Sociology 1301
Introduction to Sociology
Office Number ISC 134
email: s.warden@templejc.edu
Sharon Warden, Instructor
Spring 2006
Phone: 298-8365
shwardenriver@msn.com
Course Texts: Society the Basics, 8th edition. John J. Macionis. Prentice Hall Publishers. New Jersey, 2006.
A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Ruby K. Payne, Phd. Aha, Process. 2003.
Description of Course:
Sociology is the systematic study of human social behavior, society, groups, and social structures.
The focus of sociology is human social interaction. Sociology looks beyond individual behavior and
unique events for the broad social forces that influence our individual lives. Sociology seeks to identify
forces that strengthen or weaken social ties, promote or disintegrate stability or conflict within society, and
initiate or advance social change.
Units of Instruction:
A. Sociological Perspective and History of Discipline
B. Research Methods
C. Culture
D. Socialization and development
E. Social Interaction and Social Groups
F. Deviant Behavior and Social Control
G. Social Stratification and Social Class
H. Racial and Ethnic Minorities
I. Gender and Age Stratification
J. Marriage and Alternative Lifestyles
K. Family and Its Functions
L. Religion and Education
M. Political and Economic Systems
N. Population and Demography
O. Urban Society
P. Collective Behavior and Social Movements
Q. Social Change
Objectives:
The student should be able to:
A. Describe the point of view of sociology
B. Identify and define the basic concepts of sociology
C. Demonstrate an understanding of his/her place in society to include statuses, role, group
memberships, class, race/ethnicity
D. Compare/contrast the three major models within sociology: Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic
Interactionism
E. Briefly outline American culture including examples of its material and non-material dimensions
Values, norms, and subcultures
F. Identify the major characteristics of bureaucratic organizations
G. Describe social structure as a continuum ranging from the micro to the macro level in society
H. Identify and describe basic influences in the socialization process
I. Compare and contrast primary and secondary groups
J. Explain the cultural relevance of deviance
K. Explain how deviance affects culture
L. Briefly describe the American stratification system and identify the major determinants of
Social class
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
W.
X.
Y.
Z.
Identify three patterns of minority relations
List the basic social institutions and the describe the major functions of each
Briefly describe the principle factors affecting population size and change
Give several examples of collective behavior
Understand and explain briefly community growth
Explain the sociological perspective of religion in American society
Explain the differences in gender socialization and the cultural roots relating to these differences
Describe the functions of the family to American society
List the various forms of the family
Understand the functions of the American educational system
Understand the current difficulties or issues facing the American educational system
Explain the functions of the state and how political authority plays a role in government processes
Understand crowd theory and and crowd behavior; the formation and life of social movements
Acquire an understanding of sociology as an overall discipline and how it is applied to everyday
Social existence
Grade Scale for Class Evaluation:
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=65-69
F=all grades below 65
Criteria for Class Evaluation:
There will be four examinations for the class. You will have three exams during the course of study
and a final examination as scheduled by the college. Each exam will be weighted equally and will
be non-comprehensive in nature. Each one will also be objective in format and units for the test will
be assigned as appropriate. It is the instructor’s belief that a failing grade is not necessary if the student
invests an adequate amount of time and effort in preparing for and attending the class lecture sessions.
The Ruby Payne test will count as one of your four exams. There will be three exams over course material.
Operational Procedures for the Class:
Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. Excellent attendance is a minimal expectation and will not
serve as an incentive to raise grades that are deficient.
I expect that you will attend all class lecture sessions. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility
to find out what you missed and get the notes from a classmate. If you must consistently come in late or
leave early (more than twice during the semester), please drop the class. If you miss one of the exams,
you will have exactly one week after the originally scheduled class test date in which to make up the
exam. The only exceptions to this rule are if you are in the hospital or have a death in the immediate
family. After the week, a grade of zero will be given for that exam. In keeping with new TC
attendance policy, absence from 4 or more classes will constitute automatic withdrawal from the course
unless you have discussed your absences with me. (Night Class: Two absences will constitute automatic
withdrawal status)
I do not drop grades nor do I curve them at the end of the semester. The grade that you earn in the class
will be the grade that you receive.
If you have a problem with the class or an issue to discuss, please see me first. If we cannot satisfactorily
solve the problem, then I will be happy to refer you to the person who can.
In addressing the issues of sociology, some of them will be controversial. You may become angry or
upset. As you encounter these issues and your own reaction to them as well as that of your classmates
remember to be respectful and courteous to each other. You will be dismissed from the class if you abuse
the rights of others.
You are expected to conduct yourself in this classroom as an adult. If you talk during lecture, make tangent
comments to the class discussion or engage in otherwise inappropriate behavior, you will be asked to leave.
Please do not monopolize the class lecture sessions by addressing every issue that is discussed in
lecture.
Cell phones are not permitted during this class and text messaging is strictly prohibited. If a cell
phone is seen or heard during the class, you will either have to turn it off or leave for the day. The rationale
for this is that if the message is important enough to take in class, it is important enough to command your
attention. If it is not of a nature to require that you leave, then it is not important enough to take during the
class. This is not intended to be arbitrarily harsh but to protect the learning environment for the students
and teacher. Additionally, there are to be no phones during the test day. If you have an emergency such
that you need the phone, plan on taking a make-up exam at another time.
Any form of cheating is strictly prohibited, and Temple College policies of discipline will be followed.
These policies may be found in the student handbook. It is your responsibility to know and abide by these
guidelines during the class.
I do not assign a specific reading schedule as I move at a pace that takes into account the needs of each
particular class. I will alert you prior to each new chapter on what to read. Exams will be given as
appropriate during the semester. In general, you should count on about 1 exam every 4 weeks. You will be
notified of upcoming exams prior to their occurrence. You will receive a review sheet which highlights the
essential material to be covered.
College notifications (including semester grades) come to you through TConnect and TC
Webmail. Please make sure that you know about your account and how to use these services.
I am looking forward to the semester, and I hope that each of you achieves your goals this semester..