Download Syllabus, SOC 205 - Oregon State Ecampus

Welcome!
This syllabus contains most of what you need to know to get started in the course. You'll
find a description, my goals for the course, a calendar of assignments, and information
about the Social History project, due at the end of the term. I'm looking forward to
exploring Institutions and Social Change with you over the next few weeks.
Syllabus, SOC 205
Instructor: Professor Sheila Cordray
Email: [email protected]
Catalog Description
Sociological study of the dynamic organizational nature of society through analysis of social
change and major social institutions such as family, education, religion, the economy, and
political systems. No prerequisite, Bacc Core Course (Social Processes and Institutions)
Objectives
This course is designed to introduce you to ways of viewing the world through a sociological
lens. We will examine the institutions that shape our lives and explore how social change
occurs through changes in those institutions. Our focus is on how day-to-day interactions
create and change social institutions. By the end of the term, you should have a good
understanding of theories and concepts related to the sociological study of institutions and
social change, be able to communicate with others about changes in the world using these
perspectives, and to extend your learning about how institutions shape social change
through your own reading and experiences.
Learning Goals
As a result of fully participating in this class, you will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge about theories and concepts related to institutions and social
change. Your knowledge will be assessed through participation in weekly discussion as
well as your mid-term and final papers.
2. Demonstrates the ability to communicate with others using a sociological perspective.
This will be assessed through your participation in group discussions.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply a sociological perspective on institutions and social
change when observing current social issues. Your ability will be assessed through
participation in group discussions and your mid-term and final papers.
Required Textbooks & Materials
Course readings come from one assigned text (available at the book store) and The text
is on reserve at the Valley library. (Please use the call numbers – the VR numbers – to
get this book.) You may use either the hardcover or electronic version of the text.
Readings should be done prior to participation in the group discussions.
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
All readings from the text and lectures on Blackboard should be used in writing your
papers.
Kimmel, Michael and Amy Aronson. 2009. Sociology Now: Custom Edition for OSU.
Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing, available at OSU Bookstore.
Materials
Computer with Email & Internet access
Grading Policy
The grade for the course will be determined by work on the Social History project as well as
quantity and quality of participation in the weekly discussions. A lot of students do not
recognize how heavily participation in the group discussions is weighted in the final grade
until it is too late. Participate early and often if you want an A or B in the course. Ninety
Percent of the total points will mean an “A” in the course, 80% will be a “B,” and 70% will
be a “C.” Students must participate in at least 7 of the weekly discussions or activities to
receive a “C” in the course.
Important Information
University Information
Academic Regulations
Avoiding Academic Dishonesty
Disabilities Services
Student Conduct
Students are expected to do their own research and to provide sources and citations for all
material gathered. Failure to provide sources for information used in the Social History will
result in a lowered grade or failure in the course.
Students who need additional assistance or resources should contact the Instructor as soon
as possible – preferably the first week of classes. Every effort will be made to
accommodate special needs.
Overview of Activities
The course is organized into two main sections. During the first 4 weeks of the term,
we will be concentrating on learning about the underlying mechanisms of institutions
and social change; we also be examining how sociologists study social behavior in
institutions. During the final 6 weeks, we will be focusing on specific institutions and
how those institutions are changing.
My goal in this course is to present an analysis of society from a sociological perspective
and to give you the tools you need to look at modern society and global processes using
sociological concepts and ideas. Each week I will ask you to read a section of the text, read
the on-line lecture assigned for that week, do the Activities included in the lectures, and
participate in group discussions on the Group Discussion Board. Below you will find a list of
reading assignments, due dates, and Discussion Board topics. In addition to the weekly
activities, you will also be asked to write a Social History of an Institution. Instructions for
the two papers comprising this social history will be provided later.
Both The Social History Project and the Group Discussions are graded activities. The Project
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
will be worth up to 150 points. Fifty points for Part I and 100 points for Part II.
Each
Group Discussion/Activity will be worth up to 10 points for a total of 80 (Weeks 2-9). Your
contributions to the group work will be evaluated on participation in the discussion, your
understanding of the course material and your ability to use it to answer the question
posed for the week. You must write at least five posts across the week that answer
the discussion question to be eligible for full credit. There will be additional points
available during the week(s) that you are responsible for coordinating the group discussion
and posting the Group response to the Main Discussion Board.
