SOSC 2501 Online

COURSE REQUIREMENT: Access to communication between the instructor and students
will require use of CSU email: The instructor will only respond to CSU email messages from students.
Go to: http://thehub.clayton.edu and click "Service" for information on configuring your laptop computer
to comply with CSU IT requirements. You MUST have your laptop computer configured to access
CSU email. You will need to take your laptop computer to The HUB, located on the ground level of the University
Center. You should have your computer configured and set up for CSU email BEFORE classes begin, or as soon
as possible there after. The HUB is located in the University Center, or contact the HUB at 678-466-4357.

See: on-campus orientation & on-campus examination dates later in this syllabus.

NOTE: This course uses GeorgiaView, accessible through the CSU Swan,
to view the course syllabus, and exam scores and grades.

Purchase six (6) 100 question (1-50 on front side and 51-100 on reverse side), product #882-E;
You will use two (2) 100 question Scantron answer sheets per examination.

Prof. J. S. Trachtenberg
Clayton State University
Three Semester Credit Hours
Summer Semester 2010

Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class session. This class will meet on the CSU campus only 4 times. It is essential that ALL students attend the course on-campus orientation and the three on-campus examinations. Please make an effort to be on time - once an examination begins you will have only the allotted examination time remaining. Examination make up opportunities are not generally available.

CSU Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students' ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

In selecting an online course approach to learning the course material, you have decided that an independent study approach to this course will work well for you. This class meets on the CSU campus only four times. In an online course you will be learning outside of a traditional college classroom environment. Therefore, truly extraordinary discipline must be exercised. The instructor is available to advise and assist you, but you must watch ALL video lessons and study ALL assigned textbook chapters and other course materials in order to succeed. This approach gives you a lot of freedom to study when you choose. However, keep in mind that typically a student must devote approximately 12 hours a week to reading assignments in the course textbook, and studying for examinations to earn a C grade or better. Less time devoted to this course may result in an unsuccessful experience and a lower course grade than desired.

Course Description: An interdisciplinary survey of the social sciences with emphasis upon methods of inquiry used to examine America's contemporary social, economic, political, and international problems.

Course Computer Usage: Students will make regular remote site use of the Internet to access course related email and course related websites as they prepare for on-campus course examinations. Students are not required to bring a computer to on-campus class meetings.

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated. This includes belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or
threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating
in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as
possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Students must abide by policies in the CSU Catalog & Student Handbook.

The instructor and students will treat each other with the proper respect at all times.

Children are NOT permitted in any CSU classroom under any circumstances,
nor may they be left unattended anywhere on the campus.

PLEASE - THERE WILL BE NO USE OF CELL PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM - TURN YOUR PHONE TO "VIBRATE" OR OFF.

IF YOU COME INTO CLASS LATE, TAKE THE FIRST AVAILABLE SEAT AS YOU ENTER THE ROOM.

Withdrawals and Incompletes: Students may wish to review college policy regarding course withdrawals and incompletes in the CSU catalog. Do not hesitate to speak with me, or your advisor, if you need information relating to a course withdrawal or an incomplete.

The Summer Semester 2010 deadline to withdraw from a Full Session course without possible academic penalty is Friday, June 25th.

Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Regents Testing: The University System of Georgia requires that each student receiving a degree must have successfully demonstrated competence in reading comprehension and writing by passing two courses: Regents’ Writing Skills and Regents’ Reading Skills. Students can satisfy course requirements through examination. The Regents’ Testing Program of the University System of Georgia is administered by the Testing Center at Clayton College & State University for three days each semester. Testing dates and registration procedures are in the Class Schedule and Registration Guide each semester under REGE 0001. Please contact your academic advisory or the Testing Center for more information.

Course Expectations:

1. Attend all four on-campus course meetings;
2. Complete all required textbook reading assignments;
3. Take at least two examinations including the final examination;
4. Earn a total number of points equal to a passing grade.

Grading: (450 possible course points.) Course grades will be determined on a straight scale with the total number of points you earn dictating the letter grade you receive. (Each time an examination is scored, subtract any points lost from the 450 total possible course points, and see the course grading scale to determine your letter grade at that point.).

Note: Your grade will be determined by your performance on the three examinations discussed below. There are reading assignments, but no graded assignments to turn in to the instructor. At the end of the class if you are within 3 points of a higher letter grade I will assign you that higher grade for the course.

