SOCIOLOGY 1010-020 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY Fall, 2009 M 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Bountiful Campus 4 Credit Hours INSTRUCTOR: Shaheen Hossain, Ph.D. Business Phone: 538-6855 Home Phone: 571-0992 Email: [email protected] OFFICE HOURS: Before/after class or by appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this course is to familiarize students to the discipline of sociology. The course will introduce the students to key concepts in sociology and will highlight the relevance of sociological perspectives for understanding the world around us. This class will also discuss social science research and study methods used by sociologists to investigate social phenomenon. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the use of sociological concepts to analyze and interpret the world. Students will also develop critical thinking skills that they can apply abstract concepts to experiences in their everyday lives. CLASS FORMAT: The class will meet as a group once a week. Even though this is a lecture format class, discussion, videos, and presentations by guest speakers will be used to convey ideas and concepts. Please note that not all chapters in the text and in some cases not the entire chapter will be covered in class lecture. Lectures and discussions will complement the material in the textbook. TEXTBOOK: Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society Anderson & Taylor, fourth edition, 2008, Thomson Wadsworth COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Class attendance: Class attendance is highly encouraged. Students will not be graded on attendance. Experience shows that students who attend class regularly and keep up with the readings generally perform better in the class overall. Weekly readings: Required readings for each week are listed in the next pages. Students are encouraged to read the materials before class lectures. Class lectures will only provide an overview of course content. Presentations by guest speakers will provide additional insights and topics not covered in the text. The additional topics will also provide an opportunity for questions and discussions. Regular attendance and active participation is strongly encouraged.Exams: There will be two exams Midterm-I and Midterm-II. Format of the exams will include multiple choice, T/F, and short answers questions from lecture, text, and discussions from guest speakers. The Midterm-II will not be comprehensive. The exam will be on the material covered since the midterm. Each exam is worth 100 points and will account 30% of the class grade. Research Project: Students are required to work in small groups for this research project. Various research techniques will be discussed in the class. Working on this research project will allow students to understand not just concepts and procedures of research methods but also applications and appreciation of how sociologists conduct social investigation. This will constitute 25% of the class grade. The topic for the research project needs to be approved by the instructor prior to undertaking the research. The written report need to be 7 - 8 pages long. Class Assignment: Since this is a four credit hour class, students are expected to complete an observational study individually (outside class assignment). Students will summarize their experience in a brief written paper (2-3 typed pages). This will constitute the remaining 15% of the class grade. The purpose of this assignment is to allow students to demonstrate the ability to apply sociological theories. Detailed assignment guidelines and topics will be posted on WebCT. WebCT: Class materials will be posted on WebCT. Class handouts will be available in MS power point one day prior to class. All students are expected to check the course website weekly. Lectures may contain more information as examples than is provided on class handouts. Students are expected to take thorough notes. Grading Scale: The course grade will be based upon grading policies set by the University of Utah. Extra credit will not be available. A 100 – 93% A- 92 – 90% B+ 89 – 87% B 86 – 84% B- 83 – 80% C+ 79 – 77% C 76 – 74% C- 73 – 70% D+ 69 – 67% D 66 – 64% D- 63 – 60% E <60% CLASS POLICIES: Students and faculty are obligated to behave in accordance with the policies of the University of Utah. The University of Utah Policies and Regulations can be found at: http://www.regulations.utah.edu/index.html http://www.regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.html AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) STATEMENT The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you 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 youand 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. Tentative Class Schedule DATE TOPIC ASSIGNED READING 8/24 Review of syllabus and class requirements Chap 1 Sociological perspective 8/31 Sociological Perspective Chap 1 9/14 Sociological Research Chap 2 9/21 Culture Chap 3 9/28 Socialization Chap 4 10/5 Families & Religion Chap 15, Chap 17 10/12 Groups and Organizations Chap 6 10/19 Social Interaction and Social Structure, Review Chap 5 10/26 Deviance and Criminal Justice Chap 7 - 8 Midterm-I Exam Class Assignment Due 11/2 Social class and Social Stratification Chap 9 11/9 Race and Ethnicity Chap 11 11/16 Gender & Sexuality Chap 12 - 13 11/23 Healthcare Chap 20 11/30 Age and Aging Chap 14 12/1 Class Presentation, Review 12/8 Midterm-II Exam, Research Paper