SYLLABUS FOR SOCIOLOGY
MRS. WINTER’S GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
Welcome to Sociology! Sociology is the scientific study of social structure and human social behavior. This class is aligned to both the state Social Studies Standards as well as the National High School Sociology Standards. Students will look at patterns of attitudes and actions and how they varied across time among cultures and social groups. Students will examine society through race/ethnicity, social deviance, gender, family, education and religion. It is extremely important that students keep an open mind for this class and are able to look at these topics scientifically. I fully support and embrace the vision and mission statement below as the foundation on which this class will be built as we continue to grow as learners.
SRHS Mission Statement:
With High Expectations for students, parents, staff and the community, Shadow Ridge is committed to providing limitless Opportunities for our students while creating Meaningful Relationships between all members of the school community. Teachers, parents, and students will experience Empowerment via the use of technology and project based learning. Through collaboration and networking, students will have the opportunity to explore real world issues that will make learning relevant in our global society.
SRHS Vision:
To be a HOME to a community of learners where we inspire student excellence.
Office Hours
If you need to meet with me for extra help or to make up a test or assignment, I am here to help you! I am available by appointment during lunch and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My phone number is (623) 523-8100. My e-mail address is [email protected].
Materials
1. Unit materials and any due work 2. Binder / Paper
3. Pen or Pencil 4. School ID 5. Textbook
A class set of textbooks are available for classroom use only. Students who are interested in having their own book may check one out from the bookstore.
Grading
Your semester grade will be calculated using the following categories:
Assessments: Tests, Quizzes, Essays …………... …...………...60%
Classwork & Homework..…...………...…………...…….10%
Projects and Presentations………..………20%
Final Exam (Semester 1)/Final Exam (Semester 2) ………..……. 10%
Grading Scale
Classroom Rules
1. All school rules apply. 2. Respect yourself and others.
3. Come prepared to participate and learn. 4. Listen and focus while the speaker is talking.
All students have the right to an education. That is why you are here! Behavior that disrupts the learning process will result in the following steps taken. Please note that serious infractions may result in an immediate referral.
Consequences
1. Verbal warning
2. Conference with Mrs. Winter (student may be removed for the period) 3. Parent contacted & consequence assigned
4. Administrative referral
Homework/Late Work Policy
•Late Work: Students may turn in a late assignment up until the end of the unit it pertains to. However, the assignment will only be worth a maximum of 50% of the total point value. Once we have moved on to another unit, students may not make up work from past units.
•Projects: Long term projects are due at the beginning of class on the date assigned. This supersedes the make-up policy for absences. Projects will be late if the student has an unexcused absence on the date it is due. Projects will lose 1 letter grade per day if not turned in on time.
Make-up Work
Students have the same number of days they were absent to make up an assignment.
Students are responsible for checking the “While You Were Out...” binder to find out what they missed. Any handouts that were given will be put in the Make-up folders.
You will need to complete the bell work from the days you were absent. Be sure to get them done and into your binder in order.
If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you must be prepared to turn it in on the day you return.
Be sure to write “absent” on any make-up work you turn in to me.
Make-up Test Policy
Make-up tests due to absence must be completed within one week of the student’s return.
If the student does not arrange to take the test within this time frame, the student will earn a zero for that test.
The test may be a different format than the original test given.
Make up tests must be arranged in advance and completed after school or during lunch.
Quizzes and Tests
Students will be given quizzes and tests to assess if students are mastering the class objectives.
Both quizzes and tests will be composed of a variety of test questions. Students can expect to see multiple-choice, matching, short answer, essay, and data analysis.
Test Retake Policy
Students will be given the opportunity to master all concepts covered in class. This means that students will have option to re-take assessments. However, the following criteria must be met to be able to re-take an assessment:
•80% of all Unit work covered by the assessment must be completed by the student.
•Evidence of additional practice of unit concepts (i.e. additional study guide or review work) •Re-takes must be arranged in advance within a four week time period or prior to the end of term •Re-takes will be offered only during lunch or after school
Cheating/ Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are serious academic offenses. The department policy is to grade the project, test, or assignment as a ZERO. This is also an offense that may result in a referral to administration.
Attendance: Attendance is a key ingredient to success in this class. In the event that you are absent due to illness or personal reasons, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and turn in your work. If you know you will need to leave during class (for a field trip or sporting event) you are responsible for notifying me of this before class begins. The school attendance policy will be strictly enforced.
