OFFICE: / G100 (ACC Campus) / PHONE: / 281-756-3718
OFFICE HOURS: / Before/After Class and By Appointment
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Course Title: Introduction to Sociology
Course Number: Sociology 1301 – SCHS
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3 per week
Total Contact Hours:48
Term and Year: Spring 2017
Class Days & Times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:19 am-11:12 am (4th Period)
Classroom Location:Room #C104
A.COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
The preferred mode of communication with the instructor is by sending messages to the e-mail address listed above. The phone number listed above is answered by Camely Myers the secretary of ACC’s Department of Sociology. Please, allow (2) days for the instructor to respond to messages sent by e-mail and/or messages taken by telephone.
B.COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance.
C.STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Compare and contrast the basic theoretical perspectives of sociology.
2. Identify the various methodological approaches to the collection and analysis of data in sociology.
3. Describe key concepts in sociology.
4. Describe the empirical findings of various subfields of sociology.
5. Explain the complex links between individual experiences and broader institutional forces.
D.PRE-REQUISITE COURSES: P-DIRW/DIRR 0310 or ENGL 0310 and READ 0310
E.REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS:
The Real World 5th edition (2016)
Ferris, Kerry and Jill Stein
W. W. Norton publishers. ISBN: 978-0-393-26430-2
For more information about the textbooks, including details about how to order your book online and have it delivered to you, visit the ACC College Store at
F.CORE REQUIREMENTS: (Only required for CORE courses)
As part of the Texas and ACC Core Curriculum, students in this course will gain a foundation of knowledge in human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse work, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. The chart below details the core requirements that are applicable to this course, the activities in which students will participate to develop skills in the required areas, a determination of how students’ mastery of those areas will be assessed, and the level of expertise students are expected to demonstrate. Please note that these requirements are already included in the computation of the course grade and not a separate grade.
* / Core Objective / Activities / Assessments* / Critical Thinking Skills: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. / Written paper / Will analyze using the CT rubric
* / Communication-Written: effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas / Written paper / Will analyze using Communication rubric
* / Communication-Oral: effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas / One to two-minute presentation on social responsibility aspect of written paper / Will analyze using the Communication rubric
* / Communication-Visual: effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas / A graphic (picture) component appropriately added to paper / Will analyze using the Communication rubric
* / Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. / Written paper / Will analyze using EQ rubric
Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different point of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared goal.
* / Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competency, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. / Written paper / Will analyze using SR rubric
Personal Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
*Indicates core areas required for this course
G.COURSE OUTLINE:
PART 1: Thinking Sociologically and Doing Sociology (pg. 3)
Chapter 1: Sociology and the Real World (pg. 6)
Date:Topic:Page:
01/09(Mon)Departmental Pre-test
01/09(Mon) Practical vs. Scientific Knowledge9
What is Sociology?9 The Sociological Perspective 10
01/11(Wed)1st Letter to Instructor
01/11(Wed)Levels of Analysis: Micro- and Macrosociology14
Sociology’s Family Tree18
01/13(Fri)Macrosociological Theory20
Microsociological Theory27
New Theoretical Approaches33
01/16(Mon)No Class---MLK DAY
01/18(Wed)CALENDAR/PLANNER
01/18(Wed)ARTICLE REPORT 1
Chapter 2: Studying Social Life: Sociological Research Methods (pg. 38)
01/18(Wed)An Overview of Research Methods41
Ethnography/Participant Observation44
Interview48
Surveys49
Existing Sources53
Experimental Methods55
Issues in Sociological Research57
01/20(Fri)ARTICLE REPORT 2
PART II: Framing Social Life (pg. 67)
Chapter 3: Culture (pg. 70)
Date:Topic:Page:
01/20(Fri)What is Culture?73
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism73
Components of Culture76
Variations in Culture82
Cultural Change86
American Culture in Perspective91
01/23(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 3
Chapter 4: Socialization, Interaction, and the Self (pg. 94)
01/23(Mon)What is Human Nature?97
The Process of Socialization97
Theories of the Self100
01/25(Wed)Agents of Socialization107
Statuses and Roles111
01/27(Fri)Emotions and Personality114
New Interactional Contexts114
01/30(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 4
Chapter5: Separate and Together: Life in Groups (pg. 120)
