CoWeb Site
Survey Questions
Processing of Downloading Articles
Sociology Vocabulary
The
AMERICAN Human Experience
-Syllabus-
Introduction to Sociology - SOCI-1101 (Honors) (CRN 35077) Spring 2010 M/W 4:00-5:15 Rm. CL-4180
Professor: W. Ernie Guyton Phone: 678-891-3367 Fax: 678-891-3084
Office: CB-2114 Office hours: Mon/Wed 10:00-12:30; 5:15-6:15 Tues/Thurs 1:00-3:00
E-Mail: william.guyton@gpc.edu Website: http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~wguyton/homepage.html
CoWeb: http://swiki.cc.gatech.edu/gpc/1943 (login: "attach" password: "carmen")
Textbook: Society: The Basics; 10th Edition; Author: John Macionis
Articles: on Reserve in the Library (Circulation Desk) or On-line (password “ad99venture”)
Sociology is the study of human interaction and
relationships within American society. The science focuses on patterns or
trends to our thinking and behavior in our society, or as subgroups within the
society. We will look at the uniqueness of these patterns in the United States
in the context of history and global cultural diversity. Not only do we
want to understand why certain patterns of behavior exist, but look at
alternative human strategies around the world. You will soon discover that
Sociology is a strategy itself in understanding who we are, and inevitably, who
you are as a member of American society.
Week 1 - What is Sociology and where does it fit into Higher Education? It's importance as a discipline. Overview of this class and the syllabus.
Basic terms surrounding sociological thinking, research, and theory. The "Big 3" - Schools of Theory for social sciences. Durkheim; Marx & Weber.
Chapter 1 (skip pp. 20-24, 26-31)
Week 2 - Culture & Society: Is "Culture" just in yogurt and high class people? What do the Social Sciences mean by Culture? Components of Culture;
Cultural Diversity in the world and the U.S.; Cultural Universals; Cultural Humor (157-159); When to use the terms Subculture, Race & Ethnicity (pp.355,356), or Society;
Ethnocentrism & Cultural Relativism.
Chapters 2 (all); 4 (112-115)
Week 3 – Socialization: The learning of one's own culture or society. Who does the socializing? The Nature vs. Nurture debate.
A process that goes on throughout one’s whole life course. Rites of Passage; Looking Glass-Self; Generalized Other; Dependence vs. Independence Training.
Aging and the Elderly: Concept of retirement; the status of the aged; ageism; family care of elderly.
Chapter 3 (skip 74-76; Erikson’s 8 stages on 78)
Week 4 - Language & Culture: one of our most important human tools. The evolution of human
language. What we can learn about a culture from language alone, and how an individual language goes on to shape our perceptions and world view.
Chaps. 2 (only read pp. 46,47); 4 (only read 107,108;112;113) Assisting Article: Man at the Mercy of Language
Week 5 - Social Interaction and Group Dynamics: The roles and statuses we play. Identity of Self; coming into Self through the Group;
Ingroup & Outgroup Phenomenon; Groupthink; Networking; Durkheim's Mechanical & Organic Solidarities & Anomie (pp. 492,493)
Chapters 4 (only pp. 98-105); 5 (only 125-128)
Week 6 - *Individualism: an underpinning issue for American society; Attribution Theory; Thomas' Theorem (101);
3 types of Rationales; Rational-Legal Authority (p.351), and the need and weight of Bureaucracy and large Organizations;
Alienation (pp.131 & 215) & Disenchantment (Marx & Weber)
*Read Article on "Individualism". Chap 5 (skip 132-141)
Week 7 - Family & Marriage: a local and global perspective on the diversity of family types, marriages, and kinship patterns. Divorce in America.
Sexuality; Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality.
Chapters 6 (only
pp. 148-151;156-159); 13 (pp. 374-392)
Week 8 - Social Stratification: Class & Caste systems. Does Meritocracy work? Revisiting Marx and Weber on the issue.
Social Classes in the U.S. and Social Mobility. Look at inequality globally.
Chapter 8 (all)
Week 9 - Global Stratification: Global Poverty and Inequality - Modernization & Dependency theories. Sex and Gender: a world of Patriarchal rule; Women's Inequality; Gender roles
Chapters 9 & 10 (all)
Week 10 - “Race”: A race to get rid of this term. The African-American experience & dilemma. How do you become a "minority"? Ethnic/Racial Prejudice. Affirmative Action-pros & cons.
Chapter 11 (all)
Survey Due – Wednesday, April 14th
Week 11 - Transitions from the Industrial Revolution to the present. The severe effects Economy has on our society and its social dynamics.
