Introduction to Sociology s4

Introduction to Sociology Fall 2011

Cincinnati Christian University Steve Skaggs, Campus Box #2 GSO 110-02; 2 hours Director, The John A. Wilson Center for Urban and Global Outreach Monday & Wednesday, 2:30-3:20pm Email: [email protected] Room PH 252 Phone: (513) 244-8456 Office: WM 132

CCU Catalog Course Description An overview of significant theories and issues in the study of human social behavior. Special attention will be given to ways in which sociological theory may be applied in Christian life and ministry.

Course Rationale Part of the mission of this school is to equip and empower students in order to “impact society for Christ.” Certainly an important part of this is to attempt to understand how societies are organized, how they function and how they change. Early sociology was developed in the midst of dramatic changes taking place in western societies as those societies industrialized. Some sociologists sought to explain the way that society functioned while being as objective as possible. Others thought sociology could provide many answers to improve society. As Christians we bring a unique perspective with us when we study sociology. This course will help each student gain a better understanding of human society and will challenge the student to consider the proper role of the church and the individual Christian as they seek to impact society.

Objectives 1. Learn basic sociological terms, concepts and theoretical approaches. 2. Understand how to think from a sociological perspective, learning to see not only one’s individual predicament but the larger social structure of which one is a part. 3. Understand varying perspectives on the proper role of the church in society and begin to determine your own position on this important issue. 4. Consider during the course how sociological research can inform, enhance, and challenge the ministry of the church.

Required Reading: Primary Text Ballantine, Jeanne H. and Keith A. Roberts. 2010. Our Social World. Condensed Version. Washington, DC: Pine Forge Press. Companion Web Site: www.pineforge.com/oswcondensed

Book Review #1 (choose one) Christerson, Brad, Korie L. Edwards and Michael O. Emerson.2005. Against All Odds: The Struggle for Racial Integration in Religious Organizations. New York: New York University Press. Hughes, Richard T. 2003. Myths America Lives By. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. Sider, Ronald J. Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America. [1999] 2007. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Book Review #2 (choose one) Gladwell, Malcolm. 2000. The Tipping Point. New York: Little, Brown and Company. Stark, Rodney. 1996. Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries. San Francisco: Harper Collins. Corbett, Steve and Brian Fikkert. 2009. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself. Chicago: Moody Publishers.

1 Class Assignments

Introducing Sociology Week 1—22 & 24 August Monday—Review Syllabus Wednesday— Read Ch 1 & Journal Ballentine & Roberts Ch 1—Sociology

Foundations of Society Week 2—29 & 31 August Ballentine & Roberts Ch 2—Examining the Social World

Week 3—7 September No Class on 5 Sept-Labor Day Ballentine & Roberts Ch 3—Society and Culture

Week 4—12 & 14 September Ballentine & Roberts Ch 4—Socialization

Week 5—19 & 21 September Ballentine & Roberts Ch 5—Interaction, Groups, and Organizations Bring Research Article to Class Wednesday (reading assignment for next week) Exam 1 Wednesday

Social Inequality Week 6—26 & 28 September Research Article Reading Assignment—Read in place of Ch 6—Make Journal entry about article

Week 7—03 & 05 October Ballentine & Roberts Ch 7—Stratification Book Review #1 Due Wednesday

Week 8—10 & 12 October Ballentine & Roberts Ch 8—Race & Ethnic Group Stratification

Social Institutions Week 9—17 & 19 October Ballentine & Roberts Ch 9—Gender Stratification

Week 10—24 & 26 October Ballentine & Roberts Ch 10—Family Exam 2 Wednesday

Week 11—31 October & 2 November Ballentine & Roberts Ch 11—Education and Religion

Week 12—7 & 9 November Ballentine & Roberts Ch 12—Politics & Economics Book Review #2 Due Wednesday

Social Change

2 Week 13—14 & 16 Nov Ballentine & Roberts Ch 13—Population & Health

Thanksgiving Break —No Class on 21 & 23 Nov

Week 14—28 & 30 November Ballentine & Roberts Ch 14—The Process of Change

Week 15—4 & 7 December Final Journal Entry Due Monday

Finals Week (Date/Time to be Announced) EXAM 3

Grading Procedures

Grades will be assigned based upon the school’s grading scale . Your grade will be made up of the following components: Exams 30% Reading Assignments 25% Book Reviews 20% Journal 25%

Exams Exams will be composed primarily of matching, true/false, and multiple choice questions. Exams 1and 2 will take place on Wednesdays. Exam 3 will be during finals week at a date and time to be announced later. Missing an exam will result in the grade of 0 for that exam. Makeup exams will only be considered under special circumstances.

