Mississippi College
Sociology 205A Sociology: An Introduction in a Global Context
Fall 2014, Tuesday/Thursday- 9:25am-10:40am
Course Syllabus
Rick Parker-Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Course Credit: 3 hours
Course Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Rick Parker
Cell phone: 601-953-7060
Email: Parker10@mc.edu
Office Hours: Monday-1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesday- 11:00am-1:00pm, Thursday-11:00am1:00pm, Friday-9:00am-12:00pm
The most effective methods of communicating with the instructor are in person before or after
class or by email.
Course Description
An interactive introduction to the discipline of sociology that is international in scope and
content utilizing a world systems theory approach to examine the similarities and differences
among world regions that are creating a global society. International topics addressed include
social and cultural theories, socialization and deviance, stratification and inequality, social institutions and community, and organizational and social change from a sociological standpoint.
Course Textbook
Ferrante, J. (2013). Sociology: A global perspective (9th ed.). Stanford, CT:
CENGAGE LEARNING (ISBN-13: 978-1-285-74647-0)
Other readings as assigned by the instructor.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this introductory course, students should be able to, through successful
performance in class discussions, group and individual activities, written examinations,
demonstrate appreciation for, and understanding of, the:
1. foundations of the theoretical and practical aspects of the field of sociology including the
Structure and processes of society such as organization and socialization;
2. identities and inequalities of society in terms of social class, race and ethnicity, sex and
gender, and generational age;
3. interdependence of such social institutions as the family, the economy and work, politics and
government, the mass media and sports, and religion and science; and
4. discipline of sociology as a contributor to the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and societies of the United States, and the world from the two primary perspectives of globalization and multiculturalism.
Course Rationale
This is an introductory course to the academic discipline of sociology. The course will focus on
the contributions of sociology to the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations,
communities, and societies of the United States and the world from the two primary perspectives
of globalization and multiculturalism.
Method of Instruction
This course will use a variety of learning activities (e.g., class lectures and discussions, four
written examinations, reflective activities, videos, individual and group activities, etc.) for
students to be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the acquisition of basic sociological
concepts and their applications in today’s global society).
Course Topics
The Sociological Imagination
Social Interaction
Stratification
Birth
Theoretical Perspectives
Formal Organization
Race
Ethnicity
Gender
Culture
Socialization
Deviance, Conformity, Social Control
Economics
Family
Education
Social
Religion
Death Social Change Politics
Course Requirements
There will be four non-comprehensive chapter tests given during this semester. Test dates will
be tentatively announced on this syllabus. Each test will comprise 15% of the student’s final
grade. This means that the average of all 4 tests will compose 60% of your final grade. The
final exam will count 20% of the student’s overall average; it will be scheduled on the final
exam day of the MC schedule.
Students will be penalized for skipping class. If a student misses a class, then he or she will
lose 3 points off of his/her attendance average. Students must realize that they start off
with 50 points attendance average. However, all absences are counted “unexcused” except
for absences that pertain to MC sporting/school events such as basketball games, volleyball
games, etc. These MC events are considered “excused” absences. Students can only miss a
certain number of classes according to Mississippi College’s handbook. If a student misses
more classes than the handbook reports, then he or she automatically receives an “F”
grade for this course. Please check the M.C. handbook for the required number of
absences that are allowed. Students cannot miss more than 25% of a courses’ total number
of meetings.
If a student is tardy, he or she gets counted tardy. Two tardies count as an absence. The
total number of tardies and absences will be combined together to figure a student’s overall
attendance grade. Keep in mind that the MC handbook only allows a certain number of
absences. If the total number of tardies plus absences exceeds the limit, then the student
will receive an “F” for this class.
NO test scores will be dropped!! Attendance is 20% of your overall average.
Make up Day for examinations
If a student misses a test/s, he or she can make it up on the last day of class. All makeup
examinations will be made up on the exam day.
Extra Credit
There will be no extra credit in this course.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Mississippi College expects all students to be scrupulously honest. Plagiarism and other forms
of cheating will be dealt with in accordance with the policies of the university. Further details on
the school’s honesty policy are found in the undergraduate catalog, on the M.C. webpage, and in
the Office of Student Affairs.
OTHER COURSE INFORMATION
If a student is late to the class and is marked absent during roll-call, it is that student’s
responsibility to inform the instructor the he or she was in class; otherwise the absence will
remain on the roll. A student who is more than 15 minutes late to class will be considered absent.
Early Alert System
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the semester
who may be exhibiting behaviors that could ultimately have a negative impact on their
academic progress. These behaviors are often called “red flag” behaviors and include,
but not limited to, excessive absences, poor test grades, and lack of class participation
or evidence of non-engagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor
the opportunity to raise the “red flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the
student, the student’s advisor. and the Office of Student Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern and to
encourage him/her to make some choices to improve the situation. When a student
receives an Early Alert message, the student should quickly make an appointment to
talk with his/her professor about the situation. Also, students can make full use of the
Office of Student Success to set academic goals and connect to campus resources.
Disability Services
Disabilities under the ADA are categorized as physical, mental, and learning
disabilities. In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section
504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual
meeting with the Director of Student Counseling Services immediately upon
recognition of their disability (if their disability is known they must come in before
the semester begins or make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi
for the new semester). The student must bring with them written documentation from a
medical physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student
has received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those
accommodations (example Individualized Education Plan from the school
system). Documentation must be current (within 3 years). The student must meet
with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow up meetings (one mid
semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the
semester). Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as
needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the
semester. Note: Students must come in each semester to complete their
Individualized Accommodation Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester IAP
plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring semester they must
come in again to complete their spring semester IAP plan).
Student Counseling Services is located in Alumni Hall Room #4 or they may be
contacted via email at christia@mc.edu or rward@mc.edu. You may also reach them by
phone at 601-925-7790.
Tentative Schedule of Topics, Tests, and Assignments
#Dates are subject to change but will be announced#
Date
Topic
August 28
Introduction to syllabus
Chapters
September 2
Sociological Imagination
1
September 4
Sociological Imagination
1
September 9
Sociological Perspectives
2
September 11
Sociological Perspectives
2
September 16
Culture
3
September 18
Culture
3
September 23
Socialization
4
September 25
Exam 1
Chapters 1-4
September 30
Social Interaction
5
October 2
Social Interaction
5
October 7
Formal Organizations
6
October 9
Formal Organizations
6
October 14
Deviance, Conformity,
Social Control
7
October 16
Deviance, Conformity
7
October 21
Social Inequality
8
October 23
Social Inequality
8
October 28
Exam 2
October 30
Race
9
November 4
Race
9
November 6
Gender/Sexualities
10
November 11
Gender/Sexualities
10
November 13
Economics/Politics
11
Chapters 5-8
November 18
Economics/Politics
11
November 20
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 25
Family
November 27
Exam 3
December 2
Education/Religion
December 4
Exam 4
Chapters 13/14
December 9
Review for final
Chapters 1-14
December 11
Final exam/make ups
Chapters 1-14
12
Chapters 9-12
13/14