Midterm Grades: A course midterm grade will be posted on the DUCK by midterm each semester. The midterm grade will only reflect work completed to the middle of the semester, approximately 30% of information included in examinations. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.

Examinations: (450 possible points) Course grades will be determined by your performance on three multiple choice/true or false type examinations using Scantron answer sheets provided by the instructor. Be sure to bring #2 pencils to each examination. Each examinations is worth 150 possible points. The three examination will be taken on-campus. The dates for these three examinations are provided later in the syllabus. Exam scores will be posted in the class GeorgiaVIEW site accessible, through the CSU Swan, within a few days of an examination.

Note: There are no assignments to turn in for this course; there are no extra credit points. I do curve examinations and return a point for any test question missed by 75% or more of those taking the examination.

Missed Examination Policy: If you miss the first or second examination, your final examination score will also serve as the missed examination, using the curve from the missed exam. If you miss the final examination you will receive an F for the course. There will be no make-up examinations.

NOTE: STUDENTS MAY REVIEW A SCORED EXAMINATION THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN IN MY OFFICE; DO NOT REMOVE AN EXAMINATION OR A SCANTRON ANSWER SHEET FROM THE CLASSROOM; YOU MAY NOT GET CREDIT FOR YOUR EXAMINATION.

Keep Informed: You are encouraged to read a major daily newspaper, and/or NEWSWEEK, TIME or U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT on a regular basis. Watch a daily national news program or monitor a news website such as those maintained by ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSN/NBC and/or PBS (I highly recommend the THE NEWS HOUR With Jim Leher on Channel 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Channel 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., M-F.); and the CNN, and Headline NEWS channels. Listen to National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" on WABE, FM 90.1, M-F.. at 6:00 to 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Required Course Textbook: (Available in the CSU University Bookstore.)

The required course textbook is a custom edition containing both the textbook and accompanying textbook study guide in one binding.

Thomas R. Dye, Power & Society - An Introduction to the Social Sciences, CSU Custom 11th Edition, Thomson-Wadsworth, 2008.

Students have no assignments to complete and turn in to the instructor.
Course grades will be determined by scores on the three required examinations.

First Examination - 150 possible points

Second Examination Reading Assignments:

Second Examination - 150 possible points

Third (Final) Examination Reading Assignments:

Third/Final Examination - 150 possible points
Note: The final examination is NOT cumulative; it will cover only material assigned since the second examination..

NOTE: This syllabus is subject to revision where necessary to achieve course goals.

If you have any questions regarding assignments, class sessions, tests or grading please speak with me, or Dr. Rafik Mohamed, Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Clayton Hall, Room 111, 678-466-4605.

I prefer email to voice mail as you may provide me with a more detailed message;
I check my email regularly Monday through Friday.

W: Noon to 1:00 p.m.;
Online course meeting dates: Sat: 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. and following class;
By prior appointment at other mutually convenient times.

For campus closing information due to weather or an electrical outage - tune to WSB AM 750.

IMPORTANT REQUIRED COURSE MEETING DATES

Plan ahead and adjust your personal schedule to be in class on all of these on-campus meeting dates!

MANDATORY ON-CAMPUS ORIENTATION SESSION

A STUDENT NOT PRESENT FOR ORIENTATION MAY BE DROPPED
FROM THIS CLASS AS A "NO SHOW" BY THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE!
(Please email the instructor if you have questions regarding this CSU policy.)

ON-CAMPUS REQUIRED COURSE ORIENTATION DATE:

Required Course Orientation: Saturday, May 22nd, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Location: A&S Bldg., Room G101;

ON-CAMPUS EXAMINATION DATES:

Scantron examination answer sheets:
Purchase six (6) 100 question (1-50 on front side and 51-100 on reverse side), product #882-E;
You will use two (2) 100 question Scantron answer sheets per examination.

First Examination: Saturday, June 19th, 9:00 - 10:50 a.m., Location: A&S Bldg., Room G101;

Second Examination: Saturday, July 10th, 9:00 - 10:50 a.m., Location: A&S Bldg., Room G101;

Third/Final Examination: Saturday, July 24th, 9:00 - 10:50 a.m., Location: A&S Bldg., Room G101.