Sociology 101 - Introduction to Sociology

Course Syllabus – Spring 2010

Instructor: Donna Goyer

Office Hours: Monday from 3:30 until 5:00 p.m. by appointment only

Email: dgoyer@csusm.edu

Furloughs - Important Notice: The CSU faculty agreed to take furlough days in order to preserve classes and jobs for as many CSU employees as possible, and to serve as many students as possible, during the current budget crisis. Within the furlough context, I will make every effort to support your educational experience at CSUSM. The agreement that governs faculty furloughs acknowledges that "cuts of this magnitude will naturally have consequences for the quality of education that we can provide." Visit CSUSM Budget Central http://www.csusm.edu/budgetcentral/ to learn more about the state budget crisis and how it impacts your educational opportunities. To avoid the continued loss of higher education availability in California, exercise your right to voice an opinion and let your legislators know how important it is to fund higher education. Contact information for state legislators and the governor are provided at Budget Central. During the current semester, I will be on furlough the following dates January 19th , February 8th , 10th , 18th and 25th , March 10th and 26th and April 5th and 16th. Per the agreement I will not be working or checking email on these dates.
 

Course Description: Sociology 101 is a survey course designed to introduce students to the discipline of sociology. Students will learn the basics of analysis and description of the human society from a sociological perspective. This course surveys the basic theories, concepts, language, tools, and findings of sociology with emphasis upon the scientific study of social interaction and organization in present day America and the “global” society. Also explored, is the application of scientific methods to the observation and analysis of social groups and processes, along with the findings and theories of the sociologist at work.

Learning Objectives:  Students will gain knowledge about the various sociological theories that facilitate one’s understand of society and how these theories might be applied to the social issues of the modern world, especially as they relate to race, class, gender, age, sexual preference, religion and nationality. Students will also learn how to critically analyze and interpret the diversity of social experience using a sociological perspective and be introduced to social analysis using the ‘sociological imagination’. 

Required Text:. Sociology In Our Times. By: Diana Kendall 7th ed.

Preparation for Class: Students are expected to read the course schedule shown below and check it each week for changes. The course schedule is subject to change in order to facilitate student understanding of the course material. You also need to read the mini-lectures and complete the weekly assignments located on the WebCT assignments page and participate in weekly discussion salons. Those of you who are new to online classes should go to the WebCT sign in page and review the tutorial and FAQ's you will find linked to the Students Tab (look at the top where you log in and you'll see the tabs).

Special accommodations: Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations must be approved for services by providing appropriate and recent documentation to the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS). This office is located in Craven Hall 5205, and can be contacted by phone at (760) 750-4905, or TDD (760) 750-4909. Students authorized by DSS to receive accommodations should meet with me during my office hours or in a more private setting in order to ensure your confidentiality.

Classroom Decorum:  All students are expected to arrive to class on time, not to disrupt the class and to treat each other with the utmost respect.  Disruptive behaviors that interfere with the instructor's ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn will not be tolerated.   Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; carrying on running conversations not related to classroom discussions; using beepers, cellular telephones or other electronics (including computers) during class, arguing with the professor or other class members during class.  If extraordinary circumstances exist where a student must carry a beeper/cell phone to class, prior approval of the instructor will be required.  DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS WILL LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN THE STUDENTS COURSE GRADE FOR PARTICPATION AND POSSIBLE EXPULSION (See the student code of conduct in the university catalogue for additional information and the university policy on plagiarism/cheating). 

Assignments/Evaluation: There are 3 exams and several in-class assignments that are graded as follows:

Mid Term Exam = 25%

Second Mid Term Exam = 25%

Final Exam = 25%

Class Participation = 25%

Late Assignments and Make-up Exams: Written assignments or homework that is turned in after the due date will be graded 50% lower than those turned in on time. Makeup exams will NOT be given except in the case of an emergency (supporting documents will be required). All late assignments are assigned an automatic ten-point penalty.

Course Schedule: Although every effort will be made to adhere to the course schedule it may be modified to facilitate student understanding.

Date	Topic/Activity	Chapters
Jan 20th	Introduction to course The Sociological Imagination
Jan 25^th & 27th	Sociological Theory and Concepts	Chapt. 1
Feb 1^st & 3rd	Doing Sociology (Research) Library Research Assignment hand out	Chapt. 2 & 3
Feb 8^th & 10th	Furlough week –No class meetings. Library Research Assignment	Furlough week – Library Research Assignment
Feb 15^th & 17th	Socialization and Culture Feb 15^th - Library assignment due	Chapts. 4 &5
Feb 22^nd & 24th	Review and Midterm Exam on the 24th	Chapts. 1-5
Mar 1^st & 3rd	Film Group Organization and Crime	Chapts. 6, & 7
Mar 8^th	Class and Stratification	Chapts. 8 & 9
March 10th	Furlough Day	Research Assignment
Mar 15^th & 17th	Race, ethnicity, sex and gender	Chapts.10, & 11 Mar 15^th - Turn in Research Assignment
Mar 22^nd & 24th	Review and Midterm Exam on the 24th	Chapts. 6-11
Mar 29th & 31st	SPRING BREAK
April 5th	Furlough Day
April 7th	Aging and the economy	Chapts. 12 & 13
April 12^th and 14th	Politics and government/The family	Chapts. 14 & 15
April 19^th & 21st	Education, Religion and Health	Chapts. 16, 17 & 18
April 26^th & 28th	Population/Urbanization/Collective Behavior and Social Change	Chapts. 19 & 20
May 3^rd & May 5th	Review for Final Exam Course wrap up	Chapts. 12-20
May 12th	Time: 9:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.