SYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY TC-T
Lecture Hours: 3
Term: Spring 2005
Instructor’s Name: Ms. Sharon Sarles
Time: M 6:00-8:40
The instructor will endeavor to make herself available before and after class and for appointments. Virtual
office hours are 2-5:00 on Tuesday afternoons. Instructions on virtual system forthcoming. In addition you
may email her at Sharon.sarles@templejc.edu or call her. If calling and leaving a message, be very sure
you have left number slowly and clearly, two times to call, and your question. Instructor’s Phone: 512/4594834. Students are responsible to keep their email and phone numbers updated with college and with
instructor.
Students should make every attempt to consult with instructor in all cases of difficulty. It is the student’s
responsibility, however, to know what they missed. Announcements, homework, and supplemental
materials are available on college website.
Prerequisites: Students should be able to read, answer questions, take objective tests and write coherent
paragraphs in standard English and know very basic American history and government. Students without
these will have a hard time passing. Access to the web and knowledge how to navigate and use email will
be useful. Civil behavior, even when discussing controversial issues, is expected.
Course Objectives: Student will become acquainted with the Sociological scientific inquiry, the
vocabulary of Sociology, the three major theoretical perspectives, and be introduced to various topics
within Sociology including major theories and basic facts. Students will increase their ability to write
college level answers to essay questions. Students will be invited to increase their ability to reason
analytically and critically about societal issues.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Week Date
1
8/22
2
8/29
3
Chapter
Topic
read for this What is Sociology?
week 1
Library orientation, surveys
Methods of Sociology
Special Assignments
Homework every week
Paper : What is
Sociology? What is
scientific about it?
Due: Syllabus orientation
Theoretical Perspectives, Founders,
Methods
9/12
1
worthy of
reading 2X
8
Stratification
Sup Read: Framework
4
9/19
11
Ethnicity
Sup Read: Prejudice &
Discrim
5
9/26
Exam and Lecture postponed
Deviance
6
10/3
7
Exam, lecture and discussion
7
8
9
10
10/10
10/17
10/24
10/31
6
3
14
13
Sex and Gender
Family, Socialization,
Education
Religion
Paper: How are
minorities discriminated
against in the CJ system?
Sup Read: Framework
Sup Read: Education &
Religion
Paper: What is most
important to student
11
11/7
Exam & Lecture
Medicine
12
11/14
12
13
14
11/21
11/28
15
16
15
12/1 TH
Economy & Politics
Population and Urbanization
Social Change
achievement?
Paper: Compare and
contrast the U.S.
government and one
other
11/11 last day to drop
Supp Read: 1) Ecn&Pol
and 2)Role of Media
Exam
REQUIREMENTS
A. Reading assignments. Students are responsible for material in reading as listed in syllabus as well
as content of lectures. Questions based on the reading are elicited at the first of every class period.
B. Students are responsible for their own homework, including but not limited to vocabulary,
questions in the text, outlining chapters, reviewing lecture notes, investigating some of the
supplemental materials, making use of the publisher’s online quizzes and study material. If the
student has any doubt as to what is most effective for them, they are invited to contact the
instructor or the campus learning center.
C. Student is responsible for attending class. Instructor’s comments are meant to elucidate and add
to, not regurgitate the text. Test material may also be taken also from Instructor’s lecture. I do not
award or deduct points for attendance, but there is a good correlation between failure to attend and
failure to pass. If you have missed three or more classes, you should seriously consider
withdrawing yourself.
D. There will be three exams. These will be mostly objective (multiple choice) with some essay
questions. Each is worth 30%. Students must bring appropriate scantrons, pencils & pens.
Grading system:
A 90 – 100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79 %
D 60-69%
seldom transferable
F below 60%, or failure to withdraw
D. There are 3 writing assignments for a grade, all short papers, with the aim of improving essay
writing skills. Each is worth up to 5 points on total grade. (Yes, if you made 3 100s on exams, and
3 papers worth 5 points each, you would have a score of 105.) Show you learned something about
Sociology and can write in intelligible, standard English. Each due one week after assigned.
Assignments will be accepted late with a deduction of one point. Assignments may be rewritten
for an improvement in score.
1. = D Turned in, on time, with professional, neat look
2. = C Relates the high points of the material taught
3. = B Demonstrates fair understanding of the material taught
4. = A Knows and integrates the material
5. = A+ Mastered facts and concepts taught and added creative thought, along with
professional looking presentation
One or 2 pages, typed, should be sufficient, but there will be no upper page limit. All
assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the last lecture day.
E. Extra Credit may be arranged, by agreement of the instructor. Extra credit cannot substitute for
diligence during the semester. Those who do not test well may suggest a homework notebook.
Many students may profit from reading the Payne book and writing a book review. Debates on
relevant topics are welcome. Other ideas may be posted on the web. Normally worth five points.
Advanced students (those who can score 5s on their short papers) may engage in a supervised
project.
F.
Students are responsible for participating in their learning. You are also responsible for not
degrading the quality of learning of others. As such as much as 5 points on the final score may be
added for quality class participation and as much as 5 deducted for less than acceptable
comportment.
G. Any student needing special accommodations because of a “learning disability” must see
instructor during first three weeks of class.
H. Any student needing assistance about learning issues should see the instructor as soon as possible.
Now is your opportunity to be sure you have mastered the skills that will make you successful in
college and in the world of learning.
I.
Students who must miss the mid-term examinations should call the instructor at least 1 hour before
the beginning of the mid-term (or the campus secretary 10 minutes before the exam) in order to
arrange for a make-up and must take their make-up examination within one week of returning to
health. Failure to do this will result in a grade of zero. Please do not ask to take the final early or
late; have a back-up plan for other duties.
J.
I look very unfavorably on “incompletes.” Please do not ask me to work with you on an
incomplete unless you have had an unforeseeable and extreme family or health emergency. This
means you were in the hospital for more than one week or your immediate family member has
died the week of the exam. This does not include family vacations or deaths of extended family.
K. This instructor will use all the negative sanctions allowed by this institution to discourage cheating
of any kind.
L. This syllabus may be amended and if so, the update will be posted on the class website.
RESOURCES
Required text:
Society, the Basics, John J. Macionis, McGraw-Hill.. So, yes, you need to read it.
Class website ( www.templejc.edu then choose Department, Sociology, Faculty, Sarles and see list of class
documents)
Supplementary:
Payne, Ruby K. A Framework for Understanding Poverty, RFT Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0-96474437-2-8
Resource packet in library titled “Sociology/Sarles/Resources
Test-taking strategies,
Model Papers, Other study resources
Tyner, Thomas E. College Writing Basics.
Reid, Stephen. The Prentice Hall For College Writers. } or similar books in library
Billings, White. The Well-crafted Argument.
CD and internet resources
Publisher’s website has practice quizzes and flashcards that some students have found useful.