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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