Sociology
Northwest College
SOCI1301 – Introduction to Sociology
CRN 54022 – Fall 2010
Katy Campus / 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. / Tuesday & Thursday
3-Hour Lecture / 48 hours per semester / 15 weeks
INSTRUCTOR: Ralph K Ojo
Instructor Contact Information: Cell (281) 235-7424 Home (281) 265-3182
Email: Ralph@discoveredhomes.com
Office location and hours: By appointment only.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Sociology 1301 is a survey course, which introduces the basic concepts, theories and
methods of inquiry utilized in the discipline. At the broadest level, sociology represents a
critical perspective of social reality. The emphasis on the word “social” means that sociology
is not a study of individual person but rather as individuals participating in groups. Sociology
focuses on the patterns found in human behavior as well as the interaction between human
beings. Using the sociological perspective, we learn to step back from familiar ways of
thinking, and take a look beyond obvious. Soc. 1301 is a 3-hour lecture course.
PREREQUISITES
SOCI1301 requires college-level reading and writing skills. Research indicates that you are
most likely to succeed if you have already taken and passed ENGL 1301. The minimum
requirements for enrollment in SOCI1301 include placement in college-level reading (or take
GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and placement in college-level writing (or take ENGL
0310/0349 as a co-requisite). If you have enrolled in this course without having satisfied
these prerequisites, you are at risk of failure or withdrawal than students who have done so,
and you should carefully read and consider the repeater policy notice that follows.
COURSE GOALS
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
a. Understand the theoretical, historical and applied nature of the discipline.
b. Understand fundamental quantitative and qualitative techniques to study human group
behavior.
c. Apply sociological concepts and perspectives to the study of human group life.
d. Appreciate our socially and culturally diverse society and world.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #1: Identify the three major perspectives in Sociology:
Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionism.
1.1 Appreciate the benefits of the Sociological perspective.
1.2 Outline the three theoretical approaches discussed in the text. What image is held of
each
1.3 Discuss the advantage of choosing a scientific approach to understanding social reality?
1.4 Discuss the connection between Sociology and stereotypes.
1.5 Analyze the ways in which gender can shape sociological research.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #2: Identify the three factors influencing the emergency of a
global culture and the limitations of the global culture thesis.
2.1 Identify the four types of societies discussed by the Lenskis and the fifth type that the
text adds to then paradigm.
2.2 Identify and discuss the cause of cultural change.
2.3 Compare and contract ethnocentrism
2.4 Identify the major components of all culture.
2.5 List Robin Williams ten Central American values.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #3: Identify and describe (Erikson’s stages, Jean Pragets and
Sigmund Friend’s and Mead) Stages of development as each applies to our own personality
information.
3.1 Examine the nature versus nurture debate and explain how most contemporary
sociologists would resolve it.
3.2 Discuss how socialization varies at different stages along the life course.
3.3 Examine the role of the family, the school, peer groups, and the mass media in the
socialization process.
OBJECTIVE FOR SLO #4 Identify the principal status which we presently occupy.
4.1 Define social interaction and identify it components.
4.2 Describe the purpose of ethnumethodological research.
4.3 Discuss the importance of nonverbal communication in human social interaction.
4.4 Examine ways in which gender influences personal performances, including use of
Language.
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OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #5: Distinguish between primary groups and secondary groups.
5.1 Identify and describe three Leadership styles and provides examples of each style in our
society.
5.2 Discuss some of the steps a group might take to reduce or eliminate group think.
5.3 Discuss Etzioni’s three types of formal organizations.
5.4 Distinguish between in-groups and out-groups.
5.5 Discuss Max Weber’s six defining characteristics of bureaucracy
5.6 Examine the three ways in which social diversity influences intergroup contact
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #6: Summarize the profound changes in Sexual attitudes and
practices during the last Century.
6.1 Identify four sexual orientations along the Sexual Orientation Continum.
6.2 Present the two arguments on how people come to have a Sexual Orientation
6.3 Discuss the issues surrounding the high rate of teenage pregnancy.
6.4 Examine human sexuality by applying sociology’s three major theoretical paradigms.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #7: Evaluate the general biological and psychological
explanations of deviance and criminality.
7.1 Identify three social foundations of deviance.
7.2 Countline the major dimensions of labeling theory, including the concepts of primary and
secondary deviance, stigma, and degradation ceremonies.
7.3 Describe Hirschi’s four types of Social control.
7.4 Discuss white-collar crime, corporate crime, and organized crime.
7.5 Identify three major types of crime.
7.6 Identify and discuss the major components of the U.S. criminal justice system.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #8: Evaluate the various aspects of Stratification as they affect
American Society and the World.
8.1 Explain the four basic principles of social stratification.
8.2 Distinguish between caste and class system’s
8.3 Examine difference between the structural-functional and social conflict analyses of
stratification.
