SOCIOLOGY 210
WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

Sociology 210: Introduction to Sociology (section #’s 0008 and 0009; 3 credit hours)

Fall 2011
Location of course: Online at https://dist-ed.waketech.edu/webapps/ login/
Instructor: Mara Fryar
Office: Modular Unit (MOD) 120E
**I am an adjunct instructor and do not hold regular office hours. Please email or call me to set up a time to meet in person if you wish.
Phone: 919-795-3880
E-mail: mffryar@waketech.edu
Department Head: Kim Breivogel 919-866-5203 or kbbreivogel@waketech.edu

Course Delivery/Location:
Delivery of this online course will take place through Blackboard. Students must log in and check Blackboard regularly for class policies, resources, assignments, and essential communications from your instructor. Blackboard can be accessed at https://dist-ed.waketech.edu/webapps/ login/. Wake Tech email (mywaketech.edu) will also be used and must be checked regularly.

**This syllabus is subject to change.

IMPORTANT DATES :
All online students are expected to enter this class on the first day of class :
Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Week 1 Assignments must be completed by midnight on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.

10% date : Wednesday, September 21, 2011
If a student fails to complete the assignments for Week 1 or does not communicate with the instructor by September 21, 2011, he or she will be dropped from the course by the instructor.

Withdrawing with a W grade : Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The last day to drop this course with a non-punitive grade of W is Tuesday, November 8, 2011. If you wish to drop this course, you may do so yourself, or I can submit an online withdrawal form for you.

Course Description: This course introduces the scientific study of human society, culture and social interactions. Topics include socialization, research methods, diversity and inequality, cooperation and conflict, social change, social institutions, and organizations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of sociological concepts as they apply to the interplay among individuals, groups and societies.
Course Prerequisites: ENG 090 and RED 090 or placement into ENG 111.
Students who haven’t met the prerequisite for the course may not remain registered for this class.
Required Text: You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist, by Dalton Conley. 2nd edition, 2011
W.W. Norton and Company, ISBN: 978-0-393-93517-2

About this course: Welcome to “Introduction to Sociology”. Sociology is the study of human society and human behavior. In this course, we will be discovering a different way to analyze society, the sociological perspective. I hope that the sociological perspective will provide you with a framework that will help you assess your experiences and make choices in the future. Participation in course assignments, readings from the textbook, discussion, quizzes, and tests are some of the ways that you can assess those experiences and understand your place in society.

Though we will address our life experiences, let me remind you that this is a sociology course and we will learn to assess those life experiences using a social context and not just a personal context. I hope that you will learn to assess not only your life experiences but also life experiences that are different from your own by using a sociological perspective. In this course, let’s use our sociological imagination and open our eyes to the “shocking discoveries” that sociology might reveal about society and your experiences within it.

Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of sociology as a social science and a field of study.
2. Demonstrate a command of basic sociological terminology.
3. Apply sociological frameworks to the analysis of social situations (e.g., Social- Conflict, Structural-Functionalism, and Symbolic-Interactionism, etc.).
4. Assess the strength and weaknesses of sociological frameworks such as Social- Conflict, Structural-Functionalism and Symbolic-Interactionism, etc.
5. Critically evaluate empirical social data from academic and popular resources.
6. Recognize various sociological methodologies and be familiar with advantages and disadvantages of each.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of socialization as a sociological process and identify important agents of socialization.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of stratification and the various dimensions of stratification and inequality (especially class, race, and gender).
9. Relate the creation and experience of cooperation and conflict in society from both micro and macro perspectives.
10. Differentiate among social groupings (e.g. social groups, social institutions, social organizations, etc) and explain how each impacts social behavior in terms of conformity and deviance.
11. Identify the creation of, response to, and consequences of social change.
12. Understand the nature of and influence that social groups and social organizations have on the individual.
13. Identify and understand social institutions such as family, economics, politics, religion, and education as components of society.
14. Understand the significance of and impact of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism on members of society.
15. Understand the complex and reciprocal interactions between culture and social structure.
16. Create an argument using sociological imagination in written and oral format.

