SOC 1500 (Introduction to Rural Sociology)

SOC 1500 (Introduction to Rural Sociology) Course Description As an introduction to rural sociology and development, this course will suvey contemporary issues in rural society throughout the world, paying special attantion to the U.S. and developing countries. We will introduce socioogical comcepts and apply them to agriulture, natural resources, rural institutions and communities, population growth and change, globalization, environment, and development. Course Objectives: Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of: 1) Sociological foundations and the sociology of rural life. 2) The nature of rurality and rural populations, communities, and the economic, social, and cultural basis of rural life. 3) The diversity of rural populations and population change in the U.S. and globally. 4) Globalization and domestic and international development, and global processes of migration, immigration, and refugee resettlement. 5) Social change processes in rural society and social policies developed to address rural social problems in a domestic and international context. Textbook: Brown, David L. and Kai A. Schafft. (2011). Rural People and Communities in the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. Instructional Methods: Lecture, readings and discussions, team and individual assignments, and other means as available. Department and College Policies General Education Outcomes General Education comprises the measurable knowledge and skills that serve as the foundation for success in society and in one's discipline, vocation, and life. Columbus State Community College's General Education Outcomes are an integral part of the curriculum and central to the mission of the College. The faculty at Columbus State Community College has determined that these outcomes include the following competencies: * Critical Thinking

* Effective Communication * Community and Civic Responsibility * Quantitative Literacy * Scientific and Technological Effectiveness * Information Literacy Assessment Statement In class you are assessed and graded on your achievement of the outcomes for this course. You may also be required to participate in broader assessment activities. Student's names will not be used when reporting results. Columbus State Community College is committed to assessment (measurement) of student achievement of academic outcomes. The process addresses the issues of what you need to learn in your program of study and if you are learning what you need to learn. The assessment program at Columbus State has four specific and interrelated purposes: o to improve student academic achievement; o to improve teaching strategies; o to document successes and identify opportunity for program improvement; o to provide evidence for institutional effectiveness. Financial Aid Recipients Please Note: If you are a financial aid recipient, attendance is monitored by your instructor and reported by him/her. Failure to attend may result in being academically withdrawn from this class. Please refer to your Standards of Satisfactory Progress or call Financial Aid if you have questions (287-2648). For the purposes of financial aid reporting, a student meets the participation and attendance criteria if s/he has actively engaged in the class and demonstrated a meaningful attempt toward completion of the course. Examples of active engagement may include, but are not limited to; completing a graded course assignment (e.g., homework, quiz, essay, project, or lab); actively participating in studio or practicum sessions; making content-related contributions to an online discussion forum (including responses both to prompts and to student/instructor posts). ADA Statement It is College policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students. If you would like to request such accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the Department of Disabilities Services (100 Eibling Hall) and your instructor within the first two weeks of class.) ADD/WITHDRAWAL/REGISTRATION POLICY If a student is not on the current course roster, s/he cannot remain in the class. All students must be officially registered and paid by the 14th day of the quarter. The last day to withdraw from classes for full quarter classes is the first day of the tenth week of class. TIME COMMITMENT The Ohio Board of Regents (our governing body) classifies class and laboratory credit according to the preparation time required by students. In classes where one credit hour is equal to one class hour

(lecture style classes) the expectation is that for each credit hour the student receives he/she will spend one hour per week in class and two hours per week outside class in preparation. For a five credit hour class this means 5 hours in class and 10 hours outside of class per week. In a web class the one hour of "class" time would consist of looking at PowerPoint s, videos, and other presentations in the Learning Units. The additional two hours would involve reading texts, and completing assignments, and studying and preparing the material. Again, for a five credit hour class this means 5 hours of "instructional time" and 10 hours of reading/assignment/preparation time per week. Course Policies 1. Student Conduct: When respect breaks down, the learning process is interrupted. This includes the use of cell phones or other devices in a manner that disrupts the classroom environment. Students must be respectful of others and the instructor. Students must abide by the student code of conduct rules (see student policy 7-10). See the link to the student handbook: Offhttp://www2.cscc.edu/services/studenthandbook/StudentPolicyProced.pdf. 2. Attendance: Students are expected to attend each class period for the entire length of time. Students who miss more than 2 classes generally find themselves falling behind and struggling to keep up with the material and meeting deadlines. If you leave during the break, you risk missing a quiz or an in-class activity that you cannot make-up. 3. Exams*: Students who miss an exam should contact the instructor within 24 hours and have a valid written documented excuse to take a make-up exam. If you know ahead of time that you will not be able to attend an exam due to a planned out of town trip for work or military, you must provide two weeks notice with written documentation. 4. Quizzes/In-class exercises There is no make- up on quizzes or in-class work 5. Late Policy for Assignments*: Students have one week (from the due date) to resolve any issues regarding a late assignment. Without providing a valid documented excuse students will be assessed a 20% late penalty per day. Assignments that are emailed will not be accepted. *Exigent circumstances will be considered. 6. CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: Cooperative assignments will be clearly identified as such. Please work independently on all other assignments. All exams are independent assignments. Cheating is a form of student misconduct. Please make sure that all work is in your own words and from the scope of this course (you may not turn in other papers or assignments done for other courses). If you borrow words or ideas from others, please cite them appropriately. Please cite all information used in reports that would not be considered "common knowledge". 7. INAPPROPIATE COMMENTS: By its nature, any course in sociology focuses on issues that can be controversial. For example this class may address issues related to ethnicity, race, prejudice, discrimination and inequality. You may have strong feelings about these issues. That is terrific!!! However, in my class, there is no room for remarks that show intolerance for the points of view

