Accessing Your Course |
Blackboard Vista (Bb Vista)
Your course is using Blackboard Vista (Bb Vista)! Your student account in Bb Vista will be created about 2 weeks prior to the start of your class and you can log into the system at that time. Please use the time before the start of your class to become familiar with Bb Vista by using the tutorials provided for you.
You will be able to access your course as of
1 AM on the official course start date.
Logging In
Log in to your Bucks Bb Vista course space at:
http://online.bucks.edu
- Username: Your new user account will consist of your last name and first initial, and if necessary, followed by a random number. For example, John Smith's user account will be smithj4567
- Password: Your initial password for all systems will be reset to "bd" followed by your birthdate in mmddyy format. (Example: bd042372 for 4/23/72). You will need to establish your new password immediately, which is 6-9 characters in length, using letters & numbers. You should also establish a password hint at this time.
- To obtain your new user account go to
http://www.bucks.edu
and select WebAdvisor. Select Account information (upper right hand corner of the screen) then select What's My User ID? and follow the prompts. You will need to provide your last name AND your 7 digit student ID number OR your social security #. Your new user account name will display on the screen
Note: If you registered late, there may be a short delay in activating your Bb Vista login.
Computer Requirements and Settings
Your computer must be correctly configured to work with Bb Vista. Before you login do the Check Browser located on the Bb Vista login page. This will ensure your browser is configured so the complete functionality of this application is available to you. If errors are detected, mandatory or recommended changes will be indicated.
Access Codes
Some Bb Vista courses that use content provided by textbook publishers require an access code.
If your course requires one, you will
be prompted to enter it the first time you access the course.
This access code may be
included with the purchase of a new textbook, or may be
purchased separately from the textbook publisher through
http://www.webct.com/content/viewpage?name=content_student_access_codes.
If you purchased a used textbook and do not yet have an access code, you can obtain a 15-day temporary code the first time you log in by clicking the "get temporary code" link. You will then have 15 days to purchase your access code.
Troubleshooting
Detailed troubleshooting information is available by clicking on Help
on the Bb Vista login page or on any page within the system after you have logged in.
Learning To Use Bb Vista
- Face-To-Face Workshops!
are offered at the beginning of each
full semester at the Newtown campus.
- LIVE Online Sessions!
are offered via web conferencing before the start of each modular session and full semester.
Check
http://www.bucks.edu/e-resources/virtual-campus/after-registration/kickoff/ for dates and times. We also encourage you to use the various "Learning Bb Vista" courses provided online when you log in to your Bb Vista account.
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Other Information about the Course |
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 110
Dear Students:
Please let me take this opportunity to welcome you to Introduction to Sociology as well as to the Online Learning Program of Bucks County Community College.
As you may already be aware, the Online Learning Program is significantly different from traditional
college courses. Perhaps the most striking difference is that the course will lack traditional classroom instruction and regular face-to-face interaction with the professor. It will largely be up to you, the student, to set your own pace as you review and study the materials that will be assigned. The eLearning student, therefore, needs more self-discipline, more self-motivation and must focus more significantly on writing skills. The greatest benefit to the student is the flexibility of your time in meeting the requirements of the course, and fewer, if any, trips to campus! Your grade in the course will be
determined by your submission of written essays, chapter quizzes, a midterm and a final examination, and your timely and thoughtful contributions to the on-line discussions.
I want to also welcome everyone to your first college course in Sociology. In a nutshell, sociology is the scientific study of society as a whole, as well the human behavior which collectively constitutes a society. It offers a perspective - a view of the world - that stresses that people's social experiences
underlie their behavior. We will be analyzing these behaviors from differing perspectives and focusing on the growing global context of social life.
Orientation:
There will be orientation information posted on our Bb Vista site to familiarize you with the objectives and requirements of the course
Course Objectives:
- To develop an understanding of some of the terms, concepts, methods and perspectives of sociology as a science.
- To be able to use this understanding to heighten awareness of American society and recognize and accept differences in other cultures and value diversity.
- To increase one's ability to think analytically and critically about society and culture, and strive to understand and consider divergent points of view.
Some of the topics the course will include are:
- Society & Culture;
- The Socialization Process;
- Sociological Research Techniques;
- Societies & Social Networks;
- Global Stratification;
- Social Class;
- Issues of Gender, Race & Ethnicity;
- The Family;
- Education;
- Health Care;
- Collective Behavior & Social Movements.
Textbook and Other Requirements:
The textbook we will be using this semester will be Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach, 10th Edition, (Allyn & Bacon) by James M. Henslin. You will also be required to review a DVD, "Exploring Society," as a supplement to the text. It is available for purchase for at-home use from the BCCC bookstore, the on-line bookstore,
MBS Direct, or for in-library viewing at any of the college's libraries. You may also be able to purchase the book & DVD in a packaged set. You will need to have access to a personal computer to participate in the on-line discussion questions, take exams and to submit assignments.
Course Requirements:
- Read all assigned chapters in the textbook; view assigned DVD. (Feel free to read the non-assigned chapters as well - when your time permits).
- Prepare and submit one (1) observational/analytical essay. You will have several to choose from. Your essay should be three to four typed pages, approximately 750-1000 words. All essays will be due no later than the Thursday of the week they are assigned. I will comment on and grade these essays and post the grades on our website.
- There will be several Chapter quizzes throughout the semester. These are primarily, twenty question, multiple choice quizzes. These quizzes can be taken at your convenience from your home computer. Or, if you prefer, they can be taken at any of the Bucks County Community College Testing Centers.
- There will be a mid-term exam which will test your comprehension of the first half of the course.
This exam can be taken from home or at any of the Bucks County Community College Testing Centers during a two to four day period, the dates of which will be posted on our site. If you decide to take the exam on campus, please check the Online Learning
website for testing center locations and hours of operation.
- There will be a final exam which will consist of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions
for the second half of the course. The testing parameters remain the same as above, you can take it from home or on campus.
- Discussion Questions will be posted throughout the semester. You will have approximately one week to respond, as well as read your classmates' responses. The second week of each question is reserved for your reply/reaction/analysis of the 1st week of the discussion.
Contact With the Professor:
Although the bulk of the course work is completed individually, regular and frequent contact with the
Professor is encouraged and expected. You should feel free to contact me at any time with questions you may have on any aspect of the course. My office is in Penn Hall Room 313, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA
18940. My office phone number is 215-504-8500, ext. 6327. If you leave me a voicemail, speak slowly and be sure to include your full name, course, telephone number and when I can reach you. And, of course, if you prefer e-mail, you can
e-mail me on our Bb Vista site - simply go to the "Mail" function on the left-hand menu and click on 'Compose.' A second, less preferred choice would be my college address: KannerL@bucks.edu.
Bb Vista:
We will be utilizing several features of Bb Vista, but most frequently the "Discussion" tool,the "Assessments" link and the many 'content' pages. Please log into Bb Vista and review the Student Orientation and Student Materials which are available to students at the start of the semester. Students will be introduced to the on-line discussion feature as well as other tools we will be using, (i.e. the Assignments Drop-Box and Mail.) Also, make sure to do the 'Check Browser' in order for your computer to run correctly with Bb Vista. If you haven't done so already - you will need to download a "Lockdown Browser" in order to take exams.
In conclusion, I want to extend to each of you my best wishes for an interesting and productive semester. I look forward to 'meeting' you and introducing you to a fascinating subject!
Sincerely,
Linda Kanner, MSW, LCSW, Adjunct Professor
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