Online prerequisites: Necessary Computer Equipment:
What equipment must I have access to in order to take an online class? You must have a computer, an Internet service provider, a Wake Tech e-mail account, and course-related software (if required).
Minimum Recommendations for Using Blackboard:
*Platform: Windows 98, 2000, NT, or ME; MacOS 9 or MacOS X
*Hardware: 64 MB of RAM, 1 G of free disk space
*Software: Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Powerpoint Viewer
*Browser: Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome
****Please note that Wake Tech recommends using Mozilla Firefox 3.6.3 or higher. You may download Firefox for free at www.firefox.com
*JavaScript & Cookies enabled
*Modem: 56 K
Computer/Internet Skills: What level of computer/Internet knowledge must I have?
Basic knowledge of the Internet, Web browsers, and search engines is necessary. The ability to download and install software may be required. Word processing skills are also necessary, including creating, saving, downloading, attaching and managing files and copying and pasting text from one software application to another. Familiarity with the procedures for sending and receiving e-mail with attachments is essential.
Although experience in taking online courses is not required, students should prepare themselves for the unique setting of online learning. Online learning is reading and writing-intensive and requires some basic technical skills. Successful online learners are good at scheduling their time in an organized fashion.
How to Obtain Windows Media Player or Powerpoint Viewer
If you need to download Windows Media Player or Powerpoint Viewer (to be able to view powerpoint presentations), you can go to http://www.microsoft.com and click on the Downloads A-Z. From there, downloads are organized alphabetically.
***Communicating with your instructor:
Each student should check the announcements for this class on Blackboard daily.
You may also contact me by email: mffryar@waketech.edu or phone (919-795-3880).
Please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone if you have an urgent need or if it would be easier to discuss your question over the phone! If you have emailed me and I haven’t responded and you really need an answer-please call! If I have not responded to an email when a response is expected, I have not seen your email! You will not bother me by calling me. If you would like to meet with me in person, please call or email to set up a time.
If you have not taken an online course, click on Wake Tech distance education on the Waketech homepage (www.waketech.edu ) and login into Blackboard using student as username and online as password. Take the online Student Orientation course. Be sure and click on all navigation buttons and items/folders and read all. If you still have questions, don't be afraid to ask your instructor or other college staff for help.
***Course Calendar and Assignments (This calendar may change at the Instructor’s Discretion) • Our week will run from Monday morning through Sunday at midnight (Eastern Time). All assignments for the week must be completed by Sunday at midnight (Eastern Time) of the particular week. **There is one exception to this: Our first week of class will run from Wednesday, September 14, 2011 to Midnight on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. You will need to have the Week 1 Assignments completed by midnight on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Week 2 will run on the regular Monday through Sunday at midnight schedule. Week 2 will run from Monday, September 19, 2011 to midnight on Sunday, September 25, 2011.
Week 1: September 14, 2011-September 20, 2011:
Chapter 1: Sociological Imagination: An Introduction
Assignments due: Quiz 1, Welcome Discussion Board, Agreement to Class Policies Assignment
Week 2: September 19, 2011-September 25, 2011: Chapter 2: Methods and Chapter 3:Culture
Graded Assignment(s): Ch 2 Everyday Sociology Blog Exercise, Chapter 3 Quiz *Remember that Wednesday, September 21, 2011 is the 10% date for the course. If a student does not participate in the course by midnight on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, he or she will be dropped from the course by the instructor.
Week 3: September 26, 2011-October 2, 2011: Chapter 4: Socialization and the Construction of Reality
