The University of the Fraser Valley
Introduction to Sociology – ON3
*** This is an Asynchronous Class will Audio Recorded Lectures (See schedule below)
Instructor:
Dr. Michael K. Corman, PhD
Associate Professor, Sociology
School of Culture, Media, & Society
Office:
Email:
Office Hours:
Virtual Office (On Blackboard)
Michael.Corman@ufv.ca
I am also available by appointment throughout the week to meet in my virtual office
or by telephone. Please do not hesitate to contact me. All office hours will occur
online through Blackboard.
Where we are
Long before Canada was formed, the Stó:lō (people of the river) occupied