Course Syllabus
SOC30
Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality

Section 6103
Hybrid, Self-Paced Course
Spring 2026

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Faculty Information

• Professor: Dr. Summers

• Online Office Hours ONLY: M & W – 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM with NO ZOOM OFFICE HOURS

• Faculty Email: lwynnsummers@santarosa.edu ONLY (Preferred Mode of Communication)

• *NOTE: Send ALL emails to the faculty email address above ONLY (or else it will NOT reach Professor).

• I will try to respond to ALL emails within 24 hours or less during the above online office days and hours ONLY (no weekend coverage).

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Course Identification

• Credit Hours: 3

• Total Contact Hours: 3

• Course Meets: MW 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

• Classroom Location: Room 1678 Emeritus Hall

• Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

• Disclaimer:Given the nature of this course content, it can affect everyone, both directly and indirectly on personal, communal, and societal levels.  Diverse viewpoints yield dynamic and enlightening discussions, but it is important to maintain respect despite differences in opinions. 

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Course Description & Design

• In this hybrid, self-paced course, which consists of both in-person and online components, students will explore sociology as a way of understanding the complex world around us.

• Students will learn how the discipline explains social, cultural, political, and economic forces.

• Using a global, sociological perspective, students will critically examine topics including, but not limited to socialization, culture, social constructionism, social inequality, intersectionality, and systemic oppression. students will explore sociology as a way of understanding the complex world around us.

• Students will learn how the discipline explains social, cultural, political, and economic forces.

• Using a global, sociological perspective, students will critically examine topics including, but not limited to socialization, culture, social constructionism, social inequality, intersectionality, and systemic oppression.

• The self-paced course design allows ALL ASSIGNMENTS (except for In-Class Discussion Assignments) to be readyfor students begin and complete on DAY #1 of the Semester.

• In addition, there are No Standardized Testing (g., no quizzes or exams) in this course.

• In doing so, ALL STUDENTS in this course are given EXTENDED TIME to start and complete assignments MULTIPLE TIMES ONLINE (except for In-Class Discussion Assignments) assuming assignment due date and time has not elapsed.

• Students’ presence in class is REQUIRED.

• Students are REQUIRED to LOG INTO OUR CANVAS SITE TWICE A WEEK to view and complete Canvas Announcements.

• Therefore, it is important that you come Prepared Each Week (based online modules and course calendar):

  (1) Read each selected chapter and or selected module article.

  (2) Review each online module assignment instructions.

  (3) Complete each week’s selected online and in person assignment(s)

• Class Attendance will be TAKEN DAILY including CLASS TARDINESS (or arriving 10 minutes or more After the Start of Class.

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Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand that race is a socially constructed concept with real-life consequences.

• Appreciate the living cultures, cosmologies, and communities of indigenous populations.

• Describe how historical patterns of access to property, power, and privilege have shaped race relations in the United States and laid the foundation for current patterns of racial and ethnic inequalities.

• Analyze the sociological theories explaining the origins of individual forms of prejudice and discrimination. 

• Evaluate how ongoing racist public policies regulating housing, education, employment, political representation, transportation, healthcare, and other institutions impact the life chances of marginalized communities.

• Evaluate historical institutional racism and current racist policies explaining historical and current disparities in the criminalization, policing, and mass incarceration of communities of color. 

• Understand past and current immigration patterns and analyze the challenges and resilience of immigrant communities. 

• Appreciate anti-racist social movements addressing racial inequalities from an intersectional lens, such as abolitionism, civil rights movements, indigenous land back movements, immigration reform, criminal justice. 

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Student Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Apply an intersectional sociological lens to identify the ways in which racism impacts everyone's lives and life chances.

• Analyze ways in which they can adopt anti-racism in their everyday lives.

• Apply their personal histories and lived experiences to course content.

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Required Zero-Cost Textbook Link

• Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S.: An Intersectional Approach - https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Social_Justice_Studies/Race_and_Ethnic_Relations_in_the_U.S.%3A_An_Intersectional_Approach

• Following the instructions in the “Get Start” Module on our course Canvas site on how to download this free PDF textbook

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Important SRJC Dates

• Date Class Begins……………………………………………………………………...............1/12/2026

• Date Class Ends……………………………………………………………….........................5/13/2026

• Last Date Add w/o add code………………………………………………………...........1/18/2026

• Last Date with add code……………………………………………………………............2/01/2026

• Last Date Drop w/o W………………………………………………………………............2/01/2026

• Last Date with W…………………………………………………………………...................4/19/2026

• Last Day Drop for Refund…………………………………………………….……............1/25/2026

*NOTE: Students are responsible for officially dropping from this course especially those
 with poor academic performance, excessive absences, and or multiple missed assignments.