Graded Assignment(s): Test 1 on Chapters 1-4
Week 4: October 3, 2011-October 9, 2011: Chapter 5: Groups and Networks
Graded Assignment(s): Ch 5 Quiz
**Wake Tech’s Fall Break will be on Thursday, October 6 through Friday, October 7 and Monday, October 10 through Tuesday, October 11, 2011.
Week 5: October 10, 2011-October 16, 2011: Chapter 6: Social Control and Deviance and Chapter 7: Stratification
Graded Assignment(s): Ch 6 Quiz
Week 6: October 17, 2011-October 23, 2011: Chapter 8: Gender
Graded Assignment(s): Ch 8 Discussion Board
Week 7: October 24, 2011-October 30, 2011: Chapter 9: Race
Graded Assignment(s): Test 2 on Chapters 5-9
Week 8: October 31, 2011-November 6, 2011: Chapter 10: Poverty and Chapter 11: Health and Society
Graded Assignment(s): Ch 10 Sociology in Practice DVD Exercise
Week 9: November 7, 2011-November 13, 2011: Chapter 12: Family Graded Assignment(s): Chapter 12 Everyday Sociology Blog Exercise
**Please remember that the last day to drop this course with a non-punitive grade of W is Tuesday, November 8, 2011. If you wish to drop this course, you may do so yourself, or I can submit an online withdrawal form for you.
Week 10: November 14, 2011-November 20, 2011: Chapter 13: Education Graded Assignment(s): Test 3 on Chapter 10-13
Week 11: November 21, 2011-November 27, 2011: Chapter 14: Capitalism and the Economy Graded Assignment(s): Ch 14 Quiz
**Wake Tech’s Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 23, 2011-Friday, November 25, 2011.
Week 12: November 28, 2011-December 4, 2011: Chapter 15: Authority and the State Graded Assignment(s): Ch 15 Discussion Board
Week 13: December 5, 2011-December 11, 2011: Chapter 16: Religion Graded Assignment(s): Ch 16 Quiz
Final Exam Week: Monday, December 12, 2011-Friday, December 16, 2011
Graded Assignment(s): FINAL EXAM *Notice that not all chapters from the textbook will be covered.
Testing Policy
If problems occur with your computer, internet services or browser, you must get in touch with me before the testing period ends. Once the testing period ends, it isn't fair to other students to offer you another opportunity to take a test online. If there is an emergency and I assess that situation is serious enough, then you can come on-campus to test or I may be able to allow you to test online. If you do not contact me regarding technical or personal problems before the testing period ends, then I will not let you take the test. No exceptions.
If you are unable to email, please contact me at 919-795-3880 and leave a message if I do not answer. Copy this phone number into your address book so that you will have it if you have computer problems during the session.
If you are having problems with your computer, it would be wise to use one of the computer labs on campus to take a test.
Out of Town Policy
If you go out of town during this session for vacation or business or any other reason, then take a lap top with you. Be prepared to go online somewhere such as a cybercafe, hotel, the home of a friend or a public library. In other words, the online class goes on with or without you. It is not acceptable to miss a test or an assignment because you are out of town.
Broken Computer Policy
PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS STATEMENT
Online classes go on whether you do or not. If your computer breaks, or if your email or online service is not working, this class will go on without you.
Take responsibilty for yourself. If you are having computer problems of any type, I suggest that you use the computer labs on campus, the public library, cybercafes or the homes of your friends and family. Some students chose to take online tests on campus because of problems with computer or online services.
Blackboard Menu for this course:
Announcements: Check frequently for announcements and up to the minute information from the instructor.
START!/Syllabus: The syllabus and other important information for the course will be posted here.
Faculty Info: Information about the instructor and how to contact the instructor is posted here.
Weekly Assignments: Each week an assignment folder will be posted here.
Discussions: Discussion Boards will be posted here.
Tools: You can send emails to your instructor or other students here. You can also check your grades here.
Student Help: Resources for Students

