Sociology 1001: Introduction to SociologyCOURSE OUTLINESeptember 19th Sociological Theory: Karl MarxSeptember 26th Sociological Theory: Emile DurkheimOctober 3rd Sociological Theory: Max WeberOctober 24th Socialization II: Families and Family DynamicOctober 31st Community I: Urbanism and UrbanizationUndergraduate Advisor, Ann Miller, 923 Social Sciences – 624Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Rob Warren, 117Sociology 1001: Introduction to Sociology Instructor: Ross Macmillan 1133 Social Sciences, 612-624-6509 [email protected] Office Hours: M 11am-12:30pm or by appointment Description: This course is designed to introduce you to the ‘study of society’ and to what Mills called the “sociological imagination”: a way of viewing the events, relationships, and social phenomena that shape our individual lives and collective experience. We begin by exploring some of the major theoretical issues and methodological approaches that constitute the sociological enterprise. Then we survey some key areas of sociological inquiry, examining topics such as socialization, stratification and inequality, race and ethnicity, and work and economic life. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on understanding topics and issues through the sociological imagination. The required readings and assignments, along with class discussion and lectures will help you achieve this end. Required Course Materials: There are three set of required readings for this course: 1. Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Dunier, & Richard Appelbaum. 2005. Introduction to Sociology. New York: Norton. 2. A course packet of articles is also part of the required readings. You are responsible for reading this material BEFORE class on Wednesday of each week. Be an active and critical reader – we will all benefit if you engage the readings and bring ideas to class. Late assignments: All course assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates noted in the syllabus. Late assignments will lose 10 percent per day (including weekend days) and will not be graded after 5 days. If a medical or family emergency prevents you from attending class, you should email your professor. Incompletes and Extra-credit: Except in extraordinary circumstances, incompletes will not be given for this course. Also there will be no opportunity for extra-credit in this class. University Policies: Relevant CLA and university policies are included with this syllabus. Please read them and heed them. Grading: Out of a possible 100 points, letter grades are based on the following scale: A: 90 or more, A-: 85-89, B+ 80-84, B: 75-79, B-: 70-74, C+: 65-69, C: 60-64, C-: 55-59, D: 50-54, F: 0-49.Requirements and Evaluation: Your grade in this course will be determined by your performance on the following criteria. Please note that I do not give extra credit assignments. 1. There will be 10 semi-weekly quizzes. These will cover the readings and lecture material from the previous week. Unless otherwise indicated, quizzes will be given on Mondays and will be announced on the previous Friday. Each quiz will be worth 1 point towards your final grade (10 points). 2. There will be two mid-term exams, which will be based on readings, lectures, class discussions, films, etc. Questions will consist of a mix of short answers and essays. More detail will be provided later in the course. The mid-term exam will contribute 40 points (2 X 20 points) towards your final grade. 3. There also will be a written assignment. This will be a ‘review and reaction’ paper based on a piece of academic work published in the last five years. This will be worth 20 points. 4. Given that student participation is vital to the learning experience, part of your final grade will be based on class participation. Sociologically relevant questions, comments and class discussion will be considered in your class participation grade, as will class attendance and punctuality. Participation points are based on your willingness to engage in the discussion, not on the number of words you utter per class. Students with excessive, unexplained absences (i.e., more than 3 classes missed) risk losing their participation grade, as do students who routinely show up late and/or unprepared for class. Participation is worth 10 points. 5. Finally, there will also be a final exam at 1:30pm on Friday, December 16th. The final will cover all topics and but students are expected to have retained general knowledge of key themes and issues in Sociology. The exam will be a single question and will be handed out prior to the exam date. It is worth 20 points. Students who have amassed a satisfactory (self-determined) grade by the time of the final will not be required to write it. 2COURSE OUTLINE Week of… Topic September 5th Introduction • Chapter 1: What is Sociology (pp. 3-28)? September12th The Sociological Imagination • Alwin, D. (2002). “generations x, y, and z: are they changing america?” Contexts, 1: 42-51. September 19th Sociological Theory: Karl Marx • Haney, L. (2002). “After the Fall: East European Women since the Collapse of State Socialism.” Contexts, 1: 27-36. September 26th Sociological Theory: Emile Durkheim • No readings October 3rd Sociological Theory: Max Weber • Meyer, J. (2004). “The Nation as Babbitt: How Countries Conform.” Contexts, 3: 42-47. October 10th Sociological Research Methods: Asking and Answering Questions • Chapter 2: Asking and Answering Sociological Questions (pp. 29-48). • Schuman, H. (2002). “Sense and Nonsense about Surveys.” Contexts, 1: 40-47. • Adler, P. & P. Adler. (2003). “The Promise and Pitfalls of Going into the Field.” Contexts, 2: 41-47. • Lovaglia, M. (2003). “From Summer Camps to Glass Ceilings: The Power of Experiments.” Contexts, 2: 42-49. Note: First Mid-term Exam will be held on October 14th. 3October 17th Socialization I: Social Structure and Social Identity • Chapter 4: Socialization and the Life Cycle (pp. 87-108). • Berbrier, M. (2004). Why Are There So Many "Minorities?" Contexts, 3: 38-44. October 24th Socialization II: Families and Family Dynamics • Chapter 15: Families and Intimate Relationships • Cherlin, A. (2003). “Should the Government Promote Marriage?” Contexts, 2: 22-29. October 31st