COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT -- Jackson Community College

[David Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

The following was posted to WORLD distribution on the above newsgroups:


>                         COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT
>
>     As a part of our continuing commitment to distance learning at
>Jackson Community College, I will be conducting an experimental
>course, SOC231--Principles of Sociology (a standard survey course in
>introductory sociology) during the winter semester. This course
>carries full academic credit, which may be transferred to other
>institutions, and will be conducted totally online. Based on
>enrollments and the initial response to this course, I may be
>offering other courses (including Introduction to Psychology,
>Introduction to Political Science, and more advanced courses in these
>disciplines) as online sections in the near future as well.


[...]


>
>                           COURSE OUTLINE
>
>     SOC231 is a traditional introductory course in the principles of
>sociology. As a survey course, the focus is on introducing the
>student to the basic nature of sociology and providing a greater
>understanding of both sociology and of society as a whole. A wide
>variety of topics will be discussed and examined, ranging from
>theoretical perspectives to practical applications. The primary
>thrust of the course will be to relate these principles to our
>society, and a great deal of time will be spent examining such
>problems as poverty, homelessness, the War on Drugs, and issues of
>race, sex, and age. Throughout the course, extensive use will be made
>of the resources available on the Internet as a learning tool. In
>particular, such resources as Usenet newsgroups, mailing lists, and
>online archives will be among the primary sources for our studies.
>
>     Grading criteria will be based on active participation, short
>essays, projects (often involving the use of Internet resources), and
>a term paper. Each element will constitute 25% of the overall grade
>and all grading will be on a flat "points accumulated"  basis, rather
>than on a class curve. Because of the unique nature of the course,
>and the difficulty of insuring impartial testing environments, no
>exams will be required. Students will be required to subscribe to
>three mailing lists, devoted respectively to student discussions,
>informational postings, and class assignments (the latter two lists
>will be moderated). Access to these mailing lists will be limited to
>students and (in the case of the second list) invited  expert
>guests. Once the JCC Internet node is fully implemented additional
>resources, including a  virtual society  implemented through an
>educational MOO may be made available for student use.
>
>     Further information, including an application for enrollment,
>may be obtained by writing me at my email address of
>adamsr@umcc.umich.edu, or by surface mail addressed to:
>
>     Richard A. Adams
>     Department of Social Sciences
>     McDivitt Hall
>     Jackson Community College
>     2111 Emmons Road
>     Jackson, Michigan 49201