GENERAL SYLLABUS SOCI 3321
Spring 2008
Davor Jedlicka, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology The University of Texas at Tyler.
What to do when you first
log in?
1.
Make sure you
understand each section of the syllabus. Print the
syllabus. You may want to start a three-ring binder for
this course with the syllabus as your first entry.
2.
Check the
“Important Dates” section of the syllabus and enter
them on your calendar.
3.
Read the EMAIL
ETIQUETTE.
4.
Study
OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR ONLINE CLASSES.
5.
When you have
done all of that, select LESSONS in your left hand menu
panel. Click on Lesson 1.
6.
If you have
any questions about the syllabus, course content, course
requirements, the calendar, grading, course policies, or
other technicalities, please post your question or
comment under the OFFICE forum in the Discussion Board
window.
Course Materials
Required homebook:
D Jedlicka ( 2005).
Ethnicity, Society, and the Individual. El Cajon, CA:
National Social Sciences Press. This CD must be used
with Internet access.
How to Acquire the Homebook?
You
may buy your homebook CD at the University of Texas Book
Store. You may also purchase your homebook online at the
Book Store’s website:
http://www.uttylerbookstore.com/
What is a Homebook?
The word "homebook"
encompasses the meaning of the word "homepage" and
"textbook." Like a textbook, a homebook provides a
choice of topics to read in a sequence much like
chapters assigned in a textbook. The difference is that
each chapter is linked with the Internet sources. The
information which needs updating is linked to the web
sites on the Internet. For example, social sciences
rely on up-to-date or projected socioeconomic data such
as those provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, National Institute of Health, and
others. Once the link is established between the
homebook and the data source on the Internet, the
updated information becomes an extension of the original
homebook.
Course Description
This course encompasses four
categories of scholarship in multicultural studies:
ethnic identity, ethnic cultures, ethnic relations, and
ethic stratification. These topics correspond to
questions which students will be encouraged to
understand and evaluate critically: Who are we? 2) How
diverse are we? 3) How do we relate across cultures?
4) and how well do different
ethnic groups live?
Each assigned chapter
provides a core of information, and then students are
taught how to branch into the Internet for an unlimited
opportunity to explore any ethnic culture in America or
around the world.
Learning Outcomes
Learning
outcomes include critical thinking, and life-long
learning using the homebook method of instruction. Some
of these outcomes are:
1) learning about the social
construction of ethnic identity
2) understanding the role of an individual in defining
his or her own ethnic identity
3) developing an appreciation for the scope of ethnic
diversity in America
4) using both cooperative and conflict models to explain
ethnic relations
5) distinguishing among individual, cultural and
institutional styles of relating to ethnic diversity
6) critically evaluating solutions to domestic ethnic
problems
7) Learning to use the Internet as a means for lifelong
learning.
Course Requirements
1. Download and
begin studying each learning unit on the day it is
posted.
2. Logon the
Blackboard daily, Monday – Friday and respond to
each posting
as required.
3. Complete
weekly practice exercises within the time allotted.
These
exercises
count toward your grade and you can take them
until you
get the score you desire.
4. Participate
in discussions and complete required activities on
time.
5. Take online
midterm exams. The dates for exams are listed below.
If any of these dates are
problematic, please contact me by
email
within the first two week of the course. (Please use
the specified email
protocol).
6. Take final
exam.
Grading
Students
learning outcomes will be evaluated using four equally
weighted methods:
Discussions and Assignments 25 %
Practice Exercises 25 %
Midterm Exams 25 %
Final Exam 25
%
Overall course grade will be
based on the following scale:
Percent Grade
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
Final exam
grades below 50 percent will count as “0”.
Make Up Policy
Make up exams
will only be scheduled for students who comply with the
make up policy. To be in compliance with the policy the
following procedures are required:
1. Notify me by
email within the first two weeks of the semester if
there is
a foreseeable reason for
you not to be able to take a midterm. If you cannot
take the final, please
withdraw from the course.
2. Make up
requests after the first two weeks must be submitted in
a typed, dated letter, identifying the class, student,
the exam missed, and providing a complete explanation
for missing the exam. BUSINESS LETTER ETIQUETTE IS
EXPECTED.
3. The letter
must be mailed to the instructor using the CERTIFIED US
MAIL. Proof of mailing is student’s responsibility. Sent
to Davor Jedlicka, Department of Social Sciences, UT
Tyler, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799.
4. The request
must be at the earliest time possible.
5. The evidence
to verify the letter must also be provided with the
letter or as soon as possible after you mail the
letter. Only verifiable requests will be accepted.
6. There can be
only one make up allowed regardless of reason.
7. The final is
not included under this policy.
One day during
the week before the final exam will be allocated for
approved make ups.
