CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY

COURSE SYLLABUS – SUMMER 2009

SOCI 1101-90

ON-LINE (HYBRID)

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

53598

Dr. Rodger Bates, Professor

Email: Rodgerbates@clayton.edu

Website: http://a-s.clayton.edu/rbates  

Office Clayton Hall 109A Phone: 678/466-4647

Office Hours: TTH 11-12

and by appointment

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, (770) 961-3719, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

Mission of the University

Clayton State University provides an intellectually challenging, culturally rich learning environment, encouraging all students to take advantage of the outstanding educational and career opportunities provided for residential and commuter students from a diverse range of ethnic, socioeconomic, experiential and geographical backgrounds. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs of superior quality taught by professionally active teaching faculty committed to promoting academic excellence. University programs and services are informed and guided by the following essential considerations:

recognizing and responding to the increasingly complex global context of contemporary life;

promoting community-based, experiential learning to create enduring and meaningful connections between education and other aspects of life;

encouraging and providing opportunities for continuous education and growth; and

developing an understanding of advanced applications of modern technology.

Clayton State University promotes excellence in teaching, research, and service to the people and the State of Georgia, the nation, and the international community. University graduates communicate effectively, think critically, learn and work collaboratively, demonstrate competence in their chosen field, and posses the capability of adapting to changing circumstances and new challenges. Clayton State University students are encouraged to develop an individually compelling sense of social and civic responsibility, community leadership and service to society.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: COURSE DESCRIPTION/RATIONALE:

Sociology 1101, Introduction to Sociology is an introduction to the scientific study of human society. The course provides a foundation of basic theories and research methods that influence the study of culture, socialization, stratification, deviance, and social institutions.

 

NOTEBOOK COMPUTER REQUIREMENT: Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student’s academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU’s Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm 

COMPUTER SKILL PREREQUISITES:

Ability to use the WindowsTM operating system.

Ability to use a Microsoft WordTM word processing program.

Ability to send and receive e-mail using the OutlookTM or Outlook ExpressTM program.

Ability to attach and retrieve attached files via email.

Ability to use a Web browser.

IN CLASS USE OF STUDENT NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS:

Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

 

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The following objectives are focused upon in this course:

- The student will learn the social forces that shape society.

- The student will learn about the basic concepts of society, culture and socialization.

- The student will learn to trace the influence of Western Civilization on modern social thought (e.g., the impact of the industrial revolution on social stratification).

- The student will learn to utilize appropriate analytic (e.g. scientific method) and conceptual tools (e.g., latent functions analysis and conflict theory) to understand present and future courses of action (e.g., social policy-making) by the U.S. and foreign nations.

- The student will learn to describe factors that motivate individuals and result in the creation of social institutions.

 

TEXTBOOK INFORMATION:

Required text: HENSLIN, JAMES M. "ESSENTIALS OF SOCIOLOGY – A DOWN-TO-EARTH APPROACH." Seventh Edition

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Participation is expected. Students failing to complete more than 3 0n-Line writing assignments will automatically be dropped from the roster!! This is a new university attendance policy!

There will be 3 exams spread throughout the semester. The exams are multiple choice and are NOT cumulative, except the final examination which will have a cumulative component. PLEASE DO NOT MISS THEM. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF EXTREME ILLNESS AND UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, NOTHING CAN BE MADE UP UNLESS ARRANGED IN ADVANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTOR PRIOR TO CLASS.

There will also be a minimum of four writing exercise associated with various sections of the text.. Students may complete five assignments (25 pts. ea.) if they wish and the four best scores (100 pts.) will count as part of their final grade.

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities

SCANTRON ANSWER SHEETS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE FIRST TWO EXAMINATIONS. THESE EXAMINATIONS WILL EACH BE COMPRISED OF 100 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND WILL COUNTS AS 100 POINTS EACH FOR THE FINAL GRADE. THE FINAL EXAMINATION WILL BE COMPRISED OF 125 QUESTIONS. THE FIRST 100 QUESTIONS WILL COVER THE FINAL CHAPTERS SINCE THE LAST EXAMINATION AND AN ADDITIONAL 25 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS FROM THROUGHOUT THE COURSE. THE FINAL EXAMINATION WILL REQUIRE 2 SCANTRON SHEETS.

