SOC 200 (online) Principles of Sociology

E. MundokRappahannock Community College

Before we begin the semester… let’s cover some

housekeeping items.

In an online classroom ….

Your computer becomes your classroom Interact with fellow students and your instructor through

email and Blackboard

Classes are intended to be more flexible and convenient…. But not easier !

Requires a minimum of 3-6 hours – a great deal of the time will be spend reading.

Includes discussions, assignments, exams … and FIRM deadlines

Where to Find Things You will navigate the course using the buttons on the

left. Under the Start Here, you will find:

1. Welcome Message2. Before You Begin & Online Learning3. Technical Requirements or Issues4. Getting Started with Content

The next button, Syllabus, contains:1. The Official Syllabus2. Rubrics for Grading3. Academic Policy links

Where to Find Things

The next area is the Instructor Information area which contains my contact information, including how and when.

The information you need for your assignments as well as the assignments themselves will be found our Learning Units.

You will be directed to the discussion board from the Learning Unit area when applicable. The Discussion Board also has a thread started for you to ask and answer course questions.

Where to Find Things

You will find the group to which you are, or will be, assigned under the next area, Groups.

Journal is next. The journal function is for you to record your personal observations or lessons learned from the course.

The Tools button is next containing things i.e. mail, calendar and contacts

And finally, Blackboard Help, which will land you on the student help pages for Blackboard

Technology Skills: You should be able to:

Able to navigate using the Internet Basic Skills

Type Use a mouse Able to Cut, Copy and Paste text Able to use email Able to attach a file

Your Course: SOC 200 Principles of Sociology

The objective of this course is to give you an introduction to the purpose and various fields of study associated with Sociology

We will cover the 21 chapters contained in your textbook. Subjects range from sociological theory to the sociology of the elderly.

You will complete an open book quiz and the interactive exercises, referred to as Concept Coach, within your book for each chapter. Chapters are assigned on a weekly basis.

Your Course: SOC 200 Principles of Sociology (continued)

In addition to the quizzes and Concept Coach, you will be required to respond to that week’s discussion questions.

You will also be required to respond to two of your peers within the discussion.

Please read the syllabus and assignment schedule carefully. Print the assignment schedule.

Read the Syllabus !

The syllabus explains the course organization, the grading policy, the types of assignments & other important information.

You are expected to read the syllabus & know its contents. I suggest you print & save it.

Many questions you will be tempted to ask the instructor in an email have already been answered in the syllabus. However, do not hesitate to contact me should you have a question or need clarification.

General Organization of the Course We will be reading and discussing one chapter a

week. You will make one initial post to that weeks’

discussion thread AND… You will respond to the posts of two of your peers

each week For every chapter you will be required to

complete an open book multiple choice quiz (approximately 20-25 questions)

You will complete the interactive questions, Concept Coach, for every chapter

Discussion Boards/Quizzes/Tests/Papers

This is an on-line class so your posts on the weekly discussion boards ARE YOUR PARTICIPATION. Please note the weight assigned to discussions for grading in your syllabus – The discussions are very important!

The weekly quizzes are open book but the two exams you will be required to take at the testing center are not. You may not have any supplemental material available for testing center exams.

This is an introductory course, so the good news is that you will not be required to author a research paper – the bad news is that you will be required to write a 4-5 page essay.

So, you have a question! How do you ask the instructor a question in an online

course? Some possibilities are posting to the ‘I have a question’ thread on the discussion board, emails, & phone calls. These have been listed in the order of preference – that is, my preference.

There is a discussion thread for general questions. It may be used for a question for me – or sometimes students really are looking for another student to answer their question, so feel free to ask or answer. The relaying of personal or confidential information should be done through email – Use the email system within Blackboard or your VCCS account – do not use your personal email. I cannot be sure to whom I am conversing if I received the email from “theswagmaster@yahoo.com).

When is it due? This is not a self-paced course. Contrary to

popular belief, most online courses are not self-paced; their assignments have firm due dates. The instructor sets the pace.

Find the course calendar! Learn the due dates for the assignments in your online course.

Are there any penalties for lateness? Of course…but I do not lie in wait for the stroke of midnight just so I can assess a penalty. If you’ve had an emergency, tell me. Just do not have an emergency every week.

Calendars, late penalties, papers … etc.

Please do not submit work late. Read your syllabus ! Pay attention to the calendar. The due dates are generated by BB from the assignments I create.

I wrote it; now how do I turn it in?

“Can’t I just send it or upload it as an email attachment?” The short answer is “no”.

You do not have homework in the traditional/high school sense. Your weekly work is to read/view and reply to the discussion questions.

You only have one written assignment that will be turned in as a Word Document by uploading it in the Assignment area of Blackboard

Mystery Emails & Filenames!?Want credit for your work? Name your files

in a recognizable way: If you are getting ready to upload your essay, identify yourself in the name of the file.

CORRECT WAY: MUNDOK ESSAY POVERTY.DOCINCORRECT WAY: POVERTY.DOC

Always include your name & the assignment name at the head of the document. Identify yourself by full name & include course name & reference number.

Tips for Success Budget your time Don’t procrastinate;

don’t get behind Meet deadlines Login to Blackboard

often (3-5 times per week minimum)

Always save a copy of your files

Actively Participate

Do your work “off line” in Word (use spell check & grammar check) and save your files to disk before you paste them into the discussion board.

Confused? Need Help? Questions?

Please do not be afraid to ask questions.

Good Luck !