Tardiness: You must be on time to class everyday. You should be in your assigned seat and starting your bell assignment. Students not in class by the last bell will be sent to sweep. Any student who is “swept” is still responsible for turning in assignments due that day. Students are also responsible for obtaining missed work and turning it in on time. No extensions given due to tardiness! See handbook for the school wide tardy policy.
Passes: (nurse, restroom, library)
Students may not leave the classroom the first/last 10 minutes of class, during instruction, or during a test. Students must: ask to leave, receive permission, obtain pass, sign out with time, sign in with the time, and rejoin class activities without disruption. Passes will be very limited. Students who abuse the privilege will have their pass rights rescinded.
Exiting Bell Rings: Do not crowd by the door or get up to leave until I dismiss you. The room needs to be neat and orderly prior to dismissal. Your textbooks need to be put away and the floor clean.
Examples of Assignments
1. Each class will begin with a “bell assignment” that is copied into your packet. All entries need to be dated with the question written out. These assignments along with the rest of the packet will be a large part of your classwork grade. An organized notebook is a must! You are responsible for bell
assignments even if you were absent. The agenda for the day including the bell assignment will be in the absence binder.
2. Each semester you will summarize and present a current event article relevant to Sociology. This grade falls under the project/presentation category and must be completed on the assigned date for full points. Specific requirements will be provided.
3. Students will be given notice and a review prior to each test. The review may be in the form of a study guide, review game, or group discussion. Unannounced open-note quizzes will also be given to ensure students comprehend and stay on track with the material as it is assigned. Nothing on the tests will be a surprise to you if you complete the review, assigned readings, and take good notes. The mid-term and final exam will be cumulative.
research, multi-media presentations, written essays, visual aids or oral presentations. The media center and computer lab are available during lunch and after school. Plan ahead to ensure your work is
complete to the best of your ability and on time.
5. We will use textbooks, notes, videos, handouts, group discussions and other assignments to meet all of the class objectives.
Class Outline
The following topics will be covered in this course. Each unit is approximately 3-5 weeks in length.
Unit 1: Sociological Perspectives
Unit Topics:
Origins of Sociology ~ Theories of Sociology ~ Global Perspectives ~ Research Methods
Unit 2: Culture & Socialization
Unit Topics:
Language ~ Norms/Values ~ Mores/Laws ~ Beliefs ~ Diversity/Similarity ~ Socialization Nature vs. Nurture
Unit 3: Social Structure
Unit Topics:
Social Structures ~ Social Interaction ~ Groups/Organizations
Unit 4: Deviance
Unit Topics:
Deviance ~ Social Control ~ Deviance and Diversity ~ Crime and Punishment
Unit 5: Social Inequalities
Unit Topics:
Social Stratification ~ Race/Ethnicity ~ Gender ~ Age
Unit 6: Social Institutions
Unit Topics:
Economic Systems ~ Government Systems ~ Family ~ Religion ~ Education ~ Sports ~ Medicine
Unit 7: Social Change
Unit Topics:
Population ~ Urbanization ~ Social Movements ~ Collective Behavior
Unit 8: Social Issues & Concerns
Unit Topics:
Individual Project Presentations
Shadow Ridge High School
10909 N. Perryville Road, Surprise, AZ 85388 Phone: 623.523.5100
August 5, 2015
Dear Parents & Guardians:
I would like to introduce myself as your student’s Sociology teacher. My name is Dianna Winter, and I am excited to return to Shadow Ridge High School after a relaxing summer with my own children. I took several sociology classes while earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology from ASU. I then completed my teaching certification and recently earned my MA Ed in Guidance Counseling as well. I especially enjoy teaching the variety of interesting topics that are introduced in this class. This will be my second year at Shadow Ridge and my fourteenth year of teaching. Please know that I will make every effort to help your son or daughter excel in this class. We will utilize several different approaches to learning including whole class discussions, small group activities, and individual assignments. Students are expected to actively participate, show respect for one another’s ideas, and take personal responsibility for their own learning.
We discussed in class today the guidelines and expectations of this course as well as an outline of the topics that your child will be responsible for this year. My syllabus is available to view on my teacher webpage and I also have paper copies available if preferred. Please read over this information with your son or daughter. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know as soon as possible. My email address is
[email protected] and the school number is (623) 523-5100. Please sign and return this sheet after you have reviewed the course syllabus. The student’s first assignment is to return this signed sheet by Wednesday, August 12th. This is a 15 point assessment grade due to the value of understanding and sharing this information with you.
Thank you,
Mrs. Winter
Dual Enrollment Psychology / Sociology Teacher
Student ______________________________________________ Date ____________
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