Instructional Goals and Learning Objectives by Chapter

Waycross College
Course Syllabus

Sociology 2501 - The Multiple Aspects of Diversity

Instructor: Anthony Hendrix, Ed.D.

Office: 172A, Faculty Suite

Phone: (912) 449-7568

Email: hendrix@waycross.edu

Text: Racial and Ethnic Relations, 7^th ed., Joe Feagin & Clairece Feagin.

Homepage: http://www.waycross.edu/faculty/hendrix/

I. Catalog Description

Soc 2501 - The Multiple Aspects of Diversity (3-0-3) Prerequisite: none
An introduction to the sociology of race and ethnic relations, examining selected
racial and ethnic subcultures with respect to past and present patterns of
participation, minority-majority relations, maintenance patterns and
consequences of prejudice and discrimination for American social life. A
multicultural perspective and an analysis of minority groups in American society
will be included.

II. Course Goals and Objectives

1. To acquire knowledge of the American social history of selected racial and ethnic groups.
2. To be able to distinguish among racial and ethnic groups as well as to understand
      how they overlap.
3. To examine the various patterns of majority-minority relations.
4. To examine the structural and functional units and institutions of society which provide a
       basis for the kinds of interaction and socialization among majority and minority groups.
5.   To provide a clear understanding to the nature of prejudice, stereotyping, and
       discrimination, including more modern, subtle, and perhaps unintentional forms.
6.   To increase awareness of and sensitivity to the prevalence of prejudice and
       discrimination and their detrimental effects.
7.   To gain an understanding of how racial and ethnic groups attempt to deal with and
       cope with social problems.
8.   To establish a genuine appreciation of diversity.
9.   To increase cultural awareness
10. To introduce a methodology of Multicultural Analysis.

III. Class Attendance

The student is expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes. If a student misses a class, the student is still responsible for the material covered in class and the class assignments given that day. The College’s attendance policy indicates that a student who misses 20% of scheduled classes may be dropped from the course with a grade of WF. In order to receive credit for attendance, you must arrive at class on time and you must remain until class ends.

IV. Grades and Grading

        A. Letter grades will be assigned on the basis of the following numerical
             values:
                            A = 100-90           D = 69-60
                            B = 89-80             F = less than 60
                            C = 79-70

       B. Four hourly exams and a comprehensive final will be given. Exams will
           consist of multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay. SEE ATTACHED.
           READING AND EXAM SCHEDULE.

      C. Project: Students will be required to do one major project during the semester, working
           in groups. The project will involve researching a relevant topic or event of their choice and
           then leading a class-length presentation or discussion. Students will not lecture, but rather
           present a presentation, lead a discussion, or lead an activity. Multimedia presentations will
           be encouraged. Students will be encouraged to pull together information from a variety of
           sources, go beyond the material presented in class, and express their ideas and opinions in
           an engaging, instructive, creative fashion. The following are examples of presentation
           topics: 1) an analysis of public school desegregation and its consequences, 2) how to lead a multicultural
          workshop, 3) an inventive game demonstrating diversity and/or multiculturalism, 4) a
          discussion of how the civil rights movement is still affecting our society today, 5) an
          analysis of racial and ethnic bias inchildren’s literature, 6) a discussion of popular songs that
          support or confront prejudice and discrimination. Students will also turn in a report of
          their research findings and work.

A detailed outline of the project presentation should be submitted to the instructor and
approved before work is started.

    D. Portfolio. Each student will develop a portfolio. The portfolio will consist of all work the
          student has completed during the course. Examples of material that should be included in
          the portfolio include: class notes taken, exams, articles collected on the subjects, journals,
          critiques, research material, ect. The student can create the portfolio anyway desired and
          can include anything the student thinks is appropriate to the course. The portfolio will be
          due November 29, 2007.

     E. The instructor has the option of giving periodic short exams or class assignments which
          may or may not be announced ahead of time. These will be averaged in with the hourly
          exams.

