Miami-Dade College

Social Sciences Department

Social Environment
ISS 1120

Fall 2014
Reference # 827347, M/F 12:00-1:45pm,
Kendall Campus Room R250
Office: Room 6206
Telephone: 305-237-2215; the best
way to contact me however is via email
Professor: Michelle Munroe, Ph.D. E-Mail: munroemichelle@me.com
Office Hours: By appointment. You
can contact me via email to set up an
appointment to meet

Course Description:
The Social Environment (ISS1120) is an interdisciplinary course that emphasizes the cultural, economic,
political, and global dimensions of societies. Its main objective is to promote knowledge of contemporary and
historical forces, institutions and people that shape our social environment, and to engage students in a lifelong process of inquiry and enlightened decision-making.
Pre-Requisites: There are no pre requisites for this class.
Course Competencies:
Competency 1: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the origin of the scientific method, its connection
with the social sciences, and the impact of culture in developing the unique characteristics of human behavior
and societies by:
1. Analyzing the emergence of the scientific method and the influence of philosophy and religion in the
development of science.
2. Differentiating between the natural and social sciences and the humanities.
3. Identifying the various disciplines labeled as social sciences and their common characteristics and unique
objectives.
4. Defining the terms culture and society and finding the connection between them.
5. Describing the elements and complexity of culture.
6. Differentiating between culture and subculture.
7. Applying the concepts of universalism, ethnocentrism and cultural relativity in different contexts.

Competency 2: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the basic economic concepts, the historical
impact on economic theories, and the characteristics of different economic systems, especially the American
system, by:
1. Defining scarcity, economic system, production, distribution, and consumption.
2. Contrasting the major characteristics of the traditional market, and command economic systems.
3. Discussing the concept of money and its role in the economy.
4. Describing major economic ideas and theories and their origins and supporters.
5. Analyzing the historical events that marked their evolution.
6. Recalling the most important economic indicators and their functions.
7. Discussing the problems of economic inequalities and poverty in the world and in the United States and their
possible solutions, as well as the ecological consequences of economic growth.
8. Comparing and contrasting these contemporary economic systems: capitalism, democratic socialism, and
communism, as practiced in countries such as the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the former
Soviet Union, China, and others.
Competency 3: The students will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental political concepts, the most
important types of political systems, especially the American government and its functioning, and the role of
political orientations and ideologies by:
1. Defining government, nation, state, nation-state, and politics.
2. Classifying and contrasting, different types of governments.
3. Identifying and contrasting the most important political ideologies, their origins and supporters.
4. Differentiating various political orientations.
5. Recalling the origin and evolution of the American political system.
6. Describing the unique characteristics of the Constitution and the most important functions of the three
branches of government.
7. Discussing the American political process and the role played by pressure groups and political parties at
every level of government.
8. Describing the processes to elect or choose the highest political leaders in the United States.
9. Analyzing the struggle of women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and other groups to
obtain their political rights.
10. Comparing and contrasting other major political systems such as those of Great Britain, the former Soviet
Union, and China with that of the United States.
Competency 4: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the global dimension of societies and their
relations and interactions by:
1. Discussing the role of geography in global relations.
2. Identifying on a map the location of the states of the world.
3. Identifying fundamental concepts in international relations such as nation-state, sovereignty, balance of
power, balance of terror, diplomacy, international law, collective security, international organization, and
foreign policy.
4. Identifying the forces that contribute to peaceful versus violent relations between nations.
5. Analyzing the complexity of international economic relations, especially trade, and the role played by
governments, currencies, tariffs, multinational corporations, and other organizations.
6. Describing the role of worldwide and regional international organizations in global affairs using as examples
the origin and scope of the United Nations and other similar organizations.

