SOCIOLOGY 130W
Contemporary Social Issues (3 units)
Fall 2010
M,W,F
9-9:50AM
SG 131
Instructor: Prof. R.S. Palacio Office: SS-225
Office Phone: 278-5146 Hours: Daily 10-11AM
Email: or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Unit value: 3 units
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion (C or better) of ENG 5B or 10 graduation requirement; grade C or better in SOC 1
General Catalog Description: “A sociological perspective is used to examine currently debated public issues. Often, public issues involve present or proposed public policies; the impact of these policies on different segments of society is assessed.”
This course meets the CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. Sociological issues provide the framework for the class so that we can engage in sociological conversation as a means of performing academic literacy.
CSU, Fresno Subcommittee on Writing Competency requires that students be informed of the criteria to be met by this course.
1. Students must write a minimum of 5,000 words (translates into approximately 20 double spaced pages with 250 words per page) spread over at least five different papers.
2. One assignment must be written in class.
3. Papers are evaluated on content and quality of writing.
4. Papers will be returned with feedback to the student before the next paper is due so the student can benefit from the feedback.
5. The instructor will hold conferences with individual students and/or small groups of students to discuss their writing with them.
6. To fulfill the upper division writing requirement, a student must receive a “C” grade or better in the course.
PRIMARY LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Apply sociological concepts and theories to explanations of specific social issues in contemporary society.
2. Understand the arguments and identify supporting evidence of major contemporary issues in society.
3. Demonstrate an improvement in writing skills by planning, organizing, drafting, revising, and editing papers.
4. Demonstrate an improvement in oral communications skills by presenting and discussing sociological explanations of social issues.
TEXTS
Eitzen, Stanley, D., Maxine Baca Zinn, Kelly Eitzen Smith. In Conflict and Order, 12th Edition. Allyn and Bacon.
Finsterbusch, Kurt, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Social Issues. McGraw-Hill.
Recommended
Ellsworth, Blanche and John A. Higgins, English Simplified. Longman.
Baker, Sheridan, The Practical Stylist. Longman.
The Sociology Writing Group, A Guide to Writing Sociology Papers. Worth Publishers
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
This course combines readings, discussions, oral presentations, and writing assignments. Particular emphasis will be given to readings on social issues that will be addressed by students’ writings in the form of essays. During class sessions students will listen attentively to what classmates have to say about their selected social issue Students will regularly meet with Professor Palacio in his office to discuss their writing. This method of instruction is intended to foster active involvement, and in order to accomplish this, students are expected to be prepared.
ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS
1. TWO (2) IN-CLASS EXAMS BASED ON STUDY QUESTIONS AT END OF EACH CHAPTER OF IN CONFLICT AND ORDER: We will discuss responses to the questions found at the end of each chapter in the text under the heading “Study Questions.” You should keep a log or notebook for writing draft responses so that you may be able to retain what you read and be able to discuss your views in class. These drafts will also enable you to prepare for the in-class writing exams.
The two exams will focus on these same “Study Questions.” Professor Palacio will select 6 to 8 questions that you will address in short essays (1 paragraph) and one question that you will address in a long essay (4-5 written pages).
The mid-term exam will be administered over a two day period. All writing will be done in a Blue Book. Each exam is worth 50 points.
Exam Dates:
Mid Term Exam: Wednesday, October 13 & Friday, October 15
Final Exam: Monday, May 13 @ 8:45-10:45AM (during final exam week)
2. WEEKLY SUMMARIES OF ISSUES IN TAKING SIDES
Each week of the semester you will read an issue, each consisting of two (2) articles, in Taking Sides, and write a two page double-spaced response for each article (two articles per issue). You will write on 15 issues for a total of 30 articles during the semester. Each article response will be 2 ½ - 3 pages long for a total of 5-6 pages per issue. Each article response will be graded on a scale of 1-2 – 3 – 4 points for a possible total of 120 points for the semester.
