LEARNING COMMUNITY CLASS: SOCIOLOGY-GOVERNMENT | BLACKBOARD | 70-POINT ESSAYS | 30-POINT ESSAYS | NRG FALL 2003 SYLLABUS | CYP FALL 2003 SYLLABUS | SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION | US. SOCIAL CLASSES
ACM
Here is what you need to know about me and about this Introduction to Sociology class. 
 
I have a strong sense of humor, and I tend to find a lot of ironic humor in so many things that people do. 
 
I have heard just about every conceivable excuse that a student can use to weasel out of assignmetns, tests, exams, etc..  Just thought you would like to know that.
 
You will be treated as an adult and you will be required to act as an adult.  This is not a negotiable principle. 
 
Very few of the students who stay in class all semester will fail this class.
 
I have only one email address: alfredcm@austin.rr.com
 
Always call me at home first, UNLESS you call during office hours.  My home phone is 512-837-2935 as is my Fax number.
 
You must have a working email account and address of your choice.  If you do not have a computer and/or internet connection at home, No Problem!  You can set up an web-based email account and check your email at any ACC library.
 
You must be able to access and use the course management program, Blackboard.  See the Blackboard page on this web site.
 
You are permitted four cuts per semester with no penalty, but if you have no unexcused absences (cuts), you are rewarded with 80 extra credit points; if you cut only once, you receive 60 extra points, and if you cut only twice, you receive 45 extra credit points.
 
Students who do not come to class do not usually do well academically, so when a student cuts for the fifth time, she or he is dropped from the class, rather than just carry the student and then flunk her or him.

I am available during office hours or by appointment to work with you to help you do better.  This is all I do, so I have the time for you.

There are Six quizzes given during the semester.  Four of the six are extra credit opportunities.  You cannot lose points; you can only add points.  You decide on the number of Quizzes you wish to take.  Each is comprised of 30 multiple choice questions, with each question worth One point.  Together, these Six Quizzes add up to potentially 180 points.

You can do smaller, three-page, 30-point essays or larger 70-point essays, depending on your preference.  You can do as many 30 point essays as you want to do.  There are 140 points built into the grading system for essays. 

We probably will have voluntarily tutorials for students who wish to receive assistance with smaller or larger essays.  If you attend, you receive 20 points if you write a longer essay graded at 70 points, and you receive 10 points for each 30 point essay you write that is graded at 30 points.

If you wish to make more extra points, you can do a class presentation with another student (or alone if we have time) for up to 50 points, plus an extra 15 points if you and/or your partner do a good job of presenting.  There are plenty of articles to choose from.

Class participation is the equivalent of a major exam.  Class participation is broadly defined in my class to permit students who do not speak up in class to still earn credit for doing related work, such as coming to me for help, working with me on essays, etc.

Class lectures are relaxed, there are lots of discussions, and there are no "sacred cows" or subjects that cannot be discussed.

No matter what area you are strongest in, there is that option for you.  Something for everybody and you will learn plenty of Sociology!

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SOCIOLOGY 1301: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Welcome to my web site for students of Sociology.  I will continuously work to update these pages for the benefit of all my students at ACC and anyone else who finds something of interest or useful here. 
 
I hope you share some feedback with me, so I can continually strengthen these materials.  My intention is to provide timely class information about deadlines, syllabi, exams, as well as some ideas for further studnt reading in Sociology or for a topic, perhaps for an essay, a class presentation, or some other individual or team project.
 
If you know of any useful social science web sites that could be added to these web pages, please let me know.  Call me at 512-837-2935 or send me email.  I look forward to hearing from you.  In the meantime, read on and enjoy yourself! 
Dr. Alfred C. Maldonado, 21st Century Sociologist!!

Formal Dining for Two
Typical students who made an A in Dr. Maldonado's Sociology Class. They live happily ever after!!
What, me worry?!
Alfred E. Newman, MAD Magazine

Welcome!
Sociology 1301: Introduction to Sociology (3-3-0). Introduction to theoretical perspectives and scientific research pertaining to society's institutions and to the social relationships between society and the individual. Covers the basic core concepts of society, including but not limited to, such as human and cultural development, social structure, social groups, stratification and social class, race, ethnicity, gender, demography, marriage and the family, the environment, and thesocial processes of social order and social change.  There is an emphasis on developing critical thinking skills and oral/written communication skills. 
 
Course Objectives:
  • Student retention, academic success, high self-esteem, and assertiveness.
  • Student comfort in seeking instructor assistance and engaging in class participations.
  • Critical thinking skills as an indispensable component of Sociology and life.
  • Sociological perspective: application of core concepts and research to everyday social processes.
  • Student mastery of the scientific method and its critical application to societys institutions.
  • The Essay as the articulation of integrated Sociological knowledge.
  • Historical contexts for sociocultural change through different historical eras.
  • Class presentations as one forum for student dissemination of Sociological knowledge and research.
  • Less provincialism, parochialism, rote learning, common sense, and passive note-taking. 
  • Recruiting students to Sociology.

Sociology, A Social Science Based on the Scientific Method (Research Facts):  Sociology is one of the younger behavioral sciences with important intellectual and philosophical linkages to Psychology, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology, and other social sciences.  Sociology is the scientific study of social relationships in societies.  Sociology is a social science that uses the Scientific Method.  Science is a process that never ends and does not know Final Truth because it is not a closed system.  It is also critical that we include Historical Analysis to understand Institutional relationships and changes in their Historical Contexts. 

  • IMPORTANT:  Sociological research and knowledge is not based on sacred scriptures, faith, myths, divine truth, revelation, intuition, conventional wisdom, what everybody knows, common sense, revealed Word from deities, visions, inspiration, awakenings or instincts.  This is a social science course based on the scientific method.  This course is NOT a course whose knowledge and research methods are based on church, sect, or cult theology or sacred scripture or divine truth.  While we do study the Sociology of religion, it is within the discipline of Sociology and its methodology that religions and religious institutions are studied, described, analyzed, and critiqued to see how they develop and change over time.