SYG 2000 004H – PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
Fall 2017 (Tu 10:40-11:30; Th 10:40-12:35)
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Ryan Thomson
Email:
Office: Turlington 3361B
Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30 – 10:30 am or by appointment.
Classroom: Turlington 2332
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Website:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
As part of the General Education Program (GEP), this course will provide students with an introduction to the field of sociology. Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture. Major themes in sociological thinking include the interplay between the individual and society, how society is both stable and changing, the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the social construction of human life. Understanding sociology helps discover and explain social patterns and see how such patterns change over time and in different settings. During the first part of the semester, we begin by laying a foundational understanding the sociological perspective. The second part primarily focuses on social structures and inequality. The third part concludes with a focus on social change.
Social and behavioral science courses, like SYG 2000, provide instruction in the history, key themes, principles, terminology, and underlying theory or methodologies used in the social and behavioral sciences. Students will learn to identify, describe and explain social institutions, structures or processes. These courses emphasize the effective application of accepted problem-solving techniques. Students will apply formal and informal qualitative or quantitative analysis to examine the processes and means by which individuals make personal and group decisions, as well as the evaluation of opinions, outcomes or human behavior. Students are expected to assess and analyze ethical perspectives in individual and societal decisions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1) Introduce students to the basic concepts, theories, and methods that sociologists use. Course materials and activities provide students opportunities to see how social scientist use varied methods to collect information about specific social issues. Moreover, students will critically assess how that information can be used to frame understanding about why social patterns exist and what might be the possible consequences of those patterns.
2) Provide students with a brief overview of sociology as a discipline within the social sciences that exposes students to strategies to identify, study, and address social issues and research questions. Course activities will provide students with opportunities to apply critical thinking skills to evaluate debates about contemporary social issues and the evidence needed to address the issues.
3) Help students to develop the ability to understand how various social processes and structures affect one another.
4) Encourage students to develop a better understanding of how their own lives and significant relationships are shaped by larger social forces.
5) Provide students with insights about how individuals' interactions with others can affect the larger society.
REQUIRED TEXTS:Ritzer, George. ‘The Essentials of Sociology.’ 2nd Edition. ISBN: 1483380890. Sage Publications. New Paperback: $89.(Available for purchase at most local bookstores, UF Bookstore, or Amazon).
Student Companion Website:
COURSE POLICIES:
Attendance Policy:Approach this class professionally. Attend class, complete all work punctually, arrive on time and be prepared to engage mindfully and civilly with their peers.
Late Work, File Submission, Incompletes, & Extra Credit
Late work for forum answers, forum replies, response papers, midterm exam, and final exam will not be accepted. If you do not turn in the assessments on time, you will receive a zero. If you miss a deadline because of a documented, excusable reason, you may be allowed to make up the work, or an alternate assignment may be given to you. Refer to the University of Florida grading policy on excused absences to define an excusable reason for missing class. (found here:
Only “.doc” or “.docx,” files are the only submission type that will be accepted within the canvas portal. I cannot download any other file. If you send it with any other file extension and miss the deadline, it will be considered late).
Incompletes for this course will only be given in dire circumstances and is at the sole discretion of the instructor. (
UF POLICIES:
University Policy on Accommodating Students With Disabilities:
Students requesting accommodation for disabilities must first register with the Dean of Students Office ( The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation. You must submit this documentation prior to submitting assignments or taking the quizzes or exams. Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the office as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations.
Technical Issues:
For issues with technical difficulties for Canvas, please contact the UF Help Desk at:
(352) 392-HELP (4357); Walk-in: HUB 132
Counseling & Wellness Center:
The Counseling and Wellness Center 352-392-1575 offers a variety of support services such as psychological assessment and anxiety assistance. Visit their web site for more information: Online and in person assistance is available.
University Policy On Academic Misconduct:Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the University community. UF Student Honor Code at
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The general education student learning outcomes (SLOs) describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students are expected to acquire while completing a general education course at the University of Florida. The SLOs fall into three categories: content, communication, and critical thinking:
Content is knowledge of the concepts, principles, terminology and methodologies used within the discipline. Students demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories used within the discipline.
Communication is the development and expression of ideas in written and oral forms. Students communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the discipline.
Critical Thinking is characterized by the comprehensive analysis of issues, ideas, and evidence before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. Students analyze information carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems.
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
- Critically assess and question the assumptions, methodology, argument and conclusions of different types of research.
- Apply a sociological perspective to contextualize and explore competing points of view.
