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NOTE:
Read and retain this syllabus throughout the semester. It has important dates
you need to keep track of. It also lists policy issues on topics such as late
papers and late exams. Course Syllabus: Sociology 1, Introduction to
Sociology Fall 2009 Instructor:
Eric Strayer Fine
Arts Department Phone: 770-7090 (message only) Website:
pinxit.com Required Textbooks Hughes
and Kroehler, Inside Sociology Charon, The Meaning of Sociology: A Reader e/9 Introduction Welcome
to the Introduction to Sociology class. Sociology is the study of social forces
upon groups and individuals. It is also the study of the “familiar,” yet often
with unexpected outcomes. Sociology is a special perspective and a chance to
observe the world around you with a unique point of view. Do we
create the circumstances in which we find ourselves? Are we alone responsible
for the outcomes of our endeavors? Or are there components of the social
structure around us that help predetermine such outcomes and stack the odds in
one direction or another? Fortunately, others before us have wondered about
such things and created a network of paths for us to explore in this course,
while we discover for ourselves and by our own studies some of the apparent
causes for social conditions that we might otherwise take for granted. Course Objectives You will
learn to: §
evaluate
sociological research methods and data, and recognize the limitations of
individual experience and of over generalizing from single cases and “common
sense” observations. §
distinguish among
the principal concepts and theoretical perspectives that define the
sociological perspective, and apply them in the analysis of social phenomenon. §
explain the
major sociological approaches to socialization and the development of the self. §
compare
and contrast the major theories of deviance and crime. §
apply
sociological approaches in the analysis of basic dimensions of social
stratification (class, race, ethnicity, and gender). §
apply sociological
theories of collective behavior and social movements in the analysis of a major
social movement in the U.S., such as the civil rights movement. §
explain some of
the major sociological approaches to understanding demographic processes in the
U.S. and the world. §
write responses
to articles assigned from the reader and other sources. These responses will be
in either question form (with attempted answers) or as talking points. They are
designed to assure you have done the reading and to be used for classroom
discussion. As with all homework, it must be typed. §
write a three-page
review of an article from an academic journal. Grades: Grades will be based on one three page journal
review to be taken from an article of your choice in the journal Social
Forces, which is in the library or available online through the library
web pages. (Details will be discussed in class. No other resources are allowed.
This is a chance to read an article from an academic journal.) Also there are
five multiple choice midterm exams (of which the best four of the five count),
and about 15 reading assignments, each of which requires a written response.
Lastly is a final exam—its format to be determined. Some class-work will
be subject to grading—this work cannot be made up, so attendance is
important. (This schedule is subject to change during the semester.) Additional points may be given for one-page (or
more) detailed and typed notes on films presented in the class. Remember, you
must be present to see the film and it might show up unexpectedly. I will
notify the class in advance whenever possible. Additional in-class writings may
be evaluated for points as well. Late
exams are not given. To facilitate
this policy I will drop the lowest graded test. This means that if you miss one
test or get a particularly low grade on one of the five tests given it will not
affect your grade. This also means that there are NO MAKEUP TESTS. Be on
time. This applies to everything
but especially exams. Regarding the final, if you are twenty minutes late or
more you will be refused the opportunity to take the test. If you are late for
class, do NOT walk past or in front of me while I am addressing the class.
