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Sociology 101: Principles of Sociology
Instructor
Professor Marta Elliott, PhD
Office: Mack Social Science Building / Room 306
Office hours: Mondays 1:30 – 2:15 and Wednesdays 1-1:45 and by appointment
Phone: 784-4884
email:
General Course Information
Course Number: SOC 101 Section 003
Course Title: Principles of Sociology
Course location: Jot Travis Building 100
Course meeting times:Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30 – 3:45 pm
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the sociological perspective. Through course lectures, assigned readings, homework assignments, and in-class activities, students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the discipline of sociology and the work conducted by sociologists. Initial course sessions will focus on the major research methods and central concepts used by sociologists in understanding human behavior and the social world. These topics include culture, social structure, socialization, and social stratification. Subsequent course sessions will be devoted to an examination of major societal institutions including education, families, and religion.
Silver Core Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
This class fulfills the core social science requirement (Core Objective 6 of the Silver Plan/Cultures, Societies, and Individuals): “Students will learn how to systematically analyze human social conditions (e.g., individuals, groups, communities, and cultures). In particular, students will learn to observe, theorize, model, experiment, and/or interpret as a means of inquiring into human social relations.” In addition, this course develops Core Objectives 1 (effective communication and composition) and 3(critical analysis and use of information) via written assignments (i.e., essay exams and/or papers) that require critical analysis of information.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
SLO #1: Identify fundamental concepts and theories within the field of sociology and be familiar with sociological methods of inquiry into human social relations (CO6).
SLO #2: Think and write critically about social conditions and social forces that shape human behavior and outcomes (C01 and C03).
SLO #3: Systematically analyze aspects of social structure such as statuses and roles, institutions, social stratification and inequalities according to such characteristics as race, class, and gender (C03).
WebCampus
This is a Web Campus-enhanced class, which means that much of the course material will be posted on WebCampus and you will receive updates and announcements via WebCampus so you should log onto the course WebCampus page at least three times per week.
Required Reading
Assigned readings should be completed prior to the date of the lecture for which they are assigned (see “Course Schedule” below for assignments). Completing assigned reading will facilitate your understanding of the lecture material and participation in class sessions. The following book and access code arerequired for the course and areavailable for purchase at the JCSU bookstore:
- Essentials of Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach, 11th edition, by James Henslin (also available as e-text)
- Access code to course id number is elliott90979(comes with e-text)
Student Evaluation
Course Requirement Percent of final grade
MYSOCLAB assignments (150 points) 30%
Written assignments (100 points) 20%
Mid-term examination I (75 points) 15%
Mid-term examination II (75 points) 15%
Final examination (100 points) 20%
Total 500 100%
Extra Credit (25 points) up to 5%
Grand total 525 105%
Final Grades
93% and above: A90-92: A-
88-89: B+83-87: B80-82: B-
78-79: C+73-77: C70-72: C-
68-69: D+63-67: D60-62: D-
Below 60: F
MySocLab Assignments
We are reading twelve chapters from the textbook and for each chapter you are required to complete the following tasks on MYSOCLAB.COM: the pre-test, the post-test, and the chapter exam. All MYSOCLAB.COM tasks are due on Sundays by 11:59 pm. Course id number is elliott90979
Exams
The format of the exams may include some or all of the following: multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and short essay questions. Exams cover material from both lectures and reading assignments. The exams evaluate your ability to synthesize material presented in the lectures and assigned readings. Exam dates are listed in the “Course Schedule” below. Midterm #1 covers all lecture material and readings for August 25th through October 1stwhile Midterm #2 covers all lecture material and assigned reading for October 13th through November 12th. The Final Exam is cumulative and coversall lectures and assigned reading for the semester.
You will need to bring your own SCANTRON FORM toeach exam. Please bring a 882E or 882-E Lovas form that is available for purchase at the UNR bookstore. You are required to attend exams at the time they are scheduled. Make-up exams will be given only under very severe circumstances and only if the instructor is notified of a valid excuse PRIOR to the scheduled exam when at all possible. The format of the make-up exam will be at the discretion of the instructor and will be given the instructor’s convenience.
