1 Sociology 101: Spring 2012, course # 17652 General Studies SB Prerequisites: none Sat: 9:00- 11:45 AM Instructor: Dr. Nicholas DelSordi Office Hours: by appt. only Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology "Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." - C. Wright Mills (1959) Course Information: This course is designed to provide you with a broad introduction into the field of sociology as an academic discipline and as a perspective for viewing the social world. While the emphasis of the course will be to develop an understanding of the conceptual and rhetorical ways in which sociologists explain the phenomena that they study, specific attention will be given to the various ways in which sociologists actually “do” sociology (that is, how do they use the “Sociological Imagination” to analyze and interpret very complex social processes in their research?). In addition to this, we will, at times, look both cross-culturally and historically in order to address some key issues or problems that sociologists are currently addressing. Our focus will be on American society and American culture, and how sociologists interpret the various social transformations that have taken place in recent decades. One of the aims of this course is to heighten your awareness of the deeply entrenched tendency for people in society to think of everything in terms of isolated “individuals.” Thinking sociologically involves understanding how the individual’s rational “actions” and “choices” are both constrained and enabled by larger social forces, and also how the larger social structure itself is conditioned by the actions of particular groups of individuals during certain historical moments. Course Description: Fundamental concepts of social organization, culture, socialization, social institutions and social change. Required Texts: Macionis, John J. (2011) Sociology. 13th edition. Boston: Prentice Hall. * Various readings posted online through blackboard and/or handed out in class.2 Requirements: Exams: There will be three exams consisting of approximately 40-50 multiple-choice, true-false, or matching questions (exams #1 will be 40 questions, and the final will be 50 questions). The final exam will be slightly different, in that part of the content will be derived from new material (i.e. concepts and ideas discussed after Exam #2), and part will come from “old” material (i.e. comprehensive in nature). Exam questions will come from both lecture material and course readings. Typically, 50% of the questions will be based on class material and 50% will be based on reading material. This distribution may change, depending on the circumstances and the progress of the class. Written Abstracts: Once every 4-5 weeks you will turn in a written abstract summarizing the weekly reading of your choice (3 abstracts in total). In a strict sense, a scholarly abstract only briefly describes the main argument or finding of an article. For this assignment, you will need to broaden this definition a bit, and attempt to summarize all of the key points and overall argument presented in the given reading. You should attempt to strike a balance between providing the complete details of the article and the very basic points made (i.e. give as much detail as possible within the limits of the assignment--- 1 page single spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 pt. font). Guidelines for writing abstracts will be handed out or posted on blackboard. Sociological Traditions: 2 times throughout the term you will perform internet research on a different theoretical tradition in sociology. Since sociology originated in France and Germany, and then later spread to the U.S., there are several different intellectual currents that have developed alongside one another over the last century. Your explanation of an intellectual tradition in sociology should be about 1 page single spaced. Topics will be posted on blackboard. Myth or Reality Papers: There are many myths in the contemporary world. For example, many people think that the U.S. has the most egalitarian society in the world. This is not true; rather, hunting and gathering societies are generally the most egalitarian because of their simple social structure. Twice in the semester, you will be responsible for doing research on a topic to discover whether something is a “myth” or “reality.” You will choose from several topics and you must provide background research and substantiation for your claim. This means that you must quote books, journals, and/or online peer-reviewed articles to make your claim. Please note that there may be contradictory evidence available for a given topic, but in most cases there is a correct response as to whether something is a myth or “real.” The papers must be at least 1 page single-spaced. Topics will be posted on blackboard along with specific due dates. Attendance: attendance will be taken daily (at the end of the class period). Everyone is allowed one absence for personal reasons. Upon the second unexcused absence, points will be deducted in a linear fashion, meaning that each successive absence past one will result in the loss of 3% of your final grade (note that this can extend beyond the 14% delegated for attendance in extreme circumstances). Please be aware that missing class during an exercise, test or when a paper is due is not included under the “free absence” day. Therefore, you will not lose points for attendance, but will lose points for the missed work. Because of this, I recommend not missing any classes. If you have to miss a class, please make sure that there is not a test or paper due. If you are late (late is defined as walking in after I begin speaking), then you will be marked as absent for the day. Attendance will be taken at the end of the night. If you leave early, you will be marked as absent.3 Group Activities: Early in the term you will get together with about 3-4 classmates and form groups. These groups may come together several times throughout the term. The purpose of the group sessions is to organize your thoughts about the readings and class ideas, and to evaluate whether you are keeping up with the material. Group activities will typically be based on ideas