Introduction to Sociology. Office Hours: By Apt. only

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1 Introduction to Sociology SOCI 1100-R21 TIMES: TWR 1-4pm LOCATION: Summer 2017 (Session I) Professor Adriane Bilous Office Hours: By Apt. only Office: Dealy Hall, 408D I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not be bewail, nor to scorn human action, but to understand it. (Baruch Spinoza) Course Description and Goals: This course is an introduction to sociology as a way of understanding the world beyond its surface appearance. Sociology is as much about individuals, groups, and culture as it is about police and criminals, employees and employers and the wealthy and the working class. I will introduce you to the field by focusing on several important sociological topics, including socialization, culture, the social construction of gender, inequality, race and ethnic relations, poverty, and sociology of religion. You will leave this course with: 1. To identify key players in the development of sociology as a scientific discipline. 2. To appreciate sociology s interrelationship with other social sciences. 3. To compare and contrast representative macrosociological and microsociological perspectives (theories). 4. To evaluate major sociological concepts such as social structure, stratification, culture, social change, urbanization, deviance and socialization. 5. To draw insight from how you shape society and how society shapes you. **Summer Course Advisory: This course covers a significant amount of material in a relatively short period of time (five weeks). As such, you should expect a significant (but manageable) reading load. It is essential that you attend each class having read the assigned material. You should also be prepared to discuss what you have read, and be ready and willing to participate in class activities. This class emphasizes interaction and active learning, so your preparation and participation is necessary in order to make the class a successful learning experience. Required Texts: Readings will be posted on our Blackboard site. Course Grade: Your grade for this course will be based on papers, tests, and class participation as follows: Two Reflection Papers: 40% (20% each) Four s: 20% (5% each) Final Exam: 30% Class Contribution: 10% 1

2 Reflection Papers: These papers, 3-4 pages in length, will be a reflection on materials and discussions covered in both the readings and class. Students are expected to demonstrate familiarity with a sociological concept and apply a critical analysis to the topic assigned by the professor. There will be two papers assigned. All papers should reflect good writing skills, knowledge of the material, and careful thought on the topic assigned. Papers must be handed in during class on the days they are due. Unless approved by the professor, ed papers will not be accepted. Late papers will not be accepted NO EXCEPTIONS! s: There will be four reading responses. They are due on the dates indicated below NO EXCEPTIONS! These will typically be two-page typed critical responses to a particular set of readings. These responses should be no more than two typed pages, 12 point font. Response papers are a chance for you to respond to the reading and to demonstrate critical thinking ability. Final Exam: This exam will be a combination of short answer and essay questions. Students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of all assigned readings, class lectures, and class discussions. The final exam must be taken in class as scheduled in the syllabus. The final exam will be cumulative and will cover all of the material from the entire semester unless noted by the professor. Class Contribution: This mark is calculated based on a number of factors including not just the quantity but also the quality of class participation. Showing up to class does not constitute active class participation. I do take attendance, although occupying a seat does not equal participating in class. I assume you are responsible adults and will attend class unless there is some unusual circumstance, thus I do not give specific points for attendance. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. Please note: If you have a prolonged illness, an emergency, or otherwise find yourself falling behind please contact me and talk with me about your situation. I am much more understanding before a paper deadline or missed reading response. If you need to discuss an extension, you must do so in person. I will note grant extensions via . Lecture Expectations: PowerPoint lecture slides will be available on our Blackboard page about one week after the lecture. You are responsible for knowing the material and announcements presented during lectures whether or not you attend class. Please arrange with another student to get missed notes and announcements. Please do not disrupt other students ability to hear lectures (e.g., do not arrive late or leave early, remain quiet during lectures, be prepared to take notes before lectures begin, do not read or talk during lecture, turn your cell phone off, and do not begin packing your belongings before class ends). 2

3 As per Fordham regulations, your class dean will be notified if you are excessively absent from class. Consistent participation in class discussions will only reflect positively on your final grade. Finally, although not required, visits during office hours to discuss class assignments will also reflect positively on your final grade. Academic Integrity: A University, by its nature, strives to foster and recognize originality of thought. Originality can only be recognized, however, when people acknowledge the sources of ideas or works that are not their own. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to plagiarism, cheating on exams, false authorship, and destruction of library materials needed for a course. (Fordham University Undergraduate Faculty Handbook). Etiquette: is a wonderful tool for you to contact me with questions, but it does not replace office hours. If you have involved questions about course material, you should come see me during office hours or during an alternate appointment. Office hours are the best opportunity to get your questions answered. Plus, you can get to know your professors. In the event that you do need to send e- mail, please keep the following in mind. Address your appropriately with "Dear Professor*." Addressing any professor by his/her first name is not advised unless you have been explicitly invited to do so. Be polite. Be sure your name is clearly indicated in the . Often, addresses, such as surfdude@tamucc.edu, do not identify you, and I would like to know to whom I am responding. If your question can be answered by looking in the syllabus, please do so. Due dates, late policies, etc. are all located in this document. If you would like clarification on some item then let me know and state what needs to be clarified. Other questions regarding what we did in class, what was handed out in class, etc. can be answered by your fellow students. This is a great way to get to know them, too. If you want to know how well you are doing in the class, you may do the calculations yourself. Accessibility: This class seeks ways to become a working and evolving model of inclusion and universal design for all participants. Individuals with disabilities of any kind (including learning disabilities, ADHD, depression, health conditions), who require instructional, curricular, or test accommodations are responsible for making such needs known to the instructor as soon as possible. Every possible effort will be made to accommodate students in a timely and confidential manner. Individuals who request accommodations must be registered with the Office of Disability Services which authorizes accommodations for students with disabilities. The ODS is located at O'Hare Hall, Lower Level. P: (718) Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. 3