of others, or remarks that are explicitly prejudicial to other groups. Remember, one goal of this course is to learn how to think critically. That means understanding opposite points of view even as you hold onto your opinions/values/beliefs. 8. CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM Columbus State Community College does not permit children in any Columbus State classroom. Please remember this when coming to campus for presentations and exams. 9. WEATHER EMERGENCY STATEMENT In the event of severe weather, students may verify whether the College is open or closed by listening to the radio and television statements. Students who reside in an area that fall under a Level III emergency should not attempt to drive to College even if the College remains open. Assignments and examinations due a day when the College is closed will be due at the next scheduled class. Students who miss a class because of weather emergencies when the class is held as scheduled are responsible for reading and other assignments as indicated on the syllabus or in previous classes. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if you miss a class to determine what procedures to follow. Students with school-aged children are reminded that K-12 grade schools frequently close for weather when the College does not. Please plan ahead and find alternative childcare arrangements for those days. In the event the College is forced to close during final examination week, exams will be rescheduled. For clarification, please contact the instructor. Generation One Trailblazers (GOT) Statement: Are you the first in your family to attend college? Then GOT is the group for you! The Generation One Trailblazers (GOT) is a resource group for first generation college students at Columbus State Community College. We provide peer support and academic resources to help you make it through college. Meetings will also be sponsored by departments around the college to provide further opportunities for support, which include workshops, faculty presentations, community speakers, and other forms of advice to help you achieve your goals. Check out the GOT Network website (www.gotnetwork.wordpress.com) or "like" GOT CSCC on Facebook for more information. Congratulations on your achievements thus far! Allow GOT to help you continue your success of blazing a new trail for you and your family! Student Concerns: This is the process for student concerns: Student should be prepared to fill out a written, documented complaint. First discussion with instructor. Second discussion with Lead Instructor. Third discussion with Chair. Chair: Rebecca Mobley (614) 287-5040. Lead Instructor: Erica Swarts (614) 287-5041 Course Requirements Three Exams@ 50 points each 150 points (%) Five Assignments @ 10 points each 50 points (%) Five Quizzes@ 10 points each 50 points (%)

Group Project (Rural Social Issue) 50 points (%) Rural Community Analysis (individual) 50 points (%) TOTAL 350 points (100%) Exams Two Multiple choice exams will be administered (see course schedule). Each exam will be 50 multiple choice questions. See policies on missed exams. Quizzes Five multiple choice Quizzes will be administered at any time during the class, see policies on missed quizzes above. Assignments Five assignments will be issued through the semester. See policies on late assignments and missed classes. Rural Community Analysis Project As part of this course, you will be required to complete a community analysis. This will be based on a rural subculture, organization, social movement, ethnic groups or communities. Group Project (Rural Social Issue) There will a group project on a rural social issue in America. Each group will consist of two members. Each member will examine a different aspect of the rural social issue See the grade scale below: A 315-350 B 280-314 C 245-279 D 210-244 E Less than 210 COURSE SCHEDULE (This schedule is subject to minor modifications) WEEK 1 Thursday 08/22 WEEK 2 Tuesday 08/27 Course Introduction Review of Syllabus Emergence of sociology and rural sociology in response to social change What is the sociological imagination Weekly Reading: http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/rurality/ Introduction to Sociology Major contributors to the field of sociology

