Course Syllabus

 

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

 

Course Prefix/Number:                                                           SOSC 100

Course Title:                                                                            Introduction to Sociology

Division:                                                                                  Liberal Arts

Program:                                                                                  Social Science

Credit Hours:                                                                          Three

Initiation/Revised Date:                                                          Fall 2008

Assessment Goal per Outcome(s):                                          70%

 

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION

 

Academic

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

Through this course students will begin to unravel the social factors underlying social phenomena.  This course will introduce the student to sociological theories and concepts for evaluating human interactions and institutions.  The use of multi-media techniques for gathering information, (e.g. the internet, films, and interactive software) will allow the student to apply the sociological theories and concepts to contemporary social issues.

 

PREREQUISITES AND/OR COREQUISITES

 

None

 

TEXTS

.

Schaefer, Richard T.  Sociology:  A Brief Introduction.  7th ed.  Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

 

COURSE OUTCOMES

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with the broad patterns of social life that influence individual attitudes and behavior.

 

    1.  Explain history and development of Sociology as a science and a discipline.
    2. Define sociology and distinguish it from other disciplines and professions
    3. Identify three major perspectives or paradigms that make up sociology and distinguish among them.
    4. Apply sociological paradigms, concepts, and theories to one's personal and social life.
    5. Identify major research methods used by sociologists

 

 

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with the concept of culture, its impact on society, and how it influences individual development.

 

    1. Identify the elements that comprise the concept of culture
    2. Apply the relationships between beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors.
    3. Distinguish between culture, subculture, and counter culture, folk culture, mass culture, and class culture.
    4. Appreciate social diversity - both within our own culture and across cultures and societies.
    5. Identify and state some results of ethnocentrism and cultural relativity.

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with the process of social interaction and with the major elements of social structure.

 

    1. Analyze the socialization process, gender roles, and how we become social beings using sociological perspectives and sociological imagination.
    2. Discuss the social self as process, subject and object.
    3. Discuss the role of the family, school, peer groups, and other social institutions in socialization
    4. Outline the concept of the looking-glass self
    5. Explain interaction, group dynamics, bureaucracy, and social structure.

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with deviance and society’s efforts to control deviant behavior.

 

    1. Define deviance as a sociological concept.
    2. Discuss positive and negative effects of deviance.
    3. Identify several sociological theories of deviance.
    4. Discuss different types of mechanisms of social control.
    5. Identify the relationship between deviance and crime.
    6. Identify various forms of crime.

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with social inequalities (racial, ethnic, age, and gender) as well as inequalities promoted by social class.

 

    1. Identify major dimensions of social stratification.
    2. Identify different theoretical explanations for social stratification
    3. Recognize problems associated with inequality of life chances and social mobility
    4. Understand the importance of social power in the stratification process
    5. Compare inequality in the US with other technologically advanced societies
    6. Describe how different perspectives explain prejudice and discrimination.
    7. Define concepts of race, ethnicity, and gender.
    8. Explain inequalities associated with race, ethnicity and gender in the US and other societies.
    9. Describe results of changing patterns of aging.
    10. Explain how changes in technology, economic patterns and family forms affect the social aspects of aging.

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with the social functions of education, religion, government, economy and family life.

 

    1. Analyze major social institutions and their significance.
    2. Identify trends in education in the US.
    3. Recognize some of the social functions of formal education.
    4. Describe paradigmic views of education as a social institution.
    5. Define the sociology of religion as an area of study.
    6. Contrast and compare contributions of Durkhiem, Weber, and Marx to the sociology of religion.
    7. Discuss current trends in American religious practice.
    8. Discuss how modernity has affected religious behavior
    9. Compare the American health care system with those of other industrial nations.
    10. Describe paradigmic views of health care as a social institution.
    11. Describe major changes in family form in modern societies
    12. Identify sociological aspects of political and economic change in modern societies.
    13. Identify evidence for the pluralist and power elite views of US economic and political systems.

 

  1. The student will become acquainted with the dynamics of the human environment, collective behavior and social change.

 

    1. Recognize the role of sociology in relation to the study of human population.
    2. Explain the dynamics of population, ecology, medical, health, and environmental issues.
    3. Identify the major demographic variables and define some measures of each.
    4. Recognize trends in the US population
    5. Describe Malthus’s theory of population growth
    6. Discuss relationships between economic development and the birth rate.
    7. Identify stages of demographic transition theory.
    8. Define popular culture and discuss the role it plays in shaping behavior in contemporary society.
    9.  Recognize how social movements change the nature of our culture and society.
    10. Describe the different sociological views of social change.
    11. Define and explain deviant and collective behavior.
    12. Analyze the importance and dimensions of social change.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

Unit I:  Developing a Sociological Consciousness, and Culture and Social Structure

  • The Sociological Perspective
  • Development of Sociology
  • Conducting Research
  • Components of Culture
  • Cultural Unity and Diversity
  • Social Structure
  • Perspectives in Sociology

 

Unit II:  Socialization, Social Groups and Formal Organizations, and Deviance and Crime

