<p> 1</p><p>INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY SOC101.011 FALL 2013</p><p>Instructor: Jianjun Ji Schneider Hall 437 Department of Sociology University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Phone: (715) 836-3050 Fax: (715) 836-5071 Email: [email protected]</p><p>Location: Schneider Hall 107 Class Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. MW Office Hours: 3:00 – 5:00 pm, T; 8:00 am. - 12:00 pm. F, or by appointment ______</p><p>Course Description and Objectives</p><p>This is an introductory level course of sociology in contemporary American society. The course is designed to help students embark on a fascinating journey that allows them to see how the society penetrates their thinking, affects their innermost being, and influences their lives. It helps students enter a new world of perception and understanding. It is an exploration of worlds and ideas far from our own and a quest to understand our own world and ideas. The course covers knowledge in five broad areas. It starts with the sociological perspectives and has an overview of culture, socialization, and research, followed by exploring how social groups influence our lives by examining the impact of social structure and social interaction. It then investigates social inequality at both global levels and within the United States. It also examines social institutions such as family and religion to understand life in society. And finally it discusses the social change, technology, and environment by focusing its attention on the impact of population and urbanization. By the completion of the course, students will achieve the following objectives: 1 Obtain a basic understanding of sociological perspectives and social research methods. 2 Have a basic understanding of human behavior, social institutions, and values. 3 Enhance the ability to write, read, inquire, and think. 4 Apply sociological perspectives to explain human behavior and social issues. The above objectives will be addressed through the content of the course. Means and activities could also be utilized and conducted including exams, quizzes, group discussions, readings and presentations, project papers, power points, overhead projectors, videos, and personal advising. 2</p><p>University Liberal Education Learning Goals</p><p>1 Knowledge of Human Culture and the Natural World 2 Creative and Critical Thinking 3 Effective Communication 4 Individual and Social Responsibility 5 Respect for Diversity among People The content of the course, particularly its class discussions, group projects, tests and quizzes, reading assignments, and term papers, address the above university learning outcomes.</p><p>Department of Sociology Program Goals</p><p>1 Ability to construct, evaluate and communicate empirically based arguments about the social world 2 A respect for ways of life and diverse viewpoints of others 3 Skills necessary to promote professional development and community engagement over their lifetimes. The above objectives will be addressed through the content of the course. Means and activities could also be utilized and conducted including exams, quizzes, group discussions, readings and presentations, project papers, power points, overhead projectors, videos, and personal advising.</p><p>RENTAL TEXTBOOK</p><p>Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach. 2008. James M. Henslin. 9th Edition, Pearson Education.</p><p>READINGS AND GROUP PROJECTS</p><p>In addition to reading the chapters discussed by the lecture, 4 additional chapters from the textbook will be assigned as required readings. All students must read and summarize the assigned chapter into typed format and submit it to the instructor. Late submission is not accepted. Failure to submit the reading summary would be recorded as zero. In addition, the class will be divided into 8 groups each of which prepares one chapter as a power point to present in class. Reading and presentation assignments account for 10% of the final grade respectively. The specific reading requirements are detailed in the assignment schedule at the back of the syllabus. Reading assignments must be stapled. Unstapled assignments are not accepted. Each group must submit to the instructor their power point presentation via email attachment after the work is done.