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SYG 2000 Fall Term 2007
Introduction to Sociology Mon./Wed.
Dr. Hawkins
Office: DSSC 231 Phone: 253-7368
E-mail: chawkins@hccfl.edu
Office hours:
Monday, Wednesday: 9:55 a.m. - 10:55 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 12:25 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. - 4:05 p.m.
I am also available in DSSC 211 at the following times between classes:
MW 12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
TR 10:45 - 11:00 a.m.
Webpage: http://www.hccfl.edu/facultyinfo/chawkins
You will find the syllabus and lecture outlines on my webpage.
REQUIRED TEXT: Tischler, Henry L. 2007. Introduction to Sociology, Ninth Edition. Belmont, California: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introductory course which emphasizes the scientific method in examining society. Topics of study include group structure, roles, social stratification, socialization, deviance, collective behavior, and minority relations.
PREREQUISITE: College level reading and writing skills are required.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1. Define sociology and describe its origins.
2. Explain the three major paradigms used in sociology.
3. List and briefly describe the various steps in using the scientific method.
4. Identify and define the major elements of social structure, such as roles, status, groups, and institutions.
5. Define a social group and describe the different types of groups in our society.
6. Identify and define the major components of culture.
7. Discuss the agents and importance of socialization.
8. Explain the social self and how it develops.
9. Define the concept of deviance and discuss the theories that have been used to explain deviant behavior.
10. Define social stratification and contrast the basic characteristics of the structural-functional and social-conflict explanations for its existence.
11. Describe the characteristics of the major classes in the United States and how these affect your life.
12. Define minority group and distinguish between prejudice and discrimination.
13. Discuss how conceptions of gender develop.
14. Discuss problems related to aging in our society.
15. Define demography and discuss the demographic processes that account for population growth, as well as change.
16. Compare past, present, and future urbanization trends in developed and less developed nations.
17. Define collective behavior and give examples of types of crowd behavior.
18. Identify and explain the types of social movements that can occur and give examples of each.
19. Discuss the sources, types, consequences, and theories of social change in our world today.
20. Discuss the functions of at least one social institution.
GRADING:
Your grade for the course is the summation of the points earned on the quizzes and points earned from the completion of the two writing assignments.
1. Quizzes
There will be a quiz given after we have covered each chapter. The quiz will have fifteen multiple choice items. The test material will be taken from both the reading assignments and the lecture. A total of 13 quizzes will be given during the term. Two optional quizzes are available at the end of the term. These quizzes will take the place of any missed quiz or you may take it in order to replace a previous score(s).
2. The Gordon Rule requires that you must write in this course. If you do not complete the assignments satisfactorily, you may not receive a final grade of A, B, or C for the class. All assignments must be typed.
Journal article from database 15 points
Due October 8, 2007
The first part of the Gordon Rule will allow the student to see how sociologists conduct research. Students will learn how to electronically access databases through the HCC Library system and then site the reference using an APA style format. An orientation in the library will be given during class time on Jan. 25. A student must locate a research article which has a specific hypothesis being tested that was written within the last three years. A report using the attached format will be prepared and submitted to the professor. The following topics must be used for locating a research article in a professional sociology journal. Do not use a psychology journal!
Divorce
Mate selection
Race
Violence
Work and family
Interview assignment 30 points
Due November 7, 2007
Your assignment will give you the opportunity to develop and use interview techniques in order to learn about the diverse community in which you live.
• We will be discussing how to interview people during class.
• You will be provided with a list of ten questions (included in syllabus).
• You will be interviewing someone from another racial or ethic group. This person cannot be someone you know well. They can be another student at HCC, a neighbor, someone where you work, someone from your church, etc. There are no restrictions on age or sex. You may not use someone from your sociology class.
• You will be writing about that person’s story in their words using the following format:
Introduction- Describe the basics about the person: age (approximate is okay), sex, racial/ethnic group, marital status, children, etc.) What stereotypes did you have, or others might have, about a person from this particular race or ethnic group? What did you expect this person to be like? What did you imagine their life was like? What would they be interested in?