Discussion Rubric
You will earn 0-100 points for your participation on the discussion board. These boards will be graded with the following criteria:
Total possible points per discussion:

|0 |1-69 |70-79 |80-89 |90-100 |
|Did not participate –|Does not Meet minimum number|Meets minimum number |Exceeds minimum number|Exceeds minimum number|
|no postings |of postings (3) |of postings (3) |of postings(4+ ) |of postings (4+) |
| | | | | |
| |Responses not detailed or |Responses related to |Responses related to |Responses related to |
| |significantly related to |topic and chapter |topic and chapter |topic and chapter |
| |content |content |content |content |
| | | | | |
| | | |Provides verification |Provides verification |
| | | |and/or examples to |and/or examples to |
| | | |support discussion |support discussion |
| | | | | |
| | | | |Stimulates further |
| | | | |discussion and adds to|
| | | | |knowledge base |

1. Quality of postings: A minimum of 3 postings is what I am looking for. When you spread out your postings you are able to synthesize other perspectives, demonstrate listening, and contribute to an evolving discussion so I recommend participating when possible more than one day a week.

2. Things to avoid: a. Excessive “I agree” responses without explanation. If you agree or disagree, please provide context. b. Excessive postings in one forum (informally know as ‘hogging” the forums). The key here is balance. Remember that others have to read through the postings. Stay on topic and let others share their knowledge. c. Lack of respect for divergent opinions. Please show the respect you want bestowed on you. d. Off topic comments. Driving off the track is healthy occasionally but try to be mindful of the discussion at hand. e. Overly long threads. Remember there are close to twenty people in this class; try not to make your responses longer than one to two screen lengths.

3. What to expect from me: I actively read the forums and check email at least five times during the week. If you send me an email or ask a question expect a 48 hour turn around time for a response (if response is expected). If you have an immediate concern or if it would be easier to address your questions/concerns in person, please contact me at 919-795-3880. I am happy to speak with you by phone!

Attendance Policy:
Regular, consistent class participation is necessary in order for you to succeed in this class. Attendance for this class will be evaluated through participation in graded weekly activities, which will include assignments, quizzes, tests, and online discussion boards. Students that complete assignments by the due dates will be considered in attendance for that week. Failure to submit assignments or complete class activities on time will result in a class “absence” for the due date as well as a grade of zero for that activity.

Wake Tech policy requires students to be present for 90% of classes for any given course. Because this course lasts for roughly 12 weeks, you are allowed to have one absence.
**To sum up, if you do not complete class assignments for a total of two weeks, you will be considered to have 2 absences and will therefore be dropped from the course by the instructor.

Documented Religious Observances and Absences:
North Carolina law requires that students be permitted excused absences for documented religious observances. For this purpose, Wake Tech students are allowed two excused absences per semester if they provide written notification to the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester, identifying the religious observance and date of the planned absence. If I receive timely notification you will be allowed to make up any work missed due to your absence. Students must submit make-up work by the assigned due date for it to be accepted.

Important: If you are submitting documentation for absences regarding religious observances, you will need to submit it to me by Thursday, September 28, 2011

Late Work Policy: I do not accept late work.
Grading Policies:
Test 1: 13%
Test 2: 13%
Test 3: 13%
Final Exam: 13%
Quizzes, Discussion Boards, and Essays: 48% (Each Assignment is worth 4%)

The 10 point grading scale is used in this course:
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
59 and below = F

Calculating your grade:
In order to calculate your grade, you would multiply your grade for an assignment by the percentage that the particular assignment is worth. You would then add up all of your calculations in order to figure out your final grade. For example:

Sally A. Student:

Test 1= 90 90 x .13= 11.7

Test 2= 77 77 x .13= 10.01

Test 3= 84 84 x .13= 10.92

Final Exam= 88 88 x .13= 11.44

Quiz, Essay and Discussion Board Average= 100 (To get this average, add up all of the Quiz, Essay and Discussion Board grades and divide by 12. 12 is the total number of quizzes, essays and discussion boards.) 100 x .48= 48

If you add up all of the bold numbers, you will get Sally A. Student's final grade: 92.07

My.WakeTech.edu/Official Communication With Students Policy: Every curriculum student is provided with an official Wake Tech email account through the student portal (my.waketech.edu). Students must first activate their my.waketech.edu account, wait 24 hours, and then activate the email account. This college-issued email account is to be used for all email correspondence with instructors and other college officials. Official correspondence from the college (communications from instructors, information about registration or financial aid, etc.) will be sent to students’ Wake Tech email address ONLY. Instructors and college officials may refuse to accept student emails sent from other addresses.

