SOC. 140 Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Scottsdale Community College


Syllabus

course web site:
http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/lemons/soc140/index.html

Dr. Gary R. Lemons (home)
gary.lemons@sccmail.maricopa.edu


Office Location: SB 125

 

 

 
  • A note to students: The syllabus is an important document that you will need to refer to several times during the semester. Please keep it in the front of your notebook for easy access.

  • TEXT: Racial and Ethnic Relations, Gary R. Lemons. Available on-line.

  • COURSE DESCRIPTION: Contemporary racial and ethnic intergroup relations emphasizing cultural origins, developments, and problems of minority groups in the United States.   Prerequisites:  none.
  • WARNING:  This course will be challenging.   There are many written assignments for this class in addition to four exams.   If you signed up for it thinking that it would be an easy credit, perhaps you should either change your thinking or not take the course.  The course will be taught as a sociological course in an academic fashion; it is not a sensitivity course nor is it “diversity training.”  In this course we will use theories and concepts in order to analyze why race relations work the way they do, not just describe prejudice.  Also, I teach the course with a great deal of passion and I expect the students to apply themselves.  A lazy approach or attitude on part of the student will not be tolerated.  Students who do not appear to be engaging themselves in the material may be asked to either drop the course or adjust their behavior and attitude.

  • CLASS PROCEDURE:  Lecture and discussion.   The basic information for the course will be contained in the text by Farley while paperback books will be used as a discussion and thinking tools.  I encourage the students to give me feedback on the course as the semester evolves.  Also, be forewarned:  I sometimes call on students by name for definitions and examples of concepts, data from the text, and personal reflections.

  • ATTENDANCE:  Although I will not grade on attendance, I will take attendance at each class meeting.  Please sign your name on the roll sheet, which is passed around.  If you miss more than four classes during the first four weeks of the semester, you will be automatically withdrawn from the course. Consideration will be given for exceptional circumstances such as deployment or prolonged illness. If you miss a class or classes, it is imperative that you get the notes from a classmate.    If you miss more than four classes I MAY drop you, especially if your grade is below a C.  Absences do not relieve students of the responsibility for missed assignments and exams.  It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course if they stop attending class.
  •  GRADES: Bring a #2 pencil for each exam.    You will be tested mostly on the text, but some on the lectures, and some on the videos. 
  1. Exams (40%):  You will be tested on the material that has been assigned.  Study questions will be provided and you will be tested on the questions.  The exams will be multiple choice and will cover the text. 
  2. Papers (15%): There will be two short papers this semester. The first will be about your ethnic identity and the second will be contain observations you make which illustrate concepts from the course about racism, discrimination and prejudice.
  3. Interview (10%) 
  4. Homework (20%)  You will have homework questions on each chapter. 
  5. Participation/attendance grade (5%):  I will grade you on class participation and attendance.   I don’t expect everyone to talk in equal amounts, but if I ask a study question to an individual, I expect an answer.  Everyone will start out with 100 points.  Points will be subtracted for lack of participation.
  6. Book Review (10%):  Each student will write a three page (or longer) typewritten paper on a book about race relations.  A handout will be provided with a list of books to choose from and a format to follow.  The book must be from the book list.
  • LATE PAPERS:  If the book review is not turned in on the assigned day, 10% will be deducted from the grade.  An additional 10% per week late will be deducted.  Thus, if a paper is one week late, 20% will be deducted.  If it is less than one week late 10% will be deducted.
    • MAKE-UPS:  All make-ups will be given in SB 17 on MAKE-UP DAY (see schedule).  Students who do not have make-ups are excused from attendance for that day.  If a student misses an exam they must sign my make-up sheet with the number of the exam beside their name.  Students who do not sign up for make-ups will not be able to take make-up exams.  I discourage make-ups.  YOU WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY ONE MAKE-UP. 
  • OFFICE HOURS:  Office hours are for the students to come to my office or phone me to talk about anything pertaining to the course:  grades, study questions, difficulties, complaints, etc.
  • TEXT:  The text is an integral part of this course and reading it should be a priority for the student.  Don’t look for the text to be entertaining, but it should be interesting to those who think about the material covered in it. 

Homework Instructions: 

Homework:  (20%):  The answers must be typed.  Unless it is typed, I will not accept it.

