INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY • SOCIOLOGY 1 • SPRING 2004 Instructor: Guido L. Davis Del Piccolo

Phone: 310-434-3561 Email: [email protected] Office: Liberal Arts 135L (LA 135L) Office hours: M & W 10:00-11:00; T & Th 2:15-3:15 or by appointment Instructor Web Site: http://homepage.smc.edu/delpiccolo_guido Course Web Page: http:// homepage.smc.edu/delpiccolo_guido /soc1.htm Sociology at SMC Web Site: http://www.smc.edu/sociology Text’s “Companion Website”: http://sociology.wadsworth.com (find our text from this site, or go direct from my course web page)

This course is an introduction to the discipline of sociology. It will offer you an overview of the field with a focus on society in the United States and Los Angeles, in particular. It will also have a focus on social problems. In this way, the course material will not only attempt to explain society, but also to search for methods to improve or change society. While the course serves as an introduction to the concepts, theories and perspectives of sociology, the specific objectives of this course are to: 1. identify the underlying characteristics of sociological analysis and distinguish a sociological perspective from other perspectives—that is, to think "sociologically"; 2. distinguish between anecdotal evidence and systematic analysis; 3. compare and contrast differing theoretical paradigms in sociology—particularly functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism; 4. recognize and employ theory in social analysis; 5. utilize the sociological imagination in order to place your experiences in the larger social context; 6. propose sociologically informed solutions to social issues; and most importantly 7. to encourage critical thinking about what we see, hear, read and write.

The purpose of this course is to expand our horizons and share thoughts and ideas; education is an interactional process. There is no one right answer to some of the questions we will discuss in this course. So it benefits us all to engage in discussion with and listen to AND RESPECT all members of the class. If you show disrespect to other students you will be asked to leave the class.

The course is an opportunity to explore different ideas put forth in lectures, in the readings, and in information you bring to the course. Thus, if you have an opinion that differs from that expressed in lecture or in the readings, bring it up so that we can all discuss it. Unlike other courses, lectures are rare and discussions are typical. So don’t expect direct answers.

The following will determine your grade in the course:

Quizzes (approximately 10) 10-20 multiple choice questions (10 minutes); lowest quiz score 30% dropped; no make-up quizzes Exams (2) Written analysis (essay and/or short answer questions); make- 35% up policy detailed below In-Class Group Presentations Various topics; details to be distributed later 10% or Individual Essays Final Exam Cumulative; 100 multiple choice questions; 1½ hours 25% TOTAL 100%

Final grades will be assigned based upon the following cumulative points: A=100-90%, B=89-80%, C=79-70%, D=69-60%, F= below 60%.

Page 1 of 4 Readings: You must come prepared to discuss the readings that have been assigned for that day; you are each responsible for the reading material.

Participation: Students are expected to participate in class. Only those students who consistently ask questions, offer answers, and give relevant input into class AND group discussion will be "given the benefit of the doubt" if they are on the border (within 1%) between letter grades.

Attendance: Attendance is required. More than 2 consecutive absences without contacting the instructor will likely result in you being dropped from the class. Students are expected to be present each day, on time, for the entire class period. Attendance will be recorded throughout the semester. Merely attending class, however, does NOT guarantee any particular grade in the course.

Missed Quizzes: If you miss a quiz, you will be given a zero (0) for that exam. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN. Your lowest quiz score is dropped when calculating your final grade.

Missed Exams: If you miss an exam, you must contact me within 2 hours of the time of the exam. You must also take the exam within the next 2 days (5% deduction to your grade for EACH DAY) AND provide me with a serious, verifiable excuse (i.e., a doctor’s note, funeral notice) or you will be given a zero. If you know you will miss an exam, come see me to arrange taking it EARLY.

Computers: I strongly encourage you to make use of the computers on campus or at home. Information for the course is often made available on the course web page. Some required reading is ONLY available via the WWW. If you do not have access to this, please inform the instructor.

Phones and Pagers: The classroom is a “cell free” environment. Turn phones and pagers off.

Collaborative Learning: We will rely heavily on collaborative learning in this class. Each student is expected to significantly contribute to class and small group discussions. I also strongly encourage you to study together and to get to know one another. On some assignments, you will be expected to work together and submit joint work. Each student is expected to significantly contribute to the final product.

