Sociology 1001: Introduction to Sociology

Recitation Syllabus-Fall 2006

 

This syllabus is a supplement to the course syllabus provided by Professor Walden, which can be found on WEB CT. Class policies, objectives, and evaluation criteria as described in Dr. Walden’s syllabus also apply to recitation.

 

Teaching Assistant: Shelli Walker          Office: Ketchum 35

Office hours: Wednesday 1-3 pm and by appointment

Email: Michelle.Walker@colorado.edu

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Recitation Times and Locations:

101    F       9:00 – 9:50              EDUC 136         111       F          8:00 – 8:50        ECON 205

108    W      9:00 – 9:50              KTCH 120         115       W    10:00 – 10:50         KTCH 120 

 

 

Overview:

The recitation section provides a weekly small group setting in which the SOCY 1001 lecture material and assigned readings can be discussed and explored. The primary goal of recitation is to assist students in learning the course material through interactive feedback and discussion. As such, students should arrive at recitation prepared to participate, with reading and assignments completed. Regular recitation attendance is required.

 

Review of classroom policies:

* In order to create a comfortable and open environment where all members of the class are willing to share their thoughts and ideas it is mandatory that all students behave respectfully toward one another. Enthusiastic debate and discussion are essential, but insensitive or rude comments based on race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or beliefs will not be tolerated at any time.

 

* Be on time, and do not prepare to leave before the class has ended.

* Turn off cell phones/no text messaging

* Follow basic rules of courtesy: be attentive to the class (no sleeping, no other work or diversions)

* Since class time will be primarily discussion-based rather than lecture based, it is unlikely that you will require a laptop. You can use laptops during recitation when relevant, but if you engage in any other activity on your laptop during class time, you will be asked to cease use of your laptop in class for the remainder of the semester.

* Applicable policies on disability, sexual harassment, and other important information beyond what is listed here can be found in Glenda Walden’s syllabus.

* You will be required to use WEB CT in this course. Make sure you know how to access it early in the semester.

 

Grading: In this course, there are a possible 450 points. Those points break down as follows:

 

Recitation attendance and participation:                         25 points

Recitation Discussion Question assignment:                   10 points

Recitation quizzes (3 quizzes at 5 points each):               15 points

Learning Journals/Exploriments:                                     50 points

Exam 1:                                                                        65 points

Exam 2:                                                                        85 points

Academic Paper:                                                         100 points

Final Exam:                                                                 100 points

                                                                  -----------------------------

                                                                  Total:       450 points


Assignment Specifics

 

Late papers, tests, or assignments are NOT accepted. Special circumstances are addressed in Professor Walden’s syllabus. Specific criteria for grading can also be found in Professor Walden’s syllabus materials.

 

Attendance and Participation     25 points

These points are based on your attendance, participation, and behavior in recitation section. Failure to show up to class or participate will obviously reduce points. So will failing to meet the basic expectations of classroom behavior (see Classroom policies above and in Glenda Walden’s syllabus).

 

Discussion Question assignment           10 points

For this assignment, you will partner with one other student from your recitation section. As a pair you are responsible for generating a list of questions for one designated recitation section. The questions you generate should help to facilitate discussion about that week’s readings and lectures. The same number of points will be given to both partners, and will be based on completion as well as quality and thoughtfulness of preparation.

 

Recitation Quizzes                     15 points

Three quizzes will be given during the course of the semester. These quizzes will be announced in recitation and posted on Web CT with time limitations for their completion. Quizzes are completed outside of recitation.

 

Learning Journals                      20 points

There are 3 Learning Journals due during the semester. They consist of short evaluative writing assignments. The first two are 5 points each and the final one is 10 points.

 

Exploriments                 30 points

Exploriments involve engaging in an exercise, then completing a 1-page write-up that addresses the questions posed about the exercise. Each assignment is worth 5 points. There are 11 possible exploriments, but each student only completes 6. If you received a score lower than 3 on any given assignment, you may complete additional exploriments, up to 8 per student maximum. A higher score on additional exploriments automatically replaces the lowest score. 

 

 

Exams                          65 points, 85 points, 100 points

Three exams are ScanTron multiple choice exams. See weekly schedule for their dates.

 

Academic Paper            100 points

Each student will write a 5-7 page paper following academic writing rules. The topic will be announced later in the semester, and discussion about the paper will be included in recitation.