    1. Every question must be answered.  All the answers are in the text. If for some reason you cannot find the answer, make an honest attempt to answer it and you will get credit.  If you get a wrong answer, I will not count off – as long as I detect an honest effort to get the right answer. 
    2. If two students turn in identical homework papers, or papers that are roughly the same, say 90% similar, both students will receive a zero for the homework assignment. 
    3. Points will be taken if any of the following are not followed:

Label the paper at the top like below.  The answers must be typed.  Questions should be written in bold.  No italics or underlining.  Skip spaces between questions and answers.  Follow this format exactly: 

 

John Smith
Sociology 101, MW 12:30
August 24, 2009

Chapter 1 Drugs:  A Sociological Perspective

1. What do rates of conventional church involvements and cult movement in Europe versus America tell us about the effects of extreme secularization?

They support the idea that such secularization leads to religious innovation rather than the rejection of religion altogether. Many European nations have extremely low rates of weekly church attendance compared to even those American states with the lowest rates. And even with high levels of acknowledged undercounting in Europe relative to America, the rates of cult movements per million people in Europe are much higher than in the United States.

2.  What evidence is presented in the text on formerly communist countries relative to the thesis that severe repression of religion and aggressive promotion of atheism would lead to the dominance of the latter?

First, levels of atheism appear to be very low in these countries. Second, adherence to unconventional religious beliefs is relatively high, even among generally well-educated, urban people surveyed recently in Russia. Third, there are currently massive religious revivals under way in the nations of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, including an explosion of new mosques in some areas.

    1.  Staple:  TEN POINTS OFF FOR NO STAPLE. 
    1. #11 or #12 font.  Use a readable font like Times New Roman or Garamond.
    1. Number the pages.
    1. Make two copies of the homework assignment.  One of the copies will be turned in at the beginning of class.  This copy will not be returned.  The other copy is for you to take notes on (if you want) and to study from for the exam.
    1. No late homework is accepted for any reason.  EACH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT IS DUE AT THE START OF CLASS ON THE DAY THE CHAPTER IS LISTED ABOVE.  For example, Chapter 1 is due Jan. 18 at the beginning of class.  I know this is hard but it is essential for the students to be ready for class every single day.
    1. COPYING:  If two assignments are identical, or close identical, both students will receive a zero for the assignment.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

  • Student may initiate an official withdrawal from any course by submitting a withdrawal form with required signatures to the A&R office within published deadlines.
  • Failure to attend any classes is not a guarantee for a refund or an excuse of debt incurred through registration.
  • Official date of withdrawal is last date of attendance as determined by student’s withdrawal or as reported by the instructor.
  • The official date of withdrawal will determine degree of refund, if any.
  • Failure to file official withdrawal form within published deadlines can result in a failing grade and may effect refund of course tuition and fees.
  • Additional information on Withdrawals can be found in the 2005/06 College Catalog http://www.sc.maricopa.edu/catalog/ on page 31.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

A variety of student services can be accessed online.  Please refer to the SCC Student Home Page at:  http://www.sc.maricopa.edu/students/ .  Services are free of charge to all registered SCC students.

Check the following web sites for information and operating hours:

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

If you have a specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disability and require academic accommodations, please contact Disability Resources & Services office located in SC-144.  You will need to provide appropriate documentation of your disability.   480-423-6517 http://www.sc.maricopa.edu/disabled/

 ACADEMIC HONESTY

  • Every student in this class is expected to produce his/her own original work.
  • Plagiarism is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
  • Plagiarism will result in being dropped from the course with a failing grade.
  • Plagiarism will result in a letter to the Dean of Students for further action.

 

CODE OF CIVILITY

Instructors are expected to be professional, courteous, respectful and empathic to students.  They will:

  • Begin and end class on time
  • Be prepared for each class session
  • Provide academic feedback and grade assignments in a timely manner
  • Be available for individual consultation
  • Clarify assignments and inform students of any adjustments to the class schedule

Students are expected to be reflective, courteous, respectful and emphatic to classmates, instructor and other college staff assisting in their learning.  Students are expected to arrive on time for class and remain until class has ended.  The instructor should be notified in advance if there is a need to leave early.  Students will be expected to:

  • Turn off cell phones and pagers before entering classroom.
  • Be in class and be on time
  • Be prepared for class sessions
  • Participate in class activities
  • Follow instructions and complete assignments.
  • Keep up with and turn in assignments by due dates
  • Put forth their best efforts
  • Exchange phone numbers with two classmates in order to keep current.
  • Ask questions when they don’t understand
  • Maintain knowledge of their grade status
  • Contact instructor right away about concerns or situations that interfere with their success in class
  • Comply with policies found in the SCC Catalog and SCC Student Handbook

DISCLAIMER:  Students will be notified by the instructor of any changes in course requirements or policies.”

This site was developed and is maintained by Gary Lemons
Contact Person: Gary Lemons

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