For more information, visit my.waketech.edu and click on Support. Video tutorials are available in the FAQ/Knowledge Base at http://www2.waketech.edu/lore/studkb/ category.php?id=9

Discussion of grades via email:
“Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, instructors cannot discuss any information pertaining to a student’s grade or other matters related to academic performance via email or telephone unless the student signs an Authorization to Release Instructor Graded Material via Email form (WTCC Form 1126) waiving his or her FERPA rights”.

Make-up tests and late work:
No late work will be accepted.

Course Values:
In keeping with the college’s mission statement, this course will promote Wake Tech’s core institutional values:
1. Accountability-Accountability is essential for an environment of learning. Those who are accountable stand by their words and actions, taking full responsibility for what they create and for what they contribute to the community.
2. Respect—Instructor and students will foster an environment that is respectful of everyone in the classroom.
3. Responsibility—Instructor and students will foster an environment that actively promotes taking responsibility for one’s actions and obligations.
4. Critical Thinking—Instructor and students will strive actively to improve the critical thinking skills of Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation—both in academics and in everyday actions.
5. Communication—Instructor and students will strive actively to ensure clear understanding in both written and oral communications.
6. Collaboration—Instructor and students will strive to develop collaborative skills required in achieving team goals.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Appropriate academic accommodations are available for students who are registered with the Disability Support Office due to a physical, psychological, or learning disability. Please see http://disabilityservices. waketech.edu/ for more information. To determine eligibility, contact the Main campus office at 108-S Holding Hall or call 866-5670 (TDD 779-0668).

The ILC (Individualized Learning Center)
As a Wake Tech student, you have access to the free services of the ILC. You will find professionally prepared staff that will assist you through one-on-one tutoring, a collection of audio/video tutorials, and course-related materials. ILC services can help you better understand concepts presented in class, improve your study habits, master skills you’re trying to learn, gain confidence and empower you to become an independent learner.

Check out the ILC workshops and small group activities, some especially tailored for your classes. Whether you are a distance education student seeking online help or a student attending traditional, seated courses seeking assistance in person, our Writing, Math, Foreign Language, Computer and Study Skills centers are all here for you. Distance Tutoring is available regardless of location. Most services do not require appointments.

ILC services are currently available at five locations:
Main Campus ILC Building (behind Holding Hall)
Northern Wake Math & Science Bldg (MSB), Room 213
Health Sciences Health Education Building (HEB), Room 208
Western Wake Learning Resource Center, Room 200E
Public Safety Center PSTC, Room 1611

Please note: You may not use the ILC when you are scheduled for class or lab. To ensure that you receive the best possible service, please use the ILC only when you are in need of tutorial services. Designated study areas and computers are available in the library and open labs. We can help you master the concepts and skills needed to do your homework, but ILC tutors cannot assist you with homework assignment completion.

For the current ILC schedule and additional information, including upcoming workshops, please see the ILC online at: http://ilc.waketech.edu/.

Wake Tech Internet Policy
At Wake Technical Community College, Information Technology Services has provided equipment and access for students, faculty, and staff to connect to the Internet. The College wants the internet to be an effective resource that adheres to the mission of the College. Users of Wake Tech's computer services are expected to abide by the following policies, which are intended to preserve the utility of the system, to protect the privacy and work of students, faculty, and staff, and to preserve the right to access the international networks to which the College systems are connected.

