PROFESSOR: OFFICE HOURS: TELEPHONE: E-MAIL: PREREQUISITES: No ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0271 Course Syllabus SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Sociology 110 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits Office AUDIENCE Sociology 110 - Introduction to Sociology may be taken by students in all fields of study. This course is required for all sociology majors and minors and serves as the foundation for further' study in the field. For non-majors and minors, this course enables students to meet three credits of the University Core Social and Behavioral Sciences requirements. No prerequisite is required, but students enrolled in this course are expected to be able to communicate clearly in both written and oral terms, and to be analytical and critical in thinking. Also, students are expected to have a general knowledge of current events, literature, fine arts, history, mathematics and the natural sciences. DESCRIPTION This course serves as a study of the basic concepts, principles, and methods of sociology. It is a survey of the structural properties and social processes which characterize social organizations such as the family, school, church, community and society. PURPOSE The purpose of this course is to introduce students to sociology as an academic, humanist and scientific discipline. The course therefore seeks to enable students to see how knowledge derived from these perspectives helps to influence and shape social policies. This course also purports to familiarize students with the various ways sociology prepares one for a variety of occupational opportunities. Finally, this course intends to help students understand and appreciate the role sociology plays in helping to improve the quality of life in contemporary society. SPECIAL NOTE: ANY STUDENT REQUIRING ALTERNATIVE FORMATS FOR TESTING AND/OR HANDOUTS FOR THIS COURSE, OR OTHER TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS, DUE TO A HANDICAPPING CONDITION, SHOULD ADVISE ME WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES. REQUIRED TEXT: SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES THE ESSENTIAL, DIANA KENDALL, WADSWORTH, 2002, ISBN 0-534-99043-8 INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCE This course is divided into three parts: Part I introduces students to sociology as a field of study. It therefore, introduces students to the sociological perspective, the history of sociology, theoretical perspectives and the scientific methods employed by the 1
discipline. Upon completion of this part, students will have a basic knowledge, understanding and hopefully an appreciation for sociology as a field of study. Part II introduces students to the concepts of society, culture, social structure, socialization, social interaction, social groups, social change, deviance and social control. Part III examines the topic of social inequality, paying special attention to social stratification, global inequality, racial-ethnic relations, gender and age inequality. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY The instructional process will include lecture and discussion. The Socratic method of question and answer will also be used. ATTENDANCE POLICY Each student is expected to attend all lectures, seminars, laboratories, field work, etc., for each class, including the first class session, in order to verify registration with the instructor, and to complete all work assigned for the course. If a student does not attend class during the first week (first three instructional days) of the semester, and does not give prior notification to the instructor of reasons for absence and intent to attend the class, the student shall be dropped from the course. The student will be held responsible for adhering to the University Attendance Policy. Instructors of courses are not obligated to provide make-up opportunities for students who are absent, unless the absences have been officially approved. An officially approved absence, however, merely gives the individual who missed the class an opportunity to make up the work and in no way excuses him/her from the work required. Any student whose unexcused absences from a course exceed one and a half times the number of credit hours assigned to the course will be assigned a grade of F. Absences will count from the first official date and not from the first day the student attends. Students receiving veterans' benefits are required to attend class according to the regulations of the Veterans Administration in addition to those regulations set by the University for all students. It is the responsibility of the instructor to keep an accurate attendance record of all students enrolled. Students should understand that absences may jeopardize their grades. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRES TO BE PUNCTUAL. STUDENTS ARRIVING MORE THAN 10 MINUTES LATE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN UNLESS LATENESS IS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER OR SOME EMERGENCY. THE POINT IS, NO STUDENT WILL BE HABITUALLY LATE. 2. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO STAY FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS PERIOD UNLESS PREVIOUS PERMISSION TO LEAVE IS RECEIVED. THIS MEANS THAT NO STUDENT WILL JUST GET UP AND LEAVE CLASS WITHOUT FIRST HAVING INFORMED ME THAT THEY NEED TO LEAVE EARLY. THUS, IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THAT REQUIRES YOU TO BE SOMEWHERE ELSE BEFORE CLASS IS OVER, YOU MUST GET APPROVAL TO LEAVE EARLY. MATERIAL MISSED IN CLASS CAN ALWAYS BE RECEIVED FROM ME DURING MY OFFICE HOURS OR BY APPOINTMENT. IN FACT, WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN CLASS IT IS A GOOD HABIT TO CALL YOUR INSTRUCTOR TO ASCERTAIN WHAT WAS MISSED. 3. TO RECEIVE ATTENDANCE CREDIT, STUDENTS MUST SIGN THE DAILY ROLL. 4. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME. ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN SO THAT THERE WILL BE AMPLE TIME TO COMPLETE YOUR WORK. LATE ASSIGNMENTS 2
WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF PREVIOUS PERMISSION HAS BEEN GRANTED. OTHERWISE, NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 5. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD REFLECT TIME AND EFFORT. PAPERS SHOULD BE PROPERLY HEADED AND SOURCES CITED WHEN NECESSARY. NO SLOPPY WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED, NOR WORK THAT DOES NOT REFLECT TIME AND EFFORT. 6. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE EXAMINATIONS AS SCHEDULED. MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS WILL ONLY BE GIVEN TO THOSE STUDENTS WITH OFFICIALLY APPROVED EXCUSES FOR ABSENCES ON EXAMINATION DAY. 7. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE PREPARED FOR EVERY CLASS SESSION. THIS MEANS THAT I EXPECT YOU WILL HAVE STUDIED AND ARE READY TO MAKE SOME CONTRIBUTION TO OUR INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 8. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AND REFRAIN FROM ENGAGING IN BEHAVIORS WHICH DETRACT FROM THE DECORUM OF THE CLASS. LEARNING OBJECTIVES The student will: 1. Understand the meaning of sociology and the sociological perspective. a. Explain what sociology is b. Explain the purpose of sociology c. Explain the concept sociological perspective d. Explain the uses and benefits of the sociological perspective e. Explain the concept of the sociological imagination 2. Understand the meaning of the concept global perspective. a. Explain the meaning of the concept global perspective b. Explain the importance of the concept global perspective c. Explain the uses and benefits of the global perspective 3. Know the origins and development of sociology. a. Identify the critical social and intellectual factors that influences the development of sociology b. Recognize the contributions of the European pioneers- August Comte, Herbert Spencer, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Simmel c. Recognize the contributions of major American sociologists- William Graham Sumner, Albion Small, W.E.B. Dubois, Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams, Robert Park, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton and C. Wright Mills 4. Understand the major theoretical paradigms employed by sociologists to society and social interaction. a. Explain what a theory is b. Describe the level of analysis and image of society associated with the functional perspective c. Describe the level of analysis and image of society associated with the social conflict perspective d. Describe the level of analysis and image of society associated with the symbolic interaction perspective e. Explain terms and concepts associated with each of the theoretical perspectives 5. Understand the scientific method of investigation. a. Explain the logic of the scientific method b. Explain quantitative and qualitative research c. Explain the deductive and inductive method d. Explain the major research methods -survey, experiment, secondary data, field e. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the major research methods f. Explain ethical issues in sociological research 6. Understand culture. a. Describe culture, including material and nonmaterial culture, and cultural shock, and culture lag b. Explain and give examples of the following components of culture: symbols, language, Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, values, norms, folkways, mores, laws, ideal and real culture, cultural universals 3
c. Explain and give examples of the following concepts related to cultural diversity: high culture and popular culture, subculture, counterculture, ethnocentrism, cultural relativity d. Explain how to theoretically analyze culture using the following theoretical approaches: structural-functional, social conflict, symbolic interaction and sociobiology 7. Understand the process of socialization. a. Explain the relationship between socialization and personality b. Compare and contrast the nature and nurture aspects of human development c. Explain the impact of social isolation on both children as well as monkeys d. Describe and give examples for the following theories of socialization: Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, Carol Gilligan, George Herbert Mead and Charles Cooley e. Explain and give examples of the following agents of socialization: family, school, peer group and mass media f. Explain the process of socialization throughout the life course: include childhood, adolescence, adulthood g. Describe the process and purpose of re-socialization 8. Understand social interaction in everyday life. a. Describe and give examples of ascribed, achieved and master statuses b. Explain and give examples of roles, role set, role conflict, role strain and role exit c. Explain the concepts of the changes in social structure of Durkheim and Tonnies. d. Describe the process of the social construction of reality; include the Thomas Theorem, ethnomethodology e. Explain dramaturgical analysis including performances, nonverbal communication, front and back stage, and gender differences in communication f. Describe the importance of emotions, language, humor and impression management in everyday life 9. Understand groups and organizations. a. Explain and give examples of social groups, aggregates and related concepts; include primary and secondary groups, group leadership (instrumental and expressive) b. Explain the following concepts and their relationship to the group process; reference groups, in-groups and outgroups, group size, social diversity and networks c. Describe the process of group conformity using the research of Asch, Milgram and Janis d. Compare and contrast the following types of formal organizations: normative, coercive and utilitarian e. Describe and give examples of the six characteristics of bureaucracies according to Max Weber: specialization, hierarchy of offices, rules and regulations, technical competence, impersonality, formal, and written communications f. Describe the problems of bureaucracies g. Compare and contrast the concepts of bureaucracy and oligarchy h. Explain the organizational structure in Japan 10. Understand deviance and crime. a. Describe deviance and the role of social control and the criminal justice system b. Explain and give examples of the structural functional analysis of the causes and functions of deviance (include Merton's Strain Theory) c. Explain and give examples of the symbolic-interaction approach to deviance (including labeling theory, Sutherland's differential association theory and Hirschi's control theory) d. Explain and give examples of the social-conflict analysis of deviance (include deviance and power, deviance and capitalism, and white-collar crime) e. Explain the two types of crimes that make up the FBI crime index (crimes against persons and crimes against property) f. Explain other prominent types of crime: victimless crime, white-collar crime, organized crime and state organized crime g. Describe the street criminal (age, gender, social class and race) h. Describe elements of the criminal justice system; police, courts and types and purpose of punishment 4