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Classroom Expectations

**Respectful Conversation and Classroom Environment**

• As individuals we hold different opinions and beliefs.

• This is an imperfect process and the difference between voicing an opinion/idea and saying something offensive is not often clear cut.

• Offensive language/comments leading to harassment, and threatening environments will NOT be tolerated.

• If you fail to observe this rule you will be asked to leave the class or depending on the severity of the offense, you may be reported to the Division Dean or Department Chair.

**Cell Phone Usage During Class Period**

• Do not text; turn the ringer of your phone off – “not vibrate” – and put your phone away.

• You will receive Two Verbal Warnings for this infraction.

• Third infraction will result in a 40-point deduction from Total Course Points Earned.

• Further infractions will result in a formal meeting with the Division Dean or Department Chair.

**Excessive Talking/Sleeping During Class Period**

• Refrain from sleeping, excessive talking/conversations, doing work for other classes, or drawing/doodling excessively.

• Engaging in this distracting, disrespectful behavior during class, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

• You will receive Two Verbal Warnings for this infraction.

• Third infraction will result in a 40-point deduction from Total Course Points Earned.

• Further infractions will result in a formal meeting with the Division Dean or Department Chair.

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Attendance Policy and Class Participation

• Attendance plays an ESSENTIAL ROLE IN LEARNING meaning you are encouraged and expected to consistently participate in classroom activities throughout this semester.

• Your consistent presence in class matters!

• ATTENDANCE will be STRICTLY MONITORED in this course!

• STUDENTS WITH FOUR OR MORE CLASS ABSENCES will receive 175 POINT DEDUCTION FROM THEIR TOTAL EARNED COURSE POINTS meaning your will NOT PASS THIS COURSE based on grading scale below– NO EXCEPTION!

• STUDENTS CONSISTENTLY ARRIVING TO CLASS LATE (OR 10-MINUTES After Start of Class), FOR EVERY TWO CLASS TARDIES EQUAL “ONE ABSENCE”.

• STUDENTS ARRIVING LATE TO CLASS MUST meet with professor right after class to change absence to tardy OR STUDENT WILL BE LISTED AS ABSENT -– NO EXCEPTIONS!

• STUDENTS HAVE NO LATER THAN ONE WEEK to meet with professor regarding change from absent to late on said date – NO EXCEPTIONS.

• STUDENTS ARRIVING 15 MINUTES AFTER START OF CLASS will not be allowed to complete IN-CLASS DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT for points – NO EXCEPTIONS!

• STUDENTS WITH SCHEDULED VACATIONS AND OR WORK RELATED OR OTHER PERSONAL ISSUES WILL NOT BE EXEMPT FOR COMPLETING ALL SCHEDULED ASSIGNMENTS ON-TIME.

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Course Assignments

• Mandatory Confirmation of Reviewing the “Get Started” Module and Reading Syllabus – Worth 5 Points

• Required, In-Person ONLY Meeting with Professor: Student Progress Report –

  Worth 5 Points

• Required Completion of In-Class Student Survey – Worth 5 Points

• Chapter Discussion Questions Assignment (4) – Worth 25 Points Each Totaling 100 Points

• In-Class Discussion Assignment (2) – Worth 25 Points Each Totaling 50 Points

• Individual Presentation – Worth 40 Points

• Group Presentation – Worth 50 Points

• Final Project Paper – Worth 125 Points

• Course Participation Points Completed by Professor ONLY and only after submission of Final Project Paper – Worth 40 Points

*NOTE: Course Participation Points are BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ABSENCES AND OR MISSED ASSIGNMENTS throughout semester:

0 to 1 Absence and or Missed Assignment………………………………............................40 Points
2 Absences and or Missed Assignments…………….......................................................30 Points
3 Absences and or Missed Assignments……………........................................................20 Points
4 Absences and or Missed Assignments……………........................................................10 Points
5 or More Absences or Missed Assignments…………………………………………...............0 Points

