1 Glendale Community College-North Sociology 101: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY Monday – Wednesday 10:00am-11:30am/ Section 20283 SPRING 2011/A-106 INSTRUCTOR / HOW TO CONTACT ME: Eileen Johnston, M. A. 623-845-3280 [email protected] Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday: GCCN 1:00-2:15pm (05-110) Main Tuesday/ Thursday: GCCMAIN 2:30 – 3:45pm (A117B) North Other times/days: By Appointment TEACHING PHILOSOPHY/METHOD: In class, we will learn with a combination of lecture and student participation and discussion. Out of class, you will have access to GCC's technology resources for both research and completing assignments. Lessons are based on the text and other resources. Students are expected to read chapters prior to class to facilitate class discussions. Since lectures, readings and discussions are designed to complement one another, your attendance and active participation are critical. TEXT: Sociology, 13th Edition by John Macionis. (REQUIRED*) COURSE DESCRIPTION: The systematic study of social behavior and human groups, particularly the influence of culture, socialization, social structure, stratification, social institutions, differentiation by region, race, ethnicity, gender, age, class and socio/cultural change upon people’s attitudes and behaviors. C OURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Successful completion of the course should enable you to: 1. describe the sociological imagination, foundational concepts/principles and how they apply in your life; 2. describe the inter-relatedness of basic sociological concepts: culture, socialization, social structure, institutions, social change and differentiation by race, ethnicity, gender, age, class, region (urban/rural); 3. further develop analytical/critical thinking skills by using the insights of sociology/sociological perspectives; 4. compare and contrast theoretical orientations in the development of sociological thought, and apply those orientations to an area of social reality; 5. describe the role of sociological methodology in building sociological knowledge; identify and compare methodological approaches, research terminology, and basic statistical resources (Census – Stat Abstracts - NORC); 6. describe significant variations in American society by region (urban-metropolitan-rural), culture, race, ethnicity, class, gender, age and the significance of diversity in domestic and global context; 7. describe the effects of socio-cultural change on individuals and social structures; and 8. describe strategies for functioning in a pluralistic society and diverse world cultures. IMPORTANT DATES: Holidays: January 17, 2011 Martin Luther King Holiday February 21, 2011 President’s Day March 14-20, 2011 Spring Break Stratification: April 13, 2011 Who Am I? April 27, 2011 Final Exam: May 9, 2011 @10am. Check exam schedule in the Spring 2011 registration course listings to verify the day and time of your exam.2 Note: there are no regularly scheduled classes during exam week COURSE OUTLINE: Progress of our class may affect the course calendar, but I will give you specific dates and reading assignments for each unit. I. Section 1: Basic Foundations Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 23 II. Section 2: Social Stratification/Social Inequality Chapters: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 III. Section 3: The Foundations of Society and Social Institutions Chapters: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 IV. Other chapters/sections are incorporated throughout the course. CLASS ATMOSPHERE: Learning should be fun and involve all class members. There are expectations, for you as young adults, to demonstrate proper classroom etiquette. Consider the classroom as a professional environment, with rules and regulations designed to enhance the contributions of all participants. Toward that goal, each of us will respect the following guidelines, especially important given the nature of this course: 1. Courtesy and Feedback. a. Everyone is entitled to opinions that are supportable and honest, and these opinions MUST be respected by everyone. You may question what is being said; however, at no time, will you attack the person. We will discuss appropriate feedback early in the semester. You will have an opportunity to present your perspective. b. Only one person should be talking at one time; more than one person speaking at a time is disconcerting and disrespectful. “Side-bars” (individual comments/discussions, while someone has the “floor”) will not be tolerated. I understand you may want to discuss the topic at hand with another class member; however, that is inappropriate behavior. Each student will be afforded an opportunity to present his/her comments/opinions. Therefore, please give the current speaker the same courtesies you desire when it is your turn to speak. c. Please raise your hand when you wish to speak. I will call on students in the order in which I see hands. d. Please keep the above courtesies in mind throughout the semester. 2. Electronic Courtesy. Please be considerate of your classmates and the instructor; it is quite disturbing to have an electronic device activate during class. Please have all electronic devices turned-off or placed in the vibrate mode, and stored in a book bag, purse, or other location where the item cannot be accessed during class. Repeated violations may result in the student being required to leave class and receive an unexcused absence for that class and/or other sanctions. (See me if there are extenuating/emergency situations that may, on an exceptional basis, necessitate you needing to leave a specific device on.) 3. Classroom Courtesy, The following or similar activities are to be performed before class; not during class: a. Utilizing restroom facilities. b. Sharpening pencils. c. Disposing of trash. d. Eating and gum chewing.3 e. Putting on make-up, combing hair, etc. f. Sleeping, reading or doing other unrelated class activities. ATTENDANCE POLICY: I recognize that you have multiple responsibilities in your life; consequently, I do not put you in a position of justifying a class absence. However, because there is no alternate means for securing much of the information presented in class, a basic requirement is to come to class. Because you need to be present to learn the concepts introduced in this course (and for me to certify