S100: Introduction to Sociology

SOC 1: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY ______

CRN: 30442 Class Day: Tuesday & Thursday Class Room: COB 102 Class Time: 3:00-4:15 PM ______

Instructor: Kyle Dodson Office: COB 337 Office Hours: Thursday, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (or by appointment) E-Mail: [email protected]

Teaching Assistants:

Katie Butterfield ([email protected]) Katie Daniels ([email protected]) Michael Eissinger ([email protected]) Ashley Metzger ([email protected])

Course Description:

The “sociological imagination” provides a useful framework for exploring the causes and consequences of social behavior. During the semester, we will take this framework and apply it to a variety of topics, including racial inequality, education, and social change. In so doing, you will become acquainted with the terms and concepts that are central to sociology as well as some of the unique insights provided by the discipline. Ultimately, I hope this class equips you with some of the tools that sociologists use in understanding our society.

Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Think critically about the causes and consequences of social inequality: In this class you will learn how systems of privilege organized around gender, race, class, and sexual orientation structure the world in which you live.

2. Explain and apply the major theoretical perspectives: The class addresses some of the major theoretical paradigms within sociology, and helps you to develop multiple ways of understanding the same issue.

3. Be able to use your sociological education outside the classroom: The ultimate goal of this course is to help you—even if this is the one sociology course you ever take—to apply sociology to the rest of your schooling, future career, and everyday life. Course Requirements:

Required Text:

Ferguson, Susan J. 2013. Mapping the Social Landscape: Readings in Sociology. Toronto: Mc-Graw Hill. 7th Edition.

You are expected to read all assigned readings before they are listed for class. If you have any questions regarding these readings, please email or meet with me. You will be responsible for the material covered in the readings as well as lecture material.

We will spend some time each day addressing the assigned material. Therefore, you should come to class prepared to discuss the readings assigned for that day. Anticipate spending 1-3 hours in study for every hour spent in class meetings.

Discussion Sections: I expect all students to attend discussion sections, be on time, not leave early, and be prepared to engage in discussion. If you have more than three unexcused discussion absences, I will drop you from the class. The ONLY exception to this policy is for religious observance, a serious medical condition, or a family emergency. Attendance will be taken during discussion sections, as attendance (actually being there) is a necessary first step for participation. TA’s will keep a record of your attendance and participation, as it will determine 10% of your overall grade.

Lecture Attendance: I expect all students to attend class, be on time, not to leave early and be prepared by reading the assigned material. I do not grade on the basis of attendance. That said, students who attend lecture generally perform better on exams than students who miss class. Under no circumstances will I or the TAs provide lecture notes or lecture slides.

Exams: There will be three, multiple-choice exams in this course (October 2, November 6, and December 11). Exams will cover lecture material as well as all of the reading material, even if it was not discussed in class. The exams will not be cumulative with respect to the topics covered in each test, but they will build on your knowledge of sociological perspectives and methods.

Make-ups: Make-up exams will not be given. The only exceptions to this policy are extreme and unusual circumstances, and these must be documented. If you cannot take the exam for some reason, you must contact me prior to the exam. With my permission, you may take the exam at a later date. Failure to do so will mean that you will not be able to take a make-up exam. If there is an emergency the day of the exam, e-mail me before the exam is given. Grading:

Test 1—Oct 2 30% Test 2—Nov 6 30% Test 3—Dec 11 30% Discussion Section Attendance 10% Total 100%

Course grades will be determined according to the following grading scale:

A+ 97-100% B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 A 93-96 B 83-86 C 73-76 D 63-66 A- 90-92 B- 80-82 C- 70-72 D- 60-62 F Less than 60

Course Guidelines and Policies:

Class Discussion and Participation: I expect students to participate in class discussion. We will be discussing a variety of social issues in this class including race, gender, and politics. Each person comes to class with a unique background and perspective; I encourage students to draw on that perspective when discussing the sociological issues in class. Please keep in mind that sharing opinions and experiences is a valuable but sometimes uncomfortable experience, and everyone must make the commitment to create an atmosphere of respect for each person’s contribution.

Honor Code: If you plagiarize, or otherwise cheat, on any exam or assignment, you will fail this course and your transcript will note your violation of the academic honesty policy. Plagiarism involves intentionally representing someone else’s words or ideas as your own. If you use outside sources—either in the form of quotes or ideas—you must cite them to indicate where they come from. Please see or email me if you need help with citations. When in doubt, ask! If you cheat, or let someone else represent your work as their own, you are in violation of the student code of conduct. You will fail this course and your failing grade will be identified on your student transcript as resulting from academic dishonesty. Please consult the office of student life web site if you require further information: http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/ (then go to “Student Judicial Affairs” and look at the “academic honesty policy”). Your enrollment in this course indicates your willingness to comply with all requirements and policies. Student Responsibility: Students must take responsibility for their performance in this class. Students are to come prepared, to engage in class assignments and discussions, and initiate conversations with the instructor regarding issues and questions about the course. Course notes will not be made available to students, it is your responsibility to keep good notes over the lectures, including the days you miss class.

