James - Social Studies

Obama Education Speech

2009-09-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I live and breathe politics!! I, however, have hesitations both as a teacher and a taxpayer with the upcoming Presidential address to school children. If we could be assured that the content would be strictly related to work ethics in school, doing one's best, etc., then I would have no issue. In fact, having a young President reinforce the messages that parents, teachers, and school administrators try to get to students would be a wonderful use of the Presidential "bully pulpit." Unfortunately, no one is sure what this President will say and if the pep talk turns into a propaganda display, that would definitely be disturbing. I agree with Mrs. Barnett's decision to not have an all-school assembly for President Obama's speech. The political atmosphere is much too charged right now to require students to attend such an event without prior knowledge of the content of the speech.

Research Paper Requirements-Gov. and Soc.

2009-09-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

Please be sure to remember the academic dishonesty policy for LCC. Any student who intentionally plagiarizes or cheats on an assignment will be given an F in the course for college credit and therefore be required to reimburse the school for tuition. The student will also receive an F on the assignment for the high school grade in the class, but he or she will be allowed to continue in the class for high school credit only.
I do not assign these research papers to find out what other people know about the topic, but to discover what you have learned. A paper full of nothing but information copied and pasted from websites or copied from other sources tells me nothing about your learning, but tells me a GREAT deal about you and your character!! Don't use the same worn-out excuses about being too busy or too tired. I am giving you plenty of time to do research and writing. Be proud of your own work and do your best! Again remember, Wikipedia is NOT a valid research site!

SOCIOLOGY PAPER

TOPIC CHOSEN FROM BOOK

Length: This paper will have 5-7 pages of text. Title page listing title of paper, student name, class, and date (all centered on the page) is required, but will not be included in the final page count. Text will be typed, double spaced, using no larger than 12 point font in either Times New Roman or Courier New font styles, with no more than 1” margins.

Sources: A minimum of 4 different sources are required. You must use at least two non-Internet sources (encyclopedias, textbook, other books, magazines). Bibliography page(s) required, but will not be included in the final page count. Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Use proper citation for any material quoted.

Suggested information to include:

History of the chosen topic
How has it affected society or the study of sociology in the past?
Why is it important to us today?

Rough Draft Due: Tuesday, December 1
Final Copy: Thursday, December 17. No late work accepted.

GOVERNMENT PAPER

TOPIC CHOSEN FROM BOOK

Length: This paper will have 5-7 pages of text. Title page listing title of paper, student name, class, and date (all centered on the page) is required, but will not be included in the final page count. Text will be typed, double spaced, using no larger than 12 point font in either Times New Roman or Courier New font styles, with no more than 1” margins.

Sources: A minimum of 4 different sources are required. You must use at least two non-Internet sources (encyclopedias, textbook, other books, magazines). Bibliography page(s) required, but will not be included in the final page count. Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Use proper citation for any material quoted. Please note LCC handbook policy as shown on your syllabus for consequences.

Suggested information to include:

History of the chosen topic
How has it affected the country/government in the past?
Why is it important to us today?

Rough Draft Due: Tuesday, December 1
Final Copy: Thursday, December 17. No late work accepted.

Sociology Syllabus Fall 2009

2009-09-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

COURSE TITLE & NO:
SOC 101001 General Sociology I
PREREQUISITES:
None
SEMESTER:
Fall 2009
CREDIT HOURS:
3
DAYS TAUGHT:
Monday-Thursday
TIME TAUGHT:
8:00 – 8:51 AM
BEGINNING DATE:
August 24, 2009
ENDING DATE:
Dec. 17, 2009

INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:
Dawn James
PHONE EXT.
438-2214
OFFICE:
EHS 106
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Dawn.james@eads.k12.co.us

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the scientific behavior including motivation, emotion, physiological psychology, stress and coping, research methods, consciousness, sensation, perception, learning and memory.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

This survey course covers the discipline of sociology in terms of its development and application. Because of taking this course, students should be conversant with the basic rules of research in sociology, culture, religion and other issues creating conflict and changes in society.

LCC GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES: (Those assessed in this class are in boldface)
Communications
Math Literacy
Aesthetic Responsiveness/Craftsmanship
World Awareness
Scientific Reasoning
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Skills

INTEGRATION OF CRITICAL SKILLS: (Check all that apply)
Integration Activities are included for the following competences:

_X_ Critical Thinking
___ Technology
___ Mathematics
_X_ Reading
_X_ Written Communication

CLASS MEETING REQUIREMENT:

· Students are expected to attend all sessions of each course in which they enroll. When circumstances make regular attendance impossible, students should report such absences to the instructor as soon as possible and make up assignments as the instructor requires. The instructor has the option of setting guidelines for attendance in determining grades. However, each instructor shall inform students verbally and/or in writing of his/her specific attendance requirements and students have the responsibility for knowing the attendance policy. All class sessions will be held in order to meet credit and contact hour requirements.
SPECIAL NEEDS NOTIFICATION:
Students enrolled in this course with a diagnosed disability must indicate this to the course instructor by the third class meeting. This will permit the course instructor to make federally protected accommodations possible.

MEETING DATES/COURSE OUTLINE:

Date
Topic
Assignment
Aug. 24-27
Intro and Overview
Read Ch. 1
Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Culture
Read Ch. 2
Sept. 7-8
Test on Sept. 8, Ch 1-2
McClave-take on Sept. 9
Study for test, Begin Ch. 3
Sept. 14-17
Socialization
Ch. 3, Read Ch. 4
Sept. 21-24
Social Interaction
Finish Ch. 4
Sept. 28-Oct.1
Test on Oct. 6, Ch. 3-4
Sexuality and Society
Review, Read Ch 6
Oct. 5-8
Deviance
Ch 7
Oct. 12-15
Test on Oct. 15, Ch 6-7
Study for test; Read Ch 8
Oct. 19-22
Social Stratification
Finish Ch 8, Begin Ch. 9

Oct. 26-29
Social; Global Stratification
Ch. 9
Nov. 2-5
Test on Nov. 4, Ch 8-9
Study for test; Begin Ch 10
Nov. 9-12
Gender
Read Ch 10-11
Nov. 16-19
Race
Read Ch 11
Study for Test
Nov. 23-24
Test, Nov. 24, Ch 10-11

Read Ch 13

Nov. 30-Dec. 3

Family and Religion
Finish Ch 13, Begin Ch 14
Dec. 7-10
Education, Health, Medicine
Read Ch 14

Dec. 14-17
Test, Dec. 16, Ch 13-14
Study for Test

METHODS OF CONDUCTING THE CLASS:
Lecture, class discussion, learning groups multi-media, research, paper to meet attached requirements

ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES: (Check all that apply)
_X_ Essay Tests
_X_ Fill in
_X_ Written Papers
_X_ Definition of Terms
_X_ Multiple choice
__ Oral presentations
__ Other (please explain)

Class Participation = 10%; Major Exams = 70%; Research Paper = 20%

Homework: Homework given during class session shall be due the next class meeting, unless otherwise specified.

TEXT AND MATERIALS NEEDED:
Society: The Basics, Tenth Edition by John Macionis

Academic Dishonesty Policy: See LCC's handbook (http://www.lamarcc.edu/pdf/_degreeplans/AASFeedlot.pdf - page 28) for questions regarding what constitutes plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

Any student who intentionally plagiarizes or cheats on an assignment will be given an F in the course for college credit and therefore be required to reimburse the school for tuition. The student will also receive an F on the assignment for the high school grade in the class, but he or she will be allowed to continue in the class for high school credit only.

College American Government Syllabus Fall 2009

2009-09-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

COURSE TITLE & NO:
POS111 American Government
PREREQUISITES:
None
SEMESTER:
Fall 2009
CREDIT HOURS:
3
DAYS TAUGHT:
Monday-Thursday
TIME TAUGHT:
11:47-12:37
BEGINNING DATE:
August 24, 2009
ENDING DATE:
Dec. 17, 2009

CENSUS DATE:

INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:
Dawn James
PHONE EXT.
438-2214
OFFICE:
EHS 106
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Dawn.james@eads.k12.co.us

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the foundations of government in the United States, the branches of government and formation of both domestic and foreign policy.

COURSE COMPETENCIES:
The student should be able to:
1. Identify and evaluate competing theories of American democracy.
2. Analyze theoretical, historical and legal background of American democracy.
3. Examine the Constitutional Convention and relevant historical events of the era.
4. Identify basic principles and philosophy of the Constitution and examine the impact of these principles on the political system.
5. Examine the constitutional, historical, legal basis of federalism and cover recent issues of controversy in the federal system.
6. Identify major controversies and important Supreme Court rulings based on the Constitution and its Amendments, which affect civil rights and civil liberties, including problems of women and minorities.
7. Examine the nature of public opinion, political socialization, changes in American demography, methods of measuring public opinion, and the media's impact on public opinion.
8. Analyze the roles and structures of the party system and evaluate the development of the American two party system.
9. Identify the types, functions, and operations of interest groups in the American political system.
10. Examine the purpose and process of the American electoral system.
11. Describe and evaluate the structure, powers and functions of Congress.
12. Describe and evaluate the structure, powers and functions of the President.
13. Describe and evaluate the structure, powers and functions of the Judicial System.
14. Describe and evaluate the structure, powers and functions of the Federal Bureaucracy.
15. Identify the interrelations among the three branches of government.
16. Describe and evaluate the content of selected foreign and domestic policies and the role of institutions in shaping policy.

