Sociology 101, Section 1
Introduction to Sociology
Fall 2005
9-9:50am MWF
405 CHVEZ
Instructor:Monika Ulrich
Office:Social Sciences 416
Office Hours:MW 10-11:30am or by appointment
Email:
Phone:(520) 621-5765
Course Objectives and Goals
Welcome to Introduction to Sociology! This class is designed to explore what sociology is, what sociologists do, and how sociology impacts your life. Specifically, we will examine five major questions:
1.What is Sociology?
*How does it differ from psychology, journalism, social work, social studies, and other social sciences?
*What are the major variations within sociology?
2.What are sociologists’ goals?
*How can I use sociology to understand and create change in my social world?
3.What is a social theory?
*How can social theories be useful to me?
4.How do sociologists do research?
*How can I evaluate research done by sociologists and determine if it’s worthwhile? How can I use research done by sociologists?
5.What do sociologists study?
*What does sociology have to say aboutCulture, Groups, Crime and Deviance, Social Class, Race, Gender, Religion, Medicine, Education, and Social Movements?
We will begin the course by looking at answers to the first four questions in the above list. The remainder of the class will look at several social institutions. At the end of the course we will briefly look at what is required for a major orcareer in sociology. Along the way, we will also work on developing critical thinking, writing, group cooperation, and public speaking skills.
By the end of this course, it is my hope that you will:
1.See how sociology applies to your life right now in important ways
2.See how sociology can apply to your future career, relationships, and civic duties
3.Know if you want to take more classes and/or major in sociology
Instructor
Your instructor is a Ph.D. student in the Sociology department. You can refer to me as “Monika,” “Ms. Ulrich” or “Master Ulrich” (since I hold a Master’s degree). I encourage students to come and speak with me if they have concerns about the course, want advice on studying, need a letter of recommendation, are seeking advice about a career in Sociology, or just want to chat about Sociology in general. The best way to contact me for an appointment is by email.
Course Materials
Reading materials from this course will come from three sources. All readings are required:
1.Schaefer, Richard T. 2006. Sociology Matters 2nd Edition. McGraw Hill: New York. ( The website supplements the textbook, but does not substitute for it.
2.Ferguson, Susan J. 2005. Mapping the Social Landscape 4th Edition. McGraw Hill: New York. (
3.Materials will be found on the Electronic Reserves System at The password for the electronic reserves reading is: Weber
Course Grades
A90-100%
B80-89%
C70-79%
D60-69%
E<59%
To be fair to all students, I will not consider personal illness, hardship, financial interests (yours or mine ), or personal emergency in the grading process, although these situations may justify extra time for an assignment. Except in cases of serious illness or emergencies, students must take the tests and submit assignments on the scheduled dates. Documentation (a Doctor’s note, an obituary notice) will be required for any exceptions. Early assignments are gladly accepted. In case of an emergency, tests can also be given early by arrangement.
Course Requirements
Exams
Examinations will count for 60% of your course grade. Examinations will cover material from the reading and from the lectures. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short-answer, and essay. Review guides for the exams will be available on the course website throughout the semester. I strongly encourage you to use the websitessponsored by the texts toassist you in exam preparation. Several test questions will come from the sample test questions that are accessed using these websites.
20%Exam 1
20%Exam 2
20%Final (not cumulative)
Additional Work
24%3 Short (2-3 page) Papers (3 papers at 8% each)
8%Online discussions (8 comments at 1% each)
8%In-Class Attendance
The participation grade will be based on regular class attendance. I will take attendance on nine random days during the semester. Each of those nine days that you are present you will receive 1%. Therefore, you can miss one of the random attendance days and still receive all of the attendance points. If you are present all nine days that attendance is taken, you will receive 1% extra credit.
Papers
This course requires 3 short (2-3 page) papers. All papers in this course must be typed in 10 or 12 point font and double-spaced. You must include your full name on all papers. Papers should include page-numbers. Please observe the minimum and maximum number of pages. Paper requirements will be distributed approximately two weeks before each paper is due.