</p><p>TERM PAPER AND QUIZZES</p><p>One term paper about research method is required for the course. The paper accounts for 10% of students’ final grade. The specific requirements of the paper are described in detail in the back page of the syllabus. In addition, to promote students’ understanding of 3 the lecture, 10 quizzes will be given based on the relevant chapter. Quizzes account for 10% of the final grade.</p><p>ATTENDANCE</p><p>According to the university’s policy, the instructor “will maintain student attendance records.” In case of an absence, A WRITTEN NOTICE must be given to the instructor. Students who are late for class 30 minutes or more, or leave class earlier before the dismissal without the instructor’s prior permission, will be treated as an absence. Absences will affect students’ final grade. An unexcused absence will be one point deduction from the final grade. Students who have 4 unexcused absences during the semester cannot get an “A” grade, and those who have 6 unexcused absences cannot get a “B” grade, regardless of their performance in other areas. Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact the instructor and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Old Library 2136 at the beginning of the semester. For students with substantial difficulties due to disability and absences due to emergency or serious illness, absences will be excused, but they must report to the instructor within two class meetings after missing a class. This policy, however, does not penalize students for absences that are “authorized” (see http://www.uwec.edu/DOS/policies/attendance.htm ).</p><p>EXAMS</p><p>There will be three exams during the semester including the final. Exams cover 60% of your final grade. The content of the exams will be primarily from the instructor’s lecture. This suggests that students who wish to achieve expected grades must take notes in class. Specifically, the first exam will cover the first four chapters; the second covering chapters 5, 6, 9, and 10; and the final covering chapters 13, 15, 16, 18, and 20. The types of tests will be multiple choice, true/false, essays, or a combination of them. No makeup exams will be offered if the instructor has not received prior notice. A missed exam will be treated as “zero” for that exam. The instructor will reserve the right to curve the final grade.</p><p>CLASSROOM DECORUM</p><p>To maintain a learning atmosphere in the classroom, students are expected to refrain from any distractive behaviors during the class. Talking to seatmates is disrespectful to other students and strongly discouraged. Further, inappropriate behaviors such as sleeping, eating, listening to radios, reading a book or newspaper, talking on cell phones, doing homework, coming to class late or leaving early, will not be tolerated. 4</p><p>ACADEMIC DISHONESTY</p><p>Students should do all their work independently. Any occurrence of academic misconduct such as plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines and procedures outlined in the academic misconduct policy at the university.</p><p>SYLLABUS</p><p>The syllabus serves as a “contract” between the instructor and the students. It is strongly recommended that students read the syllabus carefully and make plans and act upon it accordingly. Due to circumstances like unexpected events, meetings, or weather conditions during the semester, the syllabus may undergo adjustment when it is considered to be necessary.</p><p>FORMULA FOR FINAL GRADE CALCULATION </p><p>Final Grade = (test1 + test2 + test3) * 20% + (Quiz10%) + (Paper10%) + (Reading10%) + (Present10%) – (# of Absence)</p><p>ASSIGNMENT WEIGHTS GRADING SYSTEM</p><p>1 Group Quiz 10% A = 94 -100 2 Paper 10% A- = 90 - 93 3 Reading 10% B+ = 87 - 89 4 Present 10% B = 84 - 86 5 Test 1 20% B- = 79 - 83 6 Test 2 20% C+ = 76 – 78 7 Test 3 20% C = 72 – 75 _____ C- = 69 - 71 Total 100% D+ = 66 – 68 D = 62 – 65 D- = 59 - 61 F = 58 or below </p><p>EXAMINATION SCHEDULE</p><p>Test1 10/2 Tuesday Test2 11/6 Tuesday Final 12/17 Tuesday 1:00 – 2:50pm SSS#107 ______5</p><p>CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENT </p><p>9/4-9 CHAPTER 1 THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES Syllabus Introduction What is Sociology? Early Sociologists Sociological Perspectives Quiz 1 Assigning groups and seats for the class</p><p>9/11-16 CHAPTER 2 CULTURE Define Culture The Component of Culture Technology and Cultural Diffusion Quiz 2 G1 Present Chapter 5 How Do Sociologists Do Social Research?