SYLLABUS: SOCIOLOGY 1

Fall 2006 Sat. 9:00 – 12:10.

Instructor: Mary Valentine

Office Hour: Sat. before class and 12:10 -12:45

E-mail: valentme@piercecollege.edu

Textbook:

• Jon M. Shepard’s Sociology 9^th Edition. Published by Thomson Wadsworth.
• Handouts from the instructor

Course Description and Objectives:

This course provides you with a foundation for understanding human social behavior. By examining American society and other cultures, you will learn the specific conceptual, theoretical, and methodological principles and applications that distinguish sociology from other social sciences. The course is designed to help you develop an understanding of the structure and processes of social life, such as culture, values, roles, norms, institutions, socialization and social stratification.

More specifically, by the end of the semester, you should be able to do the following. This is not an exhaustive list.

• Read an article, editorial, or book and analyze it from a sociological perspective
• Identify the historical, cultural, and demographic changes associated with group behavior
• Describe the theoretical perspectives within sociology
• Describe the methodological techniques employed by sociologists
• Evaluate current sociological trends
• Analyze verbal and non-verbal interaction
• Contrast cross-cultural patterns of human behavior
• Use the library, and employ research methods and Internet skills in the collection, analysis and reporting of social phenomena

How will the course objectives be achieved?

In order to become more competent and confident students, you will engage in a number of reading and writing, activities.

It is particularly important that you attend regularly. If you miss class, you’ll miss work and also miss opportunities to contribute. Lack of attendance negatively affects the class climate, and I retain the right to adjust overall course grades on the basis of attendance problems. I also retain the right to drop you from the class for non-attendance at the first class session and for excessive absences. This doesn’t mean that I’m solely responsible for dropping you from the class. Dropping or withdrawing from the course remains your responsibility. On the other hand, those of you with perfect attendance (defined as arriving on time, staying the whole class, and participating) will receive positive consideration (5 extra points) in the calculation of your grades at the end of the semester.

GRADING SYSTEM: How your progress will be evaluated

• You will take a sample quiz on 9/23 to help you see how well you understand the concepts and material so far. The quiz will be corrected in class. The score you receive will not be used in computing your final grade for the semester.
• You will take four tests throughout the semester. Each test will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each and two essay questions worth 20 points each. Test dates: 9/30, 10/28, 11/18, and 12/16.
• You will also have three opportunities (after tests 1, 2, and 3) to do an optional written assignment to add 0 – 5 points to your test score. No make up exams. If unexpected emergencies arise, please contact me BEFORE the exam.

How your work will be evaluated in calculating your final grade for the course:

• four exams@100 points = 400 points, plus
• 5 points for perfect attendance, plus
• 0 -15 points total for optional assignments (3).

Standards: Your grade in this class is based on the total number of points you have accumulated throughout the semester, as follows:

Points	Grade
360-400	A	90%
320-359	B	80%
280-319	C	70%
240-279	D	60%
0-239	F	<60%

DISCUSSION TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

Below is a calendar indicating the subjects being discussed in class each session. Please read the materials in advance of the class discussion. In addition to the assigned chapters, I will distribute additional readings from time to time.

9/9 Introduction to class What is sociology? Founders of sociology Read Ch. 1	9/17 Theoretical perspectives Sociological methodology Read Ch. 2	9/23 Sample quiz Culture Socialization Read Ch. 3 and 4	9/30 Socialization, cont. Test: Ch. 1-4
10/7 Social structure Groups and organizations Read Ch. 5 and 6	10/14 Deviance Read Ch. 7	10/21 Social stratification Social class Read Ch. 8 and 9	10/28 Race and ethnicity Test: Ch. 5-9
11/4 Gender issues Ageing Read Ch. 10 and 11	11/11 Family Read Ch. 12 and 13 Review	11/18 Test: Ch. 10-13 Education	12/2 Economic institutions Read Ch. 14
12/9 Population and urbanization Read Ch. 17 and 18	12/16 Collective behavior Test: Ch. 14,17,18

Some assumptions . . .

I make about you

• You have made a conscious decision to be a member of this class which means you have read the syllabus and know the workload. The average time you should spend on your own (reading, writing, and studying) is two to three hours for every hour you are in class.
• You will be respectful of everyone and observe classroom decorum.
• You will do all the required reading.
• You will attend class regularly and on time.
• If you have a question, you will ask it. You may ask during my office hour or by e-mail.
• You will turn in your assignments on time.
• You will share your knowledge, talents, skills, and personality throughout the rest of the semester.
• You will silence all cell phones and pagers during class.

You can make about me

• I will give you the respect that I ask you to give me and the other members of the class.
• I will begin and end the class on time; I will try to follow the printed schedule to the best of my ability.
• I will be available to help you, but you must let me know that you need help.
• If you do not turn in an assignment, I will not ask you for it and you will be content with a lower grade.
• I will grade fairly and responsibly.
• I will provide feedback on your written work in a timely manner.
• I will follow and enforce the college’s policy on academic integrity.
• I will do my best to help you learn but I cannot learn for you.
• I will establish a safe learning environment.

(Adapted from Profs. Amir Hussain and Elizabeth Berry)

Academic Honesty

Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable. If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing in any form, I will give you a failing grade for the assignment and I will report your behavior to the college for appropriate action. Please read, review and sign the Student Academic Integrity Policy statement.