MDC Learning Outcomes:

The 10 MDC Learning Outcomes *
1. Communication
2. Quantitative
Skills
Analysis

3. Critical
Thinking

4. Information
Literacy

5. Global
Perspectives

6. Personal
Responsibility

8. Technology
Use

9. Aesthetic
Appreciation

10. The
Environment

* See the Colleges

outcomes.asp

7. Ethical
Thinking
Learning

Outcomes

Web

Site:

http://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/learning

Required Textbook:

Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society, by Elgin F. Hunt and David C. Colander,
Fifteenth Edition

A style-grammar guide [e.g. Andrea Lunsford, The Everyday Writer, or a MLA Style
Handbook]- optional

Course Policies
Conduct in the Classroom: You must turn off cell phones. If you want to listen to music, surf the web, or
text, then do so outside of the classroom. If you disrupt the teaching/learning process or act in a disrespectful,
threatening, or intimidating way toward me or other students, you will be asked to leave the class.
Academic Integrity:
All students are expected to meet the Colleges academic conduct standards. Acts of academic misconduct,
including cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, and facilitating academic dishonesty will be referred to the
Academic Dean. Students who break the Colleges academic conduct standards will be charged with
misconduct charges. For more information on these standards, refer to the Students Rights and
Responsibilities Handbook at:
http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
Access Disability Services:
Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in advance for information
and for obtaining assistance. No retroactive accommodations can be provided. The ACCESS department is
located in Room 2121 at the Kendall Campus. They may be reached at (305) 237-2767. Hours of operation:
M-R 8:00am-7:00pm & F 8:00am--4: 30pm.
College Writing Center: If you need assistance with papers or other writing assignments, the writing center
can assist in tutoring or general questions regarding written work. They are located in Building 2000, room
2207. They can be reached at (305)-237-0677. Hours of operation: M-R 8:00am-9:00pm & F 8:00am-3:00pm.

Instructional Strategies:
Class will primarily consist of lectures supplemented by film and discussion
1.
Exams: There will be six exams at the end of each major concept in this class. The types of questions to
expect on the exams will include a combination of multiple choice, true and false, and short answer questions.
Most of the questions on the exams will require that you apply knowledge rather than repeat information
memorized from the textbook. There will be no make-up exams in this course.
2.
Attendance: Class Attendance is mandatory. Miami-Dade requires that faculty take attendance at the
beginning of every class period. If you are late, it is your responsibility to ensure I know you were present. Do
not interrupt a lecture to let me know you are present. A total of (4) excused absences are allowed for the
semester. Excused absences include jury duty, military service, official college-related activities, documented
medical emergencies, or religious observances or documented deaths in the family. It is the students
responsibility to contact me in advance when missing class for any reason. If you exceed your four absences,
you may be dropped from the course. If you are dropped from the class, either by me or by the College for nonpayment, you will not be allowed to attend class. You will not receive a grade nor will I accept assignments,
papers, or exams from you. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain in class until the completion of
the class period. You are responsible for information provided in class, even if you are not in attendance.
3.
Project: The group project will involve developing a presentation of a current political or social issue
for your peers that aligns with one of the five major concepts covered in the class. The group presentation
should offer: 1) a fair discussion of the various viewpoints concerning the issue; 2) the proposed solutions; 3)
your analysis of the proposed solutions, and 4) your own solution/assessment based on the available
information. The project will require some research, but time in class will be allotted for group meetings. At the
end of each major concept a group will conduct their presentation. A brief report/transcript of your
presentation and any visuals will also be due at that time.
4.
Readings: Success in this course requires familiarity with the textbook. I will not cover all material in
the text; however, you are responsible for all reading materials assigned. You will be responsible for extraneous
materials I will cover in class. You should read all assigned chapters BEFORE the class period.
5.
Homework Assignments: There will be five homework assignments in this class. Here student s will
be required to complete short answer responses based on their readings. These must be turned in at the
beginning of the class period. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F

90 100
80 - 89
70 79
60 69
59 and below

Grading Criteria:
Assignment

Total Points

Exams (6)

50

Homework (5)

20

Project (1)

20

Participation/Attendance

10

Total Points

100

Course Schedule and Outline:

4

Date

Mon.

