INTRODUCTION TO Sociology 1101-A Georgia Institute of Technology Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 3:05 pm – 3:55 pm Spring 2013 D.M. Smith 105

Instructor: Jennifer Singh, MPH, PhD Office: Old Civil Engineering Building, G-22 Office Hours: MWF 11 am – 12 pm or by appointment Phone: 404-894-7445 Email: [email protected]. Please contact me through the T-Square course site.

Teaching Assistant: Joon An Office: Old Civil Engineering Building, G-41 Office Hours: M 2 – 3 pm Email: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION: An overview of sociology that emphasizes the social nature of human behavior, including an introduction to culture, social structure, socialization, deviance, stratification, family, , religion, demography, and complex organization.

COURSE OBJECTIVES1: • Learn to think sociologically by grasping what the “social” entails and the interactions between individuals and macro level forces. • Gain an understanding of various sociological perspectives, including core sociological concepts, theories, and research methodologies. • Develop complex and critical thinking skills by being aware of multiple perspectives (e.g., historical, international, cross-cultural) and moving beyond obvious explanations or surface understandings. • Recognize various social inequalities, both in the United States and globally, by tying stratification into social structures and individuals’ location in those structures. • Recognize that social concepts and phenomena (e.g., race, gender, sense of time, or human nature) are actively reflective of social forces and structures, which consequently vary over time and across societies.

1 Adapted from Persell, C.H., Pfeiffer, K.M., & Syed, A. 2008. “How Sociological Leaders Teach: Some Key Principles.” Teaching Sociology 36:108-124.

1 of 7 REQUIRED TEXT

Both books are available at the Engineer’s Bookstore on Marietta St.

Conley, Dalton. You May Ask Yourself. 2nd Edition. New York, W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-93517-2

Additional student resources such as study guides, quizzes, etc. available at: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/soc/you-may-ask-yourself2/welcome.aspx

Massey, Garth. Readings in Sociology. 7th Edition. New York, W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-39-313246-5

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Reading and Class Participation Reading represents the major assignment for this class. I expect each of you to come to class prepared to discuss, question and clarify each reading assignment. While I do not expect you to have mastered all of the readings before coming to class, I do expect you to have read the texts and be prepared to discuss them. Every student is expected to read all the course material, view videos, attend lectures, and participate in class discussions and class exercises. Although I do not give credit for participation, the level and quality of participation in class will be taken seriously in boarder line grades.

Attendance, Pop Quizzes, In-class Assignments (10%) Attendance will not be taken, however, there will be pop-quizzes and in-class assignments throughout the semester (5 total). These cannot be made up unless you have an excused absence as defined by the University Senate (serious illness, illness or death of a family member, university related trips, major religious holidays).

Short Assignments (25%) There will be five short assignments worth 25% of your grade. These will consist of short written responses to assignments such as interviews with people or participant observation. Late assignments will not be accepted. Details of the assignments will be distributed in class and on T-square.

Exams (65%) There will be 3 in-class exams consisting of multiple-choice and true/false questions. The duration of exam 1 and 2 will be 50 minutes (approximately 35 questions). Each exam will cover approximately one-third of the course assigned readings, lectures, discussions, exercises and films. The final exam will cover the last third of the course but will have additional questions that address central themes in the course (50 questions). Although the exams are not comprehensive, I assume that knowledge obtained in readings, lectures, etc. is cumulative. Make-up exams will not be given unless you have an excused absence as defined by the University Senate (serious illness, illness or death of a family member, university related trips, major religious holidays or other reasons approved in advance by

2 of 7 instructor). If you miss an exam due to an excused absence, please contact me immediately to reschedule the test. Please be on time for exams.