General Usage Policy

Faculty, staff, and students with permission from College officials may use the College's computing facilities for scholarly purposes and official College business so long as such use does not violate any laws or College policy and does not result in commercial gain or private profit.
The College prohibits accessing Internet services that do not further educational interests. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, subjects pertaining to pornography. Accessing or distributing pornographic materials is a violation of this policy that will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.
Use of electronic mail and other network communications facilities to harass, offend, or invade the privacy of other users of the network is prohibited. However, the College reserves the right to access files that it has reason to believe violate College policy. Data, including email stored on College systems, is the property of the College.
Besides providing access to the internet, the College has its own website. The Information Technology Services department will maintain the website. It will be the only official website representing the College.
Students are not permitted to use the College's name or any association with the College in websites they create. Faculty and staff members are not permitted to use the College's name or any association with the College in websites they create that reflect negatively on the College or violate any of the policies contained herein.
Violation of any of the above provisions will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.

General Electronic Communication Standards

Electronic communication has the same level of formality as the face-to-face classroom. Instructors and students alike should be addressed with respect and sensitivity.
Communication that would be viewed as inappropriate in the face-to-face classroom is also inappropriate in online context.
Do not use confrontational or rude language, and avoid the use of ALL CAPS (an indication of anger in text).
Use personal names as part of email addresses, not nicknames or pseudonyms.
Include a signature line at the end of the email with name and contact information.
Use descriptive subject lines to help the recipient identify the nature of the email.
Reply with enough of the original message to put the reply in context.
Information is to be used for communicating within the educational context. It is not to be used to solicit or to inundate with spam or other unwanted information.
The writing style should be appropriate to the academic context.
The Internet is not secure--keep in mind that others may gain access to your communication.

Wake Technical Community College Academic Integrity Policies

Wake Technical Community College expects the highest standards of personal integrity in all academic work and behavior. We believe that effective education is dependent upon an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and that creating this atmosphere is a responsibility shared by both students and instructors. We further believe that the foundation of this environment is based on a mutual commitment to honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. This environment requires students and instructors to subscribe to a standard of integrity. Cheating and plagiarism are forms of academic dishonesty that violate this standard of integrity. Definitions of these infractions follow:

Cheating is defined as receiving, giving, or helping another student to receive or give any information during a quiz, test, exam or individual assignment; using unauthorized materials or equipment during a quiz, test or exam (for example, notes or books); communicating the subject matter or contents of a quiz, test, or exam (unless specifically authorized to share it) to another student; taking a quiz, test, or exam for another student; obtaining quiz, test, or exam questions beforehand; tampering with the grading of a quiz, test, or exam after it has been corrected; or working with others in completing a take- home quiz, test, exam, or individual assignment unless the instructor specifically authorizes collaborative work. Penalties for a violation of this policy will include: a “0” for the assignment, an “F” in the course, removal from the course roster, or other penalties that the instructor deems appropriate.

Intentional Plagiarism is defined as copying data, specific ideas, or the language of another person and representing it as one's own. When students present the words or ideas of another person (or source) in a written assignment, they must document an acknowledgement of their source(s) as described (1) in the MLA Handbook or (2) by the instructor of that particular course. Plagiarism also includes: having another individual write a paper; copying a paper from another student or the Internet; allowing another person to copy work; or turning in a paper written for another class without authorization. Penalties for a violation of this policy will include: a “0” for the assignment, an “F” in the course, removal from the course roster, or other penalties that the instructor deems appropriate.

Unintentional Plagiarism or misuse of sources can occur when students are simply incompetent with documentation. This is when students fail to document quoted, paraphrased, or summarized sources, or give a “Works Cited” page without documenting the body of the paper. In this situation students are not following MLA format, but clearly there is some attempt to document the source material in the Works Cited list. This kind of work merits severe grade reduction, and it may even merit a failing grade.

The Department Head and the Dean of Students will be notified when any student plagiarizes or cheats in any way. The Dean of Students has the authority to implement suspension or expulsion in repeat cases.

ARTS, HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
ONLINE COURSE
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

I. EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The purpose of the Online Course Student Code of Conduct is to protect the rights of individuals in their academic pursuits and to encourage a safe, collaborative, and respectful online learning environment for both faculty and students. In cases of academic misconduct, such as cheating and plagiarism, the Academic Integrity Policy will apply.

