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SOC 3700 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

SOC 3700 - Sociology of Childhood

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course explores the nature of childhood and the development and socialization of children from infancy through adolescence. Through course readings, assignments, and discussions, the course will cover the agencies and social forces that shape children. This course will incorporate the new Sociology of Childhood perspective, which rather than assuming that children are passive participants starts from the assumption that children are active participants who both shape and are shaped by their social world. The course will also address the future of childhood which might be especially beneficial to current or future policy makers. 

Course Outcomes:

1. Develop an understanding of the history of childhood and the changing societal definitions of childhood and children's place in society.

2. Become familiar with the various methods of studying children, and the ethical issues involved in studying children.

3. Learn the major theories of socialization and moral development of children.

4. Become familiar with the major agencies of socialization, such as family, peers, media, and school.

5. Develop an understanding of the larger economic, political, and social forces that affect and influence children.

6. Understand how gender, race, and social class influence socialization and social development.

7. Consider the possibilities for the future of childhood in the United States and globally. 

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

SOCI 1010

Course Topics:
Specific Course Requirements:

The student must have a basic knowledge of computers, the Internet, and email. The student's computer must have Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Powerpoint Viewer. 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

The course is divided into five modules. Students will have to take a timed online multiple-choice quiz for each module, and complete an assignment for each module, which will not be timed. The students can take the quiz and submit the assignment answers anytime during the module, but must have completed both of the end of the module.

Quizzes will cover the text book, articles, charts, and instructor remarks.

All of these are included in each module.

Grading Procedures:

The grade will be based on quiz scores, assignment grades, charts, and discussion participation.

There will be five discussion topics to which students will have to make regular posts. Grading of the discussion participation will be based on the quality and quantity of posts, and the frequency of reading the posts of others. Regular participation in discussions is required in order to get a high grade. No one part of the course will constitute a large portion of the final grade, but work must consistently be done in a conscientious and accomplished manner in order for the student to receive an A or a B. The chat room is to be used for students to receive help and clarification from the instructor, and to discuss assignments and projects with other students. It is not a part of the course that is required or graded. 

Grading Scale:

Grading: Quizzes 45% of the final grade-each quiz is 9%

            Assignments 40% of the final grade-each assignment is 8%

           Discussion Participation 15% of the final grade-each discussion is 3% 

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

00-59 F

Assignments and Projects:

Grading: Quizzes 45% of the final grade-each quiz is 9%

            Assignments 40% of the final grade-each assignment is 8%

           Discussion Participation 15% of the final grade-each discussion is

3% 90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

00-59 F 

Class Participation:

Students will have to actively participate in five discussions. Students are also expected to regularly check their email for information provided by the instructor. I do not include chat room participation in grading, because I want well thought out remarks when students address course content. The chat room is for clarification and casual interaction. Students are expected to disagree in their discussion posts, but they should at all times be polite and respectful. Students should feel free to disagree with the instructor in discussion posts. Taking part in a discussion requires reading the posts of other students and making your own posts in a regular and consistent manner. Making five posts in one day every two weeks is not taking part in a discussion. There is an anonymous discussion group to which you can make posts at any time in the course without revealing who you are. This is for any negative or positive comments you want to make about the course, assignments quizzes, etc. 

Late Policy:

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on April 28, 2017