Thursday 08/29 WEEK 3 Tuesday 09/03 Thursday 09/05 WEEK 4 Tuesday 09/10 Thursday 09/12 WEEK 5 Tuesday 09/17 Thursday 09/19 WEEK 6 Tuesday 09/24 What are the theoretical perspectives in sociology/rural sociology What are the methodologies utilized in sociology/rural sociology Assignment #1; (Body Ritual Among The Nacirema) Weekly Reading: In class handout Culture and Society What is culture, rural versus urban subcultures What is society, what is rural society Components of culture, variations of culture Assignment #1 Due (09/03) Attitudes toward cultural variation. Sociological perspectives on culture Quiz #1 (09/05) Video: The Gods Must Be Crazy Weekly Reading: Rice: It s More Than Just a Food in Japan As you read, think about the factors that make rice so important to the Japanese. URL: http://iisdb.stanford.edu/docs/145/digest6.pdf. Chapter 1: Rurality in Metropolitan society The Development of Social Scientific Thought about Rurality. What is rural in a metropolitan society; Defining rural places. Images and attitudes people have about rural people and places in metropolitan societies Why rural people and places matter in urbanized society Group Project meeting #1: (Topic selection) Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 1 AND http://www.dailyyonder.com/rural-america-2000s- Population/2010/07/12/2834 Chapter 2: Urbanization and Population Redistribution Defining urbanization Conceptualizing and measuring urbanization Urban versus rural Why population concentrates in urban places; The demographic transition theory, Rural to urban migration Urbanization can be reversed Quiz #2 (09/09) Exam #1 Review (materials covered week 1-5) Assignment #2: Demographic Trends in Rural America: http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publications/report_demographics.pdf Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 2 Chapter 3: Understanding Community in Rural Society Exam #1 What is a community? Understanding community Has urbanization undermined community? Community lost or community transformed? Sociological approaches to understanding community Community as a social system Social field and social systems approaches, looking at the Amish The community challenge: balancing autonomy and collective

Thursday 09/26 WEEK 7 Tuesday 10/01 Thursday 10/03 WEEK 8 Tuesday 10/08 Thursday 10/10 WEEK 9 Tuesday 10/22 Thursday 10/24 WEEK 10 Tuesday 10/29 Thursday 10/31 responsibility Rural community analysis issued Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 3 In-Service Day. No classes Chapter 4: Community Institutions and Rural Society Federalism and the structure of local governance Education in rural communities Understanding diversity in rural schools Challenges facing rural schools Healthcare and healthcare institutions in rural America Why rural areas lag behind in health Telemedicine for rural community healthcare delivery Video: The Holy Ghost People Group Project Meeting #2: Submit resources list (4-5 sources) Assignment 3: Social capital Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 4 Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Social Change Natural amenities: an engine of growth Environmental contexts for community development and conflict Farming and urban development Resource extraction as a social process; bust cycles and boomtowns New forms of resource extraction: generating green and renewable energy; biofuels and ethanol production, wind power, solar and geothermal Quiz #3 (10/10) Video: Environmental Racism Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 5 Chapter 6: Youth, Aging and the Life Course Age composition in rural communities Individual aging versus population aging Individual aging in rural communities Challenges facing rural youth and young adults Challenges facing older rural adults Population aging in rural communities Exam #2 Review (materials covered Week 6-10) Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 6 In Service Day. No Classes Chapter 7: Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Rural Areas Exam #2 Thinking about Race and Ethnicity Race and rurality/race, ethnicity and life chances in rural areas African Americans in Rural areas American Indians in rural Areas Latinos in Rural areas and the challenging patterns of immigration Assignment #4: racial analysis Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 7

WEEK 11 Tuesday 11/05 Thursday 11/07 WEEK 12 Tuesday 11/12 Thursday 11/14 WEEK 13 Tuesday 11/19 Thursday 11/21 WEEK 14 Tuesday 11/26 Chapter 8: Making a Living in Rural Communities The structure and restructuring of rural opportunities The rural labor force/the utilization of rural labor Local global linkages/the informal economy Rural community analysis report on progress Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 8 Chapter 9: Farms, Farmers and farming in contemporary Rural Society The structure of Agriculture, agricultural development in the US Globalization and American agriculture. The farm crisis of the early 1980 s Family farms and farm families. Decline in farm population The food system Quiz #4 (11/14) Group Project Meeting #3: Rough Draft Due Guest lecture: Food Deserts Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 9 Chapters 10: Poverty Across Rural People and Places Defining poverty/who is poor in the united states Poverty as a multidimensional concept Why some people are more likely to be poor The relevance of the inner city story to poverty Assignment #5: Chintz or Shag game - http://www.pbs.org/peoplelikeus/games/index.html Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 10 Chapter 11: Rural Transformations and Policies for the Future What is social change? A changed rural demography Transformed rural economies/poverty and inequality The rural policy choice/rural community capacity reconsidered Quiz #5 Rural community analysis Due (11/26) Group Project Meeting #4: Arrangements for Presentation Weekly Reading: Brown and Schafft Chapter 11 Thursday 11/28 Thanksgiving Holiday (Campus closed) WEEK 15 Putting it all Together Tuesday 12/03 COMMUNITY PROJECT PRESENTATIONS Thursday 12/05 REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAMS Finals Week FINAL EXAMINATION December 9-14 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 RD 2013 @ NOON Last day to drop the course is: Monday September 25, 2013