**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
Soc 1A: Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2010
Meeting time: Tu/Th 9:45 -11:05 AM
Location: SS210
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
Instructor: Dr. Robin Kreider
Email:
Phone: 848 - 4862
Website: http://hhh.gavilan.edu/rkreider/
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
Office: PH 108 (near math lab and MESA)
Office Hours: M/W 11am - 12:30 & Tu 1-2 pm or by appointment
“[Humans] make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given and transmitted from the past.” - Karl Marx
Course Description: This course is designed to provide a general introduction to the discipline of sociology and is intended for students that have not taken a college course in sociology. The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic problems, concepts, methods, and theories of sociology. Students will be introduced to the sociological perspective and will be presented with a set of core sociological concepts and tools to examine the social world and explore social issues. This course will demonstrate the inherent analytical and critical nature of sociological inquiry. It is my hope that this course will not only provide students with a sound and comprehensive introduction to the discipline of sociology, but it will make sociology relevant and useful in their own lives.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course, however this course is a transfer-level course and I have the same expectations of students in this class that I would have of students at a CSU or UC. There is a respectable amount of reading and writing in this course as well as a high level of critical and analytical thinking and writing expected. This course will not require you to ‘memorize’ things, but to engage with the material, analysis it, and critically reflect on yourself, society, and others.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
· To provide students with a survey of the major areas of interest within sociology and to enable them to define, apply, and use basic sociological theories, terms, and concepts
· To introduce students to analytical approaches that will provide them with a critical understanding of social phenomenon and social issues facing the world today
· Identify and explain the sociological "scientific method" and employ the sociological "scientific method" in solving simple research problems
· Explain the process by which an individual becomes a functioning member of society and to identify and describe the basic social institutions in the United States
· To help students broaden their view of society beyond their own immediate experience and understand how and why their own experiences may be similar or different to the experiences of others
· To encourage students to employ a sociological imagination in analyzing everyday life
Required Texts: The following books are available at the campus store and most Internet booksellers (*be sure to get the correct edition if you buy on the Internet – check the ISBN #*).
· Introduction to Sociology by Giddens, Dunier, and Appelbaum 7th Ed.[ISBN: 0393929213] or 7th Ed. [ISBN: 0-393-93232]
· Threads: Gender, Labor, and Power in the Global Apparel Industry by Jane Collins [ISBN: 0226113728]
· Additional readings available online or as handouts
Readings: Readings are assigned to prepare you for the upcoming lectures and discussion section. It is your responsibility to do the assigned readings on your own BEFORE class so you are familiar with the topics and issues being discussed. All lectures and in-class activities will be based on the assumption that students have completed the readings assigned up to that date.
Course Requirements: All detailed directions for assignments will be passed out in class. **You must complete ALL of the following assignments to pass the class**
· Three Exams (300 points): These exams will be take-home, essay exams.
· Commodity Chain Analysis Research Paper & Presentation (300 points): You will complete a research paper and present your results the last week of class. More detailed instructions will be distributed.
· Homework Questions (200 points): Over the semester homework questions will be assigned 7 times and worth 40 points each. The lowest 2 scores for homework will be dropped.
· Class Participation (100 points): This class is highly interactive. Your regular attendance, preparation, and active participation in the course is required and expected. One way I will measure your participation in the class is through “Active Reflection Index Cards.” Over the course of the semester you are expected to hand in 10 index cards with a question or comment about the topics of the current week or previous weeks. I will use these questions/comments to start class discussion and clarify concept, theories, and readings. The purpose of these index cards is for me to assess how well you are keeping up with the readings, your understanding the readings and other course material, and an anonymous way for you to ask questions or make comments. Each index card is worth between 0-10 points depending on the quality of the question/comment. **You can earn extra credit point for each index card over 10 that you hand in, up to 10 extra index cards**
On each index card you need to put:
1. Your full name
2. A question or comment
3. Reference to readings from class
Grades for the course will be determined as follows: I do not grade on a curve. I am happy to give everyone an A if everyone does A-quality work.
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
Grading Scale:
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
A: 100- 95.0%
A-: 94.9 – 90%
B+: 89.9 – 88.0%
B: 87.9% - 84%
B-: 83.9% - 80%
C+: 79.9 – 78.0%
C: 77.9% - 74%
C-: 73.9% - 70%
D+: 69.9 – 68.0%
D: 67.9% - 60%
F: 59.9% and below…
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
Policy on Due Dates:
· Papers and assignments are due IN THE FIRST TEN MINUTES OF CLASS on the date indicated in the syllabus or on the assignment handout. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of these dates. For each calendar day an assignment/paper is late the student will lose one full letter grade from the grade assigned to the student’s work. No late assignments/papers will be accepted after three days.
· No make-ups exams allowed.
Important Dates to Know:
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
· Feb 9th Last day to ADD a class
· Feb 17th Last day to DROP a class with a refund
· March 4th NRS deadline
· April 28th Last day to drop with a “W”
· May 24-28 Final Exams
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
6
**Syllabus is Subject to Change**
Student Responsibilities:
· Course Etiquette: The success of a large class depends on everyone’s cooperation. Actions such as arriving late, leaving class early, talking to friends, making/receiving phone calls, and reading newspapers or other non-course materials are disruptive, distracting, and unacceptable. Do not shuffle papers or pack up your things until I have dismissed the class – it is extremely rude and will not be tolerated. Students should let the instructor know if they are having difficulties reaching class on time or if they need to leave class early. Cell phones, pda’s, iPod’s and other electronic equipment are not allowed in class at any time. Course grades will be affected if students persist in disruptive activities without an explanation. Students will be asked to leave the classroom if their behavior disturbs others.
o NOTE: Students will be required to leave class under the following circumstances: Arriving late, talking on or texting on cell phones, sleeping, or doing homework for other classes.
