Telecourse – SO:100                                   The Sociological Imagination

Scott Community College                            Lynn Chamberlain

Section #18322                                             Fall 2001

 

There are 26 30-minute program broadcast--at two 30-minute programs each Friday--on Iowa Public Television, Channel 12, starting Friday, September 14, from 5:00-6:00 a.m., every Friday through December 7.  There are no repeats of these programs.  For the convenience of our students, the programs will be taped and will be available to view in the college library (Belmont campus).

 

About the course:

As in the case of all telecourses, I will make every attempt to make this course, the Sociological Imagination, as comparable as possible to a regular, on-campus course.  In this case, the comparability is with SO:100, Principles of Sociology.  There will be similar goals, assignments, and grading procedures.  The main difference is that you, the student, will not be obligated to come to the campus except to take the tests.  I hope that this will make it easier for you to pursue your college education, without any sacrifice in academic goals and standards.

 

This telecourse is designed to give students an in-depth look at groups, communities, institutions, and social situations that illustrate major sociological concepts.  The 26 documentary-style programs address issues such as socialization, social control, aging, collective behavior, and social change.

 

One of the objectives of the course is that students develop a good basic grasp of what modern Sociology as a field of study is all about.  But there is another important objective as well:  we hope students will see how Sociological concepts and findings apply to our own society, our own communities, and our own lives.  In short, I hope the study of Sociology will help us to better understand our own world and will prepare us to improve it in years to come.

 

Assignments, Grading, etc.

The main textbook for the course is Sociology in a Changing World, fifth edition, by William Kornblum.  You will also read Telecourse Study Guide for the Sociological Imagination, by Glenn Currier.  THIS GUIDE IS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS.  Please pay particular attention to the “Lesson Guidelines” section on page 3.  This is essentially a checklist of what to do to effectively study for the exams.  This checklist, the “Focus Points” and “Self Test” sections are vitally important.  You should read the text assignment first before viewing the program.

 

There will be four combined multiple choice and short answer essay tests.  Each test is worth 25% of the course grade.  The testing procedure will be as follows:  on the dates listed below, copies of the test will be delivered to the Scott Testing Center, in Belmont 2205.  You should call to make sure the test is there, to check the hours the testing center is open and to make an appointment to take the test call 441-4088.

 

 


You will have approximately two weeks to come in and take it, at a time convenient to you.  But you must take the test within this period, or the grade on it will be zero.  Only in very unusual circumstances will more time be allowed, and even then you must call me during that week and request permission for additional time. 

 

In very special cases, such as long-term hospitalization, it might be possible to take tests at an off-campus location.  Remember, even though this is a telecourse, we will have schedules to maintain.  When you come to take the tests, please bring a No. 2 pencil.  All tests are closed-book and 90 minutes long.  You will be informed of your grade two (2) weeks from the end of each testing period.

 

If you wish to test at an alternative site, please notify me immediately as it takes time to arrange placement of exams.

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

                                                                                                                         # of Programs

Oct. 1-12                  1st exam over programs 1-6, plus readings.                                 6

 

Oct. 22-Nov. 2         2nd exam over programs 7-12, plus readings.                             6

 

Nov. 19-Dec. 3         3rd exam over programs 13-20, plus readings.                            8

 

Dec. 10-14               4th exam over programs 21-26, plus readings                              6

 

Please make your appointments early especially during the last few weeks of the semester as the Testing Center will not be able to accommodate you on a walk-in basis.

 

Contact with the instructor:

If you wish to call my office at the Belmont campus, the phone number is 563-441-4327.  If I do not answer, please leave a brief message with your phone number, and I will return the call as soon as I can.  Or, you may use e-mail:  ldchamberlain@eiccd.cc.ia.us or Weberian54@hotmail.com.  Test results will be sent within 2 weeks of the ending date for each test.

 

Office hours are:  1:00-3:00 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.