EMAIL ETIQUETTE FOR STUDENTS
REGISTERED IN
DR. JEDLICKA’S CLASSES
I would like to
interact with each one of you as much as possible. To
make it easier to communicate, please copy this
information and observe it. If you follow this
protocol I will be able to
respond more efficiently.
1. Please include your
course identification in the subject line every time you
send me an email. For example, SOCI 1306. After that,
on the same line it is optional to include the
abbreviation RE: followed by a word or two describing
the subject enclosed.
2. The first line of your
message to me is always salutation: Dr. Jedlicka. I
have to know that the email is intended for me. It is
also a polite thing to do. The message should begin on a
separate line.
3. Content of the message:
Please avoid emailing messages which belong on the
Blackboard. Before you decide to email please make sure
that the information can not be obtained from the
syllabus, Blackboard announcements, or other
instructions posted on the Blackboard. If the message
deals with your class, please post it under the OFFICE
forum in the Discussion
Board. It may be of interest to other students. The
rule of thumb
is this: if you have an
issue that you would bring up during a face-to-face
class,
post it on the Blackboard
instead of sending an email. Email should be for more
personal
issues that require a degree
of confidentiality.
4. The last line, preferably
separated by one blank line, includes your first and the
last name AS IT APPEARS ON THE CLASS ROSTER PROVIDED BY
THE REGISTRAR. If your name has changed during the
semester, please use the name in class that will appear
on the final course roster. Also inform me of any name
changes.
5. NO assignments through
the email. Please note that the Blackboard provides
the same method for everyone to submit assignments.
Please do not take the liberty to attach assignments as
email. That method of submission is unmanageable on my
end. Only assignments submitted as instructed will
receive credit.
6. Make sure that your own
email is functional through the Blackboard. Check your
email daily and if a response is requested, respond
within one day, Monday through Friday. Email received on
Friday can be answered on Monday. It is highly desirable
to have your email functioning within the first week of
the semester.
7. With these few rules of
etiquette I hope we can communicate more efficiently and
smoothly for your benefit and mine. Have a nice
semester!
OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DR.
JEDLICKA’S ONLINE CLASSES.
The Official Start of a
Course
1. The course officially
begins on the first day of classes as designated by the
University.
2. The posting of required,
for credit activities will begin on the first day of
class.
3. To continue in class you
must enroll on the Blackboard on or before the 12th
day of class as designated by the university.
4. If you fail to register
by that date, you must officially withdraw from class
to avoid getting an “F” at the end of the semester. The
professor does not have an option to assign a “W”.
Schedule of Postings
The course materials will
be posted weekly at the same time. You are required to
check in daily Monday through Friday for announcements,
discussion, and email.
Required Participation
My online
classes require daily participation in class activities
and discussions
Submitting Assignments
1. Only Microsoft Word
documents in plain text can be accepted. I cannot open
anything except “doc”
files. I cannot open “docx”. I must be able to open
your
file the first time you
submit it for you to receive the full credit.
2. All assignments must be
submitted in the designated place in the Blackboard
only.
No email attachments
will be accepted.
3. It is student’s
responsibility to use working equipment. If in doubt,
please work
at UT Tyler Computing
Center. There are no provisions for procrastination.
Technical Help
Your professor
is in no position to provide technical help. For that
refer to the
BalckBoard administrator:
bbadmin@uttyler.edu
Many problems result from toggling , opening
an extra window while taking a test, or failing to
press “submit” button as required you will be locked
and will not be able to complete your exam. In that case
email and call immediately. If the problem cannot be
resolved immediately, please begin
the process of requesting a make up exam.
To avoid losing
credit due to technical difficulties, start each
activity on time as required in case the problem can be
solved. Procrastination will not be rewarded.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Absences for Religious
Reasons
Students who anticipate
being absent due to religious observance are requested
to inform the instructor before the second class
meeting. The information is to be conveyed in writing
giving dates and the specific reason for such absence.
Disability Policy
If you have
disability, including a learning disability, for which
you request an accommodation, please contact Ida
MacDonald in the Disability Support Services offices so
that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In
accordance with federal law, a student requesting
accommodation must provide documentation of his/her
disability to the Disability Support Services counselor.
For more information, call or visit the Student Services
Center located in the University Center, Room 111. The
telephone number is 566-7079 (TDD 565-5579)."
Social Security Numbers
The policy of
the University of Texas at Tyler is to protect the
confidentiality of social security numbers. The
University has changed its computer programming so that
all students have an identification number.
Grade Replacement
If you are repeating this course for a
grade replacement, you must file an intent to receive
grade forgiveness with the registrar by the 12th day of
class. Failure to file an intent to use grade
forgiveness will result in both the original and
repeated grade being used to calculate your overall
grape point average. A student will receive grade
forgiveness (grade replacement) for only three
(undergraduate student) or two (graduate student) course
repeats during his/her career at UT Tyler. (2006-08
Catalog, p. 35)
