INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS SOCIAL ORGANIZATION, CULTURE, SOCIALIZATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE FALL 2004 WEDNESDAY 7:10 P.M. - 9:55 P.M. AUG 25 – DEC 15, 2004 CLASS LOCATION CL-12 INSTRUCTOR: MICHAEL KREIBICH GLENDALE, ARIZONA [email protected] TEXTBOOK: SOCIETY: THE BASICS (REQUIRED) Authors: John J. Macionis Publisher: Prentice Hall (Available for purchase at Campus Bookstore) Course Description Course Objectives & Instructional Format This course will focus on the definition of sociology. Explain sociological imagination in everyday life. Describe basic theoretical perspectives sociologists use. List and explain basic research design and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods. Describe norms, folkways and mores. Define basic sociological concepts to include culture, society, socialization, social structure, groups and institutions. Describe the effect of race, ethnicity, sex/gender and age on social inequality. Explain major sociological perspectives on social class. Describe and explain social change, including the influence of collective behavior, social movements and demographic factors. Lecture will be the primary mode of instruction, although class discussion will be highly encouraged as class participation points will be assigned. This will be discussed later in the syllabus.INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS ATTENDENCE Official Absences: Students are expected to attend class. Official absences are those which occur when students are involved in an official activity of the college, i.e., field trips, tournaments, athletic events, and present the appropriate official absence excuse form. Students who must miss a class for an official reason, must obtain an official absence verification card from the appropriate dean and present it to the instructor prior to the absence. Prior arrangements must be made with the instructor for make-up work. If prior arrangements have been made, the student will not be penalized. Unofficial Absences: All other absences are unofficial, including illness of self or family members, and deaths in the family. If arrangements have not been made by the student prior to class time, the absence will be counted and the student will be penalized. No written assignment will be accepted without approval prior to class time. Religious Holidays: Students have the right to observe major religious holidays without penalty. At least one week prior to the holiday, students shall submit to me a written statement containing both the date of the holiday and the reason why class attendance is impossible. Withdrawal: Students may withdraw from the course up to and including the last drop day. Initiation of withdrawal is the responsibility of the student. Course Advisement Hours The instructor will be available on Wednesday evenings 15-30 minutes prior to class time in our assigned classroom, or by phone during the day at (602) 379-4947 at work, or during most evenings at home (623) 492-0425. If I’m not available at the time of the phone call, leave a message and I will call you back the same day if possible. My position with the Federal Bureau of Prisons calls for occasional travel; therefore, your call may not be immediately returned. Work Expectations Depending upon the size of the class, students will be broken into several groups to prepare a presentation relating to an instructor-approved topic within the field of sociology. Although no written assignment will be required for this project, you must present your issue/topic in front of the class for debate or discussion. Your presentation will last no less than thirty (30) minutes. Please have handouts available during your presentation. These handouts can either be produced by youor gathered from other agencies to assist you in your area of discussion. Topics for as examples: death penalty, race relations, age discrimination, etc… These are only a few ideas you might consider. These presentations are used to facilitate class discussion and, therefore, late presentations will not be rescheduled. At the end of Units 1, 2 and 3, there will be a class session devoted to “Jeopardy,” based on the television game by the same name. Each member of the team winning jeopardy will receive 5 bonus points towards the next scheduled test. Though class discussions will be largely devoted to the same subject areas as covered by the text, the data of the text is the student’s responsibility, whether covered in class or not. Because of the many topics under consideration, it is critical for your own learning experience that you have acquainted yourself with the material of the text prior to class “interaction.” Class Participation Students are expected to participate in a positive manner in class discussions. The following activities are considered inappropriate for a positive learning atmosphere and deductions will be made from the class participation grade: side chatter among individual members of the class during discussions or lectures; intolerance of alternative positions; monopolization of class discussion; failure to participate in class discussions. EXAMINATIONS There will be three examinations. At the end of each unit there will be an examination over the material covered (lecture notes, assigned readings, movie, etc.) in that unit. Tests 1, 2 and 3 will be composed of objective-type questions (multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, short essay). Dates of examinations are listed on the attached class schedule. Test results will be available at the next scheduled class session after the test. Please keep your tests as some of the questions may re-appear on the final. The final unit test will be cumulative and will encompass all material covered in class. The final exam date is listed on the class schedule. There will be NO alternate dates or time. Please plan accordingly. Term PapersEach student will select a topic and submit a term paper topic for approval to the instructor by the date indicated on the class schedule. The term paper should be a minimum of three (3) pages typewritten. It should not exceed four (4) pages in length. The term paper must contain a minimum of three (3) citations. Spelling, grammar, and appearance of the paper can detract from the content grade. The term paper topic cannot be the same topic covered in your group presentation. Course Grading