</p><p>9/18-23 CHAPTER 3 SOCIALIZATION Human Nature Define Socialization Theories of Social Development The Agents of Socialization Socialization through Life Course Quiz 3 G2 Present Chapter 7 Bureaucracy and Formal Organization</p><p>9/25-30 CHAPTER 4 SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION Macro- and Micro-sociology Status, Roles, Groups, Social Institutions What Holds Society Together Components of Dramaturgy</p><p>G3 Present Chapter 22 Social Change and Environment</p><p>9/30 Read 1 due Chapter 8 Deviance and Social Control</p><p>10/2 Test 1 ______</p><p>10/7-9 CHAPTER 5 HOW SOCIOLOGISTS DO RESEARCH A Typical Research Model Some Key Terms Research Methods Quiz 4 Paper* Start preparing term paper. See the details at the back 6</p><p>10/14-16 CHAPTER 6 SOCIETIES TO SOCIAL NETWORKS Social Groups and Societies The Transformation of Societies Groups within Societies Group Dynamics</p><p>G4 Present Chapter 11 Sex and Gender</p><p>10/21-23 CHAPTER 9 GLOBAL STRATIFICATION Social Stratification The Determinants of Social Class Major Theories Quiz 5 G5 Present Chapter 14 The Economy</p><p>10/28-30 CHAPTER10 SOCIAL CLASS IN THE UNITED STATES Social Class Consequences of Social Class Social Mobility Why People Are Poor Quiz 6 G6 Present Chapter 17 Education</p><p>10/30 Read 2&3 due Chapter 12 Race and Ethnicity Chapter 19 Medicine and Health</p><p>11/4 Review for Test2 11/6 Test 2 ______</p><p>11/11-13 CHAPTER 13 THE ELDERLY What Is Aging Social Theories of Aging Problems Facing the Elderly The Sociology of Death and Dying Quiz 7</p><p>11/18-20 CHAPTER 15 POLITICS Power, Authority, and Violence Types of Government The U.S. Political System Who Rules the United States? War and Terrorism</p><p>G7 Present Chapter 19 Medicine and Health 7</p><p>11/25-27 CHAPTER 16 THE FAMILY Define the Family Theories of Marriage and Family The Cycle of Family Life Family Violence Quiz 8 G8 Present Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movement</p><p>11/28-30 Thanksgiving Day</p><p>12/2-4 CHAPTER 18 RELIGION Perspectives on Religion Religion and the Spirit of Capitalism The World’s Major Religions Types of Religious Groups Characteristics of Religion in the United States Quiz 9</p><p>12/9-11 CHAPTER20 POPULATION AND URBANIZATION The Malthusian Theorem The Demographic Transition Models of Urban Growth Factors Promoting Suburban Growth Population Dynamics Quiz 10 Film http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion (3 min.)</p><p>12/9 Paper due Read 4 due Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movement</p><p>12/17 Tuesday Final 1:00 – 2:50pm SSS #107 ______8</p><p>ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE</p><p>Date Assignment Specific Requirement: Summarize the chapter in your own Due words, in typed format, double space, and at least three pages.</p><p>9/30 Reading Chapter 8 Deviance and Social Control</p><p>10/30 Reading Chapter 12 Race and Ethnicity Chapter 19 Medicine and Health</p><p>12/9 Reading Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movement</p><p>12/9 PAPER 3 + pages for Part I; 5 + pages for Part II. All together would be 8 + pages in length.</p><p>Part I Following the research model (eight steps) as discussed in Chapter 5, define and summarize the steps of the ideal model. This part must be completed in typed format and double-spaced at least 3 pages.</p><p>Part II Using the below journals or any other journals as references, select any one of these articles (thesis, dissertation, or other types of research papers), summarize how the article is outlined and constructed. Your summary should be completed in accordance with the steps of the research model as discussed in Chapter 5. Submit your assignment (double-spaced 5 pages) with an attachment of the copy of the article you read.</p><p>American Journal of Sociology Demography American Sociological Review Gender and Society Journal of Marriage and the Family Journal of Family Issues Social Forces Social Science Research Sociological Quarterly Sociological Spectrum</p><p>The completion of your assignment should cover the following key points wherever applicable: 1. What is the topic of the paper selected? 2. What is the problem the author(s) defined? 3. What are the findings from the literature? 4. What are the hypotheses/research questions of the paper? 5. What is the statistical method applied? 6. What kinds of data are used in the analysis? 7. What are the major findings/results? 8. What is the conclusion by the author(s)?</p>