NO EXTRA-CREDIT WILL BE OFFERED FOR THIS CLASS!! Please respect this policy as its purpose is to honor fairness to all students in the course. Grading will be done on a numerical scale during the semester, with a final letter grade determined at the end of the course. Each graded item has been given a point value, and the total points earned will determine your letter grade according to the scale below.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:

The Professor reserves the right to make additions, deletions or changes to any part of this syllabus at any time during the semester.

MID-TERM PROGRESS REPORT

The mid-term grade in this course will be issued on approximately June 19 and will reflect a portion of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W". Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form available in the Office of the Registrar and June 26 is the last day to withdraw without penalty.

CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Clayton State University is a community of scholars which emphasizes the mutual responsibility of all members to seek knowledge honestly and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing their own work and any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at:

http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm

EVALUATION METHODS:

Grading Policy:

The final grade in this is based upon a student’s performance on the writing assignments, two in-class examinations and a final examination. The 4 writing assignments will be evaluated on a 25 point basis for a total of 100 pts. The in-class examinations will be worth 100 points, the final examination 125 points. The following grading scale will be used:

Approximate

Grade Percentage Range Total point Range Final Grade

A 100-90% 382-425 A

B 80-89% 340-381 B

C 70-79% 297-339 C

D 60-69% 255-296 D

F 0-59% 0 - 254 F

A. Attendance:

This is an on-line course. Attendance is required for the In-class Orientation and the three examinations. Students not present for the In-class Orientation will be declared No-Shows. Anyone entering the class after the In-class Orientation must arrange to meet with me during my office hours at Clayton State University by No-Later-Than May 27.

B In-Class Examinations:

In Class Examination will cover a number of chapters, as scheduled. They will involve 100 multiple-choice questions. These examinations will be evaluated as 100 point examinations SCANTRON REQUIRED

D. Final Examination:

The Final Examination will involve 125 multiple choice questions. One hundred questions will cover the chapters not previously tested. However, 25 questions will be comprehensive covering the full breadth of the course. The Final Examination will be worth 125 points. 2 SCANTRONS REQUIRED.

 

The Writing Assignments must be turned as scheduled in your syllabus. Papers not received by the date scheduled will not be accepted for that chapter. These writing assignments must be submitted electronically. Your responses should demonstrate some original thinks as well as the material in your text. If any other sources, other than your textbook are employed, they must be cited using a standard citation format.

Writing assignments should be approximately 1-2 pages each, double-spaced and 12 pt. print. Each response should include on the top of the first page, your name, email address and the chapter. Also, you should include the question to which you are responding and it should be underlined. You may only submit 1 response per chapter and no more than 2 responses per section.

Sample Format:

John Doe

Johndoe@clayton.edu (use your official Clayton State email address)

Chapter 1

Question: 1 Compare the basic elements of functionalist, conflict and

interactionist theories in sociology.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The test dates, assignments, policies, etc. stated in your syllabus are, of course, subject to change in response to exceptional circumstances. If the unexpected occurs and changes are needed, students will be notified as soon as possible.

SCHEDULE:

Dates:

IN-CLASS MEETINGS: ATTENDANCE REQUIRED

Orientation: Tuesday, May 26th, 9:00 pm-10:20 pm, B-10

First Exam: Tuesday, June 16th, 9:00 pm-10:20 pm, B-10

Second Exam: Tuesday, July 7th, 9:00 pm-10:20 pm, B-10

Final Exam: Tuesday, July 28th, 9:00 pm-10:20 pm, B-10

 

Assignments: Only your top 4 responses will count. (25 pts. ea.)

Should elect to submit more than 4 responses only the first 5 will be graded.

 

PART 1: THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

(Select No More than 2 Questions, You only may choose 1 question per chapter and they are due by the dates listed.