When you go to the Blackboard Groups tab, the second week of the term, you will find that
you have been placed in a Discussion Group with 5 to 7 other people. Each week I’ll pose a
question based on the readings in the text and lecture. The group should discuss their
answers to the question and develop a Group response to be posted on the Main
Discussion Board for the course. Each week one person from the group will be in
charge of coordinating the discussion, writing the group answer, and posting it to
the Main Discussion Board. There will be up to 10 points available for the group
coordinator that week. Each of you will have a turn to be coordinator. We’ll do it in
alphabetical order. The person with the last name closest to the beginning of the alphabet
will go first. You can skip your turn any week but will lose the opportunity to earn the
points when you do.
The way the group discussion works is that I pose a question, you provide an answer, I
make suggestions about you can improve that answer, you respond to my suggestions, and
so forth. That’s why it is important to post frequently across the week. Others in the
group can also respond with suggestions or comments. Sometimes students have
problems with the idea that they can improve their work. My view is that answers can
always be improved. I will never be satisfied with a response to a question. I will always
push you to go further, dig deeper, understand more. Please don’t be offended if I
continue to ask for clarification. All that means is that I think you are capable of more. I
think this process, sometimes known as the Socratic method, produces learning. I hope
you will agree by the end of the term. Remember that you must post at least five
times across the week, addressing the question posed, to be eligible for full
credit.
Assignments and Due Dates
All reading assignments are in Sociology Now (Custom Edition) (SN)
Lectures can be found by selecting the Lectures button on the Blackboard Main Menu
Discussion Board Activities (DBA) can be found by selecting the Groups button on
the Main Menu
Instructions for the Social History Project will be handed out when you choose your
institution
Class Project: Social History of a Institution
Your project for the class will have two parts. Each part answers a question about a
technology of your choice. Together they construct a social history of an Institution. Your
project will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of institutions and social change
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
in a social context using the concepts discussed in the lectures and the material in the text.
Your grade for the project will be based the quality of the information you collect,
communication skills, and your demonstrated understanding and use of material from text,
lectures, and Group Discussion Board Activities
You submit the papers as an electronic document.
The first thing you need to do is to choose an institution from the following list. Please let
me know which institution you have selected by the end of Week 2. Then you can begin to
collect the information you need to complete Part I.
Family
Political
Economic
Military
Sports
Leisure
Religion
Science
Education
Your mid-term and final papers are your opportunity to demonstrate your
understanding of the sociological perspective on institutional change. Be sure to
use ideas and concepts from the text, lectures, suggested resources at the end of
each lecture, and class discussions. My main concern is in seeing what you
learned about the sociological perspective during the term.
Part I: Norms and Values, then and now
Part I is due Week 6 and will be worth up to 50 points.
Part II: Tradition, Roles & Groups, Symbols, and Societal Needs
Part II will be due Monday of Finals week and is worth up to 100 points.
Students are expected to do their own research and to provide sources and
citations for all material gathered. Failure to provide sources for information used
in the Social History will result in a lowered grade or failure in the course.
Course Assessment
In Week 10, the opportunity to evaluate this course is provided with instructions. Please
help our teaching staff improve the quality of this course by filling in the evaluation in the
Online Student Services area of the OSU web site. Thank you.
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
Weeks
Topic
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Due Dates
One
Concepts:
the
foundation
Conceptualization
Preface in
Sociology Now,
pages XXIII to
XXXIV
Log in and join
the group for a
discussion
Two
Meeting the
needs of
society
Institutions
Chapter one in
Sociology Now
(SN)
Choose your
Institution for
the social
history project
by Friday
Three
Changes
big; changes
small
Culture & Social
Change
Chapter Four in
SN: Pages
103-137
Four
Private
Troubles
and Public
Issues
The Sociological
Imagination
(The Economic
Institution)
Chapter Thirteen
in SN Pages
416-453
Five
Power &
Authority
Political Institutions
Chapter 14 in
SN: Pages
454-485
Six
The basis of
it all
The Family
Chapter 12 in
SN: Pages
380-415
Seven
Making good
citizens
Education
Chapter 17 in
SN: Pages
554-585
Eight
Making it all
work
Religion
Chapter 15 in
SN: Pages
487-510
Nine
We know
what we
know
Science
Chapter 15 in
SN: Pages
510-519
Ten
Pulling it all
together
Institutional Change
Lecture only
Finals
Week
Part I due by
Friday at
Midnight
Part II due on
Monday by
Midnight
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
Baccalaureate Core Student Learning Outcomes Students taking a course in the Baccalaureate Core Perspectives (Social Processes and Institutions) category will: 1. Use theoretical frameworks to interpret the role of the individual within social process and institutions 2. Analyze current social issues and place them in historical context(s) 3. Critique the nature, value, and limitations of the basic methods of the social sciences