Reading Assignments Your preparation prior to class is very important. Completion of reading assignments and terms lists is worth a large portion of your grade. Also, you can make use of our text’s companion web site to take “tutorial quizzes,” find further reading and explore additional resources.. At the beginning of class each Monday, you will turn in your Reading Report & Terms List (available on Moodle) for that week’s reading assignment. If you are absent from class, you must email or physically turn in that report by noon on Tuesday, or you will not receive credit for the assignment.

Book Reviews/Analysis There are two book reviews due during the semester: 1. Write a four-page review/analysis of one book from the Book Review #1 list above (due in class on Wednesday, 05 October; late papers will be penalized 5 points per day). Balance summarizing the contents of the book with assessing and responding to the author’s arguments. I want to know that you read and understand the book and that you are thinking critically about what you have read. Further information on the assignment and grading rubric are on the cover sheet for this assignment which must be completed and stapled to the front of your paper (cover sheet on course Moodle site). 2. Write a four-page response paper to one book from the Book Review #2 list above (due in class on Wednesday, 09 November; late papers will be penalized 5 points per day). Follow the basic instructions as for the first book review. Further information and the grading rubric are on the cover sheet for this assignment which must be completed and stapled to the front of your paper (cover sheet on course Moodle site).

Journal 3 The journal is to help you organize your thoughts as you consider the key issues that we will discuss this semester. Your journal entries should be typed, then printed out. Hand-written journals will be accepted as long as they are legible, though you need to take special care to make it roughly equivalent in length to a typed entry! Entries should be as close to one typed page in length as possible (less than half a page will result in grade deduction). Each journal should be labeled (single space the label) with the date and week number from our schedule, and your name should be on the top right hand corner of each page. Journal entries should be done before you come to class on Monday. Make one journal entry for every week of class (Weeks 1-15) after reading the assignments for that week. If you are absent from class, you must email or physically turn in your journal by noon on Tuesday, or you will not receive credit for the assignment.

Following are a few the basic things I am looking for in your journal entries: * Questions you may have from the reading assignment * Key things that you learned from the reading assignment * What should be my response as a Christian to the issues raised in the reading? * What should the response of the church be to the issues in the reading? * Questions to ponder over the semester in your journal: * What does sociology have to offer the church? What do those of faith have to offer to sociology? * What is the proper role of the church in society?

Special instructions for Week 15 journal entry: There will be 15 journal assignments in total: one entry for each of the first 14 weeks of class and one larger final entry. The final journal entry will be 2-3 pages long and will summarize what you have learned in the semester. What has been most important to you in the course? What are the things that you have learned that are most relevant to your ministry/career goals? Give your final answers to the questions that I asked you to ponder over the semester. What should be the proper role of the church and the individual Christian in society? The final journal entry is due in class on 07 December. Journals turned in after this time will be accepted (up to the final exam), but with a 15 point reduction in the journal grade.

Attendance/Participation Attendance will be taken at each class session. Students are expected to be present in class, having read the assignment for the week, completed the terms list, completed the journal entry for that week and be prepared to participate in class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. If you arrive late, or for any reason the attendance sheet misses you, you must let me know after class or you will be counted absent. Consult the academic catalog for the University’s attendance policy. Students absent from the class more than four times will receive a FA (failure due to absences) designation and will have to be reinstated into the class.

Special Notes The class schedule is a tentative schedule and may be subject to change. You will be notified of any changes in class as we proceed through the semester. Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological or learning disability must request assistance from the Academic Support Director within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the Lower Level of the Worship and Ministry Building (room 153). You may also contact the office by phone (244-8420). Please familiarize yourself with the school’s Policy on Academic Integrity. Cheating, plagiarism, or dishonesty in reporting attendance have high penalties!