Introduction to Sociology SOCI 1301 Instructor: Sandra S. Gray Office: Arechiga Hall Office Hours: As per instructor E-mail: sandra.gray@laredo.edu Phone: 791-5294 (Arts and Sciences Division) TEXTBOOK Textbook: Croteau, David and William Hoynes. 2013. Experience Sociology. McGraw Hill. The study of society, or sociology, offers us a chance to learn about ourselves and our world; it gives us an understanding of society and provides us with the tools to make our world a better place. Winston Churchill once said, "Those who refuse to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it." I wholeheartedly look forward to the day "YOU" live your future with a fuller understanding of society, or as sociologists might say, "with a broad perception of societal forces operating around us." As a sociologist commented When I took my first course in sociology, I was hooked. While you may not be as captivated as he and I were, I sincerely hope I can be a part of your search for your sociological imagination. INTRODUCTION AND COURSE OBJECTIVES This course is designed to introduce students to the basic foundations and concepts of the discipline. It presents the "basics" of sociology with thorough discussions of the following: theoretical perspectives and major theorists, the meaning of culture as it pertains to society and the creation of personal worldviews, the process of socialization and the development of social groups, institutions, and organizations, the power of structural inequality that operates across the variables of race, class, and gender, and finally the understanding politics and the economy. For further Course Learning Outcomes: See Laredo Community College Course for Introductory Sociology: http://www.laredo.edu:8500/extranet ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to be on time daily. Final grade may reflect attendance. EXAMS: Exam I: Chapters 1, 3, & 4 Take Home Exam: A Class Divided* Final Exam: Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 16 *Take Home Exam: Watch Documentary A Class Divided : go to PBS.org/frontline, then on Search this site: type in A Class Divided, then click on Watch the program. Exam will be based on questions from Take Home Exam Handout for "A Class Divided." Due: July 3, 2013
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Thoughtful class participation will be considered a part of your overall class performance. ASSIGNMENTS: All written assignments must be typed and must have name of student on all pages. Pages must be stapled together. Handwritten assignments and unstapled pages will not be accepted. GRADES: Final grade will be calculated as follows: Three exams: 33 1/3 % each. MAKEUP POLICY: Exams may be made up only in extreme emergencies to be decided by instructor and must be made up within one day. Absolutely no make-ups will be given for the final exam.
TENTATIVE COURSE CONTENT AND OUTLINE JUNE M, 3 Course review, Chapter 1, Sociology in a Changing World T, 4 Chapter 1 Sociology in a Changing World W, 5 Chapter 1, Sociology in a Changing World R, 6 Chapter 3, Culture M, 10 Chapter 3, Culture T, 11 Chapter 3, Culture and Chapter 4, Social Structure W, 12 Chapter 4, Social Structure R, 13 Chapter 4, Social Structure & Review for Exam I M, 17 Exam I, Chapters 1, 3, 4 T, 18 Chapter 5, Power R, 19 Chapter 5, Power M, 24 Chapter 5, Power T, 25 Chapter 6, Socialization W, 26 Chapter 6, Socialization R, 27 Chapter 6, Socialization Last day to drop with a W JULY M, 1 Chapter 16, Politics and the Economy T, 2 Chapter 16, Politics and the Economy W, 3 Chapter 16, Politics and the Economy Review for Final Take Home Exam Due Last Class Day R, 4 Holiday M, 8 Final Exam,
Course Schedule: Date/Week Brief Description of Topic 06/03/13 and Course Overview; Sociology's Historical & Social Context, Foundations of Sociology's Common Ground: Culture, Structure, & Power, Define Culture, Elements of Culture Sociological Theories, 06/10/13 Culture, Ideology, and Power Cultural Diversity Understanding Social Structure Micro-level Interaction: Finding Patterns Meso-level Social Structure Macro-level Social Structure How Structures Change: Action Assignments/ Examinations/ Activities with Brief Description Chapters/ Reading Chp 1: Sociology in a Changing World Chp. 3: Culture Chp. 3: Culture; Chp. 4: Social Structure 06/17/13 Understanding Forms of Power Power in Everyday Life The Economic, Political, and Cultural Uses of Power 06/24/13 Power and Social Relationships Power and Inequality Structured Inequality: Stratification Systems Reproducing Structure: Agents of Socialization Socialization Through the Life Course Culture and Biology: Setting the Stage for Social Life Culture, Power, and the Social Self 07/01/13 War and the Military The Economy Major Economic Systems 07/08/13 Final Exam Exam I Chps. 1, 3, & 4 Chp 5, Power Chp 5, Power; Chp. 6, Socialization Chp. 16, Politics & the Economy