Body-Write a summary of the person’s story following the order of the interview questions and adding five questions of your own. Organize your writing into paragraphs. Please indicate your own questions with asterisks in the margin of your paper.
Conclusion- What was this person really like? How did this compare to your initial perceptions and stereotypes. What have you learned ?
Note: The names of the interviewees will remain anonymous. Parts of the stories may be shared and pictures may be shown in class but no one will be identified by name.
Estimated length of the paper: four to six pages typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, font size 12. There is a limit of ten pages! It is your job to create a rapport and ask follow-up questions during the interview so that you can get your interviewee to talk in depth to you.
There is a total of 45 points for both of the writing assignments.
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Please note that good writing is not just for English classes! I expect you to have an introduction, then answer the questions in paragraphs with correct punctuation, correct sentence structure and spelling, and a conclusion. Do not start your paper with “In this paper I will discuss... “ Be a more sophisticated writer in your introduction! Use your English grammar handbook or obtain another basic reference book on writing. Go to the Writing Center located on the third floor of the Library building and have them review your paper with you. This is an excellent service that is FREE to you. The center is staffed by professionals and is open Monday through Saturday! This is not for failing students who cannot write; it is a great way to improve your writing. As an HCC student, you may also use smarthinking.com to assist you in writing your paper. The passwords may be obtained from the Writing Center. This is another free service available to you! Points will be subtracted for sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences that are found. If the paper has too many errors and it is not acceptable, then you will be given the opportunity to rewrite it. There will be a grade penalty of one letter grade (3 points). You must go to the Writing Center and have the staff work with you. Ask them for a signed form indicating that you were there and the date and time spent. A minimum of 30 minutes is expected! You may need to visit the Writing Center more than one time to produce a good paper!
Late papers are not accepted unless there is a documented emergency. Papers are due by 3:30 p.m. on the due date. You may bring them to class or slide them under my office door. Please do not e-mail your paper to me. The only exceptions to e-mails are if you are ill, out of town, or have some computer crisis. The e-mailed paper must be copied and pasted directly onto the message space before the deadline with an explanation of your situation for my approval. Hard copy of your paper must be turned in on the day you return to class. Don’t wait until the last minute; plan for possible problems!
FINAL GRADE:
You will receive a course letter grade based on earning a total of 240 possible points. The percentages at the end of the term which determine your letter grade are the following:
A = 90% to 100%
B = 80% to 89%
C = 70% to 79%
D = 60% to 69%
I find it much easier to keep track of the points you have missed during the term rather than the points you have earned. The end result is the same percentage scale:
A = 0 - 24 points
B = 25 - 48 points
C = 49 - 72 points
D = 73 - 96 points
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is important for you to receive the full value of the course. Attendance is not counted as part of your grade unless you are borderline at the end of the term. If you are one or two points from the next highest grade and have not missed more than one or two classes during the term, then you will receive the higher grade. Students who miss class for any reason are completely responsible for getting all notes and other material they may have missed from another student. There is a built-in an allowance of missing two class sessions during the term where a quiz is given since there are two optional quizzes on the last day of class. If you do not make up a quiz or miss more than two quizzes, you will receive a deduction of 15 points for each one. Only in emergency situations which are officially verified, will any make-ups be considered. Make-ups will be essay exams. If you know ahead of time that you will miss a class where a quiz is scheduled, you may take the quiz before your departure.
On quiz days if you are late to class, you will not be able to take the quiz if at least one student has already turned in their answer sheet. You will have to take one of the optional quizzes at the end of the term. If you are tardy and are given the quiz because no one has completed it yet, you will only be given the same time it takes the class to finish the quiz and the extra credit question (if given) will be forfeited.
EXTRA CREDIT:
There will also be at least five opportunities during the term for extra credit. These will be in the form of an extra question from the lecture on your quiz. You will only know the answers if you have attended class. There are no make-ups for these opportunities. The extra credit question will be given on quiz day at the beginning of class. If you are tardy, you lose the opportunity for the extra point. The purpose of the extra credit is to encourage class attendance.
