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INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
SOC101.011 FALL 2013
Instructor:
Jianjun Ji
Schneider Hall 437
Department of Sociology
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Phone: (715) 836-3050
Fax: (715) 836-5071
Email: [email protected]
Location:
Schneider Hall 107
Class Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. MW
Office Hours: 3:00 – 5:00 pm, T; 8:00 am. - 12:00 pm. F, or by appointment
________________________________________________________________________
Course Description and Objectives
This is an introductory level course of sociology in contemporary American society. The
course is designed to help students embark on a fascinating journey that allows them to
see how the society penetrates their thinking, affects their innermost being, and
influences their lives. It helps students enter a new world of perception and
understanding. It is an exploration of worlds and ideas far from our own and a quest to
understand our own world and ideas. The course covers knowledge in five broad areas. It
starts with the sociological perspectives and has an overview of culture, socialization, and
research, followed by exploring how social groups influence our lives by examining the
impact of social structure and social interaction. It then investigates social inequality at
both global levels and within the United States. It also examines social institutions such
as family and religion to understand life in society. And finally it discusses the social
change, technology, and environment by focusing its attention on the impact of
population and urbanization. By the completion of the course, students will achieve the
following objectives:
1
Obtain a basic understanding of sociological perspectives and social research
methods.
2
Have a basic understanding of human behavior, social institutions, and values.
3
Enhance the ability to write, read, inquire, and think.
4
Apply sociological perspectives to explain human behavior and social issues.
The above objectives will be addressed through the content of the course. Means and
activities could also be utilized and conducted including exams, quizzes, group
discussions, readings and presentations, project papers, power points, overhead
projectors, videos, and personal advising.
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University Liberal Education Learning Goals
1
Knowledge of Human Culture and the Natural World
2
Creative and Critical Thinking
3
Effective Communication
4
Individual and Social Responsibility
5
Respect for Diversity among People
The content of the course, particularly its class discussions, group projects, tests and
quizzes, reading assignments, and term papers, address the above university learning
outcomes.
Department of Sociology Program Goals
1
Ability to construct, evaluate and communicate empirically based arguments
about the social world
2
A respect for ways of life and diverse viewpoints of others
3
Skills necessary to promote professional development and community
engagement over their lifetimes.
The above objectives will be addressed through the content of the course. Means and
activities could also be utilized and conducted including exams, quizzes, group
discussions, readings and presentations, project papers, power points, overhead
projectors, videos, and personal advising.
RENTAL TEXTBOOK
Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach. 2008. James M. Henslin. 9th Edition, Pearson
Education.
READINGS AND GROUP PROJECTS
In addition to reading the chapters discussed by the lecture, 4 additional chapters from the
textbook will be assigned as required readings. All students must read and summarize the
assigned chapter into typed format and submit it to the instructor. Late submission is not
accepted. Failure to submit the reading summary would be recorded as zero. In addition,
the class will be divided into 8 groups each of which prepares one chapter as a power
point to present in class. Reading and presentation assignments account for 10% of the
final grade respectively. The specific reading requirements are detailed in the assignment
schedule at the back of the syllabus. Reading assignments must be stapled. Unstapled
assignments are not accepted. Each group must submit to the instructor their power point
presentation via email attachment after the work is done.
TERM PAPER AND QUIZZES
One term paper about research method is required for the course. The paper accounts for
10% of students’ final grade. The specific requirements of the paper are described in
detail in the back page of the syllabus. In addition, to promote students’ understanding of
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the lecture, 10 quizzes will be given based on the relevant chapter. Quizzes account for
10% of the final grade.
ATTENDANCE
According to the university’s policy, the instructor “will maintain student attendance
records.” In case of an absence, A WRITTEN NOTICE must be given to the instructor.
Students who are late for class 30 minutes or more, or leave class earlier before the
dismissal without the instructor’s prior permission, will be treated as an absence.
Absences will affect students’ final grade. An unexcused absence will be one point
deduction from the final grade. Students who have 4 unexcused absences during the
semester cannot get an “A” grade, and those who have 6 unexcused absences cannot get a
“B” grade, regardless of their performance in other areas. Any student who has a
disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact the instructor and
the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Old Library 2136 at the beginning of
the semester. For students with substantial difficulties due to disability and absences due
to emergency or serious illness, absences will be excused, but they must report to the
instructor within two class meetings after missing a class. This policy, however, does not
penalize students for absences that are “authorized” (see
http://www.uwec.edu/DOS/policies/attendance.htm ).
EXAMS
There will be three exams during the semester including the final. Exams cover 60% of
your final grade. The content of the exams will be primarily from the instructor’s lecture.
This suggests that students who wish to achieve expected grades must take notes in class.
Specifically, the first exam will cover the first four chapters; the second covering chapters
5, 6, 9, and 10; and the final covering chapters 13, 15, 16, 18, and 20. The types of tests
will be multiple choice, true/false, essays, or a combination of them. No makeup exams
will be offered if the instructor has not received prior notice. A missed exam will be
treated as “zero” for that exam. The instructor will reserve the right to curve the final
grade.
CLASSROOM DECORUM
To maintain a learning atmosphere in the classroom, students are expected to refrain from
any distractive behaviors during the class. Talking to seatmates is disrespectful to other
students and strongly discouraged. Further, inappropriate behaviors such as sleeping,
eating, listening to radios, reading a book or newspaper, talking on cell phones, doing
homework, coming to class late or leaving early, will not be tolerated.
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ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Students should do all their work independently. Any occurrence of academic misconduct
such as plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines and procedures
outlined in the academic misconduct policy at the university.