11. Understand social stratification. a. Compare and contrast caste and class systems b. Describe the functions of social stratification using the Davis-Moore thesis c. Explain the relationship between social stratification and social conflict (include the theories of Karl Marx and Max Weber d. Describe, using examples, the existence of inequality in the United States (include income, wealth and power, occupational prestige, schooling, ancestry, race and gender) e. Explain the consequences of inequality f. Explain the reality of social mobility, including variations existing by income level, race ethnicity and gender g. Explain the concepts of intragenerational and intergenerational mobility h. Explain poverty in the United States including the demographic characteristics i. Explain the sociological explanations of social inequality of the functional, conflict and symbolic interactionist perspectives 12. Understand global stratification. a. Explain the problems of terminology and the "Three Worlds" approach b. Describe global economic development including details on high-income countries, middle-income countries and low-income countries c. Explain issues in measuring global wealth and poverty--absolute, relative and subjective poverty; and quality of life issues d. Explain global wealth and poverty including the severity of poverty, extent of poverty, poverty and children and poverty and women e. Compare and contrast the following theoretical analyses of global inequality - Modernization Theory, Dependency Theory and World Systems Theory, and the International Division of Labor Theory 13. Understand racial and ethnic stratification. a. Compare and contrast the concepts of race and ethnicity b. Describe the following terms using examples: minorities; prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes and racism c. Compare and contrast the following theories of prejudice: scapegoat, authoritarian personality, cultural and conflict d. Compare and contrast the following patterns of interaction: pluralism, assimilation, segregation and genocide e. Describe the experiences of the following racial and ethnic groups in the United States: Native-Americans, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic- Americans and White Ethnic-Americans f. Compare and contrast the experiences of the racial and ethnic groups listed above g. Explain some of the issues surrounding global racial and ethnic inequality in the future 14. Understand gender stratification. a. Compare and contrast the terms sex and gender b. Describe cultural differences in gender; including Margaret Mead's research c. Explain gender stratification in different societies - hunting and gathering, agrarian, industrial and postindustrial. d. Explain and use examples of how socialization impacts upon gender roles including the family, peer groups, schooling, the mass media, sports, adulthood e. Describe the relationship between gender and social stratification in the place of work - gendered division of paid work, pay equity (comparable worth), family work f. Explain the theoretical perspectives on gender stratification of the functionalist, neoclassical economic, conflict and feminist 5
15-17. Objectives 15-17 must be mastered to pass this course. Students are required to complete three writing assignments to be announced by the instructor. Each assignments will be in the form of a written paper (a minimum of two-five typewritten pages each) on a sociological topic or issue assigned by the instructor. See Evaluations and Minimum Standards for details. EVALUATIONS AND MINIMUM STANDARDS 1. There will be four (4) examinations for this course with a point value of 100 each. The exams are worth 60% of your final grade. a. Objective 1-6 will be measured on the first exam. b. Objectives 7-9 will be measured on the second exam. c. Objectives 10-11 will be measured on the third exam. d. Objectives 12-14 will be measured on the fourth exam. 2. Examinations will consist of objective and/or essay questions at the discretion of the instructor. To master an objective, you must attain at least 70 percent of available points for objective and/or essay questions. If both essay and objective questions are utilized, students must attain at least 70 percent of each in order to master the objective. 3. Objectives 15 through 17 require the students to write three short papers (minimally 2-5 typewritten pages each) on sociological topics or issues assigned by the instructor. Each paper will be graded on a 100 point scale. These three objectives are worth 25% of your final grade, and you must achieve at least 70% on each assignment in order to pass each objective. Each student must master objectives 15, 16 and 17. Criteria for grading papers 1. Content 50% 2. Grammar 20% 3. Organization 20% 4. Documentation 10% 100% 4. Class Participation and Homework 15% Homework assignments usually stem from some class generated issue or some current event. Whatever the source, they are to be taken as seriously as exams and papers. Thus, as previously indicated, it is extremely important that you complete and submit homework on time. Remember, absence from class is not an acceptable excuse for not submitting homework or for not being abreast of class activities. CRITERIA FOR CLASS PARTICIPATION 1. Discussion or Homework on Point 35% 2. Verbal or Written Activity Correct Grammar, Proper Mechanics 30% 3. Organization and Content Clear, concise, factually correct 35% 100 % GRADING There are a total of seventeen (17) objectives in the course. You must pass objectives 15, 16, and 17 to pass the course. 6
To receive an A, you must pass 16 or more objectives and average 90% on all work. To receive a B, you must pass 14 or more objectives and average 80% on all work. To receive a C, you must pass 12 or more objectives and average 70% on all work. To receive a D, you must pass 10 or more objectives and average 60% on all work. Failure to achieve the D grade criteria will result in a grade of F. 7