     F. Make-up work will be considered on an individual basis: however, there Generally will
         be no make-up work considered of unexcused absences. Students must have permission
         from the instructor to miss an exam. Make-up tests will be essay tests.

G. Deadlines will be met and work will be of a standard reasonably expected from WC
Students.

H. The contribution of the exams, the project, the student portfolio, and the final are shown by
the grading percentages below:

               Seven exams (or more) …....60%
               Project…………………….. 20%
               Portfolio……………………10%
               Comprehensive final………..10%

    I . Incompletes – The grade of incomplete is given to students who for reason of illness,
        accident, or emergency are unable to complete a segment of the course. At least 75% of the
        course requirements must be met with passing grade BEFORE an incomplete will be
        considered. In no case will the grade of incomplete be given as a means to avoid a failing
        grade.

V. Class Participation:

        Class participation is encouraged and will be a vital part of the course. Therefore, in order to
         teach and participate in a course relating to diversity and multiculturalism, an atmosphere
         must be created and maintained that fosters respect and understanding. Discussions about
         sensitive and potentially contentious issues need to be open and honest but at the same time
         respectful. The following guidelines will be established for class discussion: During class
        discussions and lectures students will 1) demonstrate respect for one another at all times, 2)
         honor the confidentiality of the group when talking outside class, 3) refrain from jumping to
         conclusions about personal attributes, 4) speak from your own experiences rather than
         stereotyping, 5) contribute without dominating the discussion, 6) help create a climate in
         which others can comfortably share their opinions and experiences.

VI. Class Etiquette:

       Please do not hold conversations with classmates whenever the instructor or another student
       is speaking. Also refrain from writing and passing notes or participating in other destructive
       behavior. Your undivided attention in class is a must. An atmosphere of mutual respect is in
       order. The instructor will do whatever is appropriate to maintain the best educational
       environment possible. Therefore the instructor reserves the right to request you leave the
       class if you engage in disrespectful conduct or disruptive behavior.

Please turn off cell phones during class, especially during tests. If the instructor sees a student using his/her cell phone for text messaging during class, the instructor will confiscate the student’s cell phone.

VII. DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

       In order to officially drop a course without penalty, a student must obtain and fill out a
       Drop/Add form from the Registrar's office, acquire appropriate signatures, and return the
       completed form to the Registrar's office before the designated date published in the
       Academic Calendar in the Waycross College Catalog.

VIII. Plagiarism

       Plagiarism is prohibited. Plagiarism is defined by Webster as the stealing and passing off of
       the ideas or words of another as one's own. Further, the MLA Handbook states, "Plagiarism
       may take the form of repeating another's sentences as your own, adopting a particular apt
       phrase as your own, or even presenting someone else's line of thinking in the development of
       thesis as though it were your own." For further information about plagiarism, see Lester,
       Writing Research Papers.

Academic misconduct, including alleged violations involving plagiarism, will be handled
according to the procedures outlines in the Waycross College Student Handbook.

IX. Academic Support Center

     The Academic Support Center (ASC) was created to offer supplemental assistance to
     students enrolled in all courses at the College. The ASC offers a variety of services at all
     levels, ranging from personal tutoring in math, reading, and composition skills to providing
     handouts and supplementary materials on writing research papers and critiques, taking essay
     and objective tests, and developing effective study techniques. Through audiovisual,
     computerized, self-paced, and one-to-one tutorial work, the ASC assists students in
     developing strengths and eliminating deficiencies. Students may be referred by instructor or
     may independently seek additional help.

X. ADA STATEMENT

The College is committed to providing accessibility to all students in accordance to ADA/504
guidelines. Students should contact the Director of Student Life regarding accessibility.

XI. Instructional Goals and Learning Objectives by Chapter

Chapter One - Basic Concepts in the Study of Racial and Ethnic Relations