Introduction to Sociology

Socy 1001

Spring 2006

 

Instructor: Glenda Walden

Office and Phone: Ketchum 310 -- 303-492-3203 or 303-359-3234 (between 9am and 7pm)

Office Hours: MW 11-11:30, 4:15-5 pm and by appt

E-mail: glenda.walden@colorado.edu

TA: Aaron Johnson

 

Course Description:  This course provides an introduction to Sociology.  We will discuss the scope and method of examining the world sociologically and learn how to employ a “sociological imagination” for understanding and analysis of our current human condition and creative imagining of possible futures.

 

Course Readings:  There is one required text-Sociological Odyssey edited by Patricia and Peter Adler, available at the CU bookstore and various articles available on WEB CT.  Your TA will go over how to access to these articles in the first recitation meeting.

 

Course Policies and Environment:

·         You are responsible for material and announcements presented during all lectures and recitation meetings.  Therefore, you are responsible to get missed notes and updates from fellow students.   If a due date or other administrative changes are announced, that will supercede the “tentative schedule” found in this syllabus.

·         Please do not arrive late or leave early or begin to pack up prior to the end of lecture or discussion.  This inhibits other students’ ability to hear and understand the material.

·         Please turn off cell phones, and do not engage in side conversations when the instructor or other students are talking.  Again, this is disrespectful of other students and annoying to the instructor.

·         No early or late exams will be given.  If you miss an exam you will be given a take-home essay exam that typically takes 8-10 hours to complete.  It is in your best interest to be at scheduled exams.  Please check the syllabus now to determine if there are any conflicts you need to discuss with me.

·         No late papers are accepted. 

·         If you require certain accommodations because of a disability, please let me know by the end of the third week so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.  You will need ot provide documentation from Disability Services (Willar 322 303-492-8671 www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices)

·         If you have any schedule conflicts with final exams, other tests, due dates, or known absences let both your TA and instructor know by e-mail by Wednesday February 8.

·         We (the instructor, TA, and students) are expected to adhere to the behavior standards listed in the Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Standards of Conduct.  The specific policy may be found at www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html

·         Both students and faculty are expected to abide by the University’s honor code.  The specifics can be found at www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode.  Cheating and plagiarizing will result in a failing grade.  Information on what constitutes these behaviors can be found in the honor code if you aren’t clear. 

·         Sexual harassment is not tolerated.  For more information on maintaining a fair and safe environment and sexual harassment policies and reporting see www.colorado.edu/sexualharassment or call the Office of Sexual harassment at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. 

 


Course Objectives:

You will be given the opportunity to meet and achieve these benefits from your participation in this course, and I will be looking for how well you demonstrate your meeting of these objectives in my final evaluation of your performance in this course.

If we both are successful in this course you will

·         develop the ability to see individual (including your own) choices and situations in a larger social context of trends, history, culture, and structure-appreciating the influence of social forces on individual circumstances (this is the definition of a sociological imagination);

·         gain an understanding of the different theoretical perspectives within sociology;

·         practice the application of your sociological imagination and the various theoretical perspectives for a richer understanding of society, human social behavior, trends, and seeing possibilities for social transformation;

·         have the opportunity to improve your test taking, study, and writing skills through practice on the evaluation components and individual coaching from your TA and instructor;

·         demonstrate your understanding of course material and your ability to meet academic standards of excellence on the papers, exams, and in discussions.

 

Evaluation Components:

 

Tests: Two multiple choice, scan-tron graded exams will be given on the dates in the tentative schedule during lecture session covering material covered in that section of the course.  The first exam is worth 45 points and the second exam is worth 75 pts.

 

Final Exam:  A comprehensive, multiple choice exam worth 100 pts.

 

Recitation: Specifics for evaluation and participation will be discussed in recitation meetings and are determined by your TA.  75 pts

 

Short Response papers: Specifics will be discussed in recitation.  Worth 30 points

 

Academic Paper:  One 5 page paper following academic standards for writing and citation (found on WEB CT) incorporating and integrating your use of the sociological imagination with class concepts and readings.  Details will be discussed in recitation and posted on

WEB CT.  75 pts

 

Point Breakdown:

Test One                 45

Test Two                 75

Final Exam              100

Recitaton                 75

RP                          30

AP                         75

Total                      400 pts

 

The tests and final grades are not curved in any way.  Percentage cutoffs for letter grades follow a 90-80-70-etc pattern with pluses and minuses that I’ll be happy to detail if you are interested.  Just send me an e-mail request.  If you want to debate pedagogy or inquire as to my reasoning for this grading system, just stop by my office.  I love to talk about this stuff.
Tentative Schedule of topics and assigned readings

 

Readings should be completed before class or recitation (whichever meets first) of that week.  WCT: readings posted on Web CT  SO: Sociological Odyssey

 

Week One:                Introduction-Course Expectations

Make sure you can log into WEB CT, read the syllabus thoroughly and ask me or your TA any questions about class policy, readings, assignments, and due dates.

 

Week Two:                Perspective and The Sociological Imagination

                                    Reading- SO: pgs 1-15

 

Week Three:             Theoretical Perspectives within Sociology

                                    Reading- SO: pgs 16-32

 

Week Four:               How is Sociology “Done?”  Research as art, craft, and science

                                    Reading- WCT: Davis, McIntyre, and Meyer

 

Week Five:                Culture

                             Reading- WCT: Kluckhohn, Natadecha-Sponsel, and Clark

and SO: pgs 67-79

 

Week Six:                  Monday Wrap up—Wednesday Test (bring #2 pencil)

                                    Reading-Study Guide for Test One on Wednesday, February 22

 

Week Seven:            Social Structure and Interaction

                             Reading- WCT: Goffman and SO: pgs 132-150  and pgs 332-339

 

Week Eight:              Institutions, Socialization, Institutions, and Identity

                                    Reading- WCT: Sadker and Sadker, Dyer and SO: pgs 102-111

 

Week Nine:               More of the Same-Institutions, Socialization, etc…

                                    Reading-SO: pgs 112-131 and 277-291

 

Week Ten:                 Social Control and Deviance

                             Reading- SO: pgs 175-181 and WCT: Clark et al, Benson, Rosenhan

 

Spring Break!

 

Week Eleven:           Monday Review/wrap up for Test on Wednesday (#2 pencil)

                                    Inequality-Says who?  (Social class and mobility)

                                    Reading-Study Guide for Test Two on Wednesday, April 5

 

Week Twelve:          Inequality-Says who?  (Social class and mobility)

                                    Reading- SO: pgs 191-200 and WCT: Loewen, Tumin, and Gans

 

Week Thirteen:        Inequality-still?         (race, gender, sexuality, age, etc..)

                                    Reading-  WCT: Leung and SO: pgs 3250331, 346-352, and 360-368

 

Week Fourteen:       Continuity and Change-Wednesday April 14 Paper due in class

                                    Reading- SO: pgs 369-387

 

Week Fifteen:           Social Transformation and tying it all together

                                    Reading- SO: 394-397 and WCT: Justice

 

Final Exam: Monday, May 8 4:30-7pm, Educ220