Instructor: Mr. Steffes

Hours: Monday – Friday 11:341-12:27

E-mail address:

Intro to Sociology

Course Description

This course is intended to introduce students to the sociological perspective as part of understanding the larger society and themselves. Topics reviewed include basic concepts of sociology, the process of socialization and social change, deviant behavior, social inequalities of various groups, sociological theories, and major social institutions.

This class is part of the college in the classroom and may be taken for college credit if requirements are met.

Textbook

The text for the course is Sociology, by John Macionis (10th edition). Examinations will come from lecture, AS WELL AS the text. Please keep up with reading. Class attendance is important for achieving success in class. I have attached a tentative schedule of class topics.

Course Outcomes and Objectives.

  1. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of sociological perspective of human behavior.
  3. Understand the need and importance of social research.
  4. Able to discuss issues, ethics, and outcomes of social research
  5. Review, recognize and apply scientific methods of social research.
  1. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  2. Recognize and describe the various components of culture, as well as the agents, process and outcome of socialization.
  3. Identify and discuss elements of the social structure
  4. Review, identify, and discuss how major social institutions impact and influence societies and social interaction from a historical, contemporary,a nd cross cultural perspective.
  1. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  2. Identify and critique how theory influences and shapes human behavior
  3. Understand and critique the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology
  4. Explain and understand social behavior through application of sociological theories.
  5. Explore and understand the relationship between theory and research.
  1. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
  2. Understand and discuss social class determination and outcomes and review US/global poverty populations.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of racial, gender, age and ethnic inequalities from a historical, contemporary and cross cultural perspective.
  4. Examine and discuss problems, trends and diversity in marriage, the family, and religious and educational institutions.
  5. Analyze, apply, and discuss theories of deviant behavior as well as review and critique crime statistics.
  6. Understand and discuss population growth, social revolutions, social change and social movements.

Cheating:

There will be no tolerance of cheating in class. If you are caught cheating on an exam, you will receive a zero on that exam.

Plagiarism:

You must use appropriate citations for use of any published work that is not your own. Any plagiarism will result in a zero

Grading Scale: (For College Credit)

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

59 and below F

Your High School report card will reflect the grading scale used throughout the school using minus and plus grades.

Grading:

Exams will be worth 80-100 points usually covering several chapters a quiz may be given following a chapter that will be worth 30-40 points. In class and out of class assignments will be worth ten points with about 10 assigned for the semester. You also will have a final project due at the end of the semester worth approximately 80 points.

Tests:

The expectation for exams is that they will be taken on the day of the exam. If I am not contacted and an exam is missed, the student will receive a 0 on the exam. Illnesses and family emergencies do come up, however you are required to call or e-mail me ASAP BEFORE the exam if you are going to have to miss. You will also be required to provide a doctor’s note for illness, or the excuse will not be accepted. Missed exams will be made up within two days of the absence. You will be allowed one make-up exam.

In Class Assignments:

We will periodically break into groups and discuss items in class. These assignments will be typically graded, if you are not in class you will receive a zero.

Course Competencies:

  • Utilize research methods to investigate sociological topics.
  • Seek multiple perspectives on select social issues through the use of various sociological paradigms
  • Search for cause-effect relationships pertaining to various sociological topics, such as class relationships, gender dynamics, and inter-ethnic relationships
  • Employ sociological methods in the process of conducting their own research projects
  • Examine social institutions, social characteristics and social processes of various cultures and subcultures
  • Develop alternative explanations and solutions for contemporary social issues
  • Examine the development of and the changing meanings of group identities (gender, age, ethnicity) in the United States
  • Utilize functional, conflict, and interactionist perspectives in developing a more thorough awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society
  • Analyze personal attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity issues
  • Discuss the experience and contributions of some of the many groups that shape American society and culture

MnTC goals

1: Critical Thinking

To develop thinkers who are able to unify factual, creative, rational, and value-sensitive modes of thought. Critical thinking will be taught and used throughout the general education curriculum in order to develop students' awareness of their own thinking and problem-solving procedures. To integrate new skills into their customary ways of thinking, students must be actively engaged in practicing thinking skills and applying them to open-ended problems.

2: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

To increase students' knowledge of how historians and social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity.

3: Human Diversity

To increase students' understanding of individual and group differences (e.g. race, gender, class) and their knowledge of the traditions and values of various groups in the United States. Students should be able to evaluate the United States' historical and contemporary responses to group differences.

Course Topics to be covered:

Ch. 1 & 2 Sociological Perspective, Sociological Investigation

Test on Ch. 1 & 2

Ch. 3 Culture

Ch. 4 Society

Ch. 5 Socialization

Test on Ch. 3,4,5

Ch. 6 Social Interactin

Ch. 7 Groups and Organization

Test on Ch. 6&7

Ch. 8 Deviance

Ch. 9 Sexuality

Test on 8&9

Ch. 10 Social Stratification

Ch. 11 Social Class Issues

Ch. 12 Global Stratification

Ch. 13 Gender Stratification

Test on 10-13

Ch. 14 Race and Ethnicity

Ch. 18/19 Family and Religion

Test on 14,18,19