8.4 Identify Max Weber’s three dimensions of inequality.
8.5 Describe the dimensions of social class in the United States.
8.6 Characterize the four Social classes in the United States.
8.7 Discuss trends in Social mobility in United States.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #9: Analyze how gender role has been shaped by family peers,
school, and the Mass Media.
9.1 Make global comparisons with regard to “masculinity” and “femininity”
9.2 Discuss the special problems of minority women.
9.3 Define the concepts of patriarchy, matriarchy, sexism, and institutionalized sexism.
9.4 Describe three types of feminism and discuss reasons why many people resist feminist
change.
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OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #10: Identify and describe four patterns of minority majority
interaction.
10.1 Outline four theories of prejudice
10.2 Explain how stereotype contribute to prejudiced thinking.
10.3 Summarize the social histories of the major U.S. Minority groups.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #11: Summarize how the structural – functional, social-conflict,
symbolic interactionist, and social exchange paradigms direct our attention to different
aspects of the sociology of the family.
11.1 Distinguish between nuclear and extended families.
11.2 Identify and discuss three residential patterns of marriage.
11.3 Identify the social functions of the family.
11.4 Discuss the scope of the problem of family violence.
11.5 Provide example of how religion has promoted dramatic social transformation.
11.6 Identify causes for the high U.S. divorce rate.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #12: Explain how demographers calculate a population’s natural
growth rate.
12.1 Identify strengths and limitations of Malthusian theory.
12.2 Trace the development of cities around the world and in the United States.
12.3 Explain the general approach to Urban analysis favored by Urban political economist
12.4 Explain the theory of the demographic transition.
12.5 Explain how technological change, population growth, and cultural patterns collectively
impact on the environment.
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #13: Examine causes of Social change: Culture, Social
Structure, Ideas, the Natural environment, and demographics.
13.1 Identify and describe four types of Social Movements.
13.2 Define modernity and identify four characteristics of modernization.
Core Curriculum
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
SOCI 1301 satisfies the social science requirement in the HCCS core curriculum. The
HCCS Sociology Discipline Committee has specified that address the goals of the core
curriculum as follows:
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Reading at the college level means having the ability to analyze and interpret a
variety of printed materials, books, and document. All students in SOCI1301 are
required to read a college-level textbook.
Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear, correct,
and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to
knowing correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, students should also
become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how
to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audience. All
instructors in SOCI1301 include at least one written assignment in their syllabi.
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Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and
persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience. Students
in SOCI1301 are required to communicate of each instructor’s course syllabus.
Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various
forms of spoken communication. Students in SOCI1301 are require to listen to
presentations and/or discussions of course content in formal or informal ways as
determined by the requirements of each instructor’s course syllabus.
Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and
quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate
arguments and to construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one of the
applications of critical thinking used to address an identified task. Students in
SOCI1301 are required to exhibit critical thinking in formal or informal ways as
determined by the requirements of each instructor’s course syllabus.
Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use computerbased technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring
information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits,
problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology and should
have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they
become available. Students in SOCI1301 are required to exhibit computer
literacy in formal or informal ways as determined by the requirements of each
instructor’s course syllabus.
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WEEK
1
DATE
ACTIVITY/MATERIALS TO BE COVERED
08/31/2010
09/02/2010
09/07/2010
09/09/2010
09/14/2010
09/16/2010
09/21/2010
09/23/2010
09/28/2010
09/30/2010
10/05/2010
10/07/2010
Introduction to Course Syllabus
Chapter 1: Sociology – Perspective, Theory and Method
Chapter 1: Contd.
Chapter 1: Contd.
Chapter 2: Culture.
Chapter 2: Contd.
Chapter 3: Socialization: From Infancy to Old Age.
Chapter 3: Contd.
Videos and Review for First Examination
EXAM I COVERING CHAPTERS 1, 2, AND 3
Chapter 4: Social Interactions in Everyday Life
Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations
10/12/2010
Chapter 6: Sexuality and Society
14.
10/14/2010
10/19/2010
10/21/2010
10/26/2010
10/28/2010
11/02/2010
11/04/2010
11/09/2010
11/11/2010
11/16/2010
11/18/2010
11/23/2010
11/25/2010
11/30/2010
15.
12/02/2010
12/07/2010
Chapter 7: Deviance
Chapter 8: Social Stratification
Chapter 8: Contd.
Videos and Review for Second Examination
EXAM II COVERING CHAPTERS 4, 5, 6, 7,and 9
Chapter 10: Gender Stratification
Chapter 11: Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 11: Contd.
Chapter 13: Family and Religion
Chapter 13: Contd.
Chapter 15: Population, Urbanization, and Environment
Chapter 15: Contd.
Thanksgiving Holiday - School Closed
Chapter 16: Social Change: Tradition, Modern and
Post Modern Societies
EXAM III COVERING CHAPTER 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16
Review for Final Exam
12/09/2010
Questions and Answers
12/16/2010
Comprehensive Final Examination
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8:00 a.m.
