Introduction to Sociology: SOCY 1001 200

Instructor: Peter Lovegrove

Summer 2006

Office: IBS 9 – (303)735-3097

E-Mail: Peter.Lovegrove@colorado.edu

Office Hours: Wednesdays 11:00am-1pm, Thursdays 11am-Noon.

Lecture: 9:15am-10:50am Monday ‘till Friday, Muenzinger E064. Rain or shine, suckas.

Classmate Information

Name:__________________E-Mail:__________________Phone:__________________

Description

This class is designed to give you an introduction to the main areas of interests within Sociology, as well as the methods and vocabulary that sociologists use. Most importantly, I hope that you will emerge from this class with a language and understanding that better describes the world in which you live and the relationships that you have with others. We will consider lots of social issues and problems that I hope you will find interesting and inspiring.

Important Dates (See also the calendar at the end of the syllabus)

Short response papers: Due July 14^th, July 21^st, July 28^th and August 4^th

Final Paper: Due August 7th

Midterm examinations: July 17^th, July 24^th and July 31^st

Final examination August 11th

Course Requirements

Papers: All students are expected to read four assigned books by a certain date. On the date that the reading is due, you will also submit a one to two page response paper. These papers are due at the beginning of class, and no late paper submissions will be accepted. All papers submitted must be typewritten and stapled. No email submissions will be accepted, because I cannot give feedback on electronic copies of papers.

Paper assignments, which will ask you to respond to specific topics within the readings, will be sent to you over email as well as being discussed in class. They are each worth 5% of your total grade.

The assigned readings for this class are as follows:

Due July 14^th: My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student, by Rebekah Nathan

Due July 21^st: Survival In Auschwitz, by Primo Levi

Due July 28^th: The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, by James McBride

Due August 4^th: Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, by Eric Schlosser

All of these books are available at the Word Is Out bookstore in downtown Boulder (corner of 10^th and Pearl). Alternatively, they can be purchased online at any reputable retailer.

In addition to reading responses, there will also be a final essay assignment will be two to three pages in length. This paper is due on August 7^th, and is worth 10% of your final grade. The paper assignment will be sent to you by email, and will also be discussed in class.

Tests: There will be four examinations in this class, worth a total of 60% of your final grade. They will cover all material discussed in lecture (including in-class reading and movies) as well as assigned readings. Each will have a multiple choice and written component. The final examination will be cumulative.

Attendance and Participation: I will take attendance every lecture. You must be in your seat at 9:15 in order to be counted as present for any given day. In addition, I will rank your participation in class at the end of the semester.

No extra credit will be made available at any point during the semester.

Total Grade Breakdown:

Tests:

Test 1: 10% ___________

Test 2: 15% ___________

Test 3: 15% ___________

Final Test: 20% ___________

Papers:

Paper 1: 5% ___________

Paper 2: 5% ___________

Paper 3: 5% ___________

Paper 4: 5% ___________

Final Paper: 10% ___________

Other Grades:

Attendance: 5% ___________

Participation: 5% ___________

Behavioral Expectations

In addition to the expectations laid down by the University (for information on these policies, see http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html) and those listed above, students are expected to adhere to other standards of decorum within the classroom. These include:

- Students are required to arrive in a timely manner, and are not permitted to leave before the end of the recitation session.

- All cellular phones must be turned off for the duration of the recitation session.

- Students should not allow themselves to be distracted by such things as newspapers, side-conversations, and the completing of work for other classes.

- Students are allowed to pack up their belongings only after the class has come to an end.

Class participation (in its many forms) is critical to the recitation experience, and all students are expected to become involved in discussions, if only as an active and attentive listeners. Since it is important that each and every student feels comfortable sharing ideas, thoughts and experiences, class members must carry themselves in a respectful manner at all times. Insensitive comments based on race, ethnicity, class, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs will not be tolerated at any time.

Disability Services

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to the teaching assistant a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices)

Consideration of Obligations

Every effort will be made to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled examinations, assignments or required attendance. All students to whom this applies are encouraged to notify the teaching assistant of anticipated conflicts as early in the semester as possible, such that adequate time exists to make necessary arrangements.

All students who anticipate conflicts due to athletic obligations are also encouraged to approach the TA as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements may be made.

Integrity of Scholarship

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form, and such behavior will result in a failing grade for the course. Please refer to the University’s honor code for further information, located at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/academic/honorcode/.

If you have any questions, concerns or difficulties in this course, please feel free to meet with me during my office hours. If an appointment is necessary outside of these times, please e-mail me to make proper arrangements.