1Sociology 1010-002 Introduction to Sociology Spring Semester 2011 Time: Tuesday/Thursday 10.45-12.05 Location: FMAB AUD Instructor: Dr. Claudia Geist Email: [email protected] Office Location: 431 Beh S Office Phone: (801) 581-8029 (NO VOICEMAIL) Office Hours: TBA Graduate Teaching Assistants: TBA Email: TBA Office Hours: TBA Required Text (available at the campus bookstore): Conley, Dalton. 2008. You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Course Summary This course is designed to provide a broad overview and introduction to the discipline of sociology. Sociology involves the study of human society – its structure, patterns and problems. In this class we will examine aspects of contemporary society and daily life that are often taken for granted. We will explore a broad array of topics, including culture, the economy, deviance, family, religion, education, gender, race, and inequality. This course approaches sociology not simply as a concrete body of knowledge, but also as a perspective that can be used to understand human behavior and social life, even outside of academia. Course Objectives At the end of this course, students will be able to employ their sociological imagination when thinking about contemporary society and be able to choose appropriate methods to analyze social problems. Students will be able to identify the key societal institutions and articulate the key issues facing these institutions, and student will be able to describe the major social divisions in contemporary society both in the United States and globally. Guidelines for Class Participation Due to the size of the class, this is primarily a lecture-oriented course, but there will be in-class discussions and group work. I expect you to come to class ready to participate and engage with the subject matter. To ensure a respectful and productive environment in the classroom, my expectations for you are:2- To arrive to class on time, and for all class meetings. It will be difficult to do well in this class without attending regularly. - To complete the assigned readings before their corresponding date. - To complete the required written assignments on time. - To prevent disruption of the learning environment (no usage of cell phones!). - To follow University of Utah code for student conduct (see below). Instructor Responsibilities My goal is to maintain a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to thinking and learning. I will be available to students outside of the classroom during office hours and through email. I will usually respond to emails within 48 hours. Course Requirements and Grading There will be a total of 4 multiple choice exams, the exam with the lowest score will be dropped. Seven short out-of-class assignments, and a number of brief quizzes (both in-class and online). The exams and quizzes will cover materials from the assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and in-class films. The assignments are explained in detail below the course schedule. I will take attendance on a random basis through quizzes, and both attendance and performance on out-of-class assignments will be considered in situations of borderline final grades. There are NO make-ups for exams [except for extraordinary, documented emergencies] and there are NO exceptions on due dates for the assignments. Grading system: 3 Exams (best of 4): 240 points Quizzes/Attendance: 40 points Out-of-Class Assignments: 70 points (7 assignments, 10 points each) TOTAL 350 total possible points For final letter grades, convert your accumulated points into a percentage and use the following breakdown: A: 93-100% A-: 90-92% B+: 87-89% B: 83-86% B-: 80-82% C+: 77-79% C: 73-76% C-: 70-72% D+: 67-69% D: 63-66% D-: 60-62% F: 0-59% Following the Student Code, I adopt a zero tolerance policy for academic misconduct. “Academic misconduct,” according to the University of Utah student code, “includes, but is not limited to, cheating, misrepresenting one's work, inappropriately collaborating, plagiarism, and fabrication or falsification of information...it also includes facilitating academic misconduct by intentionally helping or attempting to help another to commit an3act of academic misconduct." For detailed definitions and possible academic sanctions please see: http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-10.html Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. All written information in this course can be made available in alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services.4Course Schedule Please note that this outline is tentative and subject to change at any time. Any changes will be announced in class and on WebCT. Please have the assigned readings read at the beginning of the week and be prepared to discuss them in class. ***Part I: Using Your Sociological Imagination*** Week 1 (January 11, 13) Sociological Imagination: An Introduction (chapter 1) Methods (chapter 2) Week 2 (January 18/20) Culture and Media (chapter 3) Socialization and the Construction of Reality (chapter 4) **Assignment 1 due January 21** Week 3 (January 25, 27) Networks and Organizations (chapter 5) Week 4 (February 1, 3) Review and catch-up Exam 1 (February 3) Week5 February 8,10 Social Control and Deviance (chapter 6) **Assignment 2 due February 11** ***Part II: Building Blocks: Institutions of Society*** Week 6 February 15 Family (chapter 7) February 17 Education (chapter 8) Week 7 February 22, 24 Religion (chapter 9) **Assignment 3 due February 25** Week 8 March 1, 3 Review and catch-up Exam 2 (March 3)5 Week 9 March 8, 10 Capitalism and the Economy (chapter 10) Authority and the State (chapter 11) **Assignment 4 due March 11** ***Part III: Fault Lines . . . Social Division and Inequality*** Week 19 March 15, 17 Gender (chapter 12) Week 11 March 22, 24 Spring Break Week 12 March 29 Race (chapter 13) **Assignment 5 due March 30** March 31 Stratification (chapter 14) Week 13 April 5, 7 Exam 3 (April 5) Poverty (chapter