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Social Problems SOC 202 CRN 50794 Online

Summer 2021

Frank Ha, PhD

Required Hardware

A webcam is required for this course. See the section on Honorlock for more details.

Welcome and start date

My name is Frank Ha and this is the fully online version of the Social Problems (Sociology 202) course that I teach. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings.

This is a six week course. We cover the same amount of material covered in my 18 week face-to-face course in six weeks. Make sure you have enough time in your life to take this course. If you have never taken an online course or used Canvas, you will need a few hours to get familiar with the structure. If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. You will need a few hours to get familiar with the structure. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face-to-face. Since there is no face-to-face lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required.

You will be able to log on to Canvas (our learning management system that we will be using) on the first day of class, Monday, June 14.

Wait list procedure

If you are on the wait list, please read the college wait list procedure. If you are number 10 or lower (1 through 10) on the wait list on the first day of class, you will be sent an add code in the morning. YOU MUST ADD THE CLASS BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY. 

Logging on to Canvas

This online course will be using Canvas where you will access lecture notes, discussion forums, quizzes, assignments, and grade book. 

Prior to the first day of class, you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark/favorite the Canvas site after you log in or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the Canvas login directly.

Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the directions on the course home page.

Here is a Canvas Quick Reference guide with instructions on logging in.

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU?

First, go to the Online Readiness Resources page to take a "self-assessment.” There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)

 Contact information

    • Canvas Inbox is the best way contact me. The Canvas Inbox page can be reached by clicking on the mailbox icon to the far left. I will generally respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Expect longer response times on weekends, holidays, and during the summer session.
    • Email: fha@cuesta.eduLinks to an external site.. If you contact me via email, let me know what class you are in including CRN.
    • Office phone: 805-592-9679
    • Office: Building 6200, Room 6213 (not holding office hours here Summer 2021)
    • Summer 2021 hours: I will hold office hours via Zoom M-W 6-7 pm. If M-W 6-7 pm does not work for you, contact me for a better time and day. I am available most any time. Make an appointment here.

Problems logging on?:

If you are having problems logging on, go to Cuesta Technical Support for information on how to get help. You can also try calling the Help Desk in the Computer Lab, room 3400. Their phone number is 546-3100 ext: 2802. If no one is there, send an email to support@my.cuesta.edu.

Required textbook

Macionis, John J. 2020. Social Problems. 8th ed. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.

This course is participating in the First Day program. That means you will have immediate access to the ebook assigned in our course starting the first day of class through the Canvas course. To open the textbook, go to our Canvas course and click on Course Materials (First Day Access) on the left side. You will see the textbook and the price ($65.87). If you want a hardcopy of this book, you can add a loose-leaf hard copy for $20. 

You have until the Census date to decide if you would like to opt out of the program. To opt out, go to our Canvas course and click on Course Materials (First Day Access) on the left side. You will see the textbook and you can opt out from there if desired. If you opt out, you will need to purchase the course materials in another way.

If you do not opt out, you will be charged the reduced rate listed for the course materials to your campus student account. This charge comes after the Census date and will be listed as a course materials fee. If you have financial aid or textbook vouchers, you may be able to apply them to this fee. Check with the campus bookstore for more information.

First Day access is often the most affordable option for your course materials, but you can decide what will work best for you.

Honorlock

This course will use Honorlock, a remote proctoring solution designed to protect the integrity of this course’s assessments. This proctoring service requires a webcam. Honorlock is for your convenience. You can also be proctored by me via Zoom or you can go to the SLO campus proctoring center and be proctored by someone there. Please contact me so that we can make the arrangements if you choose not to use Honorlock. Also, if you are a DSPS student, and would like to take the quizzes at DSPS, contact me to make arrangements. If you need help, you can contact support here: https://honorlock.com/support/ (Links to an external site.). Also, here is a link to their FAQ page: https://honorlock.kb.help/-students-starting-exam/honorlock-student-faq/ (Links to an external site.).

Course description and objectives

Studies current major social problems and the application of basic sociological principles and concepts in considering solutions. Advisory: SOC 201A and eligibility for ENGL 156. Transfer: CSU; UC. (Formerly SOC2)

Student learning outcomes

  • Describe the characteristics of current social problems. Discuss the types and extent, the causes, the consequences, possible solutions, and the politics surrounding them
  • Describe the research methods and theories used to understand social problems from a sociological perspective
  • Display a critical understanding of how social problems are shaped by historical transformations and current societal patterns
  • Discuss the role of inequality, power, and prejudice in understanding social problems

Course requirements

Timed quizzes = 50 percent
Assignments = 30 percent
In-textbook chapter quizzes = 10 percent
Discussions = 10 percent

I reserve the right to modify the grade scale when computing final letter grades to account for the level of difficulty of the course. I will not modify the scale to your disadvantage.

Instructor-initiated dropping of students who do not log on to Canvas by Sunday, June 20 at 11:59 pm:

Students who have not logged on to Canvas by Sunday, June 20 at 11:59 pm may be dropped from the course unless the student contacts the instructor before that day. If you do plan dropping the course, you must drop by yourself. It is the student’s responsibility to drop if you do not plan on taking this course.

Dropping the course 

It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop a class by the withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: If you drop this class after the last day to drop without a "W," you will receive a "W" on your transcript.  All courses in which you earn a grade of "D", "F", "NP" and/or "W" are counted as "unsatisfactory" attempts to successfully complete the course. You are only allowed 3 attempts to repeat courses for which you receive an "unsatisfactory" grade.  A "W" on your transcript will count as an "unsatisfactory" attempt to successfully complete the course.

Academic integrity

Cheating is absolutely not tolerated. You are encouraged to study together for the quizzes. You are encouraged to discuss assignments with others, but you cannot work on the assignment together. Assignments should be written completely independently. Plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment, at minimum. Also, asking someone who has taken an exam before you have about the content of the exam or receiving information about an exam that you have not yet taken is prohibited. After taking the exam, please to do not discuss the exam with anyone who has not already taken the exam. Do not post or share the questions with anyone or anywhere. For more information on the college's policy regarding cheating refer to the Cuesta College Student Code of Conduct.

Students with disabilities

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) or the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. The DSPS phone number is 546-3148, and they are located in the Academic Support Center, Building 3300. 

Student computer competency requirements

Students are expected to know how to use a computer and use an internet browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.

Computer requirements

Browser requirements and minimum computer specifications can be found here.

College Support Services

  • Tutorial services are provided to students and can be found at the following link: Tutorial Services.

Help and Technical Support

  • For issues related to accessing Cuesta's Canvas Site or other technical issues, email: support@my.cuesta.edu.
  • If the Cuesta server goes down or the power is out, you are still responsible for accessing the course. When this happens, you can access the class through here
  • If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.
  • If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.
  • Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications.
  • For all other issues related to the course or course content, please email me.

Course and College Policies

  • Authentication policy: Authenticating student identity will be conducted through the use of the Learning Management System, Canvas. Canvas requires each student to log into the program using a secure login and password to access. 
  • Regular Effective Contact policy: Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and office hours which may be asynchronous or synchronous.

Add / Drop Policy: In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops

Netiquette and Online Course Participation

Use respectful and appropriate language in your forum discussions.

Student Expectations

  • Students should log on to the course at least three times per week.
  • In order to succeed in the course, students should buy the required book listed above. You will have access to the etextbook on the first day of class.
  • In order to succeed in this course, expect to spend at least 20 hours per week doing the readings, assignments, participating on the discussion forums, and preparing for quizzes.
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