Online Discussions
This course uses anonline course management system called “Polis.” Polis enables us to have some of our course discussion electronically. Each week, the instructor will post questions for discussion on the course website. Students are expected to respond to these questions throughout the term. This is done by posting a response on the course website. Whenever students post a comment, they should also bring their comment to class and be prepared to repeat it and discuss it.
Each student must post a minimum of 8 comments throughout the course in response to the discussion questions. You may comment on the discussion question or on other students’ comments. Discussions will “close” at the end of the week and further comments after that time will not count toward course requirements. Students cannot make more than 2 comments per week that count toward course requirements. In other words, start early!
Each comment should be at least 1 paragraph (3 or 4 sentences) long. Students must include their full name to receive credit for the comments. If a student would like to make an anonymous (ie. the class won’t see your name, but the instructor will) comment because the material they are discussing is unusually sensitive, email me first. Comments can be informal, controversial, anecdotal, thoughtful, concerned, critical, funny, or academic. However, all comments should be respectful, tolerant, and somehow useful to the discussion. Bigoted, offensive, or graphic comments are never acceptable. All comments should be the original work of the author. I have attached an “example” discussion question and several “example” (ie. made up) answers.
Academic Integrity
Integrity is expected of every student in all academic work. Prohibited conduct includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism. For details and sanctions, please refer to the University of Arizona’s Code of Academic Integrity (
Disabilities
Students registered with the Strategic Alternatives Learning Techniques (SALT) Center, Disability Resource Center (DRC), or the Center for Disability Related Resources (CeDRR) should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Requisite documentation must be presented and the necessary accommodations following university policy will then be arranged.
Tolerance
Class discussion and reading materials will sometimesinclude explicit language, images, or discussion including discussion of sexuality, race and religion, gender, and politics. It is expected that all students will read required materials and discuss them in a respectful and tolerant manner.
Assignments
Complete required reading in advance of the day it is listed.
Introduction to Sociology
MonAug 22
WedAug 24Ferguson Ch. 26: “Nickel-and-Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in
America”
FriAug 26Schaefer Ch. 1: “The Sociological View”
MonAug 29Ferguson Ch. 1: “The Promise”
WedAug 31Ferguson Ch. 5: “Interpersonal Dynamics in a Simulated Prison”
Culture and Socialization
FriSept 2Schaefer Ch. 2: “Culture and Socialization”
MonSept 5NO CLASS: LABOR DAY
WedSept 7Paper #1 due
Social Structure, Groups, and Organizations
FriSept 9Schaefer Ch. 3: “Social Structure, Groups, and Organizations”
MonSept 12Ferguson Ch. 14: “Anybody’s Son Will Do”
WedSept 14Ferguson Ch. 17: “Becoming a Racist”
FriSept 16Review
MonSept 19Exam #1
Deviance and Social Control
WedSept 21Schaefer Ch. 4: “Deviance and Social Control”
FriSept 23Ferguson Ch. 22: “Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture”
MonSept 26Ferguson Ch. 19: “On Being Sane in Insane Places”
Social Class
WedSept 28Schaefer Ch. 5: “Stratification in the United States and Global
Inequality”
FriSept 30Ferguson Ch. 23: “Some Principles of Stratification”
MonOct 3Ferguson Ch. 24: “Who Rules America?”
