Download Course Outline Sociology 260 (Section A): Social Concepts

Course Outline
Sociology 260 (Section A): Social Concepts & Perspectives
Fall 2016
Instructor: Jones Kwaku Adjei
Office: 2506D
Office Phone: 403 357 3677
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Wed & Fri 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Class Time: Wed & Fri 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM
Class Location: 2501
Credit hours: Three (3)
Prerequisite:
Academic Calendar Entry
Sociological perspectives and concepts used to analyze social behavior. The nature of group
behavior and social interaction. Culture, social organization, the social personality, and
deviance.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the “sociological perspective” and how
sociologists study the social world. The course contents include an overview of the major
theoretical approaches in sociology, the research methods that sociologists use and the
core concepts that structure sociological analyses. Students will also be introduced to key
sociological concepts such as culture, socialization, social interaction, and deviance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Explain the main sociological perspectives
Explain the main research methods used in sociology
Employ sociological concepts & theories in description and analysis of social life
Compare the effectiveness of sociological theories in explaining various aspects of
social life
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Required Texts
Robert Brym, Lance W. Roberts, Lisa Strohschein, and John Lie. 2016. Sociology: Your
Compass for a New World, Fifth Canadian Edition. Toronto, Ontario: Nelson Education Ltd.
Course Requirements and Evaluation
There will be no final exam for this course. The final grade for the course will be based
upon four (4) tests held during class time (constituting 90%) and a participation mark
(constituting 10%). Tests will be based on the required textbook and lecture material.
Tests will involve a combination of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.
In the course of the term, students will be provided with opportunities to critically and
thoughtfully reflect on selected issues that are presented in different formats in-class or
online (Blackboard) and will be expected to share their insights with their classmates. The
instructor will evaluate each feedback and award a maximum of 10% for course
participation and engagement.
Test Dates
Test 1: October 07, 2016 in class (30%)
Test 2: November 02, 2016 in class (30%)
Test 3: November 18, 2016 in class (15%)
Test 4: December 07, 2016 in class (15%)
Only major illness and exceptional circumstances are acceptable reasons for missing a test.
For example, studying for or writing the LSAT is not an acceptable reason for missing a test.
To be considered for a make-up test you must notify me in person, by e-mail, or by phone
message (see contact information at the top of the first page of this outline) before the
scheduled test, and then provide appropriate documentation (e.g. physician’s note, death
notice from a newspaper, etc.) detailing the reason for your absence on the test day. Type
of make-up exam, if any, will be at my discretion.
Class Etiquette
Cell phones, pagers, iPads, iPods, internet surfing, watching videos, playing computer
games, checking e-mail, text messaging, and listening to music are disruptive to other
students in class. This behaviour is also disrespectful toward the instructor. Please be
courteous to your classmates and course instructor and turn off all such devices before the
class starts. Laptop computers are to be used exclusively for the purposes of taking notes
during class and other electronic devices may be used only if you have permission from the
course instructor.
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Grading Scale
Marks
95-100
88-94
80-87
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
55-59
50-54
0-49
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Grade Point
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
The RDC Final Examination Policy will be followed at all times with respect to Final
Examinations. Please review this document to ensure that you understand the contents and
implications of the policy. Click here to see the Final Examination Policy.
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct in all its forms is a serious offence. Please read the definitions that
follow, and refer to the links below for the complete policies.
Definitions
Academic misconduct: Academic misconduct is the giving, taking, or presenting of
information or material that unethically or dishonestly aids oneself or another on any work
which, under normal circumstances, is to be considered in the determination of a grade or
the compilation of academic requirements or the enhancement of that student’s record or
academic career. The two key areas of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.
Plagiarism: The use or close imitation of language, paintings, films, prototypes and ideas of
another author and representation of them as one's own original work. The most common
forms of plagiarism are: copying or paraphrasing another author’s work without proper
acknowledgement, using the ideas or lines of reasoning of another author’s work without
proper acknowledgement, submitting work to which someone else has made substantial
improvements to the content, and submitting the same work for multiple courses without
approval.
Plagiarism can be judged to have occurred if the instructor has both the submitted material
and original source that was copied, or if the student is unable to explain the terminology
or ideas of a submission.
