for any reason of using such automatically generated text in an assignment will be referred to the CAS Dean’s Office as a potential violation of our Academic Integrity Policy.
Grade Availability
Brightspace will show you grades for all graded assignments, and a rough running grade. This should be treated with caution though, as it is incomplete and automatically calculated. If you have any questions about your performance in this class or would like to talk about your goals, please email me so we can chat
Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. For all proctored exams, an external camera is required. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course). https://success.une.edu/science-prerequisites/honorlock/
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar. Students in online Summer Session courses will have early access the Saturday prior to the course start date to review course content as needed.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.
Late Policy
Unless stated otherwise by your faculty: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days, the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3-point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Using Generative AI When Completing Coursework
Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support learning, not replace it. Learning to use AI responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society.
In their courses, students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools, such as generative AI tools, on assignments unless explicitly directed to do so. Each student is expected to complete each assignment, including labs and quizzes as applicable, without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools.
Using AI-content generators to complete assignments without proper attribution violates academic integrity. By submitting assignments in UNE courses, you pledge to affirm that they are your own work and you attribute use of any and all tools and sources.
Unauthorized Use
Unauthorized use of AI is treated as a violation of academic integrity.
Citing AI Use
If permitted, students should indicate and cite any use of AI tools.
Instructor Responsibility
Instructors should clearly reiterate, using UNE AI Use Policy, how students can use AI tools in their courses, and communicate this policy to students at the beginning of the semester.
Student Responsibility
Students must follow the academic integrity policy of the University of New England.