INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Required Text Macionis, John J., Society: The Basics 8th ed., (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2006).  Introduction to sociology involves basic concepts in society such as culture, group processes, deviance, sexuality, social inequality, and social institutions such as the family, religion, economics, politics, education, and medicine. This course also includes the application of basic research methods and techniques used in a variety of social settings. Students are expected to apply their knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts and research methods and techniques by observing a culture’s group processes, developing a questionnaire, surveying the selected group, preparing a ten page report, and a critique of research in one of the related social areas. Course Objectives To develop student knowledge of the basic concepts in the field of sociology. To develop student understanding of the methods and techniques used to conduct research. To strengthen student research skills in the critique of research. Course Content Areas Lecture, discussion, demonstration, role play, observation, film, case study, etc. Course Requirements Successful students will, (1) come to class on time, (2) read the textbook, (3) participate in group projects, including visiting the computer lab for workshop, (4) pass three multiple choice/true false online quizzes and one final examination consisting of items selected from the readings and from the lecture/discussion materials, (5) select a research topic, develop a questionnaire, survey the selected group, prepare a ten page group report, critique their research, and (5) participate by offering significant contributions to the class discussion. Course Grades A=700-650, B=649-599, C=598-548, D=547-497, F=below 497 Extra Credit Extra credit assignments will not be given during the fall semester! Additional Information Adding the class: Students who want to add the class are not permitted to stay and participate in class until they have provided documentation from the admission and record’s office that they have completed the add process. Leaving class early: The class will begin and end on time. Cheating on exams: All exams for this class will be administered through the eTudes course management system, unless stated otherwise. Please refer to the academic Integrity policy, and visit the LRC computer lab for a workshop before taking the test! Be sure you can use the eTudes course management system to login, take tests, and download assignments. Handouts will be available in the classroom. Please note: The final exam for this class is scheduled for Thursday, December 21, 2006. All students are expected to take the final test. The final exam will not be given early without written consent from the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Classroom conduct: Please don’t interrupt me with individual concerns once class has started. Come to me before class begins or wait until class is over, and remember to silence all electronic devices while class is in session. Refer to the LA Pierce College conduct code for students located in the college catalog, and sign both copies of the group norms contract attached to the end of this syllabus before leaving class today. Late assignments: Students are not allowed in the mailroom, and late papers will not be accepted during the fall semester!  Honors contracts: Honors contracts will not be accepted during the Fall semester!   Special services: Accommodations will be made for students with special needs. Please let me know if you need assistance, and I wish you the very best in all your academic endeavors!
SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS
Points Mode Work Project Readings Due Date 100 Group Ice Breaker: Participation Including a tour of the campus library and the computer lab (TBA) Ch. 1 Sept.7 Sociology: Perspective, Theory and Method (research process)                  Sept. 14     Culture Ch. 2 Sept. 21           Film: "Warriors of The Amazon" Sept. 21 100 Individual Quiz: Chaps. 1-2 Sept. 28 Socialization: From Infancy to Old Age Ch. 3 Oct. 5 Social Interaction in Everyday Life Ch. 4 Oct. 12 Groups and Organizations Ch. 5 Oct. 12 Sexuality and Society Ch. 6 Oct. 19 100 Individual Quiz: Chaps. 3-6   Oct. 26 100 Group PAPER DUE Oct. 26 Deviance Ch. 7 Social Stratification Ch. 8 Nov. 2 Global Stratification Ch. 9 Gender Stratification Ch. 10 Nov. 9 Race and Ethnicity Ch. 11 Nov. 16 Film: "Rosa Parks" Nov. 16 100 Individual Quiz: Chaps. 7-11 Nov. 16 No class Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 23-26 Economics and Politics   Ch. 12 Nov. 30 Family and Religion Ch. 13 Dec. 7 Education and Medicine Ch. 14 Population, Urbanization, & the Environ. Ch. 15 Dec. 14 Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Ch. 16 100 Individual FINAL EXAMINATION CH. 1-16 DEC. 21 600 Total Points   Auguste Comte (1798-1857), who is identified as the founder of sociology, began to analyze the bases of the social order. Although he stressed that the scientific method should be applied to the study of society, he did not apply it himself. Interested in social reform, Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) turned to sociology, where she discovered the writings of Comte. An active advocate for the abolition of slavery, she traveled widely and wrote extensively. Karl Marx (1818-1883) believed that the roots of human misery lay in the exploitation of the proletariat, or property less working classes, by the capitalist class, those who own means of production. Social change, in the form of the overthrow of the capitalists by the proletariat, was inevitable from Marx's perspective. Although Marx did not consider himself a sociologist, his ideas have profoundly influenced many in the discipline, particularly conflict theorists. The French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) contributed many important concepts to sociology. His systematic study comparing suicide rates among several countries revealed an underlying social factor: People are more likely to commit suicide if their ties to others in their communities are weak. Durkheim's identification of the key role of social integration in social life remains central to sociology today. Jane Addams, 1860-1935, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, tirelessly worked on behalf of poor immigrants. With Ellen G. Starr, she founded Hull-House, a center to help immigrants in Chicago. She was also a leader in women's rights women suffrage and in the peace environment. Max Weber (1864-1920) was another eagerly sociologist who left a profound impression on sociology. He used cross-cultural and historical materials to trace the causes of social change and to determine how extensively social groups affect people's orientations to life. William Edward Burghardt DuBois (1869-1963) spent his lifetime studying relations between African Americans and whites. Like many early North American sociologists, DuBois combined the role of academic sociologist with that of social reformer. He was also the editor of Crisis, an influential journal of the time.   THE RESEARCH PROCESS PRINCIPAL STAGES: 1. PROBLEM 2. HYPOTHESIS 3. RESEARCH DESIGN 4. MEASUREMENT 5. DATA COLLECTION 6. DATA ANALYSIS 7. GENERALIZATION
MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT

Part IV:
     Conclusion (generalizations)
          H. Draw conclusions
               19. Have your hypotheses been proven or disproved
               20. Is our information valid and reliable
               21. What are the implications of our study
          I. Prepare the report
               22. Who will read the report
               23. What is their familiarity with the subject
               24. How should the report be structured

CRITIQUE GUIDELINES

Instructions: Using your research report that presents data in a table. Read the report and answer the following questions after giving a full citation here. (Remember to site your source in MLA format).

1. What was the research question

2. Select a table. How many variables does it present

3. Name them.

Independent variable:
Intervening variable(s):
Dependent variable:

4. Pick one of the above variables and list its categories.

5. Is the table clear to you Criticize it by pointing out any improvements you can suggest.

Bibliography: MLA Style

IF YOU USED ARTICLES FROM AN ONLINE SERVICE SUCH AS,
     a) America Online, ProQuest Direct, Lexis-Nexis, or EBSCOhost,

Citing an Article in an On-line Periodical

_________________________________________________

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
         New York: MLA, 1999.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Student Academic Integrity Policy Statement

CLASSROOM CONDUCT

Instructors are responsible for presenting appropriate material in courses, and students are responsible for learning this material. Although it is a student's academic performance that is evaluated in determining grades, student conduct is important.    In the academic setting. Enrollment in a class may be terminated due to unsatisfactory student conduct, undue disrespect toward an instructor or administrator, or academic dishonesty. Each student is responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which he or she in enrolled.

Standards of Student Conduct
Students enrolling in one of the Los Angeles Community Colleges may rightfully expect that the faculty and administrators will maintain an environment in which there is freedom to learn. This requires that there be appropriate conditions and opportunities in the classroom and on the campus. As members of the College community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment; to engage in sustained and independent search for truth; and to exercise their rights to free inquiry and free speech in a responsible, nonviolent manner.

Students shall respect and obey civil and criminal law, and shall be subject to legal penalties for violation of laws of the City, Country, State, and Nation.

Be On Time
Students are expected to attend and arrive on time for each class meeting. Class time is limited; students learn more and understand important concepts better if they always come on time for each class session.

Responsibility to Be Informed
It is the student's responsibility to read the information presented in this schedule and to know and observe all policies and procedures related to his/her program. Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions granted because a student pleads ignorance of policies, procedures, or deadlines.

HOLIDAYS AND IMPORTANT DATES

 

Semester classes begin September 05, 2006 Last day to add September 15, 2006 Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Halloween Veteran’s Day                   NO CLASS Thanksgiving Holiday      NO CLASS Last day to drop September 23, 2006 October 02, 2006 October 31, 2006 November 10, 2006 November 23-26, 2006 November 26, 2006 Semester classes end December 14, 2006 Final exams (final day of class) December 15-21, 2006

Please note: Students who don’t plan to continue in this class must drop it before November 26, 2006 to avoid receiving a failing grade.

GROUP NORMS

1. I will be on time to class and offer significant contributions to every session.
   2. I will go the “extra mile” to improve communications between cultures represented in the class.
   3. I will listen to and respect the opinion of everyone in the class.
   4. I will avoid side conversations and cliques.
   5. I will notify the instructor or group leader in advance if I have a group responsibility and cannot be in class.
   6. I have read and understand the Pierce “conduct code for students” and the “student academic integrity policy statement”, and I agree to obey those rules.
   
   Student’s Copy

 

Please note: Students who violate the group norms contract the first time will be given a warning, the second time a lost of 50 points, the third time a one letter grade reduction, and the fourth violation will result in a failing grade!

 

1. I will be on time to class and offer significant contributions to every session.
   2. I will go the “extra mile” to improve communications between cultures represented in the class.
   3. I will listen to and respect the opinion of everyone in the class.
   4. I will avoid side conversations and cliques.
   5. I will notify the instructor or group leader in advance if I have a group responsibility and cannot be in class.
   6. I have read and understand the Pierce “conduct code for students” and the “student academic integrity policy statement”, and I agree to obey those rules.
   
   Instructor’s Copy

 

Please note: Students who violate the group norms contract the first time will be given a warning, the second time a lost of 50 points, the third time a one letter grade reduction, and the fourth violation will result in a failing grade!