 

 

 

There will be no extra credit given during the semester. If you wish to do well in this class--attend both the lecture and your recitation without fail, take thorough notes at both, and complete all assigned readings. This will be very helpful in preparing you for the exams and will ensure your success on the quizzes and in the course.

 

 


Tentative Schedule: Topics, Assigned Readings and Due Dates

 

Note: This schedule repeats information from Dr. Walden’s syllabus. It is tentative and subject to updates. Any scheduling or due date changes made by Professor Walden, either in class or on in writing, or any changes announced in recitation supersede the information found here.

 

Readings should be completed before class or recitation (whichever meets first) of that week. 

Exploriments should be completed and turned in before lecture on Thursday of that week.

 

CR = Course Reader-The Practical Skeptic,

ER = electronic reserve

Text = Ferrante’s Sociology: A Global Perspective

 

Week One:                    Introduction-Course Expectations and the Sociological Imagination

Aug 28-Sep 1                Reading- CR-Coontz-“How History and Sociology can help..”

                                    Exploriment 1-Ice breaker observation

                                    Make sure you can log into WEB CT and have reviewed all

                                    syllabus materials.

 

Week Two:                    Perspective, Theory, and Methods

Sep 5-8                         Reading-Text chapters 1 and 2

                                    Exploriment 2-Nothing personal

                                    Learning Journal 1 due

 

Week Three:                  Social Construction of Reality through Interaction

Sep 11-15                     Reading- Text chapter 5 and CR: Karp and Yoels-“Student

Participation…”

                                    Exploriment 3- “Whaddayamean?”

 

Week Four:                   Socialization

Sep 18-22                     Reading- Text chapter 4 and CR: Sadker and Sadker-“Hidden Lessons”

                                    Exploriment 4- Noticing your “training”

 

Week Five:                    Culture

Sep 25-29                     Reading- Text chapter 3 and CR: Miner-“Body Ritual…” and Loewen-

Land of Opportunity

Exploriment 5- “How Uncivilized!”

 

Week Six:                     Tuesday Wrap up—Thursday, October 5-Test One

Oct 2-6                          (bring #2 pencil)                                   

                                    Reading-Study Guide for Test One

 

Week Seven:                 Deviance and Social Control

Oct 9-13                        Reading- Text chapter 7 and ER: Nestle-“My Mother Liked…”

                                    Exploriment 6-Breeching

 

Week Eight:                  Stratification-Race/Class/Gender

Oct 16-20                      Reading-Text chapter 8, 9, and CR: Ehrenreich-“Nickel and Dimed”

                                    Exploriment 7-Privilege Line

 

Week Nine:                    Stratification-Race/Class/Gender

Oct 23-27                      Reading-Text chapter 10 and CR: Feagin-“Racism” and

Fugh-Berman-“Tales out of Med School

                                    Exploriment 8-What makes a (wo)man?

Learning Journal 2- mid-semester (anonymous evaluation)

due in recitation this week

Week Ten:                     Tuesday Wrap Up Thursday, Nov 2-Test Two(#2 pencil)

Oct 30-Nov 3                 Reading-Study Guide for Test Two

 

Week Eleven:                Social Organization(s) may be an oxymoron

Nov 6-10                       Reading- Text chapter 6 and  CR: Scmid and Johnes “Suspended

Identity…”

                                    Exploriment 9- “You can’t fight city hall…or can you?l”

 

Week Twelve:                Academic Paper Due Thursday, November 16  by 11am in lecture

Nov 13-17                     Econ and Politics

                                    Reading- Text chapter 11 and ER: Silverstein-“Millions for Viagra…”

 

Nov 20-24                     Fall Break/Thanksgiving

Week Thirteen:               Religion and Education

Nov 27-Dec 1                Reading- Text chapter 15, 14 and ER: Billingsley and Caldwell-“The         

Church, The Family, and the School in the African-American Community”

                                    Exploriment 10- Thanksgiving with the Smiths

 

Week 14:                       Family, Aging and the inevitability of Social Change

Dec 4-8                         Reading- Text chapter 12, 13 and ER: Ritzer-“The McDondalization…”

 

Week 15:                       Social Transformation and tying it all together

Dec 11-15                     Reading- chapter 16 and ER: Justice

                                    Exploriment 11-Vision and Action

Learning Journal 3 due (10pts)

 

 

Final Exam: Monday, December 18 1:30-4pm Chem 140