SOCIAL ISSUES: PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY (SOCI 2105-03)Summer 2009 Kennesaw State UniversityTuesday & Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.Social Science Classroom Building 1021Instructor: Lisa M. Lepard Office:Social Sciences Bldg. 4005:[email protected] [email protected] : Call the Sociology Department: GeorgiaView Vista page Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. & othertimes by appt.REQUIRED TEXT: Neubeck, Kenneth J. and Davita Silfen Glasberg. 2005. Sociology: Diversity, Conflict, and Change. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0-07-250476-5.COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students will be introduced to the discipline of sociology. The purpose of this course is to increase students’ awareness of their social world with an emphasis on the social nature of human behavior,culture, social structure, socialization, we will explore such topics as deviance, stratification, family, gender, religion, race/ethnicity. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Differentiate between individualistic (non-sociological) & sociological (external) explanations for social facts Explain & critically analyze social facts based on the development of one’s “sociological imagination” Apply various sociological concepts & theoretical perspectives to the understanding of society To understand the reciprocal relationship between individual & society To understand the diversity of American society To demonstrate an ability to think criticallyREQUIREMENTS: Do not talk during lecture, while other students are asking questions, or during movie/video presentations.  Turn off cell phones, iPods, or other electronics during class.  If you are using a laptop, you should be taking notes—not playing on the Internet or doing other work. If I find that students are not using their laptops for class notes, I will not allow them in class.  Late arrivals & early departures disrupt not only me, but also other students; therefore, if you know that you need toleave early—please talk to me before class (or email me). Sociology is one of the few academic disciplines that many students enter into with strong and established beliefs concerning the subject matter. This is especially true when controversial topics such as the ones that we will be discussing are challenged and critiqued. With this said, there are a few classroom rules that will be established: Acknowledging that racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and other forms of institutionalized forms of oppression exist, we agree not to blame others or ourselves for the misinformation we have learned but accept responsibility not to repeat misinformation and to use our sociological knowledge to change perceptions.i* We agree not to “blame the victim(s)” for the conditions of her/his life because this type of explanation ignores the institutionalized social structures that block progress and perpetuates social inequality* Never demean, devalue, or ridicule someone for ideas expressed, personal experiences shared, or dissenting opinions. * Create a safe atmosphere for open discussion. If personal experiences are shared with the class, it should be agreed upon that these comments are not repeated outside of the classroom and the rules of confidentiality apply. *1ACADEMIC HONESTY:Please be advised of the Student Code of Conduct as published in the KSU Undergraduate Catalog. Section III addresses issues on academic honesty, including cheating and plagiarism, among other violations. If you are unsure ofhow plagiarism is defined or if you are not clear on what “academic honesty” means, go to the catalog and familiarize yourself. Ignorance of the policy is not an acceptable excuse! Students suspected of academic dishonesty will be investigated and if confirmed, will receive a zero on the assignment and potentially fail the course.STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:If you are a student with a documented disability, come & talk to me as soon as possible (either after class or during my office hours) to discuss accommodations. QUIZZES/WRITINGS: Throughout the semester, there will be in-class quizzes or writing assignments. Sometimes these will be based ongroup activities, reaction writings to movies or videos, but other times it will be based on the assigned readings. These in-class writings/quizzes CANNOT be made-up; therefore, attendance is highly recommended because thiscounts as 25% of the final course grade.EXAMINATIONS: There will be 3 exams during the semester.o Exams will consist of multiple choice & essay.o I will post study guides on Vista as soon as we finish each chapter.  MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE ONLY GIVEN WHEN PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE INSTRUCTOR. FURTHERMORE, STUDENTS MUST HAVE A DOCUMENTED REASON FOR MISSING THE EXAM. MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE IN ESSAY FORMAT. DURING EXAMS : turn off phones and all other electronic gadgets. Go to the restroom before the test begins because if you leave the room—you must turn in your exam and I will consider it completed. BE ON TIME FOR EXAMS! Students who are late for class on exam day may not be allowed to take the exam if they arrive after the first student has already turned in her/his exam. This policy is to put in place to ensure academic honesty.Grading: Keep Track of Your Own Grade!!Exam 1 = 20% Exam 1: (your grade x .20) = aExam 2 = 25% Exam 2: (your grade x .25) = bExam 3 = 30% Exam 3: (your grade x .30) = cQuizzes/Writings = 25% Quiz/Writings: (avg. all grades x .25) = dYour Final Course Grade= a + b + c + d (out of 100)Final Grade:A = 90 – 100 B = 80 – 89 C = 70 – 79 D = 60 – 69 F = 59 & belowI reserve the right to change the syllabus; however, students will be notified in advance either in class or on VistaDate: Topic: Required Reading:1 Ideas based in part on: Cannon, Lynn Weber. 1990. “Fostering Positive Race, Class, and Gender Dynamics in the Classroom.” Women’s Studies Quarterly 18 (2): 126-134.Th May 27 Introduction to CourseCommon Sense vs. SociologyT June 1 The Sociological Perspective Ch. 1Th June 3 Macro Social StructuresMicro- & Mid Level Social StructuresCh. 3Ch. 4T June 8 Culture Ch. 5Th June 10 Socialization Ch. 6T June 15 EXAM 1Th June 17 Systems of Inequality ANDIntersections of Race, Class, and GenderCh. 7Ch. 8T June 22  racial/ethnic inequalityTh June 24  gender/sex inequality F June 25 ***LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH “W”***T June 29 Education Ch. 13Th July 1