SOC 130 – RACIAL/ ETHNIC/AND GENDER RELATIONS

IN MODERN SOCIETY  

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Course Description:

  The intent of this course is to not only investigate the diverse groups in modern American society, but to also come to some awareness and sensitivity to the variety of issues surrounding them.  The United States is a very heterogeneous society whose diversity is probably rivaled by no other nation.  This course explores this diversity from a number of views.  The broad goals of this course are:

1.      to gain an appreciation of the diversity of the U.S.

2.      to become aware of the variety of societal issues surrounding

minority groups

3.      to understand the basic causes and effects of social change related to

racial, ethnic, gender and other groups

4.      to gain a respect for cultural and social differences

5.      and to promote intercultural and intergroup awareness.

  This course is based upon a video series entitled Dealing With Diversity.  This series is composed of 24 one-hour videos that range over a variety of topics.  These videos will be viewed as a part of the course and time will be given for these to be viewed.  If one video is to be viewed, then class will be held about 1 and 1/2  hours.  If two videos are to be viewed, then we will hold class about 1 hour.  You are encouraged to use this time to view the assigned videos, although viewing may be done at other times.  I also encourage you to view these videos with other students and work together on the assignments.  At least one set of these videos is located in the library of each campus or center.

  Grading:

  Telecourse Study Guide Assignments  -  60%     100-90%=A

   Term Paper                                         -  30%     89-80   =B

                                                                               79-80   =C

   Attendance/Participation                      -  10%      69 -        =D

  Reading Assignments – Please disregard the reading assignments listed in the telecourse guide.  I have listed the readings for each class meeting.  This means at that date you should have read the assigned readings and or the provided handouts.

  Telecourse Study Guide Assignment - There will be 23 study guide assignments, one for each of the videos, except #24.  Do not complete the assignments by writing in the book, I do not want you to hand in these pages.  I want each assignment completed on a separate sheet or sheets of paper.  They must be typed, use complete sentences and fully answer the question or questions asked. Below I have discussed information on how I want you to complete each assignment.  Also you will not be required to answer all of the questions in the review sections, I have included which questions you will need to answer on the class schedule page as well as added a few that are related to the readings. These questions are based upon the videos, telecourse guide as well as the assigned readings.

  In order to complete the assignments, you will need to watch the videos, and read the assigned text material from Meaning of Difference. Also if you have problems answering any of these questions, then the time to bring this up is during class discussion.  We can work together on these questions as necessary.

  Assignments should:  1.  Have your name, SOC 130, and your campus/center in the upper

                                        left corner of your paper.

2.      Also place the name of the lesson and the number as the title of

the assignment.  For example assignment 7 would have as its title:  Native American Cultures in the U.S. Part 1 - #7

                                    3.  Be typed, double-spaced, and in complete sentences. 

  Term Paper - I have included a guideline for the term paper.  If the grade on your term paper negatively affects your grade in the course, you do have the option of rewriting the paper.

  Attendance - It is very important that you come to class and be prepared to participate.  In order to induce you to do so, I have made attendance a rather significant portion o the grade.  You will get the whole 10% if you miss three or fewer classes.  Being late and leaving early will count as partial absences.  If you miss more than three times, then you will get a zero for attendance.  It would, therefore, be almost impossible for you to get an A in the course if you do not get the attendance/participation points.  I suggest you don't lose the attendance points. Also, when the schedule indicates that you should bring journal articles to class, if you do not, I will deduct points from your attendance