Professor:
Stephen M. Marson, Ph.D.
Office: D. F.
Sampson 221; Phone: 521-6475 Inclement weather:
(910) 521-6888
Office Hours: Monday 5:00 @ RCC; Tuesday 1:30; Wednesday 4:00; Thursday
1:30; Friday by appointment
| Important Dates for Book Report -- March 2, 3 or 4 = 5 bonus points | ||
| No papers will be accepted after March 14 at 3:00 PM |
Course Description and General Education Statement:
An introduction to
scientific study of human society and social behavior.
Introduction to
Sociology seeks to expose students to the basic concepts, perspectives and
research findings of sociology. Accordingly, students will be made aware of the
important relationships and inter-relationships of the individual to society and
culture, as well as the many ways individuals and their values are influenced by
society. This course contributes to an understanding of the scientific method,
which will enable students to critically evaluate information and materials, as
well as apply scientific knowledge to the solution of contemporary social
problems.
Course Learning Objectives
(Competencies):
Upon successful completion
of this course, students will be able to:
A.
understand the difference between personal (subjective) experiences and
social
scientific approaches to the study of society (Unit 1).
B.
define and apply the
sociological perspective, and develop critical thinking skills through the study
of sociology and the scientific method (Unit 1).
C.
become an active
learner in the classroom in understanding the social world, and identify the
factors associated with effective group memberships (Units 1 and 2).
D.
identify and
understand the basic concepts, theories and research findings of sociology
(Units 1-5).
E.
understand the
contributions that different theoretical traditions within sociology offer
(Units 1-5).
F.
identify specific
research methods that sociologists utilize and list advantages and disadvantages
of each technique (Unit 1).
G.
define culture and
identify the essential characteristics of culture (Unit 2).
H.
know what is
socialization, understand the nature vs. nurture debate, and identify various
theories of socialization (Unit 2).
I.
define and identify
different types of groups and social relationships, and identify the factors
associated with effective group membership (Unit 2).
J.
know what are the
characteristics of the ideal type of bureaucracy and what is meant by the
McDonalization of society (Unit 2).
K.
define deviance from
the sociological perspective and
identify the major forms of deviance and crime (Unit 2).
L.
understand cultural
diversity and appreciate gender, social class, and racial and ethnic group
differences in the construction of modern society (Units 2-4).
N.
examine the
increasingly global character of modern society and utilize a global perspective
to examine how global changes are affecting all parts of life within the United
States, as well as other parts of the world (Unit 3-5).
O.
define the important
concepts of ethnicity, race, and minority group and know how these categories
are socially constructed (Unit 3).
P.
know how sex and
gender are defined, and know what is the relative influence of biology and
culture on gender identity (Unit 3).
Q.
list what are the primary social
institutions in society and identify their important functions (Unit 4).
R.
know how
sociologists define and study the institutions of family, religion, education,
health care, politics and economics (Unit 4).
S.
know how
sociologists define social problems
and identify the essential characteristics of social problems (Unit 5).
T.
identify major
social changes and social issues in contemporary society, and examine social
policies that include the various ways that sociological research and theory can
be applied to addressing social issues (Unit 5).
| Date | Topic | Requirements |
| Week 1 | What
Is Sociology and the Sociological Perspective? The Development of Sociological Theory Chapter 1 Powerpoint |
Chapter 1 |
| Week 2 |
Doing Sociological Research The Tools of Sociological Research Statistics in Sociology |
Chapter 1 QUIZ |
| Week 3 |
Culture
Read: Body Ritual among the Nacirema (html) |
Chapter 2 |
| Week 4 |
Socialization and the Life Course
Activities Theory
(html) Social Solidarity (doc) |
Chapter 3 Chapter 4 |
| Week 5 |
Groups and Organizations |
Chapter 5 QUIZ ( mid term) Book Report Due: March 3 |
| Week 6 |
Deviance and Crime
Durkheim's Vision of Suicide Psychological Vision of Depression Social Class and Social Stratification Check out: Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status (pdf) Occupational Prestige Scale (NORC) (html) A Marxist Vision of Social Class (html) Key Definitions for Social Class (html) Status Attainment v. Marx (html) |
Chapter 6 Chapter 7 |
| Week 7 | Global Stratification | Chapter 8 |
| Week 8 | Race and Ethnicity | Chapter 9 |
| Week 9 |
Gender
Types of Feminism Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) html The Story of Agnes |
Chapter
10 QUIZ |
| Week 10 |
Sexuality Functionalism (html) The Continuum (bmp) |
Chapter 11 |
| Week 11 |
Families and Religion Psychology using Sociology for marriage counseling (pdf) Sociological Definition of Religion |
Chapter 12 |
| Week 12 | Education and Health Care | Chapter 13 |
| Week 13 | Politics and the Economy | Chapter 14 |
| Week 14 | Population, Urbanization and the Environment | Chapter 15 |
| Week 15 | Social Change and Social Movements | Chapter 16 |
| Week 16 | Final Exam | |
Procedures:
Lectures and class discussion,
role-playing games and related active learning class activities, occasional
audio-visuals and guest speakers.
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Attendance Policy: There are no excused absences. Students are therefore encouraged to be mindful of absences and make every effort to be in attendance. Students are expected to have read assigned material prior to the class. Students are also expected to participate in class discussion, exercises and any Blackboard discussions that may be announced. Students are considered in attendance only if present for the entire class. Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive will be dealt with by the instructor. Attendance will be used as a criterion in determining the final grade. (Present 1 point; Tardy 1/2 point; Not present 0 points) For more details see “Class Attendance” in The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Any student with a documented disability needing academic
adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and
the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as
possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact
Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695.
This syllabus is available in alternative formats
upon request. Please contact
Disability Support Services,
DF Lowry Building, Room 197, or call 521-6695.
Lane, H.L. (1979). The Wild Boy of Aveyron. Boston: Harvard University Press.
Assignments |
| This course requires 2 to 3 quizzes, a final exam and a book report of The Wild Boy of Aveyron. The required outline for the book report can be found at the hot link as for the process of grading. Avoid submitting a late assignment.. There will be a final exam and 2 to 3 quizzes. Students are required to take class notes and will be required to submit their notebooks to professor upon request. |
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