Each article response will addresses the following questions:
1. What is the problem as defined by the author?
2. What is the author’s central claim or argument about why the problem exists?
3. What evidence is used by the author to establish that the claim is true?
4. Does the author’s central claim and evidence convince you? Explain
5. What is the relevance or importance of the issue in society today?
Generally, Fridays will be devoted to class discussion of these articles, but on occasion we will discuss two issues per week. While we may discuss two issues on a particular week, you will write on one issue each week. You must attend class to turn in your summary at the end of the session. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT; LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
3. ONE (1) ORAL PRESENTATION BASED ON REVIEW OF ONE SELECTED ARTICLE IN TAKING SIDES
Students will make an oral presentation to class based on one selected issue and article. The purpose is to get everyone to discuss issues orally and to participate in class. The presentation is worth 10 points
GRADING
2 in-class exams, 50 points each = 100 pts.
Weekly summaries of issues = 120
1 oral presentation = 10
Total = 230 pts.
A = 230-207 B = 206-184 C = 183-161 D = 160-138 F = 137-0
(100%-90%) (89%-80%) (79%-70%) (69%-60%) (59%-0)
EVALUATION OF WRITING
A grade: This grade is given to a superior or outstanding paper. The paper/essay addresses all aspects of the assignment; it is fully developed and very well organized. It is distinguished by skill and sophistication in word choice, sentence and paragraph structure, development and interpretation of evidence and ideas. This grade is reserved for truly exemplary work.
B grade: This is a very good paper; it is a better than adequate response to the assignment. It is generally well organized and developed, but it is weaker than the superior paper in some ways. Although it is well written, it may slight a part of the assignment, it may have some problems with development or with organization.
C grade: This is a good paper with an adequate or satisfactory response to the assignment. The writing is clearly competent, but this paper is weaker than the superior or the very good paper. It may omit a part of the assignment; its insights may be too general and superficial; it may be less clearly organized; evidence is not fully developed or clearly interpreted; it may have more than a few sentences marred by awkward or ungrammatical construction, errors in punctuation and spelling, or imprecise use of words.
D grade: This is a minimally acceptable paper that barely meets the requirements of the assignment. The writing is less than competent and usually shows problems in several areas. The organization may be unclear; the development weak; the evidence inadequately interpreted; ideas inadequately supported; paragraphs and sentences poorly structured, or use of words is inaccurate. The writing also shows problems with grammar and mechanics. The paper, while barely adequate, is strong enough to earn a passing grade.
F grade: A failing grade is unacceptable work; it does not meet the minimum requirements of the assignment. It has major deficiencies in organization, development, interpretation of ideas and evidence, and has major problems with paragraph development, sentence structure, work choice, grammar and mechanics.
UNIVERSITY & CLASSROOM POLICIES
In order to create a good classroom environment, we will observe the following policies.
Academic Dishonesty:
University policy on cheating and plagiarism will be observed. For information on the University’s policy on cheating and plagiarism, refer to the University Catalog
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities, upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university, will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities at 278-2811.
Policy on Incomplete Grades:
An incomplete grade indicates that a portion of required coursework has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen, but justified, reasons, and that there is still a possibility of earning credit. An incomplete grade is only appropriate when the student requesting it has completed a minimum of two-thirds of the work for the course with a passing grade. It is the responsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the attention of Professor Palacio and to determine from him the remaining course requirements that must be satisfied to remove the incomplete.
Class Attendance:
You are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Regular class attendance and prompt arrival for lecture/discussion will enable you to best utilize class sessions as an effective learning tool. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were away. Being absent does not excuse you from anything that was discussed in class or from any scheduled assignment. Lecture notes are not disseminated. When you have a serious and compelling medical condition or when a death or serious illness in the immediate family that prevents attending class, you are responsible for contacting Professor Palacio as soon as possible after the missed class. You are also responsible for providing documentation of the reason for the absence upon returning to class.
Make-up Examinations:
Students are expected to take the examinations at the scheduled date and time. If you miss an exam, you will have an opportunity to make up exams it up during consultation days at the end of the semester.
