Introduction to Sociology (Soc 100.15)
Dr. Rod Bantjes
2001-02
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Sociologists study how people create society and are created by it. This course introduces basic concepts
and methods of sociology and demonstrates their use in analysing human societies. The focus will be on
social, economic, and political life in contemporary Canada. Sociological approaches will be critically
evaluated in light of their utility for understanding, and for modifying, social realities.
The course will provide conceptual tools for the social or natural scientist interested in improving her/his
understanding of human society and social behaviour. It will also provide a foundation for students
interested in pursuing further studies in sociology.
The text for this course is Brym, Robert J, John Lie, and Steven Rytina. Sociology: Your Compass for a
New World. 3rd Canadian ed. Toronto: Thomson Nelson, 2010.
TIME: Monday 11:15-12:05 AM, Tuesday 1:15-2:05 PM and Thursday 12:15-1:05 PM (D Block), 20092010
PLACE: Nicholson Hall 122. St Francis Xavier campus, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
The Sociological Imagination
Week 1 – September 14
Brym, Robert J, John Lie, and Steven Rytina. “A Sociological Compass.” Sociology Your
Compass for a New World. 3rd Canadian ed. Toronto: Thomson Nelson, 2010.
Week 2 – September 21
Mills, C. Wright. “The Promise.” The Sociological Imagination. New York, Oxford University
Press, 1959.
Culture and the Social
Week 3 – September 28
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Culture.”
Yuniya Kawamura. "Japanese Teens As Producers of Street Fashion." Current Sociology 54.5
(2006): 784. < http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>. ABI/INFORM].
Week 4 – October 5
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Socialization.”
Week 5 – October 14
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Social Interaction.”
Waring, A., and J. Waring. "Looking the Part: Embodying the Discourse of Organizational
Professionalism in the City." Current Sociology 57.3 (2009): 344. <
http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>. ABI/INFORM].
Week 6 – October 19
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Networks, Groups, Bureaucracies, and Societies.”
Social Difference
Week 7 – October 28
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Work and Economy”
McDonough, P., et al. "Restructuring Municipal Government: Labor-Management Relations and
Worker Mental Health." The Canadian Review of Sociology 45.2 (2008): 197. <
http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>. ABI/INFORM].
Week 8 – November 2
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Social Stratification: Canadian and Global Perspectives.”
Week 9 – November 9
William K Carroll. "From Canadian Corporate Elite to Transnational Capitalist Class: Transitions
in the Organization of Corporate Power*." The Canadian Review of Sociology and
Anthropology 44.3 (2007): 265. < http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>.
ABI/INFORM].
Week 10 – November 16
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Sexuality and Gender.”
Week 11 – November 23
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Race and Ethnicity.”
Week 12 – November 30
Review
– Mid Term Break –
Week 1 – January 4
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Globalization, Inequality, and Development.”
Week 2 – January 11
Mann, M. "American Empires: Past and Present*." The Canadian Review of Sociology 45.1
(2008): 7. < http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>. ABI/INFORM].
Studying Social Institutions
Week 3 – Januray 18
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Deviance and Crime.
Week 4 – January 25
Grekul, J. "Sterilization in Alberta, 1928 to 1972: Gender Matters*." The Canadian Review of
Sociology 45.3 (2008): 247. < http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>.
ABI/INFORM].
Week 5 – February 1
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “How Do Sociologists Do Research?”
Week 6 – February 8
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Families.”
Week 7 – February 15
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Health and Medicine”
Week 8 – February 22
Langston, Nancy. "The Retreat From Precaution: Regulating Diethylstilbestrol (DES), Endocrine
Disruptors, and Environmental Health." Environmental History 13.1 (2008): 41. <
http://library.stfx.ca/search/electronic_resources.php>. ABI/INFORM].
Global Issues
Week 9 – March 8
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Population and Urbanization.”
Week 10 – March 15
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Technology and the Global Environment.”
Week 11 – March 22
Brym, Lie, and Rytina. “Collective Action and Social Movements.”
Week 12 – April 5
Review