· Attendance and Participation: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” - Woody Allen
o While attendance will not count for 80% of your grade, it will be difficult to be successful in this class without regular attendance and participation. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and engaged participation is expected during all class meetings.
· If you are absent it is your responsibility to contact the instructor for any missed assignments or announcements
o This class requires a high level of interaction and engagement with me and your fellow students. Opinions and class debates are encouraged, but I ask that students provide well informed arguments preferably related to class materials (by doing this we avoid getting into debates based solely on emotion).As a participant in the course, you are expected to respect the ideas and opinions of others even if you do not agree with them. Some of the lectures, readings, and discussions in this class may challenge your own beliefs and ideas. Therefore, you should be prepared to have an open, engaged mind.
*I reserve the right (but not obligation) to drop students with more than four consecutive or six cumulative unexcused absences or incidents of tardiness.* However, if you decide to drop the course it YOUR responsibility to take the necessary actions to drop the course.
· Academic Integrity: You are responsible for your own work. If you are questioning whether you have documented or cited your sources properly, it is your responsibility to see me about these issues prior to submitting an assignment. If you find yourself thinking about submitting work that is not your own due to pressure, frustration, or any other reason, please talk with me. I am here to help you resolve these issues before they could negatively affect your academic career. Misrepresenting your work will not be tolerated in this class. Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in an F for the assignment and further disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.
· Special Needs: Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, and the Disabled Student Services Office. If you have any temporary or long-term special needs (academic, physical, personal) please contact me during my office hours or after class. Do not wait till the last minute to inform me of a problem, as it will be more difficult personal situation occurs let me know as soon as possible. I am supportive and understanding of most situations (I respect your right to privacy, so details are not a requirement to find a way to work it out.)
Course Schedule
DATE / TOPIC / READINGS DUE / ASSIGNMENT DUEWeek One
2/4 / Introductions & Social Intersections: Individual and Society
Week Two
2/9 / The Sociological Imagination / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 1
2/11 / Sociological Analysis / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 2 / Homework #1 Due
Week Three
2/16 / Sociological Inquiry and Analysis Commodity Chain Analysis and Research Workshop
Film: The Story of Stuff / Review student papers on the website
2/18 / Coffee Commodity Chain
Film: Black Gold
Week Four
2/23 / Modern Consumer Culture
Film: “Overspent American” / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 16 (only pages 513-519)
Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 3 / CCA Research Topic
2/25 / Socialization: Learning Culture / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 4 / Homework #2 Due
Week Five
3/2 / Making and Supporting a Sociological Argument / Exam #1 Outline
3/4 / Social Interaction & the Construction of Social Differences / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 5
Week Six
3/9 / Social Difference and Power / Introduction to Sociology: pages 279-287, 317-324,590-603
McIntosh, Peggy “White Privilege” http://www.nymbp.org/reference/WhitePrivilege.pdf / Exam #1
3/11 / Social Stratification / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 8
Week Seven
3/16 / Racial Stratification: Institutional Racism / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 11
Wise, Tim “Whites Swim in Racial Preference”
http://www.alternet.org/story/15223/ / Homework #3 Due
3/18 / Racial Legacy
Film: The House We Live In / CCA Outline and Annotated Bibliography
Week Eight
3/23 / Gender Stratification / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 10 / Exam #1 Rewrite - optional
3/25 / Global Inequality / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 9
Week Nine
3/30 / Globalization, Rationalization, and the Global Corporate Society / Introduction to Sociology: pages 147-167
Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 20 / Homework #4 Due
4/1 / Rationalities and Irrationalities
Film: Modern Meat / Pollan, Michael “Power Steer”
http://www.mindfully.org/Food/Power-Steer-Pollan31mar02.htm
“The Meatrix 1”(for fun!) http://www.themeatrix1.com/
4/5-4/9 Spring Break
Week Ten
4/13 / Production in the Postmodern Global Society / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 14 / CCA Research Paper Rough Draft
4/15 / Work in the Postmodern Global Society: Alienation
Week Eleven
4/20 / The State, Globalization, and Global Politics / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 13 / Homework #5 Due
4/22 / Citizenship and Globalization
Film: Life and Debt / Final Papers Due
Week Twelve
4/27 / Threads / Threads Preface and Chp1 / Exam #2
4/28 / Threads / Threads Chp 2
Week Thirteen
5/4 / Threads / Threads Chps 3and 4 / Homework #6 Due
5/6 / Threads
Film: China Blue
Week Fourteen
5/11 / Threads / Threads Chp 5 / Exam #2 Rewrite - optional
5/13 / Threads / Threads Chps 6 and 7 / Homework #7 Due
Week Fifteen
5/18 / Consumption in the Postmodern Global Society / Introduction to Sociology: Chapter 19
5/20 / Course Conclusions & Student Presentations / Student Presentations
Week Sixteen
5/27 / Final Exam & Student Presentations @ 8am / Student Presentations
Exam #3
6