Social Theory (SOCI-4333-02) University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Spring 2016 Section: 02 Class Meetings: MW 9:25 10:40, SBSC 117, Edinburg Campus Instructor: Bienvenido Ruiz, PhD Office: SBSC 362, Edinburg Phone: 665-7843 Email: ben.ruiz@utrgv.edu Office Hours: Mon & Wednesdays 1:00 3:00 PM, or by appointment Course Description This course provides an introduction to both classical and contemporary social thought. Theory provides us with a framework for social analysis by organizing and making sense of observations of the social world. Divergent, even conflicting theories have provided important guidance for research on the organization of modern societies and the forces that shape our daily lives. The course is designed to encourage students to critically evaluate these contrasting interpretations, both in live discussion and in writing. [Prerequisites: 6 hours of sociology; Students must be Sociology majors or minors.] Required Texts Ritzer, George and Jeffrey Stepnisky. 2014. Sociological Theory, 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978-0-07-802701-7. An e-text version is available from https://www.vitalsource.com/textbooks?term=0077601165 (There is an e-text also available in Kindle format.) Other assigned readings or audio/visual materials will be posted on the Blackboard page for this course. Course Requirements and Evaluation Tests There will be four (4) tests for the semester, accounting overall for about 50% of the final grade. They will consist of multiple choice, true/false and/or short answer questions. Each test covers the contents of about four weeks from the course schedule. The tests are designed to measure your comprehension of the specific theories covered in class as well as their application. Journal Entries You will be required to submit four brief essays (approximately 600 words) reflecting on questions posted on the course Blackboard journal forum throughout the semester. You will typically submit answers by Thursday evening (11:59 PM deadline) of the week indicated in the course schedule. Altogether, journal entries will account for 20% of the final grade. 1
Quizzes A total of 7 short quizzes will be posted on the course Blackboard page throughout the semester, as per the course schedule (see below). The main objective of quizzes is to evaluate how students are keeping up with the weekly readings and materials. Each quiz will be posted at least one week before its deadline, with weekly deadlines usually on Thursdays at 11:59 PM. Quiz grading is automated, and the system flags late submissions quizzes not submitted by the deadline may be automatically graded as 0. Although no makeup quizzes will be available for this course, the lowest quiz score will be dropped, and thus only your 6 highest quiz scores will count toward the final grade. Quizzes will make up approximately 20% of the final grade. In-Class Contribution The class meetings for this course will involve both lecture and discussions. This format allows us to engage the readings and other materials through informal intellectual exchange, providing a space for asking questions and to critically analyze issues of deviance. At times we will also have in-class exercises or assignments, activities that will help develop a deeper understanding of course materials. Students are expected to be active participants in class by: being familiar with the assigned readings; respectfully articulating her/his own interpretations; exploring his/her own questions. Individual assignments and group activities occurring during class meetings will also count as part of your contribution. Mandatory Course Evaluation Period Students are asked to submit an evaluation of this course through an online form that will be available from your UTRGV account (http://my.utrgv.edu) between April 13 and May 4; you will be contacted through email during the semester with further instructions. Students who complete their course evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Grading Assignment Tests (4) 50% Quizzes (7) 20% Journal Entries (4) 20% In-Class Contribution 10% Overall letter grades for the course will be assigned as follows: Percentage Score Letter Grade 90-100% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D Below 59% F 2
Course Practices and Policies Attendance UTRGV requires regular class meeting attendance as a matter of policy. Beyond this requirement, attendance and participation in class meetings are essential parts of this course. Weekly in-class activities and discussions are collaborative efforts and students are evaluated for their regular contributions. Therefore, students can only succeed in this course when they attend regularly and participate in the discussions and activities. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. For details on excused/unexcused absences, refer to the UTRGV attendance policy (STU 02-500). In addition, staying current with lectures and the schedule of work is always the student s responsibility. To facilitate this, please introduce yourself to at least two classmates sitting near you and exchange phone numbers or email addresses. Class Conduct Respect and honesty are expected in the conduct of all members of the UTRGV community. Diverse points of view are valued in this course, and their discussion is encouraged of course, in accordance to class goals and within the parameters of respect and civility. All persons, regardless of sex, age, class standing, ethnicity, religion, physical disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status shall have equal opportunity for performance in this course. Harassment, or otherwise disrespectful or threatening behavior towards others in this class will not be tolerated. UTRGV policy on harassment/discrimination/violence: The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations, and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time on campus, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus. Scholastic integrity: Remember that all the work you submit for evaluation of your progress in this course is subject to the UTRGV scholastic honesty policy (STU 02-100: Student Conduct & Discipline). I will follow these procedures to the letter, and will also closely examine the elements of the text you submit in written assignments such as journal entries and test answers. Feel free to contact me whenever you need clarification on issues of plagiarism. Note: Distracting participants by using unrelated electronic media (messaging, email, etc.) during class meetings also constitutes a violation of conduct expectations. To that end, the use of electronic devices other than laptop computers for note taking is not allowed during class time this ban includes telephones, cameras, tablets, etc. Makeup work Makeup exams will only be granted to a student who has contacted me before the absence and has arranged to take the exam before the exam is given. (In case of an emergency or illness, notify me 3