01/30(Mon)What is a Group?123
Anomie or Virtual Membership125
Group Dynamics128
02/01(Wed)Social Influence (Peer Pressure)134
Working Together: Teams and Leadership138
Bureaucracy141
02/03(Fri)ARTICLE REPORT 5
Chapter 6: Deviance (pg. 148)
02/03(Fri)Defining Deviance151
Deviance across Cultures151
Theories of Deviance154
02/06(Mon)Stigma and Deviant Identity159
Studying Deviance163
Crime and Punishment166
“Positive” Deviance?171
EXAM 1 (Chapters 1-6)
02/08(Wed)Multiple Choice Questions
02/10(Fri)Essay Questions
02/13(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 6
PART III: Understanding Inequality (pg. 175)
Chapter 7: Social Class: The Structure of Inequality (pg. 178)
Date:Topic:Page:
02/13(Mon)Social Stratification and Social Inequality182
Systems of Stratification182
Social Classes in the United States185
Theories of Social Class187
02/15(Wed)Socioeconomic Status and Life Chances195
Social Mobility198
Poverty199
Inequality and the Ideology of the American Dream206
02/17(Fri)ARTICLE REPORT 7
Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience (pg. 212)
02/17(Fri)Defining Race and Ethnicity215
What is a Minority?219
Racism in Its Many Forms220
Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Race223
Race, Ethnicity, and Life Chances228
Intergroup Relations: Conflict or Cooperation233
02/20(Mon)No Class---Staff Development Day
02/22(Wed)ARTICLE REPORT 8
Chapter 9: Constructing Gender and Sexuality (pg. 240)
02/22(Wed)Sex and Gender243
Sexuality and Sexual Orientation246
Socialization, Gender, and Sexuality247
Inequalities of Sex, Gender, and Sexuality252
02/24(Fri)Sociological Theories of Gender Inequality253
Gender, Sexuality, and Life Chances255
Political and Social Movements264
02/27(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 9
PART IV: Social Institutions and the Micro-Macro Link (pg. 271)
Chapter 10: Social Institutions: Politics, Education, and Religion (pg. 274)
Date:Topic:Page:
02/27(Mon)What is Politics?277
What is Education?290
What is Religion?302
03/01(Wed)ARTICLE REPORT 10
Chapter 11: The Economy and Work (pg. 314)
03/01(Wed)Historical and Economical Changes317
World Economic Systems322
On the Nature of Work324
Resistance Strategies: How Workers Cope328
03/03(Fri)The Conscience of Corporate America332
The Economics of Globalization333
Different Ways of Working340
EXAM 2 (Chapters 7-11)
03/06(Mon)Multiple Choice Questions
03/08(Wed)Essay Questions
03/10(Fri)ARTICLE REPORT 11
REVIEW FOR PAPER
03/10(Fri)Discussion about Paper
03/13/17-03/17/17SPRING BREAK!!!
Chapter 12: Life at Home: Families and Relationships (pg. 348)
03/20(Mon)What is Family?351
Sociological Perspectives on Families351
Mate Selection354
Relationship Trends356
Breaking Up357
03/22(Wed)The Work of Family360
Family and the Life Course363
Trouble in Families364
Postmodern Families: The New Normal369
03/24(Fri)ARTICLE REPORT 12
Chapter 13: Leisure and Media (pg. 372)
03/24(Fri)A Sociology of Leisure375
The Study of Media379
Culture and Consumption of Media386
Media Effects and Audiences388
Leisure and Relationships394
03/27(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 13
Chapter 14: Health and Illness (pg. 402)
03/27(Mon)The Sociology of Medicine, Health, and Illness405
Defining Health and Illness406
Medicalization of Health and Illness409
Epidemiology and Patterns of Disease410
03/29(Wed)Social Inequality, Health, and Illness414
Medicine as a Social Institution416
Issues in Medicine and Health Care422
03/31(Fri)ARTICLE REPORT 14
PART V: Envisioning the Future and Creating Social Change (pg. 429)
Chapter 15: Populations, Cities, and the Environment (pg. 432)
Date:Topic:Page:
03/31(Fri)Population435
Cities440
The Environment450
04/03(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 15
Chapter 16: Social Change (pg. 464)
04/03(Mon)What is Social Change?467
Collective Behavior468
Promoting and Resisting Change477
Technology and Social Change480
EXAM 3 (Chapters 12-16)
04/05(Wed)Multiple Choice Questions
04/07(Fri)Essay Questions
04/10(Mon)ARTICLE REPORT 16
04/10(Mon)Library Day (report to class, FIRST)
04/12(Wed)Library Day (report to class, FIRST)
04/14(Fri)No Class---Spring Holiday
04/17(Mon)No Class---Spring Holiday
04/19(Wed)DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
04/19/17-04/28/17PRESENTATIONS
05/01(Mon)Departmental Post-test
05/03(Wed)PAPER DUE
05/05(Fri)Last Day of Class (2nd Letter to Instructor)
05/05(Fri)Weekday Classes End for ACC
05/08(Mon)No Class---Instructor Preparation Day
05/10(Wed)FINAL EXAM---Day 1
05/12(Fri)FINAL EXAM---Day 2
H.EXAMS AND MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS:
Grades for the course are based upon the following criteria:
- Letter to Instructor (first week of class) 3%
- Letter to Instructor (last week of class) 3%
- Course Planner (Purchased and Organized by Students) 4%
- Chapter Article Reports (10 out of 16)10%
- Exam 1 (Chapters 1-6)10 %
Exam 2 (Chapters 7-11)15%
Exam 3 (Chapters 12-16)20 %
- Draft of Paper (Hand-out Given Later) 5%
- Paper (Hand-out Given Later)15%
- Presentation 5%
- Final Exam10%
100%
NOTES:
- During the first week of class write a letter (2-3 sentences) to the instructor entitled “What I Want to Learn in Sociology 1301”. The letters will be given to the instructor.