- Demonstrate how social forces influence identity, behaviors, and attitudes.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
Evaluation:
Expectations associated with each of the major assignments are specified in detail within the corresponding study guides and grading rubrics. These documents outline the terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories covered within each of the respective course sections. Online assignments will assess the competency in sociological knowledge, ideas, and reasoning. In-class assignments focus on critical thinking skills and the student’s ability to communicate a sociological analysis. Exams bring these two assessments together in a comprehensive manner by highlighting the ability to recall, apply, and critically engage sociological concepts.
Assignments:
Exams (20% each): Three exams with 50 questions each conclude each of the course sections based on course materials (readings, lecture notes, power points,films, and clips) as well as in-class discussions. The exams are timed and consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching and/or short answer questions. Although the exams are not cumulative, students are expected to be able to link course content to real world examples. Exams can only be made up if the absence is excused (link above).
Online Assignments (2% each):
A] Ten online quiz assignments are posted on canvas; they are open book and due by 10 pm on Wednesday.
B] Submit a ‘reflection essay’ between 400 and 700 words (via canvas upload .doc,.docx) which critically applies that week’s concepts, readings, and class discussions to their experiences. Assignments are also due by 10 pm on Wednesday. See Reflection Essay Rubric.
In-class Assignments: Approximately 12 in-class assignments will take place throughout the semester. Some assignments are individually written vignettes and others involve turning in answers as a part of a group discussion. These assignments can only be made up if the absence is excused (see the link above).*Students with excused absences may make up in-class assignments by completing bothquiz and critical reflection paper before Friday at 8pm.
Assignment / Description / %In-class Assignments (12) / Weekly in-class discussions will evaluate the student competence in communicating sociological knowledge, ideas, and reasoning; i.e. express ideas in a convincing, organized, clear and coherent manner that is nearly error free and uses a style and language appropriate to a sociological approach. / 20%
Online Assignments (10) / Quizzes will evaluate student competence in terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories employed within the sociology discipline.The quizzes are based on the weeks material and largely comprised of multiple choice questions. / 20%
Exam 1 / Three exams evaluate the competence in critical thinking, i.e. considering issues from multiple perspectives, and logically analyzing evidence from credible sources and develop a reasoned conclusion. See the respective study guides for further details. / 20%
Exam 2 / 20%
Exam 3 / 20%
GRADING SCALE:
A 100-93%, A- 92-90%, B+ 89-87%, B 86-83%, B- 82-80%, C+ 79-77%, C 76-73, C- 72-70%,
D+ 69-67%, D 66-63%, D- 62-60%, E 59-0%
Topic / Date / Readings (Completed Before Class) / AssignmentWeek 1
(8.21 - 8.26) / Introduction / 8.22 / In-Class Assignment
8.24 / Chapter 1
Week 2
(8.28 – 9.2) / Methods & Science / 8.29 / Chapter 2 / Online Assignment 1
8.31 / In-Class Assignment
Week 3
(9.4 – 9.9) / Culture & Socialization / 9.5 / Chapter 3 / Online Assignment 2
9.7 / Chapter 4 / In-Class Assignment
Week 4
(9.11 – 9.16) / Organizations & Networks / 9.12 / Chapter 5 / Online Assignment 3
9.14 / In-Class Assignment
Week 5
(9.18 – 9.23) / Deviance & Social Control / 9.19 / Chapter 6 / Online Assignment 4
9.21 / In-Class Assignment
Week 6
(9.25 – 9.30) / 9.26 / Review Session
9.28 / EXAM 1
Week 7
(10.2 – 10.7) / Stratification
the Family / 10.3 / Chapter 7 / Online Assignment 5
10.5 / Chapter 10 / In-Class Assignment
Week 8
(10.9 – 10.14) / Race & Ethnicity / 10.10 / Chapter 8 / Online Assignment 6
10.12 / In-Class Assignment
Week 9
(10.16 – 10.21) / Gender & Sexuality / 10.17 / Chapter 9 / Online Assignment 7
10.19 / In-Class Assignment
Week 10
(10.23 – 10.28) / Education & Religion / 10.24 / Chapter 11 / Online Assignment 8
10.26 / In-Class Assignment
Week 11
(10.30 – 11.4) / 10.31 / Review Session
11.2 / EXAM 2
Week 12
(11.6 – 11.11) / Economics
& the State / 11.7 / Chapter 12 / Online Assignment 9
11.19 / In-Class Assignment
Week 13
(11.13 – 11.18) / Climate & Environment / 11.14 / Chapter 14 / Online Assignment 10
11.16 / In-Class Assignment
Week 14
(11.20 – 11.25) / Social Movement / 11.21 / Chapter 15
11.23 / HOLIDAY:
NO CLASS / Optional Assignment
Week 15
(11.27 – 12.2) / Social Change / 11.28 / In-Class Assignment
11.30 / Review Session
Week 16
(12.4-12.9) / 12.5 / EXAM 3
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