Sociology 101 Introduction to Sociology Credit, degree applicable Transfer CSU, UC In this course students analyze the influence of the social environment on behavior and social life using sociological theoretical perspectives. Components of social structure and social culture are critically examined through sociological theories and concepts including socialization, deviance, social institutions, and social change. Inequalities based on issues such as social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age will also be analyzed. Course Objectives: 1. Define and describe sociology as a field of study and distinguish it from other disciplines in the social sciences. 2. Explain and apply the sociological imagination as defined by C. Wright Mills. 3. Identify and describe key theoretical perspectives in sociology, including functionalism, conflict, and interactionism. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective relative to a variety of social situational circumstances. 4. Identify and analyze prominent classic theorists in sociology, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim, as well as contemporary theorists, such as Peter Berger, George Ritzer, and Talcott Parsons and their contributions to the field of sociology. 5. Identify the six steps in the scientific method and distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research methods. 6. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of research methodologies sociologists use to gather and analyze data. 7. Articulate dimensions of material and nonmaterial culture, including norms, values, and symbols. 8. Classify and define micro and macro elements of social structure, including status, role, social groups, organizations, and institutions. 9. Identify agents of socialization and describe the process of socialization throughout the life course. Explain the nature vs. nurture debate and assess socialization theories of human development. 10. Define deviance and social control. Identify and apply theories used to explain deviant behavior. 11. Demonstrate an understanding of sociological concepts relating to social stratification and inequality. 12. Describe major social institutions and evaluate their impact on individuals and groups in American society. Discuss historical and contemporary changes in these institutions. Student Learning Outcomes: In a written assignment, students will define and demonstrate an understanding of sociological concepts by applying them to social situations. ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES El Camino Community College District is committed to providing, in a timely and appropriate manner, accommodations for students with disabilities. El Camino College recognizes the need to accommodate, to the greatest extent possible, students with documented disabilities without compromising the student s course of study or the integrity of the college s academic standards. For more information, go to http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/src/, the link to the Special Resources Center.
Instructor Online classroom: Contact with Instructor El Camino College Class Information & Requirements Sue Dowden, PhD www.myetudes.org For information, go to http://www.elcamino.edu/library/distance-ed/etudes.asp Send Private Messages through Etudes website (these will also be sent to instructor s ECC email) or contact through El Camino email sdowden@elcamino.edu Office hrs Required textbook: Assignments are directly related to pages in this text. Course Requirements Summary of Assignments Telephone: 310-660-3593 x 3576 (messages are sent to instructor s e-mail as audio files); best way to communicate is Private Messages. Mondays, Wednesdays 8:30 9:30 pm online by e-mail Ritzer, George. 2014. Essentials of Sociology. Sage Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-4833-4017-3 Assignments in this class refer to specific pages in the text. The course is divided into four segments. First Part: Chapters 1, 2, 3 Second Part: Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 Third Part: Chapters 8, 9,10, 11 Fourth Part: Chapters 12, 13, 15 During each of these course segments, students will have required discussions (in the Etudes discussion board) and written questions to answer (Activities 1, 2, 3) based on the contents of the chapters. At the end of each of the first three units, there will be an exam of 50 questions focusing on the theories and concepts in the chapters assigned. Students have 1 hour and 30 minutes for the exam and may take the exam only one time. This exam is taken online in the website. The fourth unit will also have an exam but it worth 25 points with 25 questions. Students will
have 45 minutes to take the last exam. There is one research paper worth 50 pts. Students will have the following assignments: Grading Four exams 175 pts 1 Quiz (on syllabus) 10 pts 3 activities based on chapters (20 pts each) 60 pts 1 research essay 50 pts Discussions online with other students in the class applying concepts from textbook (5 pts each) 60 pts Final grades are based on a total of 355 points, according to the following distribution: 319 355 = A 284 318 = B 248 283 = C 213 247 = D Less than 213 = F Late or Missed Assignments There will be an opportunity to makeup two missed discussions; these extra discussions are at the end of the semester. For the activities, ONLY ONE will be accepted late (due no later than 6 am of the morning of the exam for that section). For the research paper, two (2) points are deducted for EACH DAY the paper is late (cut off at one week late). Exams: if missed, contact the instructor immediately; makeups must be done by the end of the week in which exam given.
