COURSE SYLLABUS
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY SYD2000-RVBB
GENERAL INFORMATION
PROFESSOR INFORMATION
Instructor: Prof. Matthew Marr
Office: SIPA 323, MMC
Office Hours: Please email
Phone: (305) 348-2247
Fax: (305) 348-3605
Website: Professor's Website
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Sociology is the scientific study of human action and interaction. Sociologists argue that individual
and group action and experiences are shaped by the social context in which they occur and in turn,
that social context is shaped by individual and group action and experiences. Sociology, very broadly,
aims to understand this interaction. This course will introduce students to various sociological
perspectives on issues in contemporary society, as well as how sociologists use research to develop
these perspectives. We will cover a variety of broad issues studied by sociologists including social
structure, inequality, race, gender, class, families, deviance, work, institutions, and culture.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course seeks to enable students to understand their interrelationships with society in critical and
global perspectives.
Students will learn to:
 Understand the "sociological imagination" and other basic concepts/methods of sociology
 Apply these concepts/methods to:
o Identify the features of society and their interrelationships
o Make sense of the interrelationships between society and self.
o Grasp the foundations of global inequalities
o Develop viewpoints on how to promote constructive change in societies at the local,
national/regional, and global levels
MAJOR & CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES TARGETED
At this time, the professor has not requested the insertion of any information into this section. Please contact
the professor directly if you have any questions.
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
At this time, the professor has not requested the insertion of any information into this section. Please contact
the professor directly if you have any questions.
ASSURANCE OF LEARNING
The College of Business cares about the quality of your education. More on the College's commitment to
Assurance of Learning can be found at the following link:
http://businessonline.fiu.edu/course_addons/Learning_Commitment.pdf
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
POLICIES
Please review the policies page as it contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses
at FIU and additional information on the standards for acceptable netiquette important for online courses.
ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS
There are no special technical requirements for this course.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
There are no special prerequisites for this course.
PROCTORED EXAM POLICY
There will be no proctored exams.
TEXTBOOK
Essentials of Sociology (3rd Edition)
Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum, Deborah Carr
W.W. Norton & Company (2010)
ISBN: 978-0-393-93033
Click here to buy your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore.
IMPORTANT!!! If you are comfortable reading on your computer or other device, I recommend using the more
affordable online or downloadable versions of the textbook available here.
Text’s StudySpace website
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
EXPECTATIONS OF THIS COURSE
This is an online course, meaning that all of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for
performance in an online course are the same as for a traditional course; in fact, online courses require a
degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills that can make them more demanding for some
students.
Students are expected to:
 Review the how to get started information located in the course content
 Introduce yourself to the class during the first week by posting a self introduction in the appropriate
discussion forum
 Take the practice quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with Blackboard
 Interact online with instructor/s and peers
 Review and follow the course calendar
 Check the course website 3-4 times per week for any updates and notifications from the instructor
or TA.
COURSE DETAILS
COURSE COMMUNICATION
Communication in this course will take place via messages through the course website.
The message feature is a private, internal Blackboard only communication system. Users must log on to the
blackboard system to send/receive/read messages. There are no notifications in Blackboard to inform users
when a new message has been received; therefore, it is recommended that students check their messages
routinely to ensure up-to-date communication.
The email feature is external communication that allows users to send emails to users enrolled in the course
including the instructor and other students. Emails are sent to the student's FIU email on record. Email will be
used infrequently since most communication will be through messages.
DISCUSSION FORUMS
Keep in mind that forum discussions are public, and care should be taken when determining what to post.
Please see more details on the discussion forum assignments under “Grading” below.
GRADING
Note: All required assignments must be completed to be eligible to earn a passing grade.
The graded assignments will be 6 multiple-choice/true-false exams (40 possible points each; 240 possible
semester points) and 6 discussion forum posts (10 possible points each; 60 possible semester points), adding
up to 300 total possible semester points.
Final grades will be computed by the percentage of 300 total possible semester points earned: 270-300 points
(90+%)=A; 240-269 points (80-89%)=B; 210-239 points (70-79%)=C; 180-209 points (60-69%)=D; 179 points
or less=F.