Topic
INTRODUCTION TO
SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENT
Sept.

29

Week
1
Oct.

Notes

Review Syllabus

Friday

Reading

Introduction to
Social Environment
Social Science and
Its Methods

HCT Chap. 1, ALL

Tilly- Why (and How)

Things Happen [excerpt]

Review Group
Presentation and
Project

Last day to sign

up to a group
Mon.

Oct.

Week
2
Friday

Oct.

Human Origins

Origins of Western
Society

10

HCT Chap. 2, ALL

HCT Chap 3, ALL

Review HCT Chaps. 1-3

HCT Chap. 4

Friedman-The world is
Flat chapter 1: While I
Was Sleeping [excerpt]

HCT Chap. 5, ALL

HCT Chap. 6, ALL

HCT Chap. 7, ALL

Sen- What Class of

Civilizations? [excerpt]

Homework #1
DUE
Test #1
[Chapters 1-3]

CULTURE & THE

INDIVIDUAL

Mon.

Oct.

13

Week
3
Friday

Mon.

Oct.

Oct.

17

Society, culture and

cultural change

Geography,
Demography,
Ecology, and Society

Technology and
Society

20

Week
4

Friday

Oct.

Psychology, Society,
and Culture

Group#1
Presentation-Culture

24

Meet with
Group#1, Project
outline due

Homework #2
DUE

Test #2
[Chapters 4-7]

INSTITUTIONS &
SOCIETY
Mon.

Oct.

27

Week
5
Friday

Oct.

31

Mon.

Nov.

Week
6
Friday

Nov.

The Family

Religion

Education

Social and Economic

Stratification

Stratification,
Minorities &
Discrimination

HCT Chap. 8, ALL

The Moynihan Report

Revisited [excerpt]

HCT Chap. 9,ALL

HCT Chap, 10, ALL

HCT Chap. 11, ALL

HCT Chap. 12, ALL
Group#2
PresentationReligion/Family/Educ
ation

Meet with
Group#2, Project
outline due
Homework #3
DUE
*Last day to
withdraw

Test #3
[Chapters 8-12]

POLITICS AND
SOCIETY

Week
7

Mon.

Friday

Nov.

Nov.

The Functions &

Forms of
Government

Government of the
World

10

14

Mon.

Nov.

17

Friday

Nov.

21

Week
8

Week
9

Week
10

Nov.

24

Friday

Nov.

28

Mon.

Dec.

HCT Chap. 13, ALL

Tocqueville- Democracy
in America Chapter 1
[excerpt]

HCT Chap. 14, ALL

HCT Chap. 15, ALL

Putnam-Bowling Alone
[excerpt]
Group#3 PresentationPolitics and Society

Mon.

Democratic
Governments in the
United States

ECONOMICS &
SOCIETY
The Organization of
Economic Activities

The Economy,
Government, &
Economic Challenges
Facing the US

HCT Chap. 16, ALL

HCT Chap. 17, ALL

Meet with
Group#3, Project
outline due

Homework #4
DUE

Test #4
[Chapters 13-15]

Meet with
Group#4, Project
outline due
Homework #5
DUE

THANKSGIVING BREAK
Group#4 PresentationEconomics

Test #5
[Chapters 16-17]

GLOBAL ISSUES

Friday

Week
11

Week
12

Dec.

Mon.

Dec.

Friday

Dec.

12

Mon.

Dec.

15

Friday

Dec.

19

International Political
Relations

International
Economic Relations

The Political
Economies of
Developing
Countries

HCT Chap. 18, ALL

Zakaria- The Post

American World
[excerpt]

HCT Chap. 19-20, ALL

Homework #5
DUE

Group#5 PresentationPolitics and Society

Test #6
[Chapters 18-20]

FINAL WEEK
----------------------

Meet with
Group#5, Project
outline due