SYG2000 - Intro to Sociology - Spring 2015-2 Tuesday and Thursday 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM in room 3218 Syllabus Instructor: Alejandro Angee, Ph.D. Office: 3506-3 Phone: (305) 237 3180 Email: aangee@mdc.edu Web: http://faculty.mdc.edu/aangee Office Hours: Monday: 2:00PM to 5:00PM Tuesday and Thursday: 10:15AM to 11:00AM Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 2:00PM to 4:00PM Course Description This course offers an introduction to sociology as a way of understanding complex social, political, and economic phenomena in the world. Sociology is a field of study that focuses on social structures, social forces, and group interactions. Specifically, this course will concentrate on several important sociological topics such as culture, the social construction of knowledge, “race,” gender, and economic inequality, as well as political sociology. Course Objectives Sociologist Peter L. Berger saw sociology as a debunking perspective – that is, looking at things from different ways in which people traditionally see the world. This is one of the major objectives for this class, where combining and developing critical thinking skills are applied to the understanding of major themes in society. Thus, by the end of the class, students should be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Understand the main sociological theoretical perspectives Apply these perspectives to contemporary social problems Develop insight into the critical link between social structure and individual circumstances Acquire analytical skills for understanding and evaluating social phenomena and the interactions from which they emerge. Class Policy for Lecture and Discussion Class lectures will result from ideas and materials associated with textbook concepts, films, and assigned readings. Thus, lectures are intended to improve your understanding of the readings and topics covered in the class. A great deal of classroom time will be dedicated to group discussion; consequently, students MUST KEEP UP WITH THE WEEKLY READINGS and actively participate in class. Required Textbook: Intro to Sociology, by Henry L. Tishler, 11th Edition. Web Enhanced Class This class has a “Web Enhanced” designation. This means that you will need to be able to login and familiarize yourself with the college’s Blackboard software. Assignments, additional readings, and a variety of resources will be available here and all homework will need to be turned in through the system. Here is the login page: https://mycourses.mdc.edu/default.asp Power Points, Lectures and Class Discussions Weekly power points are available at http://faculty.mdc.edu/aangee. It is recommended that students download and print them to facilitate the note-taking process. Because not everything will come from the book, I highly recommend that you take notes during class discussions/lectures. 7/25/2016 Grading Policy and Procedures There will be 3 exams worth 15 points each. These will be composed of multiple-choice, true and false, and short essay questions, and will account for 45% of your total grade. The exams have a window of one day to be completed online and are rigorously timed. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE-UPS FOR MISSING AN EXAMINATION! There will be 10 homework assignments during the semester. These are worth 5 points each, or 50% of your total grade. The take home activities are based on the reading that is due for that particular day (usually from the book or any other reading given by the professor) and are composed of essays, short answer, true and false, or multiple choice questions. Homework is due every Monday. Late activities will lose 1 point for every class they are late. There will be 5 points for attendance and participation. You are allowed 4 (excused/unexcused) absences without penalty. Any additional absence will result in the loss of your 5 attendance/participation points. The breakdown of your final grade is as follows: Item Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3 Home Work 10X(5pts) Attendance/Participation Total Points 15 15 15 50 5 100 A = 90 - 100 B = 80 - 89 C = 70 - 79 D = 60 - 69 F = 59 and below Course/Departmental Policies Semester deadlines and important dates can be found at: www.mdc.edu/main/academics/academic_calendar.asp Students with Disabilities or Special Needs: Please let me know if you need any special accommodations. Academic Honesty: Students that are found responsible for academic misconduct, will be subject to the Academic Misconduct Procedures and Sanctions outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook: www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf If You Miss a Class: Please do not email your professor to ask if you “missed something important” the day you were absent! Surely you missed something important! Please follow your syllabus closely, download the power points from the website, and call or ask a classmate if you need the notes for that day. Cell Phone Policy: ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USE IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. ANY USE OF CELLPHONES OR TEXTING IN THE CLASS WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC LOSS OF 5 POINTS FROM THE PARTICIPATION GRADE AND MAY RESULT IN EXPULSION FROM THE CLASSROOM IF BEHAVIOR CONTINUES AFTER FAIR WARNING!!!! Student Learning Outcomes at MDC According to the Miami Dade College’s Learning Outcomes website, “Miami Dade College Learning Outcomes are learning goals that emphasize the lifelong skills needed to be successful in work and life and to participate in our society as a global citizen.” At MDC, these Learning Outcomes are developed and used across the spectrum of educational and co-curricular activities that make up the students’ major courses of study (www.mdc.edu/learningoutcomes). As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to: Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment. 2 Semester Schedule PART 1 – THE STUDY OF SOCIETY Week 1 Introduction to class: 01/04 What the heck is sociology anyway? Review syllabus and class assignments Clarify expectations for class and instructor The Sociological Perspective Film: Born into Brothels Week 2 The Sociological Perspective II 01/11 Film: Born into Brothels PART 2 – THE INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY Week 3 Culture 01/18 Class Lecture and Discussion Week 4 Socialization and Social Interaction 01/25 Class Lecture and Discussion Week 5 Social groups and Deviant Behavior 02/01 Class Lecture and Discussion Week 6 Social groups and Deviant Behavior (continued) 02/08 Class Lecture and Discussion **TEST 1. Thursday, February 11 (Parts 1 & 2)** PART 3 – SOCIAL INEQUALITY Week 7 Class Stratification 02/15 Class Lecture and Discussion Film: Waging a living Week 8 Class Stratification (continued) 02/22 Class Lecture and Discussion Week 9 Race and Ethnicity 02/29 Class Lecture and Discussion Week 10 Gender Stratification 03/07 Class Lecture and Discussion Film: Killing us Softly 3 Week 11 *** TEST 1. Thursday, March 17 (Part 3)*** 03/14 Progress Reviews PART 4 – INSTITUTIONS AND GLOBALIZATION Week 12 Marriage and Alternative Family Arrangements 03/21 Class Lecture and Discussion Film: Every Good Marriage Begins with Tears Week 13 Religion 03/28 Class Lecture and Discussion Week 14 Education 04/04 Class Lecture and Discussion Film: Time for School 3 Week 15 Political and Economic Systems 04/11 Class Lecture and Discussion Film: Without the King Final review and good bye party! Week 16 04/18 Test 3. TBA 3 Read: Tischler, chapter 1 Read: C. Wright Mills, The Sociological imagination HW 1 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 3 HW 2 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapters 4, 5 Read: Tischler, chapters 6, 7 HW 3 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 8 HW 4 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 10 HW 5 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 11 HW 6 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 12 HW 7 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 13 HW 8 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 14 HW 9 available on ANGEL Read: Tischler, chapter 15 HW 10 available on ANGEL