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o Multiple-choice/true-false exams & final grade: 40 possible points each; 240 possible semester points
The 6 exams will be based entirely on Giddens et al., Essentials of Sociology.
Each exam will consist of multiple-choice questions; will cover the textbook's assigned readings; and
will have 20 questions, worth 2 points each. Thus, each exam will count up to a possible 40 points. The
exams will be available under the "Assessments" tab in Blackboard.
Exam 1: July 2 (12am)-July 3 (11:55pm): Chaps. 1 & 2
Exam 2: July 9 (12am)-July 10 (11:55pm): Chaps. 3 &4
Exam 3: July 16 (12am)-July 17 (11:55pm): Chaps. 5 & 6
Exam 4: July 23 (12am)-July 24 (11:55pm): Chaps. 7 & 8
Exam 5: July 30 (12am)-July 31 (11:55pm): Chaps. 9 & 10
Exam 6: Aug 6 (12am)-Aug 7 (11:55pm): Chaps. 15 & 16
To prepare for each exam, in addition to reading each chapter carefully, study the following for each assigned
chapter:




The PowerPoint lecture slides (these can be viewed by clicking on the “Lecture Notes” links within each
module.
Read the textbook assignments with emphasis on the "Instructor's Study Questions," upon which the
exams will be based.
Emphasize broad concepts and examples of such concepts, rather than narrow facts.
Review the "Instructor's Study Questions" in view of the textbook's Study Aids in each assigned
chapter: Learning Objectives; Review Quizzes; and In-Text Study Guides (including Study Outline; Key
Concepts; "Thinking Sociologically" exercises); and the textbook's website, which includes a variety of
study materials: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/soc/essoc2/content/ch01/studyplan.asp
Discussion Forum Posts: 60 possible semester points
Students are required to post to the discussion forum in response to the instructor's discussion
questions. These can be accessed by clicking on the “Post” link in each weekly module. You will
post your response to the questions for that particular week. There will be web content (under
“Web Readings” in each module) that you will need to consider when writing your post. Be sure
to do these postings as they are assigned to maximize discussion with your classmates and
instructors.
As described below, each post will be graded pass/fail, and a student's semester grade for the
discussion forum will be based on the percentage of the discussion assignments that the student posts
and passes.
Students are encouraged to post multiple commentaries for each discussion forum topic: only the first
post that each student makes will be evaluated according to the discussion forum rubrics, as presented
below. Each student's initial post will be graded Pass/Fail according to these rubrics:
o Relevance to assigned material: the posted ideas indicate that the student has read the
assigned material.
o Clarity, coherence: the ideas are stated clearly and coherently.
o Critical thinking: there is evidence that the student has adequately analyzed, synthesized, and
evaluated the assigned material.
o Poses a question for discussion: the posting articulates a question for discussion that pertains
to the assigned material.
o Spelling, grammar: the posting must meet university-level standards of spelling and grammar.
o Length: the initial posting for each weekly module must be no less than 20 lines.
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
After posting in response to a discussion forum question, students are encouraged to continue posting
informally to continue the dialog with each other and with the instructor.
There will be 6 assigned discussion forum posts. Each post will be graded pass/fail, according to the
above rubrics. Each student's semester grade for discussion participation will be based on the
percentage of the semester's 6 discussion assignments that the student posts and passes: 6=60 points;
5=50 points; 4=40 points; 3=30 points; 2=20 points; 0-1=0 points.
Discussion forum posts are due by Sunday, 11:55pm, at the end of each Monday-Sunday course week
for which there is a discussion assignment, unless otherwise indicated in the course calendar
QUIZZES
In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take
the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your
responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.
ADOBE CONNECT PRO MEETING
The Adobe Connect Pro Meeting is an online meeting room in which you can interact with your Professor and
fellow students by sharing your computer, screens or files, chat, broadcast live audio and take part in other
interactive online activities.
Requirements for using Adobe Connect Pro Meeting:
1. Disable any window pop-up blocker.
2. Adobe Flash Player is required to successfully run your Connect Pro meeting. You can test
your computer to make sure that you are set up with all of the tools you will need to
participate in the meeting.