Chapter 1 Due NLT June 1

Question 1: Compare the basic elements of functionalist, conflict and interactionist

theories in sociology.

Question 2: Why did sociology emerge in the 19th century as an academic discipline and who

Were the major contributors to this process?

Chapter 2: Due NLT June 5

Question 1: What are the major components of symbolic culture and how does it shape

Who we are?

Question 2: Describe and discuss the concepts of mores and folkways and illustrate how they are manifested in some specific sub-culture.

Chapter 3: Due NLT June 10

Question 1: How does the socialization process take place and provide at least one example

of this process in some specific group within your life experience?

Question 2: Describe and discuss the contributions of Meade, Cooley, and at least one psychologist to the understanding of the socialization process.

Chapter 4: Due NLT June 15

Question 1: How do the macro and micro-sociological perspectives differ and what are the key components of each ?

Question 2: What holds societies together? Also describe the contributions of Durkheim, Toennies and Goffman to our understanding of this process?

EXAMINATION # 1 Chapters 1-4 in-class meeting June 16, 9:00 p.m. – 10:20

B-10

 

PART II/ III SOCIAL GROUPS, CONTROL AND INEQUALITY

(Select No More than 2 Questions, You only may choose 1 question per chapter and they are due by the dates listed.

Chapter 5 Due NLT June 19

Question 1: Describe and discuss how primary and secondary group influence and control

members.

Question 2: Describe and discuss the nature of leadership in in different group environments.

Chapter 6: Due NLT June 23

Question 1: Define and discuss social deviance from the functionalist, conflict and interactionist perspectives.

Question 2: Compare and contrast labeling theories of deviance and strain theory.

Chapter 7: Due NLT June 26

Question 1: Is social stratification inevitable?

Question 2: How has industrialization and modernization effected systems of stratification?

Chapter 8: Due NLT June 30

Question 1: Describe and discuss Max Weber’s views on the factors that shape stratification.

Question 2: How does stratification differences influence life chances in America?

Chapter 9: Due NLT July 2

Question 1: Define discrimination and prejudice and what are their causes?

Question 2: Does race make a difference in the U.S.? Defend your response from a

sociological perspective.

Chapter 10: Due NLT July 6

Question 1: Describe and discuss the characteristics of disengagement, activity and continuity theory as they relate to aging.

Question 2: Compare and contrast the functionalist or conflict perspectives as they relate to gender inequality in the US.

 

EXAMINATION # 2 Chapters 5 - 10 In-class meeting July 7, 9:00 p.m. – 10:20

B-10

 

 

PART IV/V INSTITUTIONS / DEMOGRAPHY & CHANGE

(Select No More than 2 Questions, You only may choose 1 question per chapter and they are due by the dates listed.

Chapter 11: Due NLT July 9

Question 1: Weber identifies 3 types of authority. Define and provide examples of each and discuss each of their consequences for a society.

Question 2: Discuss the differences between capitalism and socialism and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each economic system?

Chapter 12: Due NLT July 13

Question 1: Describe and discuss the institution of marriage from the functionalist, conflict and interactionist perspectives.

Question 2: With all of the problems associated with marriage in the US, why would changing from self-selected to arranged marriages be a good thing for America?

 

 

 

Chapter 13 Due NLT July 16

Question 1: Discuss the differences between the functionalist and conflict perspectives as they relate to the practice of education in our society.

Question 2: Discuss the differences between the functionalist and conflict perspectives as they relate to the practice of religion in our society.

 

Chapter 14: Due NLT July 21

Question 1: Describe the differences between the Malthusian and anti-Malthusian perspectives of population growth. Which do you think is the best explanation?

Question 2: Please describe the various perspectives of urbanization and their consequences for understanding city growth.

Chapter 15: Due NLT July 24

Question 1: How do societies change and evolve?

Question 2: Define, describe and discuss an important social movement in American life. Please make sure you employ a stage model in your explanation.

FINAL EXAMINATION Chapters 11-15 In-class meeting July 28, 9:00 p.m. –

10:20 B-10 2 SCANTRONS REQUIRED