Race
WedOct 5Schaefer Ch. 6: “Inequality by Race and Ethnicity”
FriOct 7Ferguson Ch. 31: “Racial Formations in the United States”
MonOct 10Paper #2 due
WedOct 12Ferguson Ch. 32: “Beyond Black and White”
Gender, Sexuality, and the Family
FriOct 14Schaefer Ch. 7: “Inequality by Gender”
MonOct 17Ferguson Ch. 27: “Gender as Structure”
WedOct 19Ferguson Ch. 28: “The Glass Escalator”
FriOct 21Ferguson Ch. 55: “The Time Bind”
MonOct 24Review
WedOct 26Exam #2
Religion
FriOct 28Schaefer Ch. 8: “Social Institutions, Family and Religion”
MonOct 31Ferguson Ch. 45: “Abiding Faith”
WedNov 2Ferguson Ch. 46: “Baring Our Souls”
Medicine
FriNov 4Schaefer Ch. 10: “Population, Community, Health, and the
Environment”
Ferguson Ch. 49: “Illness and Identity”
MonNov 7Ferguson Ch. 47: “The Social Structure of Medicine”
WedNov 9Paper #3 due
FriNov 11NO CLASS (Veteran’s Day)
Education
MonNov 14Schaefer Ch. 9: “Social Institutions: Education, Government, and
the Economy”
WedNov 16Ferguson Ch. 51: “Preparing for Power”
FriNov 18Ferguson Ch. 52: “Bad Boys”
Social Change
MonNov 21Schaefer Ch. 11: “Social Movements, Social Change, and
Technology”
WedNov 23Ferguson Ch. 56: “The McDonaldization of Society”
FriNov 25NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)
MonNov 28Ferguson Ch. 58: “The Wilding of America”
Future of and in Sociology
WedNov 30Ferguson Ch. 60: “What Can We Do?”
FriDec 2Ferguson Ch. 59: “CommunityBuilding”
MonDec 5Catch up
WedDec 7Review
Final Exam: December 16, 8-10am
On-Line Discussion
Example
This week we read about subcultures, including rodeo cowboys and hippies (p. 69-71). Think about some subcultures in contemporary society or to which you belong. What are they key values or behaviors in those subcultures? Can you think of any values or behaviors among subcultures that have eventually been adopted by mainstream Americans? What do you think leads to subcultures being adopted, or not being adopted, by mainstream Americans?
COMMENT 1:
I belong to a “subculture” of a sorority. A sorority definitely has “a distinctive pattern of mores, folkways, and values that differs from the pattern of the larger society” (Schaefer p. 68). Some of the values in my sorority include athleticism, beauty, and good grades. We also have an argot, or specialized language. For example, we talk about “Rush,” which has a specific meaning to those in Greek life.
--Martha A. Smith
COMMENT 2:
I think that subcultures are more likely to be adopted by mainstream Americans if three conditions exist:
1.The subculture is not “too” different from mainstream society. For example, homosexuality is more accepted in modern society, because of the women’s movement, than it would have been 100 years ago. Thus, it is more likely that homosexuality would be accepted now than 100 years ago.
2.The subculture has power of some sort. For example, if a subculture consists of people with a lot of money, they’re going to be more liked. Professional sports teams are sort of their own “subculture,” but because they have a lot of power (ie. money), they will probably be incorporated.
3.The mainstream is going through dramatic changes that make it more open to incorporating ideas from a subculture. For example, in the 1970s there were a lot of social changes happening that made it likely for environmental ideas to be incorporated.
--Daniel G. Jones
COMMENT 3:
Like Martha Smith, I also belong to a sorority. But I don’t think that a sorority qualifies as a subculture. In fact, I think that a sorority is actually part of the “mainstream.” For example, at the University of Arizona, 15% of the Undergraduate students are part of Greek Life in some way. This doesn’t indicate a subculture. I think it indicates that it’s mainstream!
--Patty C. Duke
COMMENT 4:
I belong to a subculture of homosexual men. I believe that being gay is a subculture, because it has different social norms (ie. wearing more feminine clothes). Also, I think that the safe sex movement started with homosexual men and then spread to the rest of society. I think that it’s good that the same sex movement eventually spread to society. But that wasn’t a peaceful transition! Mainstream society only started paying attention to safe sex because people were getting diseases. Sometimes the transmission of a value from a subculture to the mainstream culture is not a smooth road.
--Anonymous (This individual contacted the instructor for permission to post)