Miami-Dade College
Social Sciences Department
SYG2000, Introduction to Sociology
Reference #834987, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00-8:50am, Rm #4201
Spring 2014-2
Instructor: Pauline D. Nogueira
Office: Social Science Department Rm #6206
Telephone: 305-237-2215 Email is the best way to reach me
E-Mail: pnogueir@mdc.edu
Office Hours: Please email me if you need to make an appointment
Course Description: This course engages in a scientific study of society providing an overview of sociology
as a social science. It includes its development as a discipline and methodology. It examines culture as a basis
for human behavior, how it is acquired and its norms obeyed. It explores the issues of social inequality within
society, including the issues of ethnicity and gender. The issues of social change and social institutions are
examined, along with those of demography and urbanization, together with the great challenges these
currently pose to the modern world.
Pre-Requisites: There are no pre requisites for this class.
Course Competencies:
Competency 1: The student will demonstrate their knowledge of sociology as a social science by:
a. Describing the historical development of sociology.
b. Comparing the contributions of major figures in the field.
c. Describing the main theoretical approaches prevalent in this discipline.
d. Contrasting different research methods used in sociology.
Competency 2: The student will examine the importance of culture and socialization in the structuring and
functioning of society by:
a. Analyzing the various characteristics of culture.
b. Contrasting the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism as opposite ways of evaluating cultural
variation.
c. Explaining the process of socialization, including the role played in this process by the family, peers,
schools, the church, and the media.
d. Discussing the notion of deviance as an aspect of organized social life.
Competency 3: The student will investigate the issue of social stratification and inequality by:
a. Discussing the various bases for social inequality.
b. Describing the conflict and structural-functional interpretations of the issue.
c. Explaining the importance of social stratification to the individual and to society.
d. Identifying key terms applicable to the concepts of race, ethnicity and gender, and distinguishing the major
racial and ethnic groups and how they have fared in the United States.
Competency 4: The student will explore the subjects of social change and social institutions by:
a. Distinguishing the different theoretical approaches and the major factors promoting social change.
b. Identifying the concept of a social institution and analyzing specific forms an institution may take, such as
family, religion, education.
c. Examining the impact of social change on social institutions.
d. Distinguishing between various forms of collective behavior.
Competency 5: The student will show an understanding of other sociological dimensions of social change by:
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a. Identifying theories, concepts and trends affecting world population growth.
b. Exploring the major demographic trends affecting the United States.
c. Identifying the evolution of urbanization patterns on a national as well as on a global basis.
d. Examining the unprecedented challenges of the "urban population explosion" in the United States and
world-wide.
MDC Learning Outcomes:
1. Communication
Skills
The 10 MDC Learning Outcomes *
2. Quantitative
3. Critical
4. Information
Analysis
Thinking
Literacy
5. Global
Perspectives
6. Personal
Responsibility
7. Ethical
Thinking
10. The
Environment
8. Technology
Use
9. Aesthetic
Appreciation
* See the College’s Learning Outcomes Web Site: http://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/learning outcomes.asp
Required Textbook:
Sociology – The Essentials, Andersen & Taylor, 8th Ed, Wadsworth/Cengage Learning Publishing.
ISBN: 9781285431321
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90 – 100
80 - 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
59 and below
Grading Criteria:
Assignment
Total Points
Midterm
30
Final
40
Research Paper
Total Points
30
100
Instructional Strategies:
Class will primarily consist of lectures supplemented by film and discussion.
Course Policies:
1.
Exams: There will be two exams. I will give you an idea of the types of questions to expect on the
exams. Most of the questions on the exams will require that you apply knowledge rather than repeat
information memorized from the textbook. There will be no make-up exams in this course.
2.
Attendance: Miami-Dade requires that faculty take attendance at the beginning of every class period. If
you are late, it is your responsibility to ensure I know you were present. Do not interrupt a lecture to let me
know you are present. If you have two absences, you may be dropped from the course. If you are dropped
from the class, either by me or by the College for non-payment, you will not be allowed to attend class. You will
not receive a grade nor will I accept assignments, papers, or exams from you. Students are expected to arrive
on time and remain in class until the completion of the class period. You are responsible for information
provided in class, even if you are not in attendance. Class attendance will not count towards your grade.
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3.
Project: Research Paper: Your topics for the assigned research paper are due January 26th as stated on
your syllabus under Schedule. The paper must be a minimum of 5 pages with a minimum of 6
bibliographic sources using the ASA citation format for the in-text citations and the References page. If
you are using interviews as part of your methodology your respondents must be cited in-text and on your
References page but you will still need 6 additional sources to meet the requirement.
Please follow the rubric below for your paper:
Introduction 4 points
Locate your reader
Brief historical background 4
points
Methods 5 points
Discussion 7 points
References 6 points
Write clear and concise
introduction stating your research
question or hypothesis and
methods
Link research to past studies
including scholarly sources
Student checklist
Interviews and
participant/observation; Library
and internet sources including
personal experience; Cross-cultural
study
Clearly and concisely discuss the
results in light of the research
question or hypothesis with logical
conclusions
Books, scholarly journals
(websites), other internet sources
cited correctly in-text and on
Works Cited page
Spelling and Grammar 2 points
Organization 2 points
4.
Readings/Assignments: Success in this course requires familiarity with the textbook. I will not cover
all material in the text; however, you are responsible for all reading materials assigned. You will be responsible
for extraneous materials I will cover in class. You should read all assigned chapters BEFORE the class period.
Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period. Late assignments will not be accepted.
5.
Conduct in the Classroom: You must turn off cell phones. If you want to listen to music, surf the web,
or text, then do so outside of the classroom. If you disrupt the teaching/learning process or act in a
disrespectful, threatening, or intimidating way toward me or other students, you will be asked to leave the
class.
Academic Integrity:
All students are expected to meet the College’s academic conduct standards. Acts of academic misconduct,
including cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, and facilitating academic dishonesty will be referred to the
Academic Dean. Students who break the College’s academic conduct standards will be charged with
misconduct charges. For more information on these standards, refer to the Students Rights and
Responsibilities Handbook at:
http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
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Access Disability Services:
Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in advance for information
and for obtaining assistance. No retroactive accommodations can be provided. The ACCESS department is
located in Room 2121 at the Kendall Campus. They may be reached at (305) 237-2767. Hours of operation:
M-R 8:00am-7:00pm & F 8:00am-4:30pm.
College Writing Center: If you need assistance with papers or other writing assignments, the writing center
can assist in tutoring or general questions regarding written work. They are located in Building 2000, room
2207. They can be reached at (305)-237-0677. Hours of operation: M-R 8:00am-9:00pm & F 8:00am-3:00pm.
Course Schedule and Outline:
January 7
Introduction, Review Syllabus, ASA Format, Discuss Research Paper and Topics
Chapter 1 The Sociological Perspective
Reading Assignment: Chapter 1
January 9
Chapter 1
The Sociological Perspective
January 12
Chapter 1
Reading Assignment: Chapter 2 Culture and the Media
January 14
Chapter 2
Culture and the Media
January 16
Chapter 2
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3 Doing Sociological Research
January 19
Holiday
January 21
Chapter 3
Doing Sociological Research
January 23
Chapter 3
January 26
Chapter 3
Reading Assignment: Chapter 4 Socialization and the Life Course
Research Paper Topics Due
January 28
Chapter 4
Socialization and the Life Course
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January 30
Chapter 4
February 2
Chapter 4
Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 Social Structure and Social Interaction
February 4
Chapter 5
Social Structure and Social Interaction
February 6
Chapter 5
Reading Assignment: Chapter 6 Groups and Organizations
February 9
Chapter 6
Groups and Organizations
February 11
Chapter 6
February 13
Chapter 6
Reading Assignment: Chapter 7 Deviance and Crime
February 16
Holiday
February 18
Review for Midterm Exam: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
February 20
Midterm Exam
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
February 23
Chapter 7
Deviance and Crime
February 25
Chapter 7
February 27
Chapter 7
Reading Assignment: Chapter 8 Social Class and Social Stratification
March 2
Chapter 8
Social Class and Social Stratification
March 4
Chapter 8
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March 6
Chapter 8
March 9
Chapter 8
Reading Assignment: Chapter 9 Global Stratification
March 11
Chapter 9
Global Stratification
March 13
Chapter 9
March 16
Chapter 9
Research Paper Due
March 18
Chapter 9
Reading Assignment: Chapter 10 Race and Ethnicity
March 20
Chapter 10
Race and Ethnicity
March 23
Chapter 10
March 25
Chapter 10
March 27
Chapter 10
Reading Assignment: Chapter 15 Politics and the Economy
March 30
Chapter 15
Politics and the Economy
April 1
Chapter 15
April 3
Holiday
April 6
Chapter 15
April 8
Chapter 15
Reading Assignment: Chapter 16 Population, the Environment, and Social Change
April 10
Chapter 16
Population, the Environment, and Social Change
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April 13
Chapter 16
April 15
Chapter 16
April 17
Review for Final Exam: Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16
April 20
Final Exam: Chapters 7, 8. 9, 10, 15, and 16
Web Resources:
http://www.mdc.edu/main/library
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/583/01/ ASA citation and references format
http://www.asanet.org/students/Quick%20Style%20guide.pdf ASA Style Guide
http://www.prb.org/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine
www.cs.org
www.aaanet.org
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
www.policylink.org
www.worldbank.org www.un.org http://humanorigins.si.edu/
www.globalexchange.org www.pbs.org
www.nytimes.com
http://www.thenation.com/#
www.sciencemag.org www.nationalgeographic.com
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos
www.billmoyers.com www.motherjones.com http://msmagazine.com/ http://www.asanet.org/
http://www.census.gov/
www.bls.gov
www.flheritage.com
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