INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY 201:
Fall, 2010
PROFESSOR ELAINE LEEDER
office: Stevenson 2078
e-mail: leeder@sonoma.edu
phone #: 6642112
website: www.sonoma.edu/users/l/leeder/
office hours: call my assistant to make an appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course aims to familiarize students with the basic
concepts utilized in understanding society and the place that we, as individuals, fit in that
society. To these ends we will study American society and social institutions, while
learning to view both from a theoretical and critical sociological perspective. We will
look at various aspects of social life, including our behavior in large and small groups,
the place of the individual in social-historical perspective, the nature of socialization,
deviance and the social-structural conditions of inequality as they are reflected in race,
gender, class, sexual orientation and gender expression. Further, we will explore the field
of social change and social movements as these forces try to influence the course that
society takes.
THIS IS A D1 GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
To give students a working definition of sociology as a social science
To explore and define basic sociological concepts and terms
To develop a definition of the major schools of sociological thought: structural
functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interaction
To develop a beginning critical perspective on the structure of our society
To begin to explore the bases of inequality in American society
To begin to develop a cross-cultural perspective to social problems
To begin to understand what the idea “The Sociological Imagination” means
To begin to look at various social institutions such as the family, prisons, and
mental hospitals from a critical and sociological perspective
COURSE FORMAT:
The large lecture class will meet on Monday and Wednesday for fifty minutes. In these
meetings there will be lectures, films, guest speakers and large class discussion. You are
required to participate in a once-a-week fifty-minute small section meeting that is
facilitation by a student assistant. Your specific time is designated by your section
number (the three-digit number following Sociology 201). Please remember your
section number since most of the course activities are dependent on your knowing that
number. The format of large and small groups is used to help you understand the
intersection of your personal lives with the sociological perspective.
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Intro. To Soc. Syllabus
GRADING FORMAT:
Preliminary Quiz
Two Papers each worth 20%
New York Times Presentations/Journal
Final
20%
40%
20%
20%
100%
REQUIRED READINGS:
Abbott, Jack Henry. In the Belly of the Beast: Letters from Prison. Vintage Books
Conley, Dalton (2008) You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a
Sociologist. WW Norton and Company.
Rosenhan, D.L. (January 19, 1973). “On Being Sane in Insane Places.” Science 179
(xerox available from your teaching assistant)
Mathabane, Mark.1986. Kaffir Boy. Touchstone.
New York Times. You must obtain a daily or Sunday subscription to the NYT
Yezierska, Anzia (1925). The Breadgivers. Persea Books.
All books and newspapers except the Rosenhan article are on sale at the SSU Bookstore
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1.
You are allowed only THREE (3) unexcused absences (counting both discussion
group and large lecture.) More than 3 absences will negatively influence your
grade. Be forewarned: attendance is taken daily in both the large and small
sections, sit with your sections EVERY DAY so you will be counted. It is NOT
up to your T.A. to notice where you are sitting in the auditorium. Do not have
anyone else sign for you. That too will negatively influence your grade.
2.
Arrive on time for lecture and small group. Being late is highly disruptive to
others.
3.
Do not leave lecture or small group early. This too is highly disruptive to others.
4.
If you have a disability that requires accommodation in this class, you must notify
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Intro. Syllabus
5.
me before the end of the second week of class regarding the nature of the
accommodation you need. You must register with the Disability Student Services
Center, which is located in Salazar Hall, 6642677. The Center will then provide
you written documentation of your verified disability and the recommended
accommodation, which you must then present to me. I will then assist you in
meeting your needs.
Plagiarism is taken very seriously in this class. Do not use a paper from anyone
who has taken this class before. If you do so I will prosecute to the fullest extent
of the law.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
The final exam will be during finals week and will be short answer, fill-in and
essay. The exam will be one to two hours long and will also include the key sociological
concept sheet that was handed out at the beginning of the semester. The final will also
cover all the novels and lectures from the beginning of the semester.
THE NEW YORK TIMES JOURNAL
As part of the requirement for the course you must subscribe to the daily NYT by signing
up through the internet or mail (cards provided in class). Read the paper daily or weekly
and look for articles with real life stories that address the issues we are covering in class.
You will then be partnered with another student (or you may work independently) in your
discussion section with whom you will write up a two-page summary and analysis of an
article you have chosen to present and discuss with your section. You are in charge of
summarizing your article; tying it to a sociological concept or theory you have studied,
leading a discussion with your section on the topic. You should have 5-10 discussion
questions prepared. Your presentation should take about 15 minutes of class time. This
will be an important part of your grade so take it seriously. You are also expected to keep
a journal of the NYT. You will cut out 1 article per week for a total of 10 articles. In
those journals you will comment on what you learned in the article and how it ties to
sociology. You will be expected to turn those journals in two times during the semester
for a grade.
In the last section of the NYT assignment you will examine sources from the media by
analyzing ads, commercials, billboards, TV shows and film clips. The last four of the 14
New York Times articles will be replaced by a sociological assessment of the media that
pervades our society.
