Faculty Syllabus

SOCI-1301 Introduction to Sociology

Rand Harris


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

SOCI-1301-019 (18570)
LEC TuTh 11:15am - 12:35pm SAC SAC1 1202

SOCI-1301-040 (33404)
LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am SAC SAC1 1202

Course Requirements

Over the course of the semester, there will be 16 modules covered (see Course Subjects below).  You will be expected to complete the questions by Sunday at 5:00 pm of the week that we cover that module. You will be expected to take a short test/quiz and write a short essay for each module. These assignments will be available in the “Course Content” section of Blackboard. In addition to tests and essays, you will be required to write a paper. The sum of the tests, essays and paper will determine your grade.

Each Module test will have a handful of questions, each worth two points. You can take the test up to two times and I will count the highest grade. Remember, you still have the deadline to finish the test, even if you take it twice. Please use your textbook, video lectures, additional notes or other posted videos to answer the questions. This is an open book test. Each Module will also have a short essay. Minimum length is 250 words. Each essay should include citations. I prefer the citations be at the bottom of the page (footnotes), but I don't care what format you use. The word count does not include the citations. Each writing assignment is worth 4 points. For all tests submitted after the deadline, there will be a 5-point deduction. For all essays submitted after the deadline, there will be a 50 percent deduction. Students can work ahead.

All students will need to research, write and submit a paper this semester. The topic will be chosen from one of four topics. The topics are:

  • Analyze the impact of racism on contemporary American society. Focus on how it affects different racial/ethnic groups today. How have recent political actions, policies, and rhetoric shaped race relations in the United States? Discuss if political discourse perpetuates racial inequalities and the political movements to combat racism and promote social justice.
  • Examine poverty in the United States. Provide data to illustrate who is in poverty. What are some explanations of why poverty continues to exist? How is health, education, marriage, incarceration, etc impacted by social class? How do Republicans and Democrats approach the issue of poverty differently?
  • Examine the role of religion in the United States. Is the influence of religion on our society increasing or decreasing? Define and explain the rise of Christian Nationalism? Examine the political movements of the religious right and the religious left and contrast their areas of focus. Identify some recent actions by government to insert religion into public education and other social institutions.
  • Examine issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Is acceptance of the community growing or declining? Discuss the politics of LBGTQ+ issues, particularly recent legislation and laws impacting the community. Look at data and determine if there has been an increase in hate crimes.

 

 

Readings

All course materials including textbook, outline, additional notes, short lectures, additional videos, tests and assignments are online and accessible via Blackboard. These online features will be supported by in class lectures and activities. We will use the online textbook, Introduction to Sociology (3e). 

Course Subjects

Week Of

Module and Topic

Due Date

1/19/26

Module 1: The Sociological Perspective

2/1/26

 

  

 

2/2/26

Module 2: Research Methods     

2/8/26

 

    

2/9/26

Module 3: Culture

2/15/26

 

  

 

2/16/26

Module 4: Socialization

2/22/26
     

2/23/26

Module 5: Social Structure

3/1/26

 

  

 

3/2/26

Module 6: Social Groups/Networks

3/8/26

 

Module 7: Bureaucracies and Organizations

 

 

  

 

3/9/26

Module 8: Deviance and Social Control

3/15/26

 

  

 

3/16/26

SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS

3/22/26

 

  

 

3/23/26

Module 9: Social Stratification

3/29/26

 

  

 

3/30/26

Module 10: Inequalities in Gender

4/12/26

 

Module 11: Inequalities in Ethnicity

 

 

  

 

4/13/26

Module 12: Politics and Power

4/19/26

 

  

 

4/20/26

Module 13: The Family

4/26/26

 

Module 14: Education

 

 

  

 

4/27/26

Module 15: Religion

5/3/26

 

  

 

4/27/26

Last day to Wthdraw

4/27/26

 

  

 

5/4/26

Module 16: Healthcare 

5/10/26

 

  

 

5/11/26

Work on Paper

5/17/26

5/17/26

Paper is Due

5/17/26

The above includes week of Module and due dates of assignments. All assignments are due at 5:00pm. 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

My goal each semester is to examine events occurring in the world around us.  After the first few weeks of class, we will be able to apply the fundamental theories of sociology to social events happening today.  I find that participation in class facilitates interest and learning.  Open debate and dialogue reveal different perspectives of social events.  My hope is that you feel comfortable enough in class to express your thoughts and feelings.

This course is a survey of the basic concepts in sociology including social organization, culture, socialization, groups and human populations leading to the development of a sociological perspective of human behavior. The course is online. Completion of the course results in 3 hours of college credit. Transferability of workforce courses varies. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with their Area of Study (AoS) advisor, Department Chair, and/or Program Director.

The purpose of this class is to broaden our perspective, our insight into the world around us in order to gain a better understanding of societies, communities and groups in which we interact with in our daily lives, as well as, discovering the social elements that distinguishes our culture from others. We will accomplish this goal by identifying and examining the institutions and arrangements of this society and others.  By observing these social components and their interaction with each other, we will finally begin to understand, and perhaps predict, the social behavior of individuals. Throughout the course of the semester, we will explain individual and group behavior, as well as social events and phenomena like, class, crime and discrimination through sociological theory.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology.
  • Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.
  • Describe key concepts in sociology.
  • Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.
  • Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.

Grading System

Over the course of the semester, there will be 16 modules covered, each with a multiple-choice test and short essay.  You will be expected to complete the assignments by Sunday at 5:00 pm of the week that we cover that module. You will also be required to write a paper (see below). The sum of the tests and paper will determine your grade.

Grades

360 points and above

A

320 – 359 points

B

280 – 319 points

C

240 – 279 points

D

Below 240 points

F

 

Generative AI Policy

The class policy for GAI focuses on text generation. There is a place for AI in learning. There are numerous sources of information outside my lectures, notes, videos and textbook…and AI has a place. Generated text for essays and your paper is not allowed. AI can help with finding information and editing your content, but it cannot be the generating source of the information. If software detects GAI, I will speak with the student. If it continues, I will deduct points.

Instructor's Note/Attendance and Participation

My goal each semester is to examine events occurring in the world around us.  After the first few weeks of class, we will be able to apply the fundamental theories of sociology to social events happening today.  I find that participation in class facilitates interest and learning.  Open debate and dialogue reveal different perspectives of social events.  My hope is that you feel comfortable enough in class to express your thoughts and feelings. For in person and synchronous online courses, the best way to learn the material is to attend class. I will not require your attendance, but the lectures and debate provide important context to the subjects being discussed. 

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is April 27th.  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Incompletes Policy

An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of theIncomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.

College Policies and Student Support

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Office Hours

T 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM SAC Adjunct offices 3rd Floor

NOTE

Office Hours

T 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM SAC Adjunct offices 3rd Floor

NOTE

Published: 01/08/2026 09:53:21