Standards for Grading Activities are graded on the following criteria: Content: accurate, in your own words, showing application of the concepts and theories Grammar: correct sentences, punctuation, spelling, and essay format (if applicable). The research essay will also be graded on the above criteria and the following criteria: Citations for sources quoted or summarized, and a Works Cited page listing these sources, using correct MLA or APA format. Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Assignments using material from a source without proper citations, or directly copying from a source without attribution will receive a failing grade for that assignment. Extra Credit Ten points of extra credit will be available in the last week of the semester
Schedule for FALL 2014 Week (Monday Saturday) All times listed below are Pacific Coast time Topic / chapter Assignments & Due Dates Week 1 August 25 30 Week 2: Sept 1-6 Friday, Sept 5: Last Day to Add course and last day to drop without notation on permanent record Week 3: Sept 8 Sept 13 Get your textbook, Sign onto website Read syllabus What is Sociology, (Chapter 1) History of Sociology Science & Theory (chapter 2) Sign on to website; those students not signed on to http://myetudes.org by noon Friday, August 29 will be dropped from the class. Discussion 1: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm Saturday, September 6 QUIZ 1: Available from 6am Friday, Sept 5 until 11:59 pm, FRIDAY, SEPT 5 (no makeups). Discussion 2: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, Saturday, Sept 13 Activity 1 (based on chapters 1 and 2) is due no later than 11:59 pm, Saturday, Sept 13. (20 pts) Week 4: Sept 15-20 Culture (Chapter 3) Discussion 3: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, SUNDAY, Sept 21. Monday, Sept 22 Tuesday, Sept 23 Week 5: Sept 22 27 Week 6: Sept 29 Oct 4 Week 7: Oct 6 Oct 11 Exam 1 available from 6am Monday, Sept 22 to 11:59 pm, Tuesday, Sept 23 Socialization & Social Interaction (Chapter 4) Organizations, Societies & Global (Chapter 5) Deviance (Chapter 6) Chapters 1, 2, 3: 50 points 50 multiple choice questions plus 2 extra credit (multiple choice) questions Discussion 4: submissions accepted no later than 11:59 pm, Saturday, Sept 27. Discussion 5: submissions accepted no later than 11:59 pm, Saturday, Oct 4 Discussion 6: submissions accepted no later than 11:59 pm Saturday, Oct 11
Activity 2: (based on chapters 4, 5, 6) is due no later than 11:59 pm Saturday, Oct 11 Week 8: Oct 13 Oct 18 Monday, October 20 - Tuesday, October 21 Week 9: Oct 20 Oct 25 Week 10: Oct 27 Nov 1 Social Stratification (Chapter 7) Exam 2: Available from 6 am Monday, Oct 20 to 11:59 pm, Tuesday, Oct 21 Race & Ethnicity Minority Group Status (Chapter 8) Gender & Sexuality (Chapter 9) Discussion 7: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, SUNDAY, Oct 19 Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 50 points 50 multiple choice questions plus 2 extra credit questions Discussion 8: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, Saturday, Oct 25 Discussion 9: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, Saturday, Nov 1 Week 11: Nov 3 Nov 8 Week 12: Nov 10 Nov 15 Friday, Nov 14: last day to drop with W grade Monday, Nov 17 Tuesday, Nov 18 Week 13: Nov 17 Nov 22 Week 14: Nov 24-26 Social Institutions: Family (Chapter 10) Religion (Chapter 11 pages 309-324 ) Exam 3 Available from 6 am Monday, Nov 17 to 11:59 pm Tuesday, Nov 18 Economy (Chapter 12 pages 357-376) Population & Environment (Chapter 13 pages 407-419 & 425-436) Discussion 10: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, Saturday, Nov 8 Research paper (based on chapters 8, 9, 10): due no later than 11:59 pm Saturday, Nov 8. Discussion 11: submissions accepted until 11:59 pm, SUNDAY, Nov 16 50 points, Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 50 multiple choice questions plus 2 extra credit questions Discussion 12: due no later than 11:59 pm Saturday, Nov 22. No discussion this week
Nov 27 - Nov 30 Week 15: Dec 1 Dec 6 Week 16: Dec 8-12 Thanksgiving Break Social Change (Chapter 15 all pages) Exam 4: Available 6am Thursday, Dec 11 to 11:59 pm, Friday, Dec 12 Campus closed Makeup Discussion 1: due no later than 11:59 pm, Saturday, Dec 6 Activity 3 (based on chapters 12, 13, 15) is due no later than 11:59 pm. Saturday, Dec 6 Makeup Discussion 2: due no later than 11:59 pm Wednesday, Dec 10 Extra credit due by 11:59 pm Friday, Dec 12 25 points Chapters 12, 13 (pages assigned) and 15. 25 multiple choice questions plus 2 extra credit questions * Schedule is subject to change during the semester. Changes will be posted on the http://myetudes.org website; students are expected to adhere to changes as announced. (revised 8/210/2014) NOTES: