Sociology 111-03 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY Kent McClelland TTH 12:45-2:05 ARH 116C ARH 120 FALL 2007 Phone 3134 Overview This course introduces students to concepts and perspectives of sociology, the study of social interaction and the culture and structure of society. We will examine sociological theories and methods of research, and we will read and critically assess the works of several contemporary sociologists. The course will raise questions important both for their sociological interest and for their relevance to everyday life: • What do we mean when we talk about "community" and "society"? • What are the major sources of order and disorder in our everyday lives? • How do we develop our own identities as individuals within the families, groups, and communities in which we live? • How do inequalities of gender, race, ethnicity, and social class distort our perceptions and limit our freedom of action, and how can such problems be overcome? • How have social, cultural, and economic trends affected our lives, and how can we best respond to these changes? Objectives of the Course 1. To become familiar with the kinds of questions sociologists ask, the research methods they use for seeking answers to their questions, and the theories they use for interpreting their findings. 2. To understand how social structures and cultures make human actions and interactions possible but limit our options for change. 3. To understand the perspectives sociologists use in analyzing the major institutions of contemporary societies, such as family, education, the economy, and government. 4. To examine, using sociological perspectives, important issues and controversies in contemporary societies, especially issues relating to inequality and diversity. 5. To turn a sociological lens on our own experiences and trajectories through life. 6. To improve skills in critical thinking, writing, discussing, listening, and presenting one’s own ideas in an enthusiastic and compelling manner. Design of the Course This course demands a high level of interaction, participation and involvement. Most class meetings will intersperse some lecture with small-group and large-group discussions. Many classes will feature group exercises, presentations, or videos—a variety of activities designed to encourage active participation and engagement. I expect everyone to contribute to discussion, so you will need to read and think carefully about the assignments before every class. You will also need to listen to each other, which takes patience, a sense of humor, and mutual respect. Working in small groups is particularly useful in sociology classes, since sociologists often give close attention to group behavior. I will be setting up discussion groups of four or five students each, and these groups will receive a variety of assignments as the class progresses. Groups willSociology 111-03 FALL 2007 Page 2 meet every week to exchange ideas about assigned readings and sociological concepts. The group meetings will be a way of absorbing the course material while getting better acquainted with some of your classmates. One important goal of this course is to help students improve their writing. If you are concerned about the quality of your writing, please schedule an office appointment to discuss the assignments with me. I also encourage you to use the Writing Lab for advice on writing. Because you can learn a great deal by revising your papers, my standard policy is to allow you to turn in a second draft of any paper with a grade below an A-, and I will average the grades for the two drafts. In order to take advantage of this revision policy, you must schedule an office appointment with me to discuss the paper, and the revised draft must be turned in within two weeks of the date that the first draft of the paper is returned to you. Another course objective is to help students improve their skills in making oral presentations and leading discussions. At least once in the semester, you will be asked to act as “expert for a day” by serving in class as presenter and discussion leader for one of the assigned readings from the Ferguson reader. Words to the Wise 1. In this course, as in every course you take, you must abide by the college’s rules on honesty in academic work, outlined in the Student Handbook, which require each student to "acknowledge explicitly any expressions, ideas, or observations that are not his or her own." If you are unsure of your obligations about acknowledging sources, please see me. 2. In addition to acknowledging sources, academic protocol demands that you include a written note of thanks to all the people who help you in producing academic work. Specifically, every formal paper for this course must contain a footnote or appended paragraph acknowledging any assistance of any kind that you received in producing the paper, including any advice you got from the professor or a Writing Lab staff member, or any help or advice from another student. In the case of cooperatively produced work, you must include a note that indicates who produced which part of the product. 3. For citations of sources in papers, I will accept any commonly used footnote or reference style, but I strongly recommend that you use the American Sociological Association reference style, described in detail on a page in the course web site. 4. All written assignments must be printed out and handed in. I do not accept emailed assignments. Whenever possible, please print double-sided. Assignments may either be handed in during class or given to secretaries in Carnegie 115 to put in my mailbox by 4:00 PM on the due date. 5. Your work must be turned in on time. I will not accept any late work unless you contact me and get my permission for an extension before the day the assignment is due. Even if you have been granted an extension, assignments turned in late will be subject to a grade penalty. 6. Class attendance is essential. I will keep track of attendance, and if I don’t see you in class or get a note from the Health Center that you are ill, I will be contacting you for an explanation. Class attendance and participation will be among the factors I consider in assigning a final grade. 7. If you have a physical or learning disability that will require some adaptations to be made for you in this course, please contact me to discuss arrangements. All conversations