Students will be able to choose from a variety of genre topics, which will narrow and
specify what will be discussed in the media observation. Obviously there may be an
intersection of themes, as more than one may be applicable.
Rough list of topics:
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Intro. to Soc. Syllabus
Race and ethnicity (racism)
Gender roles (sexism)
Social change
Stereotypes and social stratification
Conformity
Deviance
Class and socio-economic status
Sexual orientation, sexuality
Socialization
Prejudice and discrimination
Power and conflict theory
Beliefs and structural functionalist theory
Culture
Social interaction theory and norms
Violence
REQUIREMENTS
The analytical responses to media should be at least one page double spaced; times new
roman 12 pt. font, and should be no longer than three pages. Real commitment to the
assignment will be seen through the students’ critical response, utilization of relevant
sociological terms, and an assessment of the significance and influence the subject matter
has in our society.
TAKE THIS ASSIGNMENT SERIOUSLY; IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR
GRADE.
FINAL NOTE:
I look forward to a challenging and rewarding semester for us all. I know that this
is a very large class, but I hope that with discussion in the lecture hall, as well as my
visits to your small group sections, I will get to know you personally. I invite you all to
visit my office by appointment. Call my assistant, Holly Sautner at 664-2112 to schedule
a time. Don’t be frustrated if it takes awhile to get an appointment. As dean
sometimes I have to go to meetings, which makes getting in to see me a bit of a
challenge. Or you could just drop by Stevenson 2078 and ask if I am available for a quick
hello.
Sociology is both fun and stimulating to study and I hope that you will enjoy the
“terrible and magnificent lesson” (C.Wright Mills)
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Intro. to Soc. Syllabus
SECTIONS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS:
The following section numbers list the name of your teaching assistant and where
you will meet. The sections will begin the second week of classes.
001
002
003
004
005
006
007
008
009
010
Monday 9-9:50, Ives 45
Monday 1-1:50 pm, Ives 45
Monday 2-2:50 pm, Ives 45
Tuesday 3-3:50 pm. Ives 45
Tuesday 2-2:50 am, Ives 45
Wednesday 9-9:50 am, Ives 45
Thursday 3-3:50 am, Ives 45
Thursday 4-4:50 pm, Ives 45
Friday 10-10:50 am, Ives 45
Friday 11-11:50 am, Ives 45
Rebekah Bitterman
Sarai Jacobson
Kelsey Harris
Emily Sparks
Dana Johnson
Chad Bower
Chelsea Serrano
Kevin Meyer
Chase Andrieu
Alyssa Hara
WEEKS ONE – THREE
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY? The
sociological perspective, the social/historical moment, the sociological imagination,
definitions of power, sociological theories.
READING:
Conley, Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Yezerska, all
Rosenhan, all
Begin reading the NYT at least 3 times a week and begin journal
PRELIMINARY QUIZ TO BE GIVEN THE MONDAY OF WEEK FOUR
The format will be fill-in, short answer and brief essay on the readings and
lectures in the course so far.
WEEKS FOUR AND FIVE
THE INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY: A look at culture, society, deviance social
control, and what occurs to the individual when s/he encounters society.
READING:
Conley, Chapters 4, 5, 6, 11
Abbott, all
NYT continue reading at least once a week and keep journal with reaction entries
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Intro to Soc. Syllabus
FIRST PAPER DUE:
Guidelines will be provided for a three to five page paper synthesizing the text
and Abbott’s book on the issues of deviance and social control. Paper will be due the
Monday of week six.
WEEKS SIX THROUGH NINE
SOCIAL INEQUALITY: A sociological look at the social stratification system as
it relates to social class, race, ethnic minorities, poverty, gender and sexual orientation
and gender identity.
READING:
Conley, Chapters 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15
Mathabane, all
NYT continue reading 3 times a week and keep journal with reaction entries
SECOND PAPER DUE: Guidelines will be provided for a three to five page paper
synthesizing the textbook and Mathabane’s book about issues of race and ethnic
inequality. The paper will be due the Monday of week 10.
WEEKS TEN THROUGH TWELVE
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS: A look at the American family, including domestic
violence. A cross-cultural look at family life in the context of globalization.
READING:
Conley, Chapters 7, 16 and 17
NYT continue reading 3 times a week and keep journal of reactions to readings. This
period is a time for you to catch up on your NYT reading and get your journal in order.
NEW YORK TIMES JOURNAL DUE: Submit your journal to your T.A. for evaluation
and reaction. Due the Monday of week 13.
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Intro to Soc. Syllabus
WEEKS THIRTEEN - FIFTEEN
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE: A look at collective
behavior and how people mobilize to influence the course of their society. We will look
at both revolutionary and evolutionary social change.
READING:
Conley, Chapter 18
Begin preparing for the final exam.
FINAL EXAM: This is non-cumulative on the textbook, but is cumulative on the novels,
NYT and terms used throughout the course. Use your concept sheet, lecture notes and
papers to study for this exam that will be the same format as the preliminary exam.