SYLLABUS
The syllabus serves as a “contract” between the instructor and the students. It is strongly
recommended that students read the syllabus carefully and make plans and act upon it
accordingly. Due to circumstances like unexpected events, meetings, or weather
conditions during the semester, the syllabus may undergo adjustment when it is
considered to be necessary.
FORMULA FOR FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
Final Grade = (test1 + test2 + test3) * 20% + (Quiz10%) + (Paper10%) +
(Reading10%) + (Present10%) – (# of Absence)
ASSIGNMENT WEIGHTS
GRADING SYSTEM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Group Quiz
Paper
Reading
Present
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Total
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
20%
20%
_____
100%
= 94 -100
= 90 - 93
= 87 - 89
= 84 - 86
= 79 - 83
= 76 – 78
= 72 – 75
= 69 - 71
= 66 – 68
= 62 – 65
= 59 - 61
= 58 or below
EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
Test1 10/2 Tuesday
Test2 11/6 Tuesday
Final 12/17 Tuesday
1:00 – 2:50pm
SSS#107
________________________________________________________________________
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CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENT
9/4-9
CHAPTER 1 THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Syllabus
Introduction
What is Sociology?
Early Sociologists
Sociological Perspectives
Quiz 1
Assigning groups and seats for the class
9/11-16
CHAPTER 2 CULTURE
Define Culture
The Component of Culture
Technology and Cultural Diffusion
Quiz 2
G1 Present
Chapter 5 How Do Sociologists Do Social Research?
9/18-23
CHAPTER 3 SOCIALIZATION
Human Nature
Define Socialization
Theories of Social Development
The Agents of Socialization
Socialization through Life Course
Quiz 3
G2 Present
Chapter 7 Bureaucracy and Formal Organization
9/25-30
CHAPTER 4 SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
Macro- and Micro-sociology
Status, Roles, Groups, Social Institutions
What Holds Society Together
Components of Dramaturgy
9/30
G3 Present
Chapter 22 Social Change and Environment
Read 1 due
Chapter 8 Deviance and Social Control
10/2
Test 1
________________________________________________________________________
10/7-9
CHAPTER 5 HOW SOCIOLOGISTS DO RESEARCH
A Typical Research Model
Some Key Terms
Research Methods
Quiz 4
Paper*
Start preparing term paper. See the details at the back
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10/14-16
CHAPTER 6 SOCIETIES TO SOCIAL NETWORKS
Social Groups and Societies
The Transformation of Societies
Groups within Societies
Group Dynamics
G4 Present
Chapter 11 Sex and Gender
10/21-23
CHAPTER 9 GLOBAL STRATIFICATION
Social Stratification
The Determinants of Social Class
Major Theories
Quiz 5
G5 Present
Chapter 14 The Economy
10/28-30
CHAPTER10 SOCIAL CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES
Social Class
Consequences of Social Class
Social Mobility
Why People Are Poor
Quiz 6
G6 Present
Chapter 17
Education
10/30
Read 2&3 due Chapter 12 Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 19 Medicine and Health
11/4
Review for Test2
11/6
Test 2
________________________________________________________________________
11/11-13
CHAPTER 13 THE ELDERLY
What Is Aging
Social Theories of Aging
Problems Facing the Elderly
The Sociology of Death and Dying
Quiz 7
11/18-20
CHAPTER 15 POLITICS
Power, Authority, and Violence
Types of Government
The U.S. Political System
Who Rules the United States?
War and Terrorism
G7 Present
Chapter 19 Medicine and Health
7
11/25-27
CHAPTER 16 THE FAMILY
Define the Family
Theories of Marriage and Family
The Cycle of Family Life
Family Violence
Quiz 8
G8 Present
Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movement
11/28-30
Thanksgiving Day
12/2-4
CHAPTER 18 RELIGION
Perspectives on Religion
Religion and the Spirit of Capitalism
The World’s Major Religions
Types of Religious Groups
Characteristics of Religion in the United States
Quiz 9
12/9-11
CHAPTER20 POPULATION AND URBANIZATION
The Malthusian Theorem
The Demographic Transition
Models of Urban Growth
Factors Promoting Suburban Growth
Population Dynamics
Quiz 10
Film
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion (3 min.)
12/9
Paper due
Read 4 due
Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movement
12/17
Tuesday
Final 1:00 – 2:50pm SSS #107
________________________________________________________________________
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ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Date
Due
Assignment
Specific Requirement: Summarize the chapter in your own
words, in typed format, double space, and at least three pages.
9/30
Reading
Chapter 8 Deviance and Social Control
10/30
Reading
Chapter 12 Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 19 Medicine and Health
12/9
Reading
Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movement
12/9
PAPER
3 + pages for Part I; 5 + pages for Part II. All together would be
8 + pages in length.
Part I
Following the research model (eight steps) as discussed in
Chapter 5, define and summarize the steps of the ideal model.
This part must be completed in typed format and double-spaced
at least 3 pages.
Part II
Using the below journals or any other journals as references,
select any one of these articles (thesis, dissertation, or other
types of research papers), summarize how the article is outlined
and constructed. Your summary should be completed in
accordance with the steps of the research model as discussed in
Chapter 5. Submit your assignment (double-spaced 5 pages)
with an attachment of the copy of the article you read.
American Journal of Sociology
American Sociological Review
Journal of Marriage and the Family
Social Forces
Sociological Quarterly
Demography
Gender and Society
Journal of Family Issues
Social Science Research
Sociological Spectrum
The completion of your assignment should cover the following key points
wherever applicable:
1. What is the topic of the paper selected?
2. What is the problem the author(s) defined?
3. What are the findings from the literature?
4. What are the hypotheses/research questions of the paper?
5. What is the statistical method applied?
6. What kinds of data are used in the analysis?
7. What are the major findings/results?
8. What is the conclusion by the author(s)?