LCC GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES: (Those assessed in this class are in boldface)
Communications
Math Literacy
Aesthetic Responsiveness/Craftsmanship
World Awareness
Scientific Reasoning
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Skills

CLASS MEETING REQUIREMENT:

· Students are expected to attend all sessions of each course in which they enroll. When circumstances make regular attendance impossible, students should report such absences to the instructor as soon as possible and make up assignments as the instructor requires. The instructor has the option of setting guidelines for attendance in determining grades. However, each instructor shall inform students verbally and/or in writing of his/her specific attendance requirements and students have the responsibility for knowing the attendance policy. All class sessions will be held in order to meet credit and contact hour requirements.
SPECIAL NEEDS NOTIFICATION:
Students enrolled in this course with a diagnosed disability must indicate this to the course instructor by the third class meeting. This will permit the course instructor to make federally protected accommodations possible .

MEETING DATES/COURSE OUTLINE:

Date
Topic
Assignment
Aug. 24-27
Intro and Overview
Read Ch. 1
Aug. 31-Sept. 3
The Constitution
Read Ch. 2
Sept. 7-8
Test on Sept. 8, Ch 1-2
Begin Civil Liberties
Study for test, Begin Ch. 3
Sept. 14-17
Civil Rights
Ch. 3, Read Ch. 5
Sept. 21-24
Public Opinion & Media
Finish Ch. 5
Sept. 28-Oct.1
Test on Oct. 6, Ch. 3 and 5
Political Parties Research
Review, Read Ch 6
Oct. 5-8
Parties and Elections
Ch 7
Oct. 12-15
Test on Oct. 15, Ch 6-7
Study for test; Read Ch 8
Oct. 19-22
Congress
Finish Ch 8, Begin Ch. 9

Oct. 26-29
Executive
Ch. 9
Nov. 2-5
Test on Nov. 4, Ch 8-9
Study for test; Begin Ch 10
Nov. 9-12
Federal Bureaucracy
Read Ch 10-11
Nov. 16-19
Judiciary
Read Ch 11
Study for Test
Nov. 23-24
Test, Nov. 24, Ch 10-11

Read Ch 12

Nov. 30-Dec. 3

Domestic Policy
Finish Ch 12, Begin Ch 13
Dec. 7-10
Foreign Policy
Read Ch 13

Dec. 14-17
Test, Dec. 16, Ch 12-13
Study for Test

METHODS OF CONDUCTING THE CLASS:
Lecture, class discussion, learning groups multi-media, research, paper to meet attached requirements

ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES: (Check all that apply)
_X_ Essay Tests
_X_ Fill in
_X_ Written Papers
_X_ Definition of Terms
_X_ Multiple choice
_X_ Oral presentations
__ Other (please explain)

Class Participation = 10%; Major Exams = 65%; Oral Presentation = 5%; Research Paper = 20%

Homework: Homework given during class session shall be due the next class meeting, unless otherwise specified.

TEXT AND MATERIALS NEEDED:
American Government: Brief Version by James Q. Wilson, 7th or 8th edition.

Academic Dishonesty Policy: See LCC's handbook (http://www.lamarcc.edu/pdf/_degreeplans/AASFeedlot.pdf - page 28) for questions regarding what constitutes plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

Any student who intentionally plagiarizes or cheats on an assignment will be given an F in the course for college credit and therefore be required to reimburse the school for tuition. The student will also receive an F on the assignment for the high school grade in the class, but he or she will be allowed to continue in the class for high school credit only.

PSYCH 101 Syllabus

2009-01-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Here is the syllabus for College Psych. We will try to follow it as closely as possible. Any changes will be done through in-class announcements and postings here.

COURSE OUTLINE/SYLLABUS

COURSE TITLE & NO:
PSY 101001 General Psychology I
PREREQUISITES: None
SEMESTER: Spring 2009
CREDIT HOURS: 3
DAYS TAUGHT: Monday-Thursday
TIME TAUGHT: 8:00 – 8:51 AM
BEGINNING DATE: January 12, 2009
ENDING DATE: May 14, 2009

INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Dawn James
PHONE EXT. 438-2214
OFFICE: EHS 106
E-MAIL ADDRESS: dawn.james@eads.k12.co.us

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the scientific behavior including motivation, emotion, physiological psychology, stress and coping, research methods, consciousness, sensation, perception, learning and memory.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

This survey course covers the discipline of psychology in terms of its development and application. Because of taking this course, students should be conversant with the basic rules of research in psychology, the biological influences of behavior, consciousness, motivation, emotion, principles of sensation and perception, principles of learning, memory and forgetting, and the factors involved in stress and effective strategies for management of stress.