  • Foundations for Socialization
  • Socialization and the Life Course
  • Group Relationships
  • Formal Organizations
  • The Nature of Deviance
  • Sociological Perspectives on Deviance
  • Crime and the Criminal Justice System

 

Unit III: Stratification, Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

  • Patterns of Social Stratification
  • American Class System
  • Social Mobility
  • Explanations of Social Stratification
  • Racial and Ethnic Stratification
  • Prejudice and Discrimination
  • Assimilation and Pluralism
  • Paradigmic Views of Racial and Ethnic Stratification
  • Racial and Ethnic Groups in the US
  • Future of Ethnic and Minority Group Relations
  • Gender Stratification
  • Sources of Gender Roles
  • Paradigmic Views of Gender Stratification

 

Unit IV: Social Institutions: Government, Economy, Family, Religion, Education, and Medicine

  • Power, Authority, and the State
  • Political Power
  • Economic Power
  • Corporate Power
  • Sociology of Work
  • Structure of the Family
  • Challenges for American Families
  • Paradigmic Views of Families
  • Religion
  • Education
  • Medicine

 

 

 

Unit V: The Human Environment and Social Change

  • Population
  • The Urban Environment
  • The Ecological Environment
  • Social Change
  • Collective Behavior
  • Social Movements
  • Future of Social Change

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

 

The textbook serves as a general guide to the subject matter covered in this course.  Students are encouraged to read chapters assigned in each unit.   Textbook information specifically identified become class notes and are subject to testing.  Chapters do not contribute equal amounts of information; therefore, students should read for content only for examination purposes.

 

Instruction includes a variety of approaches, including lectures, classroom and group discussions, and the use of available media and technological resources.   Lecture notes in the form of PowerPoint presentations will be posted in the respective course section along with all course assignments.  Additional handouts may be provided to students to clarify concepts and reinforce certain course learning objectives.  Critical thinking, along with basic knowledge, will be emphasized with all approaches to learning.

 

Various opportunities will be provided to students to earn points and to demonstrate their understanding of the learning outcomes for this course.  All materials covered in class under the supervision of the instructor and all assignments submitted by students are subject to evaluation. 

 

Note:  For additional assistance exam review sessions may be scheduled or provided prior to each unit exam.

 

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND METHOD OF EVALUATION

 

Grades will be determined as a percentage of all possible points earned by students as follows:

 

            Written Assignments (16 x 20 pts)                                         320

            Group Discussions and Collaborations (5 x 20 pts)                 80

            Reaction Papers (4 x 25)                                                         100

            Unit Tests (6 x 50 pts)                                                                        300

            Final Comprehensive Exam                                                    100

 

            TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS                                                            900

 

Tests are assigned on a unit basis, composed of multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, and brief essay questions.  Arrangements for taking tests at alternate times must be initiated by the student and have permission granted by the instructor.  Classroom activities will consist of guided small group discussions or individual activities.

GRADING SCALE

 

A = 90–100%          B = 80–89%          C = 70–79%          D = 60-69%          F = 0-59%

 

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE

 

All assignments and tests will be scheduled throughout the course.  Different approaches to learning will be exercised with the intension of giving all students the opportunity to master all 7 of the course outcomes and competencies.   Students will be assessed for their acquisition of knowledge by their ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of the course material and to express themselves with critical thinking skills in the context of their study of sociology.  Therefore, all written assignments, course discussions, papers, and tests will contain elements for evaluating a basic knowledge of sociological material by students as well as their acquisition of a more in-depth understanding, application, and meaning of sociology in their lives from their individual expressions of critical thinking.   

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused except in those cases where outside bodies, such as the State Board of Nursing, have requirements for minimum class minutes for each student. Students who are excused will be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute assignments from the instructor and should not be penalized for the absence.  Proper procedure should be followed in notifying faculty in advance of the student’s planned participation in the event.  Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the planned absence.

 

Unless students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they are expected to attend class.  If a student’s absences exceed one-hundred (100) minutes per credit hour for the course or, in the case of on-line or other non-traditional courses, the student is inactive for one-eighth of the total course duration, the instructor has the right, but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course.  Once the student has been dropped for excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student, stating that he or she has been dropped.  A student may petition the chief academic officer for reinstatement by submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within one week of the registrar’s notification.  If the student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be notified. 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic pursuits.  Academic integrity in coursework is a specific requirement.  Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for violations of Academic Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

 

CELL PHONE POLICY

 

Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. The instructor may approve an exception to this policy for special circumstances.

EMAIL POLICY

 

All class-related communication must be through your NCCC email account (P-mail).  Instructions for setting up you P-mail account is found on the NCCC Webpage under “Current Students” à

“Student Email Setup.”  Also, when writing an email to be sent to the instructor, use the following in the subject line: SOSC100-(Sec. No.).  All students must send a certification email to the instructor within the first week of class.  The email should include the student’s correct name. 

 

Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC.  Changes will be published in writing and made available to students.

 

NOTE: If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify the Dean of Student Development, Chanute Campus, Student Union, 620-431-2820, Ext. 213.,  or the  Dean, Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2607 ext 312, as soon as possible.  You will need to bring your documentation for review in order to determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you in arranging any necessary accommodations.