In accordance with the Wake Tech Student Handbook, students are prohibited from engaging in any conduct that adversely affects the educational process or the learning environment of any class. Accordingly, each student’s participation in all aspects of the online course must meet the fundamental standards and Wake Tech campus values of RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY. Student participation includes the following:

• Course assignments and course activities • All communications and interactions between the student and (1) his/her classmates (2) the course instructor (3) any Department Head, Curriculum Dean, and/or other College officials.

Note: Any disagreements must be expressed in a respectful and polite manner.

II. VIOLATIONS OF THE ONLINE COURSE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT*

• The use of profane, obscene, defamatory, sexually harassing, or otherwise disrespectful language in an online course, such as in discussion board assignments, chat rooms, wiki tools, blogs, group pages AND/OR the use of any of this language with your course instructor or another student (via a course assignment, email, voice mail, phone conversations, in-person), as well as with the Department Head, Curriculum Dean, and/or other College officials. • Mental or physical abuse against any student, instructor or College official that threatens or endangers his/her health or safety. • Any behavior considered rude by an instructor or not relevant to the class, such as interrupting the public forums in the online course with irrelevant questions/remarks, unnecessary remarks, or any other remarks deemed by the course instructor to be superfluous, offensive or disrespectful to the public forum, course activity or learning environment. • Students sending “blanket” or “class-wide” emails without the expressed advance written permission of the course instructor.

*Refer to the “Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Due Process” section of the Student Handbook found at studenthandbook.waketech.edu for a complete list of student code violations.

III. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Step 1 – WARNING: The instructor warns the student (delivered via email or verbally) that his/her actions, comments and/or words are unacceptable and that if they continue, the student could face more extreme consequences, including removal from the online course.

Step 2 – FORMAL REPRIMAND: A written communication is provided to the student documenting that he/she has been previously warned of a violation of the AHSS Division Online Course Student Code of Conduct and is now in jeopardy of a more severe penalty due to a second infraction of the policy. The Department Head and the Dean of Students will receive a copy of the reprimand.

Step 3 – SUSPENSION/REMOVAL from the Online Course: If the student continues to violate the Online Course Student Code of Conduct, the course instructor, in consultation with the Department Head, will request that the Dean of Students institute a temporary suspension or permanent removal (withdrawal) of the student from the course. (Except in the case of an Emergency suspension, see below)
Consequences of suspension include but are not limited to students being blocked from any and all interactive course-wide or group projects (such as Discussion Boards, chat rooms, wiki tools, blogs, group pages), and students being prevented from turning in all work, taking exams or participating in all class activities or assignments.
Penalties for missed assignments, exams or other work as well as absences from the course will continue to accrue during any temporary suspension. Any missed work during the suspension cannot be made up.

Temporary Suspension, Permanent Removal, Emergency Suspension:
Suspended students can be removed from the online course temporarily (until the instructor and Dean of Students deem re-admission appropriate), permanently, or as an emergency.
When disciplinary actions have reached “Step 3,” it is commonly required that the student come to campus to participate in a sit-down meeting with the course instructor, Department Head, Curriculum Dean, Dean of Students, or other College official. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange this meeting and transportation to and from the meeting.
Permanent removal from the online course will result in a “W” if the violation occurs before the last day to withdraw without penalty and a “WF” if the violation occurs after the last day to withdraw without penalty.
In cases involving exceptionally serious violations, College officials may determine that temporary or permanent suspension from ALL online courses and/or blockage from registering for online courses at Wake Technical Community College in the future is appropriate.
Exceptionally serious violations may also result in a student being expelled from the college.

EMERGENCY SUSPENSION: If a student’s conduct (actions, behavior, comments, or words) poses an immediate threat to another student, the course instructor, or College official, or if a student’s conduct is determined to be a serious impediment to the online learning environment, the instructor has complete authority to bypass steps 1 and 2 and proceed to Step 3. Emergency suspension of the student will be in effect until the Dean of Students or other College official can investigate. Step 3 consequences, penalties, and policies will apply.

(Adopted August 2009)