**NOTE: No Course Participation Points Assigned Without Submitting Final Project Paper as scheduled – No Exceptions!

        **NO EXTRA CREDIT OFFERED IN THIS COURSE**

Course Assignments & Methods of Evaluation

Assignment	Point Value	Percentage of Course Grade
Mandatory Confirmation of Reviewing “Get Started” Module & Reading Course Syllabus	5 Points	1
Required, In-Person ONY Meet with Professor: Student Progress Report	5 Points	1
In-Class ONLY, Student Survey Assignment	5 Points	1
Chapter Discussion Questions (4)	100 Points	24
In-Class Discussion Assignments (2)	50 Points	12
Individual Presentation	40 Points	10
Group Presentation	50 Points	12
Final Project Paper	125 Points	30
Course Participation Points	40 Points	10
*NO EXTRA CREDIT OFFERED IN THIS COURSE!		*Total Course Points: 420

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Grading Scale
(Based on a 420 Point Scale)

A = 90% - 100%..................................................................................................378 Points & Above

B = 80% - 89%..........................................................................................................336 – 377 Points

C = 70% - 79%......................................................................................................….294 – 335 Points

D = 60% - 69%.........................................................................................................252 – 293 Points

F = 59% or Less....................................................................................................251 Points & Below

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Description of Course Assignments

• Description of ALL Course Assignments can be found by Clicking the ‘Module Button’ listed on the left margin of this course’s Canvas site.

• CAREFULLY REVIEW ALL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS before starting and or submitting Assignments (To Avoid Major Point Deductions).

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Online Assignment Submissions

• ALL ASSIGNMENTS (except for In-Class Discussion Assignments) MUST be SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH CANVAS ONLY!

• DO NOT COPY AND PASTE AN ASSIGNMENT in an EMAIL to professor’s EMAIL – IT WILL NOT ACCEPTED – NO EXCEPTIONS.

• DO NOT USE the CANVAS ASSIGNMENT COMMENT BOX to email professor. I won’t see until I start grading and by that time it’s LATE and NOT ACCEPTED.

• The Canvas Assignment Comment Box is for Professor Comments ONLY During the Grading of Assignments – after TWO warnings a 10 Point Deduction will be assessed from assignment score.

• When submitting an assignment in Canvas, students are REQUIRED TO CHECK AND DOUBLE-CHECK THEIR WORK BEFORE SUBMITTING THEIR ASSIGNMENT OR REMEMBER TO CLICK SUBMIT BUTTON.

• Student WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to RESUBMIT a ‘WRONG’ ASSIGNMENT OR ‘FORGOT’ to click the ‘SUBMIT BUTTON’ AFTER DUE DATE AND TIME HAS ELAPSED – NO EXCEPTIONS!

• If a student SUBMITS a BLANK ASSIGNMENT PAGE(S) BY NOT CHECKING THEIR ASSIGNMENT BEFORE SUBMITTING he/she WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RESUBMIT ASSIGNMENT!

• SLOW-DOWN and RECHECK YOUR WORK BEFORE SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT ON CANVAS!

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Late Policy

• TIME MANAGEMENT is crucial in keeping up with scheduled assignment due dates and times, especially PERSONAL LIFE(g., vacations, going out of the country, job work hours, some health issues are not legitimate excuses for not completing scheduled coursework on time).

• BECAUSE ALL ASSIGNMENTS are AVAILABLE for STUDENTS TO BEGIN AND COMPLETE EARLY, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR NOT COMPLETING COURSE WORK ON TIME.

• TIME MANAGEMENT-WISE, ITS IMPORTANT THAT YOU BEGIN WORKING ON ASSIGNMENTS EARY AND BEFORE DUE DATE (EVEN IF YOU EXPERIENCE INTERNET OR PC PROBLEMS such as hardware/software OR any other technical issue).

• IN DOING SO, IT WILL ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR A STUDENT TO LOCATE ANOTHER COMPUTER WITH INTERNET such as ‘computers in the campus library, local libraries, or locate another PC with Internet.

• TECHNOLOGY CAN AND WILL LET YOU DOWN WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST SO PLAN AHEAD, BE PREPARED, AND ALLOW YOURSELF TIME TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME.

• THIS IS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU DOM’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST 25 TO 30 MIUTES TO BEGIN, COMPLETE, AND SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT.