The U.S. economy in a new light; changes in Capitalism and Socialism around the world. Politics: Power & Authority; Politics in the U.S.; Power-Elite Model vs. Pluralist Model.
Chapter 12 (all)
Week 12 - Religion: Important to humans everywhere. Functions & Dysfunctions of Religion. World Religions; Transitions in religion in the U.S.;
Secularism and New Philosophies.
Chapter 13 (pp. 393-405)
Week 13 - Population, Cities & Suburbs. Modern Humans and the Environment - environmental issues and sustainable strategies.
Chapter 15 (skip 463)
Week 14 - Social Change and the Future: Adapting to the New World Order; Globalism vs. Separatism; Cultural Lag; selective technologies;
Melting-Pot strategy vs. Multiculturalism (pluralism). The trappings of Modern Life (“Modernity”) in the U.S..
Chapter 16 (skip 487-491)
Final Quiz & Article Questionnaire Quiz - Tuesday, May 11th @ 4:00-6:00
Course Requirements and Guidelines
1) Textbook readings from the assigned chapters (or specific pages) in this syllabus.
2) 7 Quizzes will consist of a mixed selection of question types personally created from the topics, terms, and lecture material covered in class. The textbook, your notes, study guides and articles will be your assistant. These quizzes make up the majority of points earned. Quizzes will be given in class approximately every 2 weeks. You will be notified as to their dates by the professor in class at least 1 week prior to each quiz. No make-up exams without documentation of serious illness or other incidents/accidents of a serious nature. However, the lowest scored quiz will be dropped, which would include a missed unexcused quiz. There is no comprehensive final exam. Missed Quizzes: No make-up quizzes allowed without doctor’s excuse or other documented events of a serious nature (ex. accident with injury, or death of close family member). The instructor is not responsible for missed quizzes or assignments, however, inform me immediately by phone or email if you miss one. Make-up quizzes will be given immediately following the student’s return to class with documentation.
3) Read assigned articles on Reserve in the Library (and online). At least 7 short articles will be assigned throughout the semester. You will take an Article Questionnaire (quiz) at the end of the semester as a part of your Final Exam (“reading and comprehension” multiple choice relating to the major points of the each article).
4) Graded Commentary – Let’s solve U.S. and World problems together! Within a special collaborative website (CoWeb), big questions will be asked by the professor for students to tackle (How do we handle immigration? national Health Care? Separation of Church & State, strengthen it or bind it? Control Capitalism, yes or no? etc.?) Students will type in their solutions in the CoWeb website (top of syllabus). I’ll be looking for your solutions and the direction the U.S. and its government could take to address these issues. Your grading will be based on your quality of thoughts, ideas and research behind your solutions (thinking Sociologically). Further instructions given on the CoWeb site.
5) I will ask you to perform 1 Sociological Survey. I’ll give you a set of questions and instructions to get your interview started (link at top of syllabus). You will turn in your responses and analysis of the survey on the date in the syllabus, approx. 2 pages typed (2 ½ max); spelling & grammar will factor into the grade as well.
6) Class attention and good notes are crucial to high grades. So, it stands to reason that absences will usually hurt you dearly in a lecture based class. 7) Absenteeism – Your presence or absence will be recorded every class meeting. Good attendance will be rewarded with extra points* added to the final quiz. 8) ESL Students - only paperback dictionaries can be used during testing. 9) Cheating will result in expulsion from the class and possibly the college. 10) Late for class or leaving early without prior notice is a sign of disrespect. If you are more than 10 minutes late do not enter the classroom.
Articles
listed in chronological order for Article
Questionnaire (Quiz) given at end of semester
1)”Tribal Wisdom”
2)”Tyranny of Choice” 3) “American Individualism”
4) “Answers to Questions about Sexual Orientation”
5) “Guns & Dolls” 6) “The
Matter of Race” 7) “Dutch Treat
Themselves w/ Respect”
Grading
6 Quizzes @ 30 points each ...............................180
Issues Commentary.............................................. 50
1 article questionnaire quiz…………….….......... 40
1 Sociological Survey….………………….……. 30
Total ...................................................................300
*Good Attendance +3,+2,+1
Final Grades: based on a 10 point scale (300-270=A; 269-240=B; 239-210=C; etc.)
Statement of Non-Discrimination (obvious from
pictures below): Georgia Perimeter College supports the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, Executive Order #11246, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of
1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, religion,
color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability, be excluded
from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity of the college. Any
individual with a grievance related to the enforcement of any of the above
provisions should contact the Asst Director of Human Resources.
"Indiana
Guyton" or
"Hippie Professor"