Academic Honesty: All students are expected to do their own work and, when collaborating with others, to contribute to the final product. All forms of cheating and plagiarism are absolutely forbidden and can result in a failing grade for that particular assignment or test, and/or for the course. The following are all violations of academic honesty:  Copying answers from another student  Turning in assignments which are not the student’s own work  Using words or even ideas which are not the student’s own without properly acknowledging the source (this is plagiarism)  Using tools or assistance without prior permission from the instructor while taking exams.

Required Reading: The required readings for this course are found in: 1. Sociology, 8th Edition, by Jon M. Shepard, 2. Classic Readings in Sociology, 2nd or 3rd Edition, by Eve L. Howard (packaged with the text) 3. Online (Web-based) Readings, accessible through the course web page, 4. Additional readings may be assigned. Items 1 & 2 are available at the SMC bookstore AND at “A and R Texts” (in front of campus, on Pico).

On reserve at the library, you will find copies of the texts plus other items. If you do not have web access, please see me for instructions.

Page 2 of 4 S O C I O L O G Y 1 • I N T R O D U C T I O N T O S O C I O L O G Y • S P R I N G 2004 Instructor: Guido L. Davis Del Piccolo T E N T A T I V E S C H E D U L E (Subject to Change as Instructor Deems Necessary)

W READINGS D e Book = Sociology, Shepard A TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS Classic = Classic Readings e Y DATES (please note that dates of quizzes and exams Web = online; accessible through k are tentative and subject to change as course web page instructor deems necessary) Introduction to Course and 1 T 2/17 The Sociological Perspective Book: Chapter 1 (pp. 1-19) 1 Th 2/19 continued Classic: The Promise of Sociology Classic: Invitation to Sociology Explaining Society: 2 T 2/24 Origins and Theory Book: Chapter 1 (pp. 19-36) QUIZ 1 continued Web: “Functionalism 1 & 2” 2 Th 2/26 Web: “Conflict Theory 1 & 2” Web: “Symbolic Interactionism 1 & 2” Doing Sociology: 3 T 3/2 Research Methods Book: Chapter 2 QUIZ 2 Culture Book: Chapter 3 3 Th 3/4 Classic: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema 4 T 3/9 CAMPUS CLOSED; NO CLASSES Socialization 4 Th 3/11 Book: Chapter 4 QUIZ 3 Social Structure and Society Web: “If Hitler Asked You …” 5 T 3/16 Book: Chapter 5 Groups Book: Part of Chapter 6 (p. 143-155) Deviance 5 Th 3/18 Book: Chapter 7 QUIZ 4 6 T 3/23 Film: The Times of Harvey Milk Web: “Saints and Roughnecks” continued * 6 Th 3/25 QUIZ 5 7 T 3/30 EXAM #1 Social Stratification: 7 Th 4/1 Class Inequality Book: Chapter 8 8 T 4/6 and Education Book: Chapter 12

8 Th 4/8 and Welfare Classic: The Uses of Poverty

4/12-4/18 SPRING BREAK; NO CLASSES

Page 3 of 4 W READINGS D e Book = Sociology, Shepard A TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS Classic = Classic Readings e Y DATES (please note that dates of quizzes and exams Web = online; accessible through k are tentative and subject to change as course web page instructor deems necessary) Racial and Ethnic Inequality * Book: Chapter 9 9 T 4/20 QUIZ 6 Classic: The Souls of Black Folk 9 Th 4/22 continued * Gender Inequality * 10 T 4/27 Book: Chapter 10 QUIZ 7 10 Th 4/29 continued * 3D Social Stratification: 11 T 5/4 Class, Race & Gender Web: “Black Feminist Thought” QUIZ 8 11 Th 5/6 Global Inequality READINGS TO BE ASSIGNED

12 T 5/11 EXAM #2

Social Institutions: 12 Th 5/13 Book: Chapter 13 (pp. 385-404) Economics * Classic: Savage Inequalities Book: Chapter 13 (pp. 368-384) 13 T 5/18 Politics * Classic: The Power Elite GROUP PRESENTATIONS 13 Th 5/20 READINGS TO BE ASSIGNED QUIZ 9 14 T 5/25 Social Change and Collective Behavior Book: Chapter 17 Los Angeles Uprising, 1992 14 Th 5/27 Film: L.A. is Burning Immigration 15 T 6/1 QUIZ 10 15 Th 6/3 Course Summary  8:00 class: Tues, 6/8: 9:00-10:30 FINAL EXAMS (you must take the exam scheduled  9:30 class: Thurs, 6/10: 9:00-10:30 for your class)  12:45 class: Tues, 6/8: 12:00-1:30

* Possible dates of Group Presentations integrated into current class session.

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