3. Use of a combination headset and microphone with USB connection is recommended to
ensure quality sound and reduce technical difficulties.
Please click here for additional information on Adobe Connect (Tutorials & Help).
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
COURSE CALENDAR
Module
Topic
Familiarize yourself with the course web site, syllabus, and calendar.
Be sure to find PowerPoint Lectures; Discussion Forum Questions/Posts; Exams;
& Practice Quiz (under the "Assessments" tab). TAKE THE PRACTICE QUIZ.
Introduce yourself in the discussion board (use the link in the Before Week 1
module).
To prepare for each exam, study the following for each assigned chapter:



Before Week
1

The Power Point Lecture slides
Read the textbook assignments with emphasis on the Instructor's Study
Questions, upon which the exams will be based.
Emphasize broad concepts and examples of them, rather than narrow
facts.
Review the Instructor's Study Questions in view of the textbook's Study
Aids in each assigned chapter: Learning Objectives; Review Quizzes; and
In-Text Study Guides (including Study Outline, Key Concepts, and
"Thinking Sociologically" exercises); and the textbook's website, which
includes a variety of study materials:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/soc/essentials-of-sociology3/
Discussion forum posts are due by Sunday, 11:55pm, at the end of each MondaySunday course week, unless otherwise indicated in the course calendar.
Your major- FIU's Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies:
http://gss.fiu.edu/
Your career- American Sociological Association study on careers of sociology
majors:
http://www.asanet.org/research/BachelorsinSociology.pdf
Chapter 1, "Sociology: Theory and Methods" (skip "Statistical Terms")
Week of
Monday, June
25
Chapter 2, "Culture and Society"
The Tattoo Culture
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7034500.stm
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tattoos/
http://www.pbs.org/skinstories/stories/index.html
Discussion Post 1 (due by Sunday, July 1, 11:55 pm)
Exam 1: July 2 (12am)-July 3 (11:55pm): chaps. 1 & 2
Chapter 3, "Socialization, the Life Course, and Aging" (skip pp. 86-87)
Chapter 4, "Social Interaction and Everyday Life in the Age of the Internet"
Week of
Monday, July
2
Language as Social Interaction
http://www.pbs.org/speak/words/sezwho/socialsetting/
http://raysweb.net/poems/articles/tannen.html
http://www.homestar.org/bryannan/tannen.html
Discussion Post 2 (due by Sunday, July 8, 11:55 pm)
Exam 2: July 9 (12am)-July 10 (11:55pm): Chaps. 3 & 4
Chapter 5, "Groups, Networks, and Organizations"
Week of
Monday, July
9
Corporate Strategies: Surveillance, Marketing
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4223564.html
Chapter 6, "Conformity, Deviance, and Crime"
Discussion Post 3 (due by Sunday, July 15, 11:55 pm)
Exam 3: July 16 (12am)- July 17 (11:55pm): Chaps. 5 & 6
Chapter 7, "Stratification, Class, and Inequality"
Week of
Monday, July
16
Chapter 8, "Global Inequality"
Coffee, Profits, and Poverty
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/video/index.php?page=7&video_id=36&filter=\
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.
Discussion Post 4 (due by Sunday, July 22, 11:55 pm)
Exam 4: July 23 (12am)-July 24 (11:55pm): Chaps. 7 & 8
Chapter 9, "Gender Inequality"
Sex Work
Week of
Monday, July
23
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/india304/thestory.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/slaves/
Chapter 10, "Ethnicity and Race"
Discussion Post 5 (due by Sunday, July 29, 11:55 pm)
Exam 5: July 30 (12am)- July 31 (11:55pm): Chaps. 9 &10
Chapter 15, "Urbanization, Population, and the Environment"
Chapter 16, "Globalization in a Changing World"
Week of
Monday, July
30
Water, Gold, & People
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bolivia/thestory.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/gold-futures/introduction/969/
Discussion Post 6 (due by Sunday, August 5, 11:55 pm)
Week of
Monday,
August 6
Exam 6: August 6 (12am)- August 7 (11:55pm); chaps. 15 & 16
Florida International University Online - Copyright © 1998 - 2012. All rights reserved worldwide.