CHEATING:
Don't do it! You will receive a "0" for the assignment, or quiz, and it will not be dropped. In addition, if you turn in an assignment where the authorship is questionable, the instructor reserves the right to discuss this situation with the student, and if she is not satisfied that the assignment is the work of that student, a grade of “0" will be assigned.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Any student whose disability falls within the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations should contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. The office is located in the Student Service Building Room 204. You may also reach the office by phone at 259-6035.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT:
NO EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING (INCLUDING USE OF OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS), OR PROFANITY IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM.
TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF OR ON SILENT MODE WHEN YOU ARE IN CLASS. CELL PHONES MUST BE OUT OF SIGHT AND OFF THE STUDENT TABLES DURING CLASS. IF YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE ON, PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR SITUATION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR. REPEATED VIOLATORS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CLASS AND SEE THE DEAN BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN.
REPEATED CLASSROOM DISRUPTION AFTER BEING WARNED BY THE INSTRUCTOR WILL RESULT IN A GRADE PENALTY OF FIVE POINTS PER OCCURRENCE.
NAMES OF CLASSMATES AND PHONE NUMBERS:
_________________________________
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THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES WITHOUT GRADE PENALTY FOR FALL TERM IS OCTOBER 29, 2007.
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Introduction to Sociology
Class Dates & Assignments
Fall Term, 2007
Mon./Wed.
Aug. 22 Introduction
27 Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective
Chapter 1 continued
Sept. 3 Labor Day- no class
5 Quiz 1
Chapter 2: Doing Sociology: Research Methods
10 Chapter 2 continued
12 Quiz 2
Data bases orientation
17 Chapter 3: Culture
Interviewing tips
19 Chapter 3 continued
24 Quiz 3
Chapter 4: Socialization and Development
26 Chapter 4 continued
Oct. 1 Quiz 4
Chapter 5: Society and Social Interaction
3 Chapter 5 continued
8 Quiz 5
Chapter 6: Social Groups and Organizations
Data base assignment due!
10 Chapter 6 continued
15 Quiz 6
Chapter 7: Deviant Behavior and Social Control
17 Chapter 7 continued
22 Quiz 7
Chapter 8: Social Class in the United States
24 Chapter 8 continued
29 Quiz 8
Chapter 10: Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Last day to withdraw without grade consideration is Oct. 29, 2007.
31 Chapter 10 continued
Nov. 5 Quiz 10
Chapter 11: Gender Stratification
7 Chapter 11 continued
Interview paper due!
12 Veteran’s Day- no class
14 Quiz 11
Chapter 12: Marriage and Alternative Family Lifestyles
19 Chapter 12 continued
21 Quiz 12
Chapter 16: Population and Demography- pages 419-431.
26 Chapter 16 continued
28 Quiz 16- Population only
Chapter 18: Collective Behavior and Social Change
Dec. 3 Chapter 18 continued
5 Quiz 18
Review for optional quiz
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:
OPTIONAL QUIZZES 14 AND /OR 17
Thurs., Dec. 6 11:00 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. and 2:00 - 3:50 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 10 11:00 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 12 12:30 - 2:20 p.m.
SOCIOLOGY ARTICLE REVIEW
Name________________________
Class time____________________
Article information:
Author(s):_____________________________________________________________
Title:_________________________________________________________________
Journal:_______________________________________________________________
Volume and Date/Year___________________________________________
Pages _______________________
Reference APA style:
Hypothesis being tested:
Method used to collect data:
Results:
Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the article (validity, sample used, how results were interpreted, how data was gathered, thoroughness, timeliness, etc.) Assign a score to the article by rating it on a scale from 1 (low) to 10 (high). Justify your rating.
Interview questions
Background information:
(Age, sex, racial/ethnic group, marital status, children, etc.)
1. How long have you lived in Tampa?
2. What brought you to Tampa?
(Any special memories about the move?)
3. What types of interaction do you have with your family?
(Special occasions/holidays that you celebrate together?)
4. Other than family, who is important in your life?
5. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
6. What accomplishment are you the most proud of in your life?
7. What challenges have you encountered in life?
8. What are your hopes/dreams/goals for the future?
9. (Add your own 5 questions.) Please specify in your paper what question you asked!
10. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Do the results of the research have any practical relevance? Explain.
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