This class will cover 7 sections of the social science.  

*Week 1:  class introduction, homework, end of the class project, and preface will be covered. During our first class meeting in the first week, I will introduce myself and give background information about my hobbies and education.  I will read over class assignments.  All information will be posted in the Classroom Thread. The class assignments are important for class because it states all of the assignments in one place for the Learner.  This will include due dates, end-of-class project, and homework assignments.  The Classroom Thread is a reference tool for the Learner throughout the course.  If there is a question or clarity is needed, I will clarify and give examples. This will include the class expectations, behavior standards, and assignments that will be given throughout the course. I will go over the homework section and the class project in more detail in the video I post on the Classroom Thread.  Learners can ask questions anytime during the class.  Also during our first class, we will cover the Preface.  It is important for each Learner to gain a general idea about what will be covered in the class.  The Preface is like an overview.  We will also discuss prior knowledge of social science. 

I continually post comments and videos in the Classroom Thread for Learners to reference.  I believe it is important for Learners to see and hear me as well as read my posts.  

The end of class or final project will be covered in detail through a PowerPoint on the Classroom Thread and a video.  The Learner will have the entire length of class to complete this project.  It will be a 3-5 page essay.  This essay will be due on or before the last day of class.

There will be a PowerPoint presentation covering the Preface.  This PowerPoint is designed to be interactive with the Learners and myself.  Each lesson has a series of questions that the Learner can choose from to answer and post in the Classroom Thread.  Also, in the Classroom Thread, the Learners are encouraged to interact with one another by commenting on classmate's posts.

The Preface will cover:
*Power and Society
     Introduction of social science concepts: anthropology, psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and history.
     These concepts will be mentioned, however, psychology and sociology will be covered in greater depth.

*What is a Theme?  This will be discussed and defined.

*Central Challenges Facing Society
     *Conflict
     *Crime
     *Violence
     *Racism
     *Poverty
     *Powerlessness
     *Globalization
     *Community Problems

The above vocabulary will be defined.  However, only "crime" and "violence" will be covered in depth as they relate to society.  There will be no examples or videos of any type of violence, crime, conflict, or any of the other vocabulary words.  These vocabulary words are basically be defined as they relate to the field of social science.  There will be no discussions on any issues of race or poverty etc.  If you have any questions please feel free to message me.  I want to stress that my classroom is a safe place for all Learners.  

*What is the difference between crime and violence?
     *These two terms will be defined as they relate to the field of social science.

*What is Power?
     *In this section, I ask the Learner's to think about power and how it is relevant to society.  I also ask them their opinion on if they think power is good or bad.  One of my goals for this class is to get the Learners to think about society and the different components of it.  One way of doing this is by asking Learners open-ended questions.

*What is the difference between wealth and income?
This section will be similar to the section on power.  These terms will be defined.  The Learner will also be asked where do they think these two come from?

Each class period the Learner will have a homework assignment.  I have the information for each assignment in two different places so it will be easy and quick to find.  The first homework assignment will be a 1-3 page typewritten essay.  

The Learner is expected to turn in each homework assignment within 5 days of posting.

**It is important to note that I will post a video going into greater depth about each assignment.  I want the Learner to be able to read and hear the information about each assignment for class.

At the beginning of each week, there will be a refresher post.  This refresher is to gauge what the Learner has learned so far.  Each Learner is encouraged to post and comment on their classmate's post.

*Week 2:  Section 1; The Nature and Study of Power.  In this section, the Learner will gain knowledge of the definition of power, society, and social science.  We will discuss different types of power and who has power in society.   The Learner will be able to answer:  What role does power and ideology play in society?  This section is all about "power".  

*What is the nature of power?
*How do individuals contribute to power in society?
*Give an example of power?

*What are values?
     *Values will be defined and discussed. Examples of values will be given. 
     *What are examples of values in society?


*Social Sciences and the Scientific Method.  This lesson is about: science and the scientific method.  Learners will be able to confidently define these words and understand their meanings.  We will also discuss hypotheses and learning the meaning of this word as well as its significance to science. We will also learn about "theory" and be able to define and give examples of theory.  The Learner will gain knowledge of the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.  