EXAM DATES Exam 1: Feb. 18, 2013 Exam 2: March 25, 2012 Exam 3: April 29, 2013 (2:50 PM – 5:40 PM - Scheduled time for the final exam)

EVALUATION AND GRADING Graded Assignment Percentage of grade Keep Track of your Grade Pop Quizzes, In-class Assignments 10% (your grade X .10) = a Short Assignments (5) 25% (your grade X .25) = b Exam #1 20% (your grade X .20) = c Exam #2 20% (your grade X .20) = d Final Exam 25% (your grade X .25) = e

Total 100 % (a+b+c+d+e) = your grade

Course grade: 90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D Lower than 60=F

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

Academic Integrity Statement: Students are expected to act according to the highest ethical standards. The immediate objective of an Academic Honor Code is to prevent any Students from gaining an unfair advantage over other Students through academic misconduct. The following clarification of academic misconduct is taken from Section XIX Student Code of Conduct, of the Rules and Regulations section of the Georgia Institute of Technology General Catalog: Academic misconduct is any act that does or could improperly distort Student grades or other Student academic records. Please review student responsibilities Article II, Section 3 at the following website: http://www.honor.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=9

Working with other students: Unless specifically identified as group work, all assignments are to be completed alone.

Cheating: Cheating off of another person’s test or quiz is unethical and unacceptable. Cheating off of anyone else’s work is a direct violation of the GT Academic Honor Code, and will be dealt with accordingly.

Unauthorized use of any previous semester course materials, such as tests, quizzes, homework, projects, and any other coursework, is prohibited in this course. Using these materials will be considered a direct violation of academic policy and will be dealt with according to the GT Academic Honor Code.

3 of 7 For any questions involving these or any other Academic Honor Code issues, please consult me, the teaching assistants, or visit www.honor.gatech.edu CLASSROOM CONDUCT

ž Do not talk during lecture, while other students are asking questions, or during movie/video presentations. ž Please silence cell phones, and turn off iPods, or other electronics during class. ž Computers are allowed in class to take notes only. Please refrain from using e-mail, , You-Tube, or any other non-related electronic material. It disrupts not only your learning but also the learning of those around you. If it becomes apparent that you are using your computer in class to surf the web and are disengaged in class, I will ask you to close your computer and you will no longer be able to bring it to class. ž Late arrivals & early departures disrupt not only me, but also other students; therefore, if you know you will be late or need to leave early—please talk to me before class (or email me). ž Since this course discusses controversial issues, I expect you to respect and listen to everybody’s opinions and perspectives. I value and respect your contributions. Please do the same for others in the class. Our class is a space free of sexist, racist or other offensive comments.

ACCOMODATIONS

Students with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Office of the Dean of Students, ADAPTS Disability Services Program is available to assist us with the reasonable accommodations process. More information at: http://www.adapts.gatech.edu/index.php.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• American Sociological Association: www.asanet.org. There is a section for students that will let you browse the site and find information that could be applicable for this class. • Socio-Web: The SocioWeb is an independent guide to the sociological resources available on the Internet and is founded in the belief that the Internet can help to unite the sociological community in powerful ways. http://www.socioweb.com/ • Sociological Images: Sociological Images encourages people to exercise and develop their sociological imaginations with discussions of compelling visuals that span the breadth of sociological inquiry. http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/ • Dictionary of Sociology: http://www.webref.org/sociology/sociology.htm • Sociology Spotlight – i-phone application provided by Wiley-Blackwell: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sociology-spotlight/id452014669?mt=8

4 of 7 READING AND CLASS SCHEDULE Read all assigned material before coming to class and be ready to discuss. The instructor reserves the right to make changes as needed.

Date Topic/Reading Assignment Assignments

PART 1: USING YOUR SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

Read the Syllabus Jan 7 M Introduction to course: What is Sociology? Buy books Jan 9 W Introduction to course: What is Sociology? Conley, Ch. 1: Sociological Imagination (p. 3-15) Jan 11 F LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR CLASS Conley, Ch. 1: Sociological Imagination (p. 16-27) Jan 14 M

Conley, Ch. 1: Sociological Imagination (p. 27-38) Jan 16 W Massey, p. 19-26 What Makes Sociology Different Assignment 1 Due: Massey, p. 13-18 Personal Experiences and Public Jan 18 F Sociological Issues Imagination MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY Jan 21 M

Jan 23 W Conley, Ch. 2. Methods (p. 41-68)

Massey, p. 51 – 56: Telling the Truth about Damned Jan 25 F Lies and Statistics Massey, p. 64 – 75: Racism and Research: Tuskegee

