Welcome to SOC120
Last updated
Last updated
Welcome to SOC120 - Thinking Sociologically!
My name is Tolga Tezcan, associate professor of sociology, and I'm your instructor. You can check my CV here.
This page will make you familiar with the course, structure, what to expect, and some other important information.
The syllabus is here, also under the "Resources" page of Canvas (The first module).
Read the syllabus before the first class and bring me your questions.
Our first meeting is held on 01/22 - Wednesday at 6 pm at Library - 1170
Please arrive the classroom at least 5 minutes early.
I will explain the class structure, go over the syllabus in detail, and answer your questions.
There will be a graded attendance quiz. Make sure to bring an electronic device to take the attendance quiz on Canvas. Ensure you have access to Canvas.
If you cannot attend the first class, you have an opportunity to write 700 words lecture reflection to compensate for the missed points. Click on the "[fw] first class attendance quiz" (module week 1) for further details. You do not need to submit this if you attend the first class.
There are a couple of assignments associated with the first class.
Feel free to submit these assignments during the break if you wish. I will grade the assignments in 48 hours during the break.
You can find these assignments under the module named "Week 1."
Assignments with a [fw] code (except for the syllabus quiz) can be resubmitted unlimited times within the deadline period.
[fw] Google Drive assignment (the assignment that must be submitted first) (due by 01/23 - 11:59 pm)
There is a video instruction for this assignment.
This assignment needs to be submitted first. When graded, you will receive a notification email with feedback. Follow the feedback and resubmit it until you receive full credit within the deadline. Without getting full credit from the “Google Drive Assignment” (comes with unlimited attempts within the deadline), students cannot continue the course. Do not submit the rest of the assignments before getting full credit from this assignment.
[fw] Syllabus quiz (due by 01/24 - 11:58 pm)
No resubmission option. No time limit.
[fw] Introduce yourself (due by 01/24 - 11:59 pm)
After the deadline has passed, Canvas will automatically give a zero, but students are granted one (1) additional (flexibility) day to submit their work without a deduction.
Once the assignment deadline and the flexibility day has passed, students are granted an additional two-day window to submit their work. A 20% deduction will be applied for the first day of delay, and a 30% deduction in total for the second day of delay.
*After three days, the highest possible grade a student can receive for the assignments is 60%. To receive 60%;
Week 1 - Week 4 assignments must be submitted before 2/19 at 11:59pm
Week 5 - Week 10 assignments must be submitted before 04/02 at 11:59pm
Week 11 - Week 16 assignments must be submitted before 05/13 at 11:59pm
We have two lectures each week.
Below is a sample overview, which includes two lectures:
Data collection in mass media research
Content analysis and coding
Each lecture is accompanied by two assignments (indented items are assignments associated with the specific lecture above):
Click on the lecture names to see the readings, slides, and lecture videos. See [Where are the readings, slides, and lecture videos?]
The general format of the lectures is as follows, though note that adjustments may be made for certain specific lectures:
Quizzes: Taken in the classroom and cannot be taken outside the classroom.
Lecture assignments: We'll start (and most of the time finish) these assignments during the class.
Lecture reflection: No need to submit a lecture reflection if you attend the class.
Missed in-class quizzes can be compensated with a lecture reflection. Those who wish to improve specific in-class quiz grades can also submit lecture reflections.
During the term, students will be conducting content analysis focusing on any subject from the syllabus and addressing their own research interests.
[DRM] Draft research memo (10 points – 10%),
[PRES] Presentation (10 points – 10%),
[FRM] Final research memo (10 points – 10%).
Assignments designed to assist students in preparing components of the research memo will be graded under the “Research Memo (30%)” item. These assignments are identified by the label “[DRM]” (Draft Research Memo), “[PRES]” (Presentation), or “[FRM]” (Final Research Memo) in their names.
Assignments should not be attached. For this lecture, students will not download or upload any documents.
Assignments should be submitted to Canvas using Google LTI: [How to submit an assignment]: This link is located at the top of each assignment.
Less work: No need to write a 700-word lecture reflection to compensate for each missed in-class quiz.
Better comprehension: During the 30-40 minute lecture, you will take notes for in-class quizzes, helping you better understand the content (see “Maximizing learning within limited time” under the “Teaching and Learning Structure” in the syllabus).
Immediate feedback: After the in-class quiz and a 5-minute break, you will begin the assignment, and I will provide individual feedback right away and answer any questions.
One-on-one meetings: I always arrive 15 minutes early to the class and stay 15 minutes late. Schedule an appointment and ask me your questions before or after class, or during the break.
Making friends and networking: Over half of the assignments are done in groups (2-3 members, with different peers each class). This helps you make friends and look forward to seeing each other.
College Experience: Regular attendance provides a real college life experience. College is more than just grades; it is about networking and developing social skills.
Attend the classes.
Do the reading before coming to class.
Review the slides before coming to class.
Take notes during the class (paper-pen-method).
Watch the lecture videos after class if you were late or struggled.
Students should review their document before and immediately after submission.
Assignments submitted to Canvas will be graded, and grades are final. Do not submit an assignment unless you want to be graded for.
There is no resubmission option.
Assignments should be submitted to Canvas. Assignments via email, message, or Canvas comment are not accepted.
If there is no document in the Google Drive weekly subfolder, no credit will be given even if a submission is made that would normally receive full credit (see item b below).
Some exceptions:
Wrong document submission:
If students submit a wrong document and comment "submitted a wrong document" on the Canvas assignment section before grading, the correct document from their Google Drive week folder will be graded without deduction. Assignments revised or created after the due date do not qualify for this option.
If no comment is made and the correct document is already in the Google Drive week folder at the time of grading, it will be graded with a 10% deduction, using Google Doc Version History. Assignments revised or created after the due date do not qualify for this option.
Submission made but no document in the Google Drive weekly subfolder:
If submission is made and there is no document in the weekly subfolder, zero will be given and I will contact the student. Upon notification, the student may move the file to the relevant week's subfolder and type "moved" in the Canvas comment section of the assignment. The assignment will then be graded with a 10% deduction. Assignments revised or created after this communication do not qualify for this option.
If you are enrolled late in this class, read the syllabus and the welcoming page that was sent through the announcement (check the very top of class Canvas page) immediately. Since you have missed some classes, you can submit lecture reflections to compensate for missed in-class quizzes.
As soon as you are enrolled, email me, and I will reasonably adjust the missed deadlines. Start with the assignments under Week 1 (with the “fw” codes) in the order seen on the Canvas module page, then lecture reflections and other assignments.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00 – 5:45 pm at my office (CAHSS 2306) &
Before or after my classes
Schedule a meeting using this link