Cheating: Any attempt to give or obtain unsanctioned assistance in a formal academic
exercise (e.g., examination).
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Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy
Appeal: Formal Policy
Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy
IMPORTANT RED DEER COLLEGE DATES
2016-2017 Courses
******** Fall 2016
September 7
First day of classes for Fall term 2016 and Full-Year 2016-2017
courses.
September 16
Last day to register late or add/drop Fall term 2016 and Full-year
2016-2017 courses.
September 16
Last day to have tuition refunded for Fall term 2016 and Full-Year 20162017 courses.
October 1
First day to apply for Fall term 2017 programs.
October 4
Emergency Response Day.
October 10
Thanksgiving Day; College closed.
October 28
Midterm feedback date for Fall term courses.
November 10
College open. No credit classes.
November 10
Final exams schedule posted for Fall
term 2016.
November 11
Remembrance Day; College closed.
November 14
Credit classes resume Fall term
2016.
December 7
Last day to withdraw from Fall term courses and receive a WD.
December 7
Last day of classes for Fall term 2016.
December 12-17 Final exams written.
December 20
Deferred exams for Fall term 2016 written.
December 22
Last day for submission of final grades for Fall term courses.
December 23
Final grades available for Fall term 2016.
December 23
College closed at noon.
Dec 24-Jan 3
No classes for students.
January 14, 2017
Supplemental exams for Fall term 2016 written.
Prior Learning Assessment
This course may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. Students
should refer to the RDC Academic Calendar for a list of excluded courses.
Student Services on Campus
Students should be aware that Personal Counselling, Career, Learning and Disability
Resources are provided by RDC. Students may inquire about locations at the Information
Desk. It is the responsibility students to discuss their specific learning needs with the
appropriate service provider.
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Learning Support (Library: 403-342-3264, [email protected] )
• Writing Skills Centre ([email protected])
• Math Learning Centre (math concepts and advanced theoretical math)
• Learning Strategies (note-taking, studying and exam-writing strategies)
• Peer-Assisted Study / Tutoring (one-on-one tutoring by students)
Disability Resources (Library: 403-357-3629, [email protected])
• Coordination of services (tutoring, alternate format text, note-taking and so on.)
• Academic accommodations, including exam accommodations
Counselling and Career Centre (Room 1402: 403-343-4064, [email protected])
Changes to Course Outline
No changes will be made to this course outline without the consent of the class and the
approval of the Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in this course
outline and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor.
Students should refer to the Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy
and Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy should questions or concerns
about the Course Outline not be resolved directly with the instructor.
Tim Heath, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Arts & Science
Approved 30 August 2016
Page 5
Course Topics (and Reading/Class Schedule)
Week
Week 1
Sep-09
Week 2
Sep-14
Sep-16
Week 3
Sep-21
Sep-23
Week 4
Sep-28
Sep-30
Week 5
Oct-05
Oct-07
Week 6
Oct-12
Oct-14
Week 7
Oct-19
Oct-21
Week 8
Oct-26
Oct-28
Week 9
Nov-02
Nov-04
Week 10
Nov-09
Nov-11
Week 11
Nov-16
Nov-18
Week 12
Nov-23
Nov-25
Week 13
Nov-30
Dec-02
Week 14
Dec-07
Topic
Readings in Brym et al. 2016
Course Introduction
The Sociological Perspective
Sociological Theory and Theorists
Chapter 1
Introduction to the Research Process
Social Research Ethics
Chapter 2
Quantitative Research Approaches
Qualitative Research Approaches
Mixed Research Approaches
Test 1 (30%)
Culture vs Biology
Culture as Freedom
Assigned Reading
Chapters 1 - 2
Chapter 3
Culture as Constraint
Childhood Socialization
The Life Course
Agents of Socialization
Test 2 (30%)
Building Blocks of Interaction
Theories of Social Interaction
No credit classes
Symbolic Interaction
Test 3 (15%)
Chapter 4
Chapters 3 - 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Introduction to Deviance
Theories of Deviance
Chapter 7
Theories of Deviance CONT'D.
Social Control
Test 4 (15%)
Chapter 7
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