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SOCI 3375 Technology, Social Movements and Social Change

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Section

OLA01

Term

2022FA

Class Time & Place

Online

Campus

Online

Course Description

Enhances critical understanding of the dynamics of, reasons for, and the consequences of social and cultural change.

Credits

3

Instructor

Steve Jacobs (he/him)

Email Address

sjacobs@piedmont.edu

Office

Library 100 / Zoom

Phone

(706) 778-8500, x1421

Office Hours

Mondays: 10:00am-3:00pm

Tuesdays: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Wednesdays: 10:00am-3:00pm

Thursdays: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Textbooks and Class materials

Harper & Leicht, Exploring Social Change, 7th Edition

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:

  1. Think critically about the rapidly changing world in which we live and consider the primary significant ways in which our society and culture are changing. 
  2. Evaluate the key social forces responsible for social and cultural change. 
  3. Cultivate a “public voice” through dialogue. Hone the crucial skill of articulating and defending positions on controversial social issues to an audience of peers, rationally defending views, and critiquing others’ positions. 
  4. Engage the “what can we do?” question. Think about your own agency as an individual and your relationship to social/cultural change. 

Educational Technology Requirements

  • Online/Hybrid

    Minimum technology requirements for online and hybrid courses may be found at the following URL:  https://www.piedmont.edu/academics/technology-requirements/.

    Active, weekly participation is required as a minimum standard to register attendance in an online or hybrid course. Logging onto a course, in the absence of active participation, is not sufficient to register attendance.

Grading Scale

To promote fair and consistent assessments, the following grading guidelines will be applied on the total points:

A 100% to 90%
B less than 90% to 80%
C less than 80% to 70%
D less than 70% to 60%
F less than 60% to 0

Grading System

Assignments (50%)

Discussion participation (25%)

Annotated bibliography (20%)

Presentation of research (5%)

Make-up Policy

Late work will be accepted with penalty.

Course Outline/Schedule

Module 1: Introduction to Technology, Social Movements, & Social Change

Module 2: Sociology & Social Change

Module 3: Why Societies Change

 

Module 4: Structural Trends & Changing Cultural Themes

Module 5: Populations, Family Life, & Work

Module 6: Economics, Politics, & The American Prospect

 

Module 7: Social Movements

Module 8: Reform Movements

 

Module 9: Revolutionary Movements

Module 10: Creating Change

 

Module 11: Technological Change

 

Module 12: Screen Time, Cell Phones, & Social Media

Module 13: Ecological Impacts of Change

Module 14: The Future

Module 15: Student Presentations of Research

 

 

Social Justice Statement

Piedmont College is committed to social justice. I share that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment
based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our College does not discriminate on the basis of
race, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or national origin. Any suggestions as to how
to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration (Adapted from
John Ernest, University of Delaware).

Piedmont Policies

Non-Discrimination Policy: It is the policy of Piedmont University not to discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, race, age, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Piedmont University adheres to the federal definition of a credit hour as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. For the purposes of this definition, an instructional hour equates to direct instruction of 750 minutes for each credit hour awarded. The standard expectation for direct instruction classes is that students will spend a minimum of two hours outside the classroom for each hour spent in class, which is, 1500 minutes per credit hour awarded. Courses that are offered on a schedule other than the full 15-week semester contain the same number of hours as if the course were scheduled for a full semester. No reduction in direct instruction time or work time outside of class is permitted for courses offered in accelerated terms.

The Learning Center exists to help our students reach their various academic goals. The Learning Center offers academic support in all areas, including accounting, foreign languages, math, science, writing, and more. All tutors have excelled in the subjects that they help support and tutors are trained in the art of tutoring. Tutoring sessions and athletes in the Study Hall are monitored to provide the individualized attention our students need to achieve their personal best. We offer support by appointment in Starfish and walk-in availability is provided on a first come first served basis. For more information, please contact Oliver Howington ohowington@piedmont.edu or call 706-778-8500, ext. 1176 or visit: https://www.piedmont.edu/learning-center.

Piedmont University strives to make learning experiences accessible to all participants and will provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. If you experience difficulties, based on the impact of a disability or health condition, please contact the Office of Accessibility, Resources, and Services (OARS) to initiate a conversation with our Director of Compliance, Equity, and Inclusion, Courtney Snow, about your options. Please know that accommodations are not retroactive, so avoid any delays. Contact Courtney Snow. at csnow@piedmont.edu or 706-778-8500, ext. 1504, or visit Daniel 303 Suite D. To request accommodations (academic, dietary, housing, or emotional support animals) please click the link below and use your Piedmont email and password: https://piedmont-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/. If you are already receiving accommodations and need to update your memo or information, please click the link below and use your Piedmont email and password: https://piedmont-accommodate.symplicity.com/students

Statement on Academic Integrity: Students must be familiar with the university academic integrity policy. Plagiarism and other violations of this policy will not be tolerated. Instructors must send any academic integrity concerns directly to the dean who is responsible for the discipline in which the course is taught. See catalog at https://piedmont.smartcatalogiq.com/ for complete policy.

Directives on Completion of Student Work: Course activities designated as quizzes, tests and exams are always to be completed by a student individually and without assistance from other people or resources UNLESS permission for collaboration or the use of external resources is explicitly permitted by the course professor(s). Hence all quizzes, tests and exams are to be considered closed-book/closed-notes and closed-internet (e.g., Google searches). Artificial intelligence apps are also banned on quizzes, tests and exams unless explicitly permitted by the course professor(s).

Student Email Policy: All Piedmont University students are required to use their Piedmont Lions email account (see Catalog at https://piedmont.smartcatalogiq.com/ for complete policy). Since the Lions account is an official communications channel of the university, students are responsible for all information distributed to them through their account. Students are expected to check it daily.

Withdrawal Policy: Within the first several days of a term, students may add and drop courses with the permission of their advisor. The ranges for drop/add vary depending on the term (Fall, Spring, or Summer) and duration of the class (8 week or 15 week). Students should check the academic calendar for specific information. After this time, students may withdraw from a class. Please refer to the university catalog at https://piedmont.smartcatalogiq.com/ for the particulars regarding the withdrawal policy.

Excused Absence Policy: Student absences for university-sanctioned events are generally considered excused absences because they are supportive of the university program. However, there are exceptions to the policy as noted in the University catalog. When absences are excused, instructors must allow students to make up any work that has been missed. Students are responsible for notifying their instructors, in advance, about absences from class due to participation in university-sanctioned events. See full policy in the University catalog at https://piedmont.smartcatalogiq.com/.

Starfish®: We Care About Your Success! We have partnered with Starfish Retention Solution, creating a platform for communication and resources focused on supporting your efforts throughout your educational journey. During the semester you may receive emails or texts from Starfish® regarding your course grades or academic performance. Please pay attention to these communications and consider taking the recommended actions. They are sent to help you be successful. In addition, your instructor may: (1) request that you schedule an appointment by going to Starfish, or (2) recommend that you contact a specific campus resource, such as tutoring or counseling. You may also be contacted directly by one of these services. You can quickly connect to many resources using Starfish. We hope you will choose to use the tool to support your success. You may access Starfish at https://piedmont.starfishsolutions.com/starfish-ops/support/login.html?tenantId=9379.

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