Instead, take a seat near the door and wait for a polite opportunity to get to
your seat. NOTE: If you are more than ten minutes late for class you will not be
included on the roll. Hartnell
policy stipulates that seven absences call for the student to be dropped from
the class. Contacting
me: Email works best. Use my ericstrayer@pinxit.com address for the quickest response. You must include your section
number in the subject line of the message or it will be ignored. (I.e. 4360
What is my grade?) Please do not ask me for homework assignments. They are
given in class and you should be in attendance and on time. Failing that, get
it from another student. Don’t
miss class. I will present films
as they become available. You may be tested on a film so you had best not miss
it. Also in-class work may be assigned. If you must miss a class, get in touch with another student to
find out what you have missed. If it is a film, you may be able to rent it on
your own. Being late for class may mean that you will miss important
information regarding assignments and deadlines. It is your responsibility to
be present for all classes and for the full duration of the class. Leaving early may result in your being
marked absent for that day. Late
papers and assignments will
receive a reduced grade. Regular 10 point assignments will receive half credit
for 5 points. A large paper will receive a drop of one full grade, meaning that
an A paper will receive a B. No late papers will be accepted after December 4,
2009. This is final. I will likely
be grading your journal review and won’t have time for late papers. I repeat, no late papers after December 4. Do not
e-mail me your work. It will not
be accepted. All work must be typed
and include your name and the class information (name of class, section number,
day and hour—you would do well to see “Writing for the Classroom” on my
website). I suggest that you get some phone numbers in the class in case you
need someone to turn in your work for you. Allow yourself time should your
printer run out of ink. Note that the library often has printers crash so don’t
put off printing until the last minute. I won’t accept excuses. (And backup
your work, especially if you are using the library.) Cell
phones are obnoxious little
things, but nearly all of us have one. Please turn yours to vibrate or to off
and refrain from texting during the class as well. Plagiarism,
copying and just plain cheating: If
you have any doubts about the seriousness of this issue, I suggest you look at
the policy in the Hartnell College Catalog. If you are uncertain about what
constitutes plagiarism in a particular instance, ask me. Aside from a clearly
cited quote, the direct copying of anyone else’s work or presenting someone
else’s work as your own, copying from a book or the internet, downloading or
buying a paper written by someone else is plagiarism. The penalty is an F in
the class. If you are behind or are tempted for some other reason, see me first
and we will work something better out. I do catch this stuff. Really. Extra
Credit: Extra Credit work is only
allowed if all other work is completed to date. I have a list of films on
my website that qualify. A one-page response is required and must include a
description as to how the film relates to sociology. I do not need a literal
description of the film as I have already seen it. Be sure you are familiar with the Hartnell College Attendance Policy. If
you wish to drop a class, it is your responsibility to initiate and complete
the drop process. If you don’t drop and your name remains on the roll at
grading time it will likely result in an F. Approximate
schedule for the Fall, 2009 semester follows. The week
of: 1.
8/17/09 Introduction to class and a
discussion of some key terms in sociology. The sociological perspective of C.
Wright Mills. 2.
8/24/09 Theoretical perspectives.
Classical approaches and some newer ideas. 3.
8/31/09 The social construction of
reality. A bit of film to go along with it. 4.
9/07/09 Culture and the socialization
process. Social reproduction. Monday is
Labor Day 5.
9/14/09 More on the socialization process. Test
One 6.
9/21/09 Social structure. Bureaucracy and
Max Weber. 7.
9/28/09 Deviance and social control. Don’t
deviate: show up! I need you for class discussion. 8.
10/05/09 Social
stratification. What class are you in? (I don’t mean ‘sociology one’ either.) Test
Two 9.
10/12/09 More on
class and a segue into race and ethnicity.
Friday off for Flex Day 10.
10/19/09 Issues of inequality:
race, ethnicity, gender. (I’ll try to show a film or two on race.) 11.
10/26/09 More on race,
ethnicity and gender. Test Three 12.
11/02/09 Family. Are you
really normal? Let’s find out. 13.
11/09/09 Social institutions:
the state and the economy. Friday off
for Veterans Day 14.
11/16/09 More on social institutions.
Religion, education and health. Test Four 15.
11/23/09 Population and the
environment. Thursday and Friday off for
Thanksgiving 16.
11/30/09 Social change. What
got us here and do we have to keep things the way they are? Friday is the last day to turn in all work
due to date. 17.
12/07/09 Review and prep for
final. Test Five 18.
12/14/09 Finals week |
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