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INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
My Instructional methods is guided by a presentation of Sociology applicable to students
everyday lives. I place an emphasis on the practical and application of Sociological
Knowledge. And foster critical thinking skills. My ultimate goal is to encourage students to
look beyond outward appearances and overly simplistic common-sense understandings of
reveal the causes and consequences of social phenomena. For all the Chapter covered, I
will prepare handouts in the library that cover the notes. Students will be given a test review
as a study guide for all the exams. Students will be provided with feedback on home work
and the tests.
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS
The writing, reading and activity assignments need to be turned in on or before the
due date in the classroom. Any paper turned in to the school office or to the
instructor box will receive ZERO (0). No late paper will be accepted from anyone.
There is no exception to this rule. Students will read 5 journals from different
chapters of the textbook then summarize and critique the journals.
Quizzes may be at the beginning of the class, middle of the lecture or towards the end
of the class. The Quizzes are unannounced and there is no make-up.
There will be four tests (multiple choice, fill in the blanks, matching and
True/False questions) administered including the final. The final examination will
be comprehensive and this grade you cannot drop. Most of the materials will be
selected from the textbook. However, some questions may come from other
sources such as lecture, workbook, or reading. There are NO make-up tests.
The one you miss is the one you drop.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
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Lecture
Discussions Groups
Videotapes
Written and oral reports on selected subjects
Schedules examinations
Final examination as schedule by HCC
TEXT BOOK
Each student will be required to purchase the following text book:
Macionis, John J. Sociology: Prentice Hall, 10th Edition.
Resources website: http://Learning.nwc.hccs.edu/courses/sociology/
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HCC Policy Statement – ADA
Services To Students with Disabilities
Any students with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric,
vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must
contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of
each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services Office. The ADA counselor at
Northwest College is Mahnaz Kolaini (713-718-5422).
HCC Policy Statement – Academic Honesty
A Student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework
has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students.
The instructor is responsible for measuring each student’s individual achievements and also
for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the
instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with
the University’s Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If
you are charged with an offence, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students
are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course
requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System
officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”
includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
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Copying from another student’s test paper;
Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another students during a test without authorization;
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part
the contents of a test that has not been administered.
Pladiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion means the authorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0
or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation
or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
Cellular Phones Please turn off all cellular phones, or any other potentially disruptive
equipment. Should you receive a phone call, feel free to leave the classroom and to take all
your belongings as you will not be allowed to return to class during this period only. You may
ask one of your classmates to fill in on the material you missed in the remained of the class.
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HCC Policy Statement – Class Attendance- It is important that you come to Class!
Attending class regularly is the best way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that
the single most important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class
greatly increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs
regularly, You are responsible for materials covered during your absences. Class
attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for
nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is
discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after
accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours of instruction. The six hours of class time
would included any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class early.
You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the decision
not to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class. However, if this
happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have “lost” the class.
Poor attendance records tent to correlate with poor grades, If you miss any class, including
the first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or
a buddy in class who would be willing to share notes or discussion or be able to hand in
paper if you unavoidably miss a class.
Class attendance equals class success.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course
prior to the final date of withdrawal, Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the
time to meet with your instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The
instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete
the course. Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature
passed a law limiting first time freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals
throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early
Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might
fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your
responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC
interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job
placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
If you plan on withdrawing form your class, you may withdraw yourself online (except for flex
entry classes) OR contact a HCC counselor or your professor to withdraw you. This must be
done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. (**Final
withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit the
online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration
Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines)
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Remember to allow sufficient time (at least 24-hour response time) when
communicating via email and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor. Do not
submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline.
Some professors may not be willing to process the withdrawal requests or have
specific timelines for processing withdrawal request, please consult with your
individual professor for details. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will
receive the grade that you are making in the class as your final grade.
(**Please provide specific information about how you want to handle the withdrawal
requests from students.)
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed
classes. To increase students success, students who repeat the same course more than
twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage
students to pas their course and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher
tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are
considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with
your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing
homework, test skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for touring or other
assistance that might be available.
International Students
Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for
the course (after you have submitted withdrawal form formally), it will not be changed to an F
because of the visa consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713718-8520, if you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Classroom Behavior
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this
responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it
difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the
learning needs of your classmate and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be
respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow
students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not
use these devices in the classroom unless you received permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or
testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a
reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for
information regarding reasonable accommodations.
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Instructor Requirements
As your Instructor. It is my responsibility to:
 Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formulas explaining how students
grades are to be derived
 Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and
lectures
 Description of any special projects or assignments
 Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up
 Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any
special projects or assignments
 Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
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Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
Read and comprehend the textbook
Complete the required assignments and exams.
Ask for help when there is a question or problem
Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments
GRADING POLICY
Grades for this course will be calculated using the following formula:
Best 2 out of 3 test @ 20% each …………………….………….…40%
Writing, reading and activates Assignments …………………......20%
Unannounced Quizzes..……(WRITTEN) ………………………...10%
Final Examination (Mandatory) …………….…………………...…30%
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
59% and below
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