Introduction to Sociology

Socy 1001

Summer Session A 2006

 

Instructor: Colter Ellis

Office: Ketchum 409

Office Hours: Wednesday from 11:00 – 1:00 or by appointment

Email: Colter.Ellis@colorado.edu

 

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to Sociology as an academic discipline and as a general perspective through which to view the world. During the semester, we will make use of the sociological framework to examine social processes, institutions, as well as social problems. We will learn of the ways in which Sociology can help us make sense of our world and the difficult issues we face. I especially hope that after this course, you can apply your “Sociological Imagination” to better understand the ways in which social forces shape all of our lives.

 

Classroom Decorum:

Obviously, some subject matter introduced during this class deal with sensitive subjects, and a primary goal of mine is to foster an environment in which everyone feels comfortable to express their ideas and opinions. As a means to this end, I absolutely require that everyone behave respectfully within this forum, including giving others the benefit of the doubt, listening attentively, and understanding the effect your words will have on others. Insensitive comments concerning race, ethnicity, class, gender orientation, sexual orientation, or religion are utterly forbidden. WE CRITIQUE IDEAS, NOT PEOPLE!!

 

Rules of the Game

  • Please arrive in the classroom and be prepared to begin on time. Please stay for the entire class period.
  • Please turn off phones and beepers or switch to vibrate if you have a childcare or emergency situation.
  • Please participate in the main conversation by being attentive, abstaining from reading other materials, and not carrying on side conversations during class.
  • Turn in assignments on time. Adhere to university policies regarding academic honesty.
  • If you have any suggestions, feedback, or some aspect of the course requirements or material is not clear, let me know.

Strategies for playing the game successfully

  • Attend and participate (if only with your attentive listening). Studies suggest that this is highly correlated with the grade you earn.
  • Keep up with the reading. You cannot participate or fully get the class material or have fun with the discussions if you have not done the readings and thought about them.
  • Become a person to your instructor. You can do this by asking questions, coming to office hours, and engaging with the material.
  • Read and follow instructions carefully.
  • Ask for assistance when you need it.
  • Speak up and participate in discussions by asking questions, answering questions, giving opinions, or tying together others’ comments. Do this even if you do not think you have the right or best thing to say. You will learn something by doing it.

Classmate Information:

I strongly recommend that you exchange contact information with someone in the class. In the event that you miss class follow up with this person for notes and announcements that you missed in your absence. If you miss class, do not contact me before contacting a classmate.

Name:

 

Email:

Phone:

Name:

 

Email:

Phone:

 

Required Texts:

 Joan Ferrante, 2006, Sociology: A Global Perspective (6th ed.), Thomson Wadsworth.

 

Additional readings will be available through WebCT.

 

Grading and Evaluation

 

Examinations: There will be 4 tests including the final. There will be a test at the end of each week. These tests are comprised of multiple choice, matching, short answers and essays. My primary intent in administering these exams is to test your conceptual understanding of vocabulary, concepts, and perspectives. As such, while no study guide will be provided I encourage you to focus your studding in these areas.

 

Test 1

25pts

June 9th

Test 2

50pts

June 16th

Test 3

50pts

June 23rd

Test 4

50pts

June 30th

Final

125pts

July 7th

Total

300pts

 

 

Papers: You will be required to submit 4 weekly response papers due each Monday at the beginning of class. All papers must follow the American Sociological Society’s (ASA) style. These can be found at http://www.calstatela.edu/library/bi/rsalina/asa.styleguide.html

 

 

 

Tests

175pts

Weekly Response Papers

100pts

Final

125pts

Total

400pts

 

Weekly Response Papers:

 

Every Monday you will be required to write short (1.5-2 page) response paper utilizing the sociological perspective and concepts from the previous week to examine and critically evaluate a current event. These papers should follow all ASA style guidelines, be typed using 12 point font and have one inch margins (Note: the default setting on most word processors is 1.25). Your name, date, and course number should appear on a cover page. These papers will be 25pts each.

 

Disability Statement:

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let us know by the end of the third week of the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.  You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 at 303.492.8671.

 

 

Class Schedule

Note: This is a tentative reading schedule. Changes to this schedule will be announced in lecture. 

 

Week 1:

 

6/5:      Topic: Introduction to the course

            Read Chapter 1

 

6/6:      Topic: Overview of the sociological perspective and social theory

            Read Chapter 2

 

6/7:      Topic: The Sociological Imagination

            Read: The Sociological Imagination (WebCT)

            Discussion

 

6/8:      Topic: Social Research Methods and Culture

            Read: Chapter 3

 

6/9:      Test 1

 

Week 2:

 

6/12:    Topic: Socialization and Social Control

Read Chapter 4 AND 7

Response Paper 1 due at the beginning of class

 

6/13:    Topic: Social Organizations

            Read: Chapter 6

           

6/14:    Topic: McDonalds

            Read: Selected Chapters from Fast Food Nation (WebCT)

            Discussion

 

6/15:    Topic: Economics and Politics

            Read: Chapter 11

 

6/16:    Test 2

 

Week 3:

 

6/19:    Topic: Social Construction

            Read: Chapter 5

            Response Paper 3 due at the beginning of class

 

6/20:    Topic: Gender

            Read: Chapter 10

 

6/21:    Topic: Gender and Sexual Inequality

            Read: Selections from Gender Outlaw and Navigating Public Places (WebCT)      

            Discussion: The social construction of sexuality

 

6/22:    Race, Ethnicity, and Social Stratification

            Read: Chapter 9

           

6/23:    Test 3

 

 

Week 4:

 

6/26:    Topic: Stratification

            Read: Chapter 8

            Response Paper 3 due at the beginning of class

 

6/27:    Topic: Religion 

            Read: Chapter 15

 

6/28:    Topic: Who Rules America?

            Read: Domhoff: Who Rules America?

            Activity: movie

 

6/29:    Topic: Religion (Cont)

 

6/30:    Test 4

 

Week 5:

 

7/3:      Topic: The Sociology of Education

            Read: Chapter 15

            Response Paper 4 due at the beginning of class

 

7/4:      Topic: The Environment

            Read: To Be Determined

 

7/5:      Topic: Social Change!

            Read: Chapter 16

            Activity

 

7/6:      Topic: Review 

            Read: TBD

 

7/7:      Final Exam

            Turn in Folder of All Response Papers

            Final Paper Due

 

Miscellaneous:

 

The University has a classroom behavior policy. Students are required to adhere to the behavior

standards listed in the Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Standards of Conduct and to refrain fromdisrupting classes and other academic settings. The specific policy may be found at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html Both students and faculty are expected to abide by the University’s honor code, details found at: http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/. Cheating and plagiarism are to be taken very seriously and are grounds for failure in the course. In a general sense, to plagiarize is to use another’s words as your own, without proper attribution given to the original author. Please find more specific information about plagiarism and the University’s policy through links on the honor code website.

 

Finally, the University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention and harassment can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises or create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combination of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the OSH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at: http://www.colorado.edu/sexualharassment/