100 points x 1 letter (first day) = 100 points (3%)
- Duringthe last week of class, the 1st letter will be returned and on the back of the paper write a 2nd letter entitled “What I Learned in Sociology 1301”.
100 points x 1 letter (last day) = 100 points (3%)
- This syllabus contains numerous assignments/exam due dates; therefore, it is NOT wise to rely on “memory” to master the course. Consequently, due dates for the entire semester have to be written on a calendar/planner. A particular brand is not required; however, the pages should be bound as to prevent pages from becoming disordered by looking forward and back through the months. NO “pocket-sized”. Suggestion: One that will fit in a backpack/folder/binder is appropriate since this calendar/planner will travel to each class meeting. Remember, our weather often makes it necessary to reschedule planned events as a result be prepared to write “updates”.
One week from the first day of class all calendars/planners will be given to the instructor with the codes listed below written according to due dates in the syllabus. Please, complete the personal information section of your calendar/planner(for grading purposes---ALL instructor’s codes must be entered, but enter your personal codes AFTER the calendars/planners are graded and returned the next class meeting). The entries onto the calendar/planner maybe written in ink or pencil; however, changes/adjustments are highly possible and “cross-outs” on dates will be necessary. It is worth mentioning that the instructor will not ask to see the calendar/planner any time during the semester UNLESS problems arise with numerous missed assignments/exams resulting in failing grades.
CODES:
CP=Calendar/PlannerEX1=Exam 1, EX2=Exam 2, and EX3=Exam 3
FX=Final ExamLD=Last Day of Class/2nd Letter
RW1=Review Week for Exam 1, RW2=Review Week for Exam 2 and
RW3=Review Week for Exam 3RFX=Review Week for Final Exam
AR1=Article Report 1, AR2=Article Report 2,…………………… up to AR16=Article Report 16
RP=Review for PaperDP=Draft of PaperPA=Paper PD=Presentation Day (Sign-up for 1 of 5 days during the first week of class)
The next class meeting the instructor will return calendars/planners and it is wise to use THIS planner to organize other courses for the entire semester.
100 points x 1 calendar/planner = 100 points (4%)
- This course will cover all chapters in the textbook and each chapter has the following (4) sections: In Relationships, On the Job, In the Future, and Global Perspectives. Each section presents an article related to sociological issues that are discussed within the chapter. After discussing each chapter in class, select the article fromONE of the four sections and typea one-page (12-point Arial Black font, double-spaced)report on the selected article. ALL chapter article reports must be organized first with the article’s title (include page number), next an introduction (reveal the topic), followed by the body (discuss the information surrounding the topic), and finally the conclusion (include present outcomes/future possibilities and the last couple of sentences are YOUR opinion of the article). Remember,the report must be a WHOLE page(FRONT ONLY) and typing will make it easy to add, delete, and modify sentences on the page before it is printed. Reports are due at the beginning of the next class meeting.
(16) chapters will be read and discussed; however, only (10) article reports are required and will be counted. This assignment is set-up with the ability to “pick” which chapter reports not to complete. Please, consider this whendeciding to skip a chapter article report: If reports are skipped early in the semester then when there is an unexcused absence(s) AND there are no more reports possible to skip then points will be lost.Also, the other (6) chapter article reports will be used ONLY for extra credit (see Section I).