immediately by email or call the main office of the Sociology & Anthropology department at 956-665- 3321 and leave a message for me.) Because quizzes and journal entry assignments are submitted online with at least one week allowed to complete, these must be turned in by the scheduled due date; In the case of extenuating circumstances, I reserve the right to extend an assignment due date for an individual or the entire class. Technology Competencies Except for exams, the assignments for this course will be submitted electronically through the course Blackboard portal as indicated above. The feedback you receive for all work submitted will be accessible from Blackboard e.g., click on the My Grades link to view your evaluation results. Some of the course contents and regular communications will also be managed online. Therefore, students are expected to be proficient in using and installing basic computer applications, and to have the ability to send and receive email attachments. The software requirements are: Mozilla Firefox, Chrome or MS Internet Explorer (latest Mac or Windows versions); Adobe s Flash Player and Reader plug-in (latest version); Virus protection; MS Office or OpenOffice. To ensure you are using a supported browser and have required plug-ins, please refer to Supported Browsers, Plugins & Operating Systems for Blackboard Learn (accessible from https://colttapps.utrgv.edu/bbresources/#/coursetechnology). Conferences If you have any questions concerning the work for this course or need individualized guidance, please contact me to arrange for an office-hours meeting. As per institutional policy, please use only your UTRGV account when contacting me by email I may not answer messages sent from external sources such as SMS, Hotmail or Gmail. I can be reached by phone during office hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. I can also arrange to talk by phone at a mutually convenient time when scheduled in advance. Alternatively, you may also use the Course Messages feature found on the Blackboard main course page for private questions or technical issues. Remember that I am here to help! Technical Assistance If you need technical assistance with Blackboard, or to report a problem accessing any of the online features of this course, you can: Submit a Blackboard Helpdesk Ticket (https://colttapps.utrgv.edu/helpme). COLTT Help Desk Contact Information (UTRGV s Blackboard Support) Edinburg location: Education Complex Room 2.202; 956-665-5327 Brownsville location: Rusteberg 108; 956-882-4357 Monday Thursday 7:30AM 7:00PM Friday: 7:30 AM 6:00PM Students Accessibility Services If you have a documented disability which may affect your academic performance in the course setting described here, and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and also contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: SAS is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at 4
accessibility@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: SAS is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005 (Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at accessibility@utrgv.edu. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course students should be able to: 1. Identify and describe core theoretical arguments, concepts and contributions from classical and contemporary social theorists. 2. Understand the connection between theory and analytical approaches to social science inquiry, and to enhance their ability to convey that understanding. 3. Evaluate and critique the major assumptions, merits and utility of theoretical arguments and frameworks in understanding the realities of modern social life. 4. Gain an overview of the historical development of sociological thought, and how it shapes research. 5. Develop critical thinking, discussion and writing skills to effectively apply and evaluate the various concepts and theoretical frameworks covered. Course Schedule Week Topics / Assignments (due date) Readings/Materials: (* R&S = Ritzer & Stepnisky textbook) 1 01/19/16 2 01/25 3 02/01 Introduction to the Course/ Historical Background of Classical Social Theory Marxian Theory Quiz 1 (01/28) Durkheim Journal assignment 1 (02/04) Historical Sketch: The Early Years, pp. 1 19 Karl Marx, pp. 43 75 Alienated Labor Emile Durkheim, pp. 76 111 The Normality of Crime 4 02/08 Weber Quiz 2 (02/11) Max Weber, pp. 112 157 Bureaucracy; What is Politics? 5
Week Topics / Assignments (due date) Readings/Materials: 5 02/15 6 02/22 7 02/29 8 03/07 Simmel Test 1 (02/15) Structural Functionalism; Conflict Theory Quiz 3 (02/25) Symbolic Interaction Journal 2 (03/03) Neo-Marxian Variations Test 2 (03/09) Georg Simmel, pp. 158 171 The Stranger Structural Functionalism, Systems & Conflict Theory, pp. 237 277 C. Tilly War Making and State Making as Organized Crime Symbolic Interactionism, pp. 332-376 G.H. Mead The Self, the I and the Me Varieties of Neo-Marxian Theory, pp. 278 314 Marcuse One Dimensional Man 03/14 Spring Break 9 03/21 10 03/28 Exchange, Network & Rational Choice Theories Quiz 4 (03/24) Feminist Theory Journal 3 (03/31) Exchange, Network, Rational Choice Theories, pp. 402 439 J. Coleman Human Capital and Social Capital Contemporary Feminist Theory, pp. 440 485 S. De Beauvoir Woman as Other West & Zimmerman Doing Gender 6
Week Topics / Assignments (due date) Readings/Materials: 11 04/04 12 04/11 13 04/18 Modernity, Revisited Quiz 5 (04/07) Multicultural Perspectives Test 3 (04/11) Post-structuralism; Postmodern Theory Quiz 6 (04/21) Contemporary Theories of Modernity, pp. 539 570 W.E.B. DuBois Double-Consciousness and the Veil G. Anzaldúa The New Mestiza J.N. Katz The Invention of Heterosexuality C. West The New Cultural Politics of Difference Structuralism, Poststructuralism & Postmodern Social Theory, pp. 603 641 M. Foucault Panopticism 14 04/25 15 05/02 Globalization Quiz 7 (04/28) The 21st Century; Final Review Journal 4 (05/05) Globalization Theory, pp. 571 601 Hardt & Negri The Multitude Against the Empire Social theory in the Twenty-First Century, pp. 643 670 Omi & Winant The Theoretical Status of the Concept of Race 05/09 Final exam 7