LCC GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES: (Those assessed in this class are in boldface)
Communications
Math Literacy
Aesthetic Responsiveness/Craftsmanship
World Awareness
Scientific Reasoning
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Skills

INTEGRATION OF CRITICAL SKILLS: (Check all that apply)
Integration Activities are included for the following competiences:

_X_ Critical Thinking
___ Technology
___ Mathematics
_X_ Reading
_X_ Written Communication

CLASS MEETING REQUIREMENT:

· Students are expected to attend all sessions of each course in which they enroll. When circumstances make regular attendance impossible, students should report such absences to the instructor as soon as possible and make up assignments as the instructor requires. The instructor has the option of setting guidelines for attendance in determining grades. However, each instructor shall inform students verbally and/or in writing of his/her specific attendance requirements and students have the responsibility for knowing the attendance policy. All class sessions will be held in order to meet credit and contact hour requirements.
SPECIAL NEEDS NOTIFICATION:
Students enrolled in this course with a diagnosed disability must indicate this to the course instructor by the third class meeting. This will permit the course instructor to make federally protected accommodations possible .

MEETING DATES/COURSE OUTLINE:

Date
Topic
Assignment

Jan. 5-8
Intro and Overview
Read Ch. 1

Jan 12-15
Intro to Psychology
Read Ch. 2

Jan. 19-22
Test on Jan. 21, Ch 1-2
Perception
Study for test, Begin Ch. 6

Jan. 26-29
Sleep & Dreams
Read Ch. 7

Feb. 2-5
Test, Feb. 5, Ch 6-7
Read Ch 8

Feb. 9-12
Hypnosis & Drugs
Read Ch 9

Feb. 16-19
Classical Conditioning
Test, Feb. 19, Ch 8-9
Study for Test

Feb 23-26
Types of Memory
Read Ch 11

March 2-5
Remembering & Forgetting
Read Ch 12

March 9-12
Intellegence
Test, Mar. 12, Ch. 11-13
Read Ch. 13
Study for test

March 16-19
Spring Break @ Eads

March 23-26
Motivation
Read Ch 15

March 30-April 2
Emotion
Read Ch 16
Study for Test

April 6-9
Test, April 7, Ch 15-16
Infancy & Childhood
Read Ch 17

April 13-16
Adolescence & Adulthood
Read Ch 18
Study for Test

April 20-23
Test, April 21, Ch 17-18
Freud
Read Ch 19

April 27-30
Social Theories
Test, April 30, Ch 19-20
Read Ch 20
Study for Test

May 4-7
Anxiety Disorders
Read Ch 22

May 11-14
Mood Disorders
Test, May 14, Ch 22-23
Read Ch 23

METHODS OF CONDUCTING THE CLASS:
Lecture, class discussion, learning groups multi-media, research, paper to meet attached requirements

ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES: (Check all that apply)
_X_ Essay Tests
_X_ Fill in
_X_ Written Papers
_X_ Definition of Terms
_X_ Multiple choice
_X_ Oral presentations
_X_ Other (please explain)

Class Participation = 25%; Major Exams = 36% (12%X3); Final Exam = 14%; Homework = 15% Readings = 10%

Homework: Homework given during class session shall be due the next class meeting, unless otherwise specified.

TEXT AND MATERIALS NEEDED:
Introduction to Psychology 7th ed. By Rod Plotnik

Academic Dishonesty Policy: See LCC's handbook (http://www.lamarcc.edu/pdf/_degreeplans/AASFeedlot.pdf%20-%20page%2028) for questions regarding what constitutes plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

Any student who intentionally plagiarizes or cheats on an assignment will be given an F in the course for college credit and therefore be required to reimburse the school for tuition. The student will also receive an F on the assignment for the high school grade in the class, but he or she will be allowed to continue in the class for high school credit only.

Welcome to 2nd Semester

2009-01-12T14:31:00.001-08:00

It's hard for me to believe we are already half way through the year!! I will attempt to enter the 21st century and communicate sometimes through this blog. I will post the syllabi for my college classes-Psych and Reg. Geography here as soon as we finalize the plagiarism question. Along that line, I would like to direct your attention to the following article:

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/30/AR2008113001906.html?

This discusses a survey finding concerning cheating and dishonesty among students. In our society, full of cynicism and "out for number one", it is sometimes easy to say, "Why shouldn't we? Everyone else does it." I encourage all of you to read this and ask yourself-why should people be expected to do the right thing only when it's easy? Don't fall back on the excuses of being too busy or too tired. Step up and do the best work you can do. We teachers are not interested in reading a copy of the latest Wikipedia information instead of what you think about the topic!