100 points x 1st article report = 100 points (1%)100 points x 2nd article report = 100 points (1%)
100 points x 3rd article report = 100 points (1%)100 points x 4th article report = 100 points (1%)
100 points x 5th article report = 100 points (1%)100 points x 6th article report = 100 points (1%)
100 points x 7th article report = 100 points (1%)100 points x 8th article report = 100 points (1%)
100 points x 9th article report = 100 points (1%)100 points x 10th article report = 100 points (1%)
- There will be (3) exams in the course. ALL exams will have (25) multiple choice questions worth (2) points each AND (2) essay questions worth (25) points each for a total of 100 points per exam.
(For grading purposes---bring #2 pencils to complete each exam; however, scantrons and paper will be provided by instructor.)
Exam #1---100 points x 1 exam = 100 points (10%)
Exam #2---100 points x 1 exam = 100 points (15%)
Exam #3---100 points x 1 exam = 100 points (20%)
- This course includes a research paper with a “mini” presentation. A draft of the paper is due (2) weeks BEFORE the final paper.(For grading purposes---Allstudents must give the instructor a draft of their paper ON the draft’s due date (04/19)NOT on the date they are scheduled for their presentation.)
100 points x 1 draft = 100 points (5%)
- The draft/paper should be completed according to the hand-out given in class.
100 points x 1 paper = 100 points (15%)
- The presentation should be no more than (5) minutes. Basically, tell the class the paper’s conclusion.
100 points x 1 presentation = 100 points (5%)
- There will be a final exam in the course. This exam will consist of (50) multiple choice questions worth (2) points each with NO essay questions for a total of 100 points.(bring #2 pencils)
Final Exam---100 points x 1 exam = 100 points (10%)
I.POLICIES ABOUT COURSEWORK AND DEADLINES:
Mastering this course requires attending classes, reading chapters, completing assignments, taking notes, and participating in discussions. Therefore, the policies below will be STRICKLY enforced:
- No Late Work/Missed Work will be accepted, unless the absence is EXCUSED.
- No Make-up Exam will be given, unless the absence is EXCUSED.
NOTE: For an absence to be excused, BOTH conditions have to be met. First, the absence must involve personal business that cannot be postponeduntil a later date. Second, documentation which is dated on/during the absent timeframe is required.Personal situations that are UNEXCUSED include: oversleeping, routine medical/dental exams, family vacations/trips, travel delays occurring on class meeting days, weddings, etc. SUGGESTION: If an UNEXCUSED absence is foreseeable, please turn-in assignments before the due date because after the due datethe only option is to complete an assignment for extra credit.
- No more than (6) points can be earned from Extra Credit.
- No sources/assignments from outside the Sociology textbook can be used for any extra credit.
NOTE: The due dates for ALL (16) chapter article reports are listed on the syllabus and calendar/planner because ANY (6) reports can be skipped (for grading purposes---Instructor will record points for the first (10) reports from 0-100 AND will record points for the other (6) extra credit reports, if extra credit work was done, with (1) point for EACH extra credit article report completed, up to 6 reports=up to 6 points). Furthermore, extra credit chapter article reports will not be accepted until AFTER Chapter 16’s report is due on 04/10; therefore, any/all of the (6) article reports that were skipped can then be completed and are due any class meeting BEFORE 05/01.SUGGESTION: When deciding to skip a chapter article report, please review your grades and skipped/unexcused missed assignments on Blackboard. (an exampleof the consequences from early/too much SKIPPING will be shown in class)
- Absolutely no cell phones will be used in class (not even for “quick” research) that includes sending texts. If caught on a phone during class meeting (s), you will be asked to leave class and marked absent for that day. All phones have to be on vibrate and not visible (on desk/table).
J.GRADING SUMMARY
:
Raw scores (points) earned on each assignment will be multiplied by the corresponding percentage, resulting in a percentage score for each assignment. All percentage scores are added and a final grade is assigned according to the following scale: (an example of THIS grading system will be shown in class)
Grade Range
100 – 90A
89 – 80B
79 – 70 C
69 – 60D
Below 60F
*NOTE CONCERNING Blackboard, WebACCess, AND FINAL COURSE GRADES for SOCI 1301:
There is a total of (20) graded assignments for this course; therefore, instructor will frequently input grades for each assignment in the Blackboard System. Please, quickly become familiar with this system because it is the ONLY way students will be able to follow their progression in the course. At the end of the semester, ALL grades will be posted on Blackboard as well as the FINAL grades in the WebACCess system. If a student completes any extra credit chapter article reports then the grade that will be on Blackboard is NOT the final grade (however, the letter grade in WebACCess WILL be the final grade). Instructor will be sending an e-mail with how many extra points (up to 6)received by the student and the actual “numerical” final grade. If a student does not complete any extra credit chapter article reports then the student will not receive an e-mail because BOTH the Blackboard and WebACCess grades will be the same.