• BESIDES RISKING NOT SUBMITTING YOUR COURSEWORK ON TIME, IT WILL AFFECT YOUR PERFORMANCE ON ASSIGNMENTS.

• THEREFORE, NO LATE, MAKE UP, PARTIAL CREDIT, EXTENTIONS, EMAILED (OR LINKED) NO RE-OPENED FOR REVISIONS ASSIGNMENTS WILL. BE ACCEPTED IN THIS COURSE – NO EXCEPTIONS.

• ABSOLOUTELY, NO GOOGLE DOC ONLINE ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THIS COURSE – NO EXCEPTIONS!

• ALL ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED – NO HANDWRITTEN PICTURES OF AN ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED – NO EXCEPTIONS!

• DO NOT SUBMIT PREVIOUS STUDENT’S ASSIGNMENTS FROM PREVIOUS COURSE – I HAVE SOFTWARE TO CHECK PREVIOUS STUDENT’S COURSEWORK.

• THIS IS CALLED “PLAGIARISM” RESULTING IN AN “F” FOR ASSIGNMENT AND “F” FOR COURSE GRADE!

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Course Calendar of Scheduled Chapter Coverage &  Assignments

1/12 – 1/14  Week 1 – Module 1 – Introduction to Sociology

• 1/12/26 - First Day Attendance Requirement & Breaker Exercise

• 1/14/26 – Introduction to Sociology Lecture Notes

1/19 – 1/21 Week 2 – Module 2 – Chapter 1- Introduction to Race and Ethnic Relations

• 1/19/26 – MLK Holiday – NO CLASS

• 1/21/26 – Chapter 1 - Lecture Notes

• Mandatory Confirmation of Reviewing the “Get Started” Module
  & Reading of Course Syllabus Assignment - Due Online by 11:59 PM on 1/24/26

1/26 – 1/28 Week 3 – Module 3 – Chapter 3 – Immigration and Migration

• 1/26/26 – Chapter 3 - Lecture Notes

• 1/28/26 – Chapter 3 continued & Review Individual Presentations Instructions

• Chapter 3 – Discussion Questions #1 Due Online by 11:59 PM on 1/29/26

2/02 – 2/04 Week 4 – Module 4 – Chapter 4 – Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism

• 2/02/26 – Chapter 4 - Lecture Notes

• 2/04/26 – In-Class Discussion Assignment #1 (In-Class ONLY) & Individual Presentation Schedule

• Chapter 4 – Discussion Questions #2 - Due Online by 11:59 PM on 2/05/26

2/09 – 2/11 Week 5 – Module 5 – Individual Presentations Week (Attendance Required)

• 2/09/26 – Individual Presentations

• 2/11/26 – Individual Presentations

2/16 – 2/18 Week 6 – Module 6 – Chapter 6 – Euro-Americans and Whiteness

• 2/16/26 – President’s Day Holiday – NO CLASS

• 2/18/26 – Chapter 6 - Lecture Notes & Meet and Choose Group Members for
  Presentation

• Chapter 6 – Discussion Questions #2 - Due Online by 11:59 PM on 2/19/26

2/23 – 2/25 Week 7 – Module 7 – Chapter 7 – African Americans 

• 2/23/26 – Chapter 7 - Lecture Notes

• 2/25/26 – Chapter 7 continued

3/02 – 3/04 Week 8 – Module 8 – Chapter 9 – Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders

• 3/02/26 – Chapter 9 - Lecture Notes

• 3/04/26 – Chapter 9 continued & Meet Group Members

• Chapter 9 – Discussion Questions #3 - Due Online by 11:59 PM on 3/05/26

3/09 – 3/11 Week 9 – Module 9 – Chapter 8 – Latinx

• 3/09/26 – Chapter 8 - Lecture Notes

• 3/11/26 – In-Class Discussion Assignment #2 (In-Class ONLY)

3/16 – 3/18 Week 10 – Module 10 – SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

3/23 – 3/25 Week 11 – Module 11 – Chapter 10 – Middle Eastern Americans

• 3/23/26 – Chapter 10 - Lecture Notes

• 3/25/26 – Meet with Group Members & Group Presentation Schedule

• 3/25/26 - MOVIE SELECTIONS REQUIRED TODAY ONLY!

