Houston Community College System
SOCI 1301 • Introduction to Sociology
Fall 2015
Mon/Wed 5:30-7:00pm
Mon/Wed 7:00-8:30pm
Saturday, 9:30am-12:30pm
Instructor Information
Instructor: Myron Hopes, ABD
Office: 713-718-8000
e-mail: Myron.Hopes@hccs.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Course Information 74699, 74648, 75415
Course Work. Due dates are listed on the course calendar and extended instructions for the
assignments are provided in class.
Purpose: To introduce the basic concepts, methodologies and theories of sociology and critical
thinking.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to
1. Develop the sociological perspective.
2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives of sociology.
3. Define, analyze and examine various research methodologies
4. Define and evaluate key societal concepts including culture, inequality, institutions, behavior,
deviance and social change.
5. Enhance the critical examination of social structure.
Topics:
Sociological Theory and Methods
Culture and Socialization
Social Structure, Interaction and Groups
Deviance
Social Inequality (e.g., social class, racial and ethnic minorities, gender, etc.)
Social Institutions (e.g., religion, education and family)
COURSE CALENDAR
Week 1 (August 24) – “Introduction”
Week 2 (August 31) - Handout 1 “The Sociological View”
Week 3 (September 7) - Handout 2 “Culture and Socialization”
Week 4 (September 14) - Handout 3 “Social Structure Groups/Org.”
Week 5 (September 21) - Review Handouts 1-3 and Test #1,
Week 6 (September 28) - Handout 4 “Deviance and Social Control”
Week 7 (October 5) - Handout 5 “Stratification/Global Inequality”
Week 8 (October 12) - Handout 6 “Inequality by Race/Ethnicity”
Week 9 (October 19) – Review Handouts 4-6 and Midterm,
Week 10 (October 26) - Handout 7 “Inequality by Gender”
Week 11 (November 2) - Handout 8 “Social Institutions: Family and Religion
Week 12 (November 9) – Handout 9 “Social Institutions: Education, Government and Economy
Week 13 (November 16) - Review Handouts 7-9 and Test #3
Week 14 (November 23) - Handout 10 “Population, Community, Health and the Environment
Week 15 (November 30 -Make up Week
Week 16 (December 7) - Final Exams Week
Week 16 Final Exam Schedule- M/W 5:30-7:00pm (12/7/15 @5:30pm)
Week 16 Final Exam Schedule- M/W 7:00-8:30pm (12/9/15@7:30pm)
Week 16 Final Exam Schedule- Sat: 9:30-12:30pm(12/12/15@9:30am)
Holidays:
November 26-27 (Thanksgiving)
Grade Evaluation:
Class Attendance / 200 points
3 Tests / 200 points each, student may drop lowest test grade of these 3
Final Exam will be comprehensive with 30% being composed of chapter 10 (400 points)
Grade Scale: (Point System)
A = 900-1000………4 points per semester hour
B = 800-899………..3 points per semester hour
C = 700-799………..2 points per semester hour
D = 600-699………..1 points per semester hour
F = 599 and below…0 points per semester hour
(IP-In progress, W-Withdraw, I-incomplete and Aud-Audit-0 points per semester hour)
Last day to withdraw- October 30, 2015
*Academic Integrity*
According to HCCS catalog appropriate credit must be given to the work of others and “no
fabrication of sources, cheating or unauthorized collaboration is permitted.”
Consequences for the above infractions range from (but are not limited to) additional
classes/coursework to expulsion.
Missed Tests/Make-up Test
In the case of an emergency, you may be allowed to make up a missed exam. However, arrangements
need to be made in advance prior to missing an exam and all make up exams will be given during the last
week of class. If you miss an exam and fail to make prior arrangements, you will receive a zero for that
exam.
Attendance/Participation:
Attend class regularly. Students missing more than five days of class can be dropped from the course.
However, it is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they have been dropped before the drop date.
The drop date is listed in the HCCS Course Catalog. Once the “W” Day has passed, those not meeting
the above requirements will lose credit for the course with an “F” for a grade. Also, keep track of your
grades so that you may make an educated decision when the deadline for dropping approaches. Each
student will automatically start will 200 class attendance points. However, points are reduced in
the following format(2 free absences for classes meeting 2x’s weekly and 1 free absence for classes
that meets 1x weekly, then it is a reduction of 40 points per absence to a total of 200 points! Also, 4
tardies constitute 1 absence).
The Instructor calls the roll daily at the beginning of class so if you’re late it is your responsibility to
inform the instructor at the end of class that you were tardy as the Instructor does not revisit the roll
sheet trying to match attendance with tardy students.
Student’s Expectations:
It is expected that each student will adhere to the rules outlined in this syllabus concerning grades,
attendance, due dates and tests. The student is also responsible for reading each chapter discussed.
Instructor’s Message
It is highly recommended and encouraged that students address any issues of concern with the instructor.
Monday/Wednesday classes will have self study library days in week 2, due to a scheduled absence of
the Instructor.
TEXT
Conley, D(2008) An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist. 1st Edition, W.W. Norton
&Company, Inc.
Handouts will be the major source of information:
Course Policies
Attendance: Please refer to the College’s catalog regarding absences. Be aware that you can be
dropped from the course if you should miss 2 or more classes. You are expected to remain in the
class for the duration, as you will forfeit any opportunities for extra credit assignments and
possibly ½ point deductions from your final score.
It is your responsibility to drop the course. It is your responsibility to come to me in order to discuss
any problems you might have regarding attendance and the effect this might have on your course status.
Last day to withdraw is October 30, 2015.
ADA Statement: Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations are encouraged to
contact the Disability Services Office at (713) 718-8000 as soon as possible to better ensure that such
accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
NO ACCOMMODATIONS CAN BE MADE FOR THE FINAL EXAM;
Use of Cell Phones
Turn off all cell phones during class. Exceptions may be permitted in emergency situations.
This syllabus is subject to change due to time constraints and time spent on a particular lesson or
subject.