Sociology 2105Social Issues: Perspectives in SociologyFall 2009 TR 8:00-9:15Professor RichardsonWhy do I think the way I do? When, where, and how did I learn how to become a good or not so good friend, student, brother/sister, employee, etc.? What goes on in and between groups of people? What rulesand norms govern behaviors? Who says so? How do I understand myself? What does it all mean?These are just a few of thousands upon thousands of questions that people ask themselves and others fromday to day. The goal of sociology, simplistically speaking, is to understand how individuals and groups interact in any given environment (society). For instance, have you ever noticed that the way an individual behaves in the classroom setting may be drastically different when that same individual is hanging out with friends in the local bar? This type of behavior and interaction is exactly what the study of sociology seeks to understand. In this course, we will challenge the assumptions that often come to us as second nature or common sense. (We might even come to the conclusion that common sense isn’t so common!)The objective of Social Issues: Perspectives in Sociology, is to introduce students to a way of looking at their environment from the sociological perspective. At the end of this course, students should be able to show mastery, both orally and in writing, of the following:- Major concepts in the sociological analysis of social problems,- The nature, causes, theories and suggested solutions of social problems,- The basic characteristics, functions of, and the conflicts within the social institutions of family, education, medicine, technology, government, economy, etc.,- Analyzing social phenomena that extends beyond “the obvious” in order to apply what is learned in the classroom to all aspects of life,- Use applied research methods to help you differentiate between myth and fact in assessing situations you encounter in society.Required text: Kornblum, William and Joseph Julian.2009. Social Problems. Pearson Prentice Hall. In addition to the required reading assignments included in the text, reading assignments may also come from other sources. Students will be advised of where to find supplemental reading materials. Please read assigned text prior to class meetings. It will make class discussion a lot more fun and the material will make a great deal more sense if the reading is accomplished beforehand.Attendance PolicyRegular attendance is required in accordance to University rules. You will be recorded absent if you are not present during roll call. It is in your best interest to attend all class meetings AND actively participate in discussion and group projects because some material that is discussed during class may not be found inthe textbook. Finally, reporting to class only for exams will result in a failing grade.1Classroom EtiquetteBecause this course will have a certain level of classroom interaction through sharing and listening of varying (and possibly opposing) ideas, all members of the class are expected to treat each other civilly at all times. This may be the most important “rule” for successful interaction in this course. A few other basic rules for the classroom are as follows:Please turn your cell phones off. If you are expecting an emergency call, put your phone on vibrate and please leave the classroom when the “emergency” call is received. Do not carry side conversations during class. Such behavior is rude and distracting to the instructor and fellow classmates.Do not come to class to sleep. Enough said!Assignments should be turned in on the assigned due date at the beginning of class. Late papers will be penalized 1 (one) letter grade for each late day.Academic Honesty and PlagiarismAll KSU students are expected to uphold the rules listed in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog concerning cheating. It is your responsibility to avoid any and all activity that implies cheating. Talking, passing notes, cheat sheets, text messaging, etc. will result in a grade adjustment which may include failing. NO EXCEPTIONS. In addition, when submitting written papers take every measure to ensure that you have cited the work of your sources. Not doing so, and instead claiming someone else’s work as your own is plagiarism. Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct willbe handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a studentto the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.GradingTwo exams-each constitutes 30% of your grade. One paper –constitutes 25% of your grade. Class participation constitutes the remaining 15%. Class participation includes attendance and pop quizzes that will be given at random throughout the course of the semester.TestsThere will be two tests for this course; a midterm and final. Each test will make up 30% (60% total) of you final grade. The midterm date is tentatively scheduled for 9/25 and the final exam is TBD. The tests will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions and 1 short answer essay.PaperThe paper makes up 25% of your final grade. You will sociologically analyze a movie of your choice that must be approved by the instructor. Your movie selection must be approved by Tuesday, September 1, 2009. The paper is due no later than October 22, 2009. The paper should be 4-5 pages, typed and double spaced. APA, MLA, or ASA documentation may be used. A work cited/reference/bibliography page and cover page should be included, BUT should NOT be counted as the 4-5 pages of written text. The framework for this paper is as follows:21. Explain the relevance of the movie: how does the movie relate to the course in general and how does it relate to a specific topic, i.e. race, gender, education, war, crime, etc. 2. Provide a brief synopsis of the movie: explain the plot of the movie, the timeframe/historical setting, and main or significant character(s). 3. General assessment of the movie: how was the story presented? (i.e. from a character’s point of view, flashback, narrator, etc.), what was the intention of the film or the filmmaker from your perspective? Was the filmmaker successful? Were there specific scenes or occurrences which stood out as being essential to the development of the story and/or to your understanding