*What is social science?  
     *Social science will be defined and discussed, as well as examples given.
*What is science?
*Hypothesis
*Theory
*Experiment

*Power and Culture:  This section will discuss power relationships in society, such as the family.  This section also includes culture and subculture.  The Learner will be able to state examples of these cultures as well as similarities and differences.  We will also discuss the different components of culture.  For example, values and norms.  

*What is the origin of power?
*Four broad purposes of power in our society.
*Family
*Kinship
*Culture
*Beliefs
*Values

Homework Writing Assignment 2:
*This assignment will be in the form of an interview.  The Learner will interview someone in a power position.
*The complete details of this and each assignment are listed in each weekly class posting, the Assignments PowerPoint, and in video form in each.


*Week 3:  Power and Sociology:  The Importance of Social Class.  This week will include the study of the importance of social class.  The Learner will gain knowledge of what the social class is and be able to give examples.  Stratification is very important when discussing social class.  The Learner will gain a basic understanding of the role stratification plays in society.  This week will also cover three theories:  functional theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction theory.  I will not expect learners to become experts in these theories in one class meeting.  However, my goal is to expose Learners to the information as building blocks for future knowledge.  Social mobility will also be discussed.  The Learner will understand what role social mobility plays in society.  

*What is social class?  
     *Aspects of social class will be defined.  For example self-confidence, social mobility, and rank.
*Stratification
*Rank
*Sociology
*Conflict Theory
*Symbolic Interactionist
*Functional Theory


*Week 3:  Power and Psychology.   During this lesson, we will discuss personality.  The Learner will understand what "personality" means in society and the role psychology plays in the personality. 

*Psychology
*Personality
*Self
*Social Needs


*Week 3:  Power, Violence, and Crime.   We will have a class discussion about power and freedom.  I encourage all Learners to participate in and give examples or share their opinions.  This lesson will cover crime and different types of crimes.  The Learner will gain knowledge of these terms and their effect on society.  

*How do power, violence, and crime play a role in social science?
*What is violence in relation to social science?
*What role does social class play in crime and violence?

Homework Writing Assignment 3:
*This assignment will be different from the other assignments in this course.  The Learner will watch a movie or read a book and relate it to what they have learned in this class.  For example, if the Learner is interested in power and social class, they may watch Shawshank Redemption.  The idea of this assignment is for the Learner to choose something or several things they have learned and be able to recognize it and write about it.
*The full details will be listed for the Learner to reference at any time.


*Week 4:
*Informal Assessment via Handout.  This will be an open-book type assessment.  The Learner can use any of their information from class to answer the questions on the handout.
*As a part of the final week, there will be a suggestion of at least three posts by each Learner in the Classroom Thread.  I will post a discussion topic at the beginning of the class week and Learners will interact with one another through the Classroom Thread.  It is my suggestion to post on three different days ensuring there is enough content to react and reply to.
*All assignments are due by the last class meeting this week.

This class is not designed to stress you or make you worry.  This class is designed to make you think and articulate.  Please do not even consider stressing in any of my classes.  I have a passion for the social sciences and want to share new ways to learn about them.  It is my belief that creating unique assignments for Learners will keep them interested and encourage learning and interaction.

My teaching style is a  learner-based style.  I include the students in the conversation and engage them from the very first class meeting until our last minute spent together.  It is my belief and my testimony that students learn better when they are involved in the class.  However, if the student is shy or uneasy about talking in class.  I will respect them and not embarrass them.  However, they will know by my tone and interaction that they are in a safe learning environment no matter their learning style.  It will be my hope that towards the end of the class the student will become outspoken and interactive.  

In addition to learning social science basics, it is important for the learner to become comfortable writing short paragraphs or papers.  I include this type of writing in my classes to give exposure to the importance of writing.  I will be looking for class participation, effort, and relevance while reading student's submissions.  It is not to scare the learner or make them think they will fail if they are not comfortable writing.  My goal is to get the learner writing.  So, by the time they are in college, they will be more at ease with writing a paper or whatever their writing may be. 

I also keep the enrollment low for this class because of the level of interaction with each Learner.  Even though this is a Flex Class, I spend a lot of time ensuring each Learner feels welcome.  I also read everything they turn in and post.  I edit and give suggestions on their work.  I know how important it is to become comfortable with writing essays and short papers.  My class may ask a lot, however, I know that  Learners will appreciate this class.  (Or more of my classes:))