To this end, it might be useful for you to get the name and email address of at least one classmate so that if you must miss class, you can get the notes, and be caught up on any announcements made in class. Understand, though, that these people are not responsible for providing you with any pertinent information. Whether or not they choose to is solely up to their discretion.

Name:______E-mail:______

Incompletes: In accordance with departmental and university policies, I will not grant an incomplete except within unusual circumstances.

Special Needs: Students with special needs that might impact their ability to complete the course should inform me as soon as possible and provide appropriate documentation from university services. I will do my best to accommodate special needs. Class Schedule:

Note: This is a tentative schedule. Readings and topics may be adjusted based on how quickly we cover material. If there are changes to this schedule, you will receive adequate notice. Exam dates will not change. You are expected to read all of the assigned material for a given week by the beginning of your discussion section for that week. I would encourage you to read them in the order listed.

Week 1 Date Topic Readings R Aug 28 Introduction Syllabus (seriously, READ IT) Week 2 T Sept 2 Sociological Mills: The Promise 1-6 Perspectives Romero: An Intersection of Biography and History 19-32

R Sept 4 Sociological Schwalbe: Finding out How the Social Methods World Works 59-68 Haney et al: Interpersonal Dynamics in a Simulated Prison 69-78 Week 3 T Sept 9 Socialization Kane: No Way My Boys 121-133 Granfield: Making It by Faking It 145-157 Dyer: Anybody’s Son Will Do 158-168 R Sept 11 Week 4 T Sept 16 Culture Becker: Culture: A Sociological View 95- 104 Glassner: The Culture of Fear 105-112 Williams: Shopping as Symbolic Interaction 194-204 R Sept 18 Week 5 T Sept 23 Deviance & Social Rosenhahn: On Being Sane in Insane Control Places 48-58 McLorg & Taub: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia 205-215 Colvin: New Mexico State Prison Riot 229-242 R Sept 25 Week 6 T Sept 30 Catch-Up/Review R Oct 2 Test 1 Week 7 Date Topic Readings T Oct 7 Social Class Davis & Moore: Some Principles of Stratification 243-252 Domhoff: Who Rules America 253-265 Shapiro: Race, Homeownership, and Wealth 266-277 Ehrenreich: Nickel-and-Dimed 278-290 R Oct 9 Week 8 T Oct 14 Race & Ethnicity Desmond & Emirbayer: What is Racial Domination? 338-353 LeDuff: At the Slaughterhouse 354-363 Kim: Out of Sorts 364-376 Anderson: The Cosmopolitan Canopy 631- 643 R Oct 16 Week 9 T Oct 21 Gender & Sexuality Boswell & Spade: Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture 216-228 Risman: Gender as Structure 291-300 Pascoe: “Dude, You’re a Fag” 315-323 Loe: Working at Bazooms 79-94 R Oct 23 Week 10 T Oct 28 Religion Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism 502-507 Dandaneau: Religion and Society 509-518 Read: Muslims in America 519-526 R Oct 30 Week 11 T Nov 4 Catch-Up/Review R Nov 6 Test 2 Week 12 T Nov 11 No Class Veterans Day Holiday R Nov 13 Family Lareau: Invisible Inequality 606-622 Hochschild: The Time Bind 491-501 Week 13 Date Topic Readings T Nov 18 Education Dog and Erdoes: Civilize Them with a Stick 557-563 Stevens: A School in the Garden 564-577 R Nov 20 Week 14 T Nov 25 Power & Politics Mills: The Power Elite 391-397 Zweigenhaft & Domhoff: Diversity in the Power Elite 398-412 Freeland: The Rise of the New Global Elite 413-422 R Nov 27 No Class Thanksgiving Holiday Week 15 T Dec 2 Technology Messner & Cooky: Gender in Televised Sports 437-452 Lindner: Controlling the Media in Iraq 453-463 R Dec 4 Social Change Leidner: Over the Counter 464-478 Eitzen: The Atrophy of Social Life 623-630 Alwin: Generations X, Y, and Z 644-652

Week 16 T Dec 9 Catch-Up/Review R Dec 11 Test 3