Written Assignments
You are required to write four short papers each worth 25 points and together comprising 20% of your final grade. Detailed instructions will be posted on WebCampus. All papers must be saved on a computer as a word document (.doc OR .docx) and submitted via WebCampus by 11:59 pm on the date due (Wednesdays). Students will be assigned to one of three groups and each group will have its own paper deadlines to facilitate timely grading.
Extra Credit
Students may earn up to 25 points for extra credit that could bring the final grade up by 5% or half a grade. See WebCampus for further details.
Academic integrity
Students will be held to the highest standards of intellectual integrity and honesty in this class. Anyone involved in academic misconduct, including cheating on quizzes or exams and plagiarism, will receive a failing grade of F for the course. Further details on this policy, as well as the University policy, are posted on WebCampus.
Classroom etiquette
A college classroom is a lot different from high school. Many high school students complain that too much class time is diverted to dealing with disciplinary issues. In college not only have you paid to be here, you have come to learn, and nobody wants to feel like they are back in high school again. Therefore, let us all take responsibility to create a mature and stimulating classroom environment in which we show respect for one another. This includes arriving on time and staying until the end of class, and not talking, or even whispering, during class unless you have been called on. Also do not eat during class unless you have a documented medical need to do so. Only use laptops and electronic tablets for taking notes or accessing Web Campus during class. Turn off cell phones or put them on silent mode and do not use them during class.
Disability Accommodations
Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me or contact the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building, Suite 101), as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
Academic Success Services
Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or Tutoring Center (784-6801 or and University Writing Center (784-6030 or These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student.
Statement on Audio and Video Recording
Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may have been given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.
If you have a problem…
If you are having a problem in or with this course, please feel free to inform the instructor or the teaching assistants and we will make every effort to help you. If we cannot help you, we will try to refer you to someone who can. Remember, we cannot help if you do not ask!
Aphorisms to take Sociology 101 by…
- To endure uncertainty is difficult, but so are most of the other virtues (Bertrand Russell)
- It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it (Aristotle)
- Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire (W.B.Yeats)
Schedule for the Semester
Date / Topic / Assigned reading &MYSOCLAB tests
Sundays 11:59 pm / Paper due dates
Wednesdays 11:59 pm
Aug 25
Aug 27 / Introduction
Sociological Perspective / Get started
on chapter 1 / No papers due
this week
Sept 1
Sept 3 / Labor Day, no class
Research methods / Chapter 1 / Group 1 paper 1
Sept 8
Sept 10 / Culture
Culture / Chapter 2 / Group 2 paper 1
Sept 15
Sept 17 / Socialization
Socialization / Chapter 3 / Group 3 paper 1
Sept 22
Sept 24 / Social Structure
Social Interaction / Chapter 4 / Group 1 paper 2
Sept 29
Oct 1 / Social groups
Formal organizations / Chapter 5 / Group 2 paper 2
Oct 6
Oct 8 / Review
Midterm 2
Oct 13
Oct 15 / Deviance
Deviance / Chapter 6 / Group 3 paper 2
Oct 20
Oct 22 / Global Stratification
Global Stratification / Chapter 7 / Group 1 paper 3
Oct 27
Oct 29 / Social Class in U.S.
Social Class in U.S. / Chapter 8 / Group 2 paper 3
Nov 3
Nov 5 / Race/ethnicity
Race/ethnicity / Chapter 9 / Group 3 paper 3
Nov 10
Nov 12 / Gender
Age / Chapter 10 / Group 1 paper 4
Nov 17
Nov 19 / Review
Midterm 2
Nov 24
Nov 26 / Marriage/family
Marriage/family / Chapter 12 / Group 2 paper 4
Dec 1
Dec 3 / Education
Religion / Chapter 13 / Group 3 paper 4
Dec 8
Dec 17 / Review day
Final exam 12:30 – 2:30 pm In the classroom