Assignments:
All assignments must be turned in on time and in paper copy form. Electronic transmission of papers will not be accepted, unless arrangement is made with Professor Palacio. Late assignments will lose 5 points per day. All assignments and exams must be completed to receive a semester course grade.
Computers:
Every student is required to have a computer or have other personal access to workstation (including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software with the necessary links to the University’s information resources.
Classroom Etiquette:
The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote learning and growth. Therefore, the goals of course will be met, in large part, by giving respect and consideration to all. This means that sleeping, informal talking, reading of outside material, receiving or making phone calls, text messaging, surfing the internet, listening to head-sets, drinking, eating, gum popping, chewing tobacco, or engaging in any other kinds of distracting activities, will not be allowed. Laptop computers are for taking lecture notes only. If you have to leave class early, please let Professor Palacio know at the beginning of the class. Please do not simply get up and leave. Student conduct that disrupts the learning process shall not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action/or removal from class.
COURSE OUTLINE
Schedule Topics and Readings
Week 1 Introduction to Course
Eitzen, Ch. 1: The Sociological Perspective
Taking Sides, Issue 1: Does the News Media Have a Liberal Bias?
Week 2 Eitzen, Ch. 2: The Structure of Social Groups
Eitzen, Ch. 3: The Duality of Social Life: Order and Conflict
Taking Sides, Issue 18: Are we Headed Toward a Nuclear 9/11?
Week 3 Eitzen, Ch. 4: Culture
Eitzen, Ch. 5: Socialization
Taking Sides, Issue 5: Should Same-Sex Marriage be Legally
Recognized?
Week 4 Eitzen, Ch. 6: Social Control
Eitzen, Ch. 7: Deviance
Taking Sides, Issue 16: Is Street Crime More Harmful than
White-Collar Crime?
Taking Sides, Issue 17: Should Laws Against Drug Use
Remain Restrictive?
Week 5 Eitzen, Ch. 8: Structural Sources of Social Change
Taking Sides, Issue 2: Is Third World Immigration a Threat to
America’s Way of Life?
Taking Sides, Issue 19: Are Declining Growth Rates Rather than
Population Growth Today’s Major Global Population
Problem?
Week 6 Eitzen, Ch. 9: Social Stratification
Eitzen, Ch. 10: Class
Taking Sides, Issue 6: Is Increasing Economic Inequality a
Serious Problem?
Taking Sides, Issue 13: Has Welfare Reform Benefited the Poor?
Week 7 Eitzen, Ch.11: Racial Inequality
Taking Sides, Issue 8: Has Affirmative Action Outlived its
Usefulness?
Week 8 Mid Term Exam: October 13 & 15
Week 9 Eitzen, Ch. 12: Gender Inequality
Taking Sides, Issue 4: Does the “Mommy Track” Improve
Women’s Lives?
Taking Sides, Issue 7: Has Feminism Benefited American Society?
Taking Sides, Issue 9: Are Barriers to Women’s Success as
Leaders due to Societal Obstacles?
Week 10 Eitzen, Ch. 13: The Economy
Taking Sides, Issue 11: Does Capitalism Undermine Democracy?
Taking Sides, Issue 12: Should Government Intervene in a
Capitalist Economy?
Week 11 Eitzen, Ch. 14: Power and Politics
Taking Sides, Issue 10: Is America Dominated by Big Business
No class on Friday, November 12
Week 12 Eitzen, Ch. 15: Families
Taking Sides, Issue 3: Does Divorce Have Long-Term Damaging
Effects on Children?
Week 13 Eitzen, Ch. 16: Education
Taking Sides, Issue 14: Is Competition the Reform that will Fix
Education?
Week 14 Eitzen, Ch. 17: Religion
Taking Sides, Issue 15: Should Biotechnology be used to Alter and
Enhance Humans?
Week 15 Eitzen, Ch. 18: Human Agency
Taking Sides, Issue 21: Is Humankind Dangerously Harming the
Environment?
Week 16 Final Exam: May 13 & 8:45-10:45AM
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
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