Jan 28 M Conley, Ch. 3: Culture and Media (p. 71-90)

Jan 30 W Conley, Ch. 3: Culture and Media (p.91-108)

Massey, p. 97-108: McDonalds in Hong Kong Homework: watch Feb 1 F Massey, p. 126-134: Nike Culture Merchants of Cool Assignment 2 Due: Questions to Conley, Ch. 4: Socialization and the Construction of Merchants of Cool Reality (p.111-127) Be prepared for class Feb 4 M Massey, p. 137-152: Boyhood, Organized Sports, discussion of the and the Construction of Masculinities movie: Merchants of Cool

Conley, Ch. 4: Socialization and the Construction of Reality (p.127-140) Feb 6 W Massey, p. 391-406: Police Accounts of Normal Force

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Feb 8 F Conley - Ch. 5: Groups and Networks (p.143-165)

Feb 11 M Conley - Ch. 5: Groups and Networks (p.143-165)

Conley, Ch. 6: Social Control and Deviance (p. 177- Feb 13 W 203) Massey, Ch. 32: From Panopticon to Disney World Zimbardo – The Pathology of Imprisonment Feb 15 F (on T-square)

Feb 18 M EXAM 1 (CH. 1-6)

PART 2. FAULT LINES, SOCIAL DIVISION AND INEQUALITY

Feb 20 W Conley, Ch. 7. Stratification (p. 227 – 246)

Feb 22 F Take home quiz

Conley, Ch. 7. Stratification (p. 246 - 262) Feb 25 M Massey, p. 245: Nickel and Dimed Conley, Ch. 8: Gender (p. 265-276) Feb 27 W Massey, p. 79 – 96: To Veil or not to Veil? Conley, Ch. 8: Gender (p. 293-304) Assignment 3 Due: Mar 1 F LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH A GRADE TV and Gender OF “W” BY 4:00PM Roles Conley, Ch. 9: Race (p. 307-320) Mar 4 M Massey, pp. 226 – 231: Love and Race Caught in the Public Eye Conley, Ch. 9: Race (p. 320-330) Mar 6 W Massey, pp. 232 – 241: Optional Ethnicities

Conley, Ch.9: Race (p.331-352) Mar 8 F Massey, p 328 – 338: From More than Just Race

Mar 11 M Conley, Ch. 10 Poverty (p.355-376)

Mar 13 W Conley, Ch. 11: Health and Society (p.387-411)

Mar 15 F Conley, Ch. 11: Health and Society (p.412-423)

6 of 7 Mar MW 18,20, SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS F 22

Mar 25 M EXAM 2 (Ch. 7-11)

PART 3. BULIDING BLOCKS: INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIETY

Mar 27 W Conley, Ch. 12: Family (p. 427-449)

Mar 29 F Conley, Ch. 12: Family (p. 449-466)

Conley - Ch. 13: Education (p. 469 – 485) Read report on Georgia Cheating Scandal: Apr 1 M http://www.ajc.com/news/volume-1-of-special- 1000798.html (p. 1-19 only) Assignment 4 Due: Conley - Ch. 13: Education (p. 485- 508) Apr 3 W Educational

Experiences Conley – Ch. 16: Religion (p.583-595) Apr 5 F Massey, p. 460-468: Religious Community and American Individualism

Apr 8 M Conley – Ch. 16: Religion (p. 596-618)

Apr 10 W Capitalism and the Economy (p. TBD)

Capitalism and the Economy Apr 12 F Guest Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Vaughn 3 readings on T-square/resources/April 12 Science Environment and Society (p. 629-649) Apr 15 M Massy, p. 122-125: America’s National Eating Disorder

Apr 17 W Science Environment and Society (p. 649-664) Assignment 5: Class Discussion – bring copy of assignment to class Apr 19 F Impact of technology (electronic copy okay) on society Collective Action, Social Movements and Social Apr 22 M Change (pp. 667-692) Social movement/social media (TBD) Collective Action, Social Movements and Social Apr 24 W Change (p. 696-702) Course Wrap up – bring lap-tops for course Apr 26 F evaluation Apr 29 M FINAL EXAM – 2:50 PM – 5:40 PM

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