SOCI130: Contemporary Social Problems
Section: E11     (eLearning)

http://www.bucks.edu/academics/courses/syllabus/index.php?lookup=SOCI130

• There are no special requirements for this 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

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.

While you may purchase your books and other course materials from the provider of your choice (using the ISBN number available through the course's academic department where applicable to ensure the correct version), both the campus bookstore and our online bookstore, guarantee that they stock the correct version for your course.

Approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the session you can use the link below to see the list of books that have been selected by your instructor. If you have any questions about the course materials listed, please contact your instructor or the academic department directly.

Click this link to see the book list for your course.

Welcome to Contemporary Social Problems!

This course is designed to help you apply your “sociological imagination” to the study of social problems. One of the major requirements for this course is being able to analyze society using critical thinking skills.

There are many advantages to taking online courses. You can be anywhere while you take this course, work at any time during the day or night, and you can work and learn at your own pace.

With this being said, your online journey requires self-motivation and self-discipline. You are required to read, review and study the materials at your own pace. Since we do not meet face-to-face, it is important that you communicate with me via email or telephone if have any questions or problems relating to accessing or understanding the course materials, the assignments, and tests.

I look forward to working with you all this semester.

Best, Max Probst

Orientation:

There will be orientation information posted on our Bb Vista site to familiarize you with the objectives and requirements of the course. This will be under the "Start Here!" module.

Course Objective:

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to understand how a social problem is constructed/defined;

understand the basic facts behind the major social problems facing the U.S. and the world today;

understand different sociological perspectives used to explain particular problems;

and develop the ability to evaluate arguments concerning the impact of social problems and solutions to social problems.

A.Learning Goals:

1.To expose students to a sociological view of social problems.

2.To develop the ability to apply the scientific method in the study of social problems.

3.To stimulate interest through topical discussion of social problems.

4.To cultivate a sociological perspective of social problems.

5.To cultivate an understanding of the complexities of American social problems and a sensitivity to the problems faced by individuals and groups in our society.

6.To develop the ability to read critically and think analytically about society and social problems.

7.To develop the ability to identify, define, and investigate social problems and propose ways of dealing with them.

B.Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

1.The sociology of social problems: functional and conflict perspectives.

2.Power and inequality as critical factors: social class, race, gender and age.

3.Family related problems: divorce, child abuse, single-parent families, the nuclear family.

4.Private troubles: alcoholism, drug abuse, crime, deviance.

5.Solutions to social problems.

6.Additional topics and chapters may be chosen according to current events and the specialization of the instructor.

Textbook and Other Requirements:

The textbook we will be using this semester will be Henslin’s Social Problems: A Down-To-Earth-Approach 10th edition. You will need to have access to a personal computer to participate in the on-line discussion questions and to submit assignments.

Contact With the Professor:

Although the majority of the course work is completed individually, regular and frequent contact with me is encouraged and expected. You should feel free to contact me at any time with questions you may have. The best way to reach me is through email on Bb Vista or by sending an email directly to probstm@bucks.edu.

We will be utilizing several features of Bb Vista, but most frequently the "Discussion" tool and the "Assessments" link. Please log into Bb Vista and review the Student Orientation and Student Materials which are available to students before 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 E-Mail). Also, make sure to do the 'Check Browser' in order for your computer to run correctly with Bb Vista.