4 Life Happens: Feel free to approach me with any other life circumstances that may affect class participation. These may be personal, health-related, family-related issues, or other concerns. The sooner I know about these, the earlier we can discuss possible adjustments or alternative arrangements as needed for quizzes, papers or class. Laptop Policy: If you require the use of a laptop during class, please inform Professor Bilous. Watching movies, surfing the net, or answering s during class time will not be tolerated and will adversely affect your final grade. Writing Centre: Please note that you are required to do a lot of writing in this course. Although this course is not a composition class, you must be able to write clearly and articulately. Should you require additional assistance with your writing, please contact the Writing Centre (RH) at (718) Additional Information: *Lectures may not follow the topics in the readings. *Not all reading topics will be covered in the lectures. *Lectures may go into greater or lesser depth on a topic than do the readings. *You are not required to bring readings or textbook chapters to class EXCEPT THE ARTICLES YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DISCUSS IN YOUR READING RESPONSE. WE WILL BE USING THESE ARTICLES FOR AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF THE THEORIES DISCUSSED IN CLASS. Course Grading: A Excellent; Honours-level work, outstanding. 93% above A- Still excellent. 93% 90- B+ Very Good; High Level of performance % B Good; Solid & above average level of performance % B- Good; Still above average % C+ Average level of performance % 4

5 C Satisfactory; Acceptable level of performance % C- Minimally acceptable % D Passing, but unsatisfactory; Below average performance % F Failure. Inferior performance. Below 59% Class and Reading Schedule ***Disclaimer: The professor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class and posted on our Blackboard website.*** WEEK ONE: THE BASICS Tuesday May 30 Introduction to the Course and Intro to Sociological Imagination 1.Berger, An Invitation to Sociology 2.Conley - Chapter One Wednesday May 31 The Sociological Perspective Colomy, Three Perspectives Thursday June 1 Methods TBA WEEK TWO: CULTURE AND INTERACTION Tuesday June 6 The Sociological Perspective Cont. and Methods 1. Stires/Klass, Science, Sociology, and Space Invaders 2. Georges, Human Element Wednesday June 7 Culture 1. Pitts, Body Modification, Self- Mutiltion and Agency 2. Geertz, Deep Play #1 Due (PITTS) 5

6 Thursday June 8 Social Structure and Interaction 1. Sassatelli, Interaction Order and Beyond 2. Adler & Adler, College Athletes and Role Conflict WEEK THREE: INEQUALITIES Tuesday June 13 Socialization and Deviance FILM: TBA 1. Cooley, Looking Glass Self 2. Best/Horiuchi, The Blade in the Apple Wednesday June 14 Social Class 1. Marx and Engels, Manifesto of the Communist Party 2. Gans, Uses of the Underclass #2 Due (GANS) Thursday June 15 Sex, Gender and Sexuality 1. Taylor, Learning from Drag Queens 2. Martin, Normalizing Heterosexuality #3 (Martin). WEEK FOUR: INEQUALITIES CONTINUED AND RELIGION Tuesday June 20 Race and Ethnicity 1. Kozol, Savage Inequalities 2. Holmes, America s Post Racial Fantasy PAPER #1 DUE Wednesday June 21 Religion 1. Pew Centre, Millennials 2. Steinberg, Selections from Christotainment: Selling Jesus through Pop Culture Thursday June 22 Social Movements Guenther, New Atheist Movement #4 Due (Guenther) 6

7 WEEK FIVE: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND GLOBALIZATION Tuesday June 27 Social Change and Modernity 1. Lieberson, A Matter of Taste: How Names, Fashions and Culture Change 2. Mahmood, Feminism Wednesday June 28 Globalization Film: TBA Kapstein, Global Slave Trade PAPER # 2 DUE Thursday June 29 FINAL EXAM NO READINGS Thursday June 29: Final Exam 7