3/30 – 4/01 Week 12 – Module 12 – Chapter 11 – Contemporary Social Movements

• 3/30/26 – Chapter 11 – Lecture Notes

• 4/01/26 – Chapter 11 continued

• Chapter 11 – Discussion Questions #4 – Due Online by 11:59 PM on 3/31/26

4/06 – 4/08 Week 13 – Module 13 – Group Presentation Week (Attendance Required)

• 4/06/26 – Group Presentations

• 4/08/26 – Group Presentations

4/13 - 4/15 Week 14 – Module 14 – Required, In-Class ONLY Meeting with Professor for
                                                                    Student Progress Report

• 4/13/26 – Meet Briefly with Professor (In-Class ONLY) – Student Progress Report

• 4/15/26 – *NO CLASS

• *NOTE: 4/19/26; LAST DAY WITH W

4/20 – 4/22 Week 15 – Module 15 – Final Project Paper Due Online by 11:59 PM on
                                                                     4/23/26

• 4/20/26 – NO CLASS – Continue Finalizing Your Paper for Submission

• 4/22/26 – NO CLASS – Continue Finalizing Your Paper for Submission

4/27 – 4/29 Week 16 – Module 16 – Required, Complete Student Survey Assignment (In-
                                                                     Class ONLY) between 3:00 PM to 3:20 PM ONLY

• 4/27/26 – Complete Survey In-Class ONLY

• 4/29/26 – NO CLASS & LAST CLASS PERIOD OF SEMESTER

**HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL SEMESTER BREAK**

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SRJC Student Rights & Responsibilities

• The Student Handbook lists Student Rights and Responsibilities and has other valuable information. The webpage address is: https://rightsresponsibilities.santarosa.edu/academic-integrity

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SRJC Academic Dishonesty

• Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of SRJC. Any form of ‘test material sharing’, ‘paper sharing’, electronic purchasing, cheating or plagiarism constitutes academic misconduct.

• The consequences for violating academic integrity are severe. Students who are found guilty of this violation will face disciplinary action under the College’s Student Conduct Code Policy 3.11 and 3.11P https://student-conduct.santarosa.edu/code-conduct-0

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SRJC Academic Accommodations

• If student needs accommodations for this class, please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodation (AAA) Letter from Disability Resources Department (DRD) to instructor as soon as possible (meaning prior to first assignment testing in course).

• If you have not received authorization from DRD, please contact them directly, located in Bertolini Hall on Santa Rosa Campus.

• I encourage students with academic accommodations from SRJC’s Disability Services to meet with me, preferably no later than Week #2 of semester, to discuss in private or during my office hours, to discuss extended time and other accommodations for testing.

• All discussions will remain confidential. https://drd.santarosa.edu/classroom-accommodations

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Sonoma County Junior College District Student Conduct

• The Sonoma County Junior College District supports a safe, productive learning environment to foster intellectual curiosity, integrity, and accomplishment as defined in the District Mission and Goals.

• The College District holds that students shall conduct themselves in a manner which reflects their awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others. Interference with the District’s mission, objectives or community life shall be cause for disciplinary action – Policy 8.2.8 & Procedure 8.2.8P

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SRJC Emergency Evacuation Plan

• In the event of an emergency that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class immediately, but calmly.

• Our class will meet outside the last classroom door at the balcony to make sure everyone got out of the building safely and to receive further instructions.

• If you are student with a disability who many need assistance in an evacuation, please see me during my office hours so we can discuss an evacuation plan.

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Netiquette or Why is it Harder to be Polite Online?

Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. 

All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications.

The online classroom is a learning environment and an academic community.

All members of this community, students, and instructor alike, have a special obligation to

preserve an atmosphere conductive to the freedom to teach and to learn.

What is essential to preserve such freedom is a culture of respect that honors the rights, safety, dignity, and worth of every individual.

For that reason, all members of this community are expected to show courtesy, civility, and

respect for one another.

The professor will encourage and maintain a classroom dynamic that is conducive to honest and open discussions about topics that are sometimes evoke emotions and or challenge group  values/beliefs.

This environment of openness is created and maintained when we respect and listen to one

another.

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Regarding Possible Syllabus Changes

I reserve the right to make changes to the schedule of chapters, assignments, and due dates of assignments during the semester

I will announce such changes on our Canvas course site via announcements and or email.

You are responsible for keeping up on course changes throughout the semester