SOCIOLOGY 444, SOCIAL CHANGE
Fall 2004, TR 1:00-3:05 PM, DDH 101G
Instructor: Dr. Alem Kebede, Associate Professor of Sociology
Office: AA206 Dorothy Danhoe Hall; Hours: TR 3:10-4:10 PM
Phone: 664-2306; E-mail:
COURSE OBECTIVES
-To understand the nature, causes, and patterns of social change.
-To examine sociological theories of change.
-To deal with selected change processes.
-To examine long-term changes in American society.
-To understand the nature, origin, and causes of social movements.
-To examine global change processes.
TEXTBOOKS
-Exploring Social Change: American and the World, Charles L. Harper, Prentice Hall, 1998 (Third Edition).
-Social Movements, Charles Tilly, Paradigm Publishers, 2004 (First Edition).
EXAMNINATIONS, PAPERS, AND GRADING
Grades will be based on three exams (60 points each), presentation (20 points), research paper (85 points) and attendance (15 points). In the research paper, in the light of the social changes that have taken place in the United States, you are expected to write your sociological autobiography. This paper should be 8-10 pages (double spaced on a standard 12 pt. font/typeface) in length. Leave 1-1/2 margins on all sides. Detailed guidelines for the term paper will be discussed in the future. Please note that your papers will be evaluated both for content as well as style. There will be penalty for not submitting paper on time.
Grades will be assigned using the standard grading system: 100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C;
69-60=D. The final grade for the course will be determined as follows: 300-270=A; 269-240=B; 2399-210=C; 209-180=D.
ATTENDANCE
You are required to attend all classes. An absence will be regarded as excused if and and only if verification of the reason for the absence is provided. An absence is excused only when a) attendance would have been detrimental to the health of the student b) attendance would have put other students at risk c) there is a case of personal emergency or tragedy. In other important cases, the instructor approved the reason for the absence at least one week in advance of the missed class. The instructor will be happy to discuss any aspect of the course with any student during office hours or during a mutually agreed to meeting time. However, it is unprofessional to approach the instructor seeking information that was missed as a result of unexcused absence. The instructor will upgrade the cases of marginal grades for those students who have been attending class on a regular basis. Excessive absences will be assigned the letter grade of “I” (Incomplete).
CURVES, MAKE-UPS, ETC.
No grading curves or other such means will be employed during the determination of any grades for this course. There will be no extra credit options unless assigned by the instructor following an excused absence. There will be no make-up exam except in cases where an exam was missed due to an excused absence. If an exam is missed an excused absence, then either a make-up exam will be scheduled, or the weight assigned to other elements in the course will be adjusted.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Anyform of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated during this course. It is the responsibility of each student to learn what academic dishonesty includes. The Office of Student Conduct can provide useful information on this topic. The instructor will seek the gravest possible penalty in accordance with CSUB policies and regulations.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Any student with a disability or having special needs should notify both the instructor and the Office of Disabled Student Services as soon as possible. The instructor welcomes any student who wants to discuss issues pertaining to his/her academic progress, ambition, or problem. Just e-mail, or call me, or drop by to my office anytime.
COURSE OUTLINE
I. By Way of Introduction
Read Harper and Leicht1-12
II. The Causes and Patterns of Change
Read Harper and Leicht70-98;
III. Social Theory and Change
Read Harper and Leicht99-126
EXAM I: Tuesday, October 5
IV. American Social Trends
Read Harper and Leicht12-26
V. Change and the Settings of Everyday Life: Population, Families, and Work
Read Harper and Leicht27-45
VI. Economics, Politics, and the American Prospect
Read Harper and Leicht46-69
X. Technology, Innovation, and Networks
Read Harper and Leicht210-235
EXAM II: Tuesday, November 2
VII. Social Movements
Read Harper and Leicht; Pieterse 23-40; Tilly 1-37
VIII. American Reform Movements and Social Change
Read Harper and Leicht; Pieterse 41-58; Tilly 38-94
IX. Revolutions
Read Harper and Leicht178-209; Tilly 95-143
XII. The Emerging Global System
Read Harper and Leicht 264-293; Tilly 144-158
RESEARCH PAPER DUE: Thursday, November 11
EXAM III: Tuesday June 08, 2:00-4:30 PM
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Dr AlemSeghed Kebede is a graduate of Oklahoma State University (MS: Sociology; MA: Philosophy; PhD: Sociology). Prior to joining CSUB, he had a visiting assistant professor position at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Alem's research areas include social theory, social movements, and cross-cultural encounters. His articles have appeared in Sociological Inquiry, Sociological Perspectives, Sociological Spectrum, and Research in Social Movements. Currently, Alem is conducting research on two projects entitled “’Emperor’ Haile GebreSelassie: The Social Construction of a Hero,” and “Theda Skocpol’s Theory and the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution.” His recent published article that deals with the notion of “decentered movements”—a concept that he has coined—and the Rastafari has been nominated for 2001 Sociological Spectrum Best Paper Award. While at CSUB, Alem has taught Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology, Social Stratification, Social Change, The African American Experience, Social Movements and Advanced Sociological Theories. During his spare time, Alem loves to train for marathons. He has run nine marathons, including the Boston, Los Angeles and New York City Marathons. Alem is a native of Ethiopia, East Africa, “who has come [to the United States] today and decided to stay tomorrow.”