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 Objectives:

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 and Corequisites:

  Sociology 1010: Introduction to Sociology

The Meaning of Childhood
Traditional Theories of Childhood
New Sociological Perspectives on Childhood
Methods of Studying Children
History of Childhood
Peer Cultures
Social Problems of Children
Parents, Families, and Children
Children Today and The Future of Childhood

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:

The Sociology of Childhood, Second Edition, 2005
William A. Corsaro
Pine Forge Press
ISBN 0-7619-8751-7 

Supplementary Materials:

None

Hardware Requirements:

A functional computer and internet access

Software Requirements:

Microsoft Word
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Powerpoint Viewer

Assessment and Grading

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. 

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.

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 Participation

1. There will be reading assignments for each module from the textbook. There will also be  articles and instructor remarks, which must be read. These readings will be covered in the quizzes and questions described below.
2. Students will have to take an online timed multiple-choice quiz for each module.
3. Students will have to complete a written assignment for each module.  
4. Students will have to actively participate in five discussions.

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.

Punctuality:

I do not have long term assignments or exams that cover a long period of time. This is because I want continual, regular, and active participation in the course, just as one would have if one were going to class on a regular basis. Students will be allowed extra time for assignments if they have a legitimate reason for needing extra time. Legitimate excuses are things such as illness or a death in the family. Vacations, weddings, other courses, and so forth are not legitimate excuses.

Course Ground Rules

Students must keep up with the readings and assignments, and complete their work at the required times. It is particularly important to be conscientious in the projects. I have tried to design the course to be both informative and enjoyable. Thus students should have fun with the projects and feel free to be creative. While quiz question have correct answers, the assignments allow substantial freedom for students to express themselves. In these you will
be evaluated on effort and thoughtfulness, not whether I agree with you or not.

Contact me as soon as possible with any problems or questions that arise. This can be done
by phone or by email.

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

Discussion Groups:

• 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.

Chat:

       No chat room participation is required in the course.

       Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
       Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
       Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
       Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
       Be constructive in your comments and suggestion

Web Resources:

Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor

Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html

Library

The Tennessee Board of Regents Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the
Regents Degree Program. 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 must be included in all courses. 

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

A statement that any necessary changes to the course syllabus will be sent to the student
by e-mail and posted on the bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:

1-877-725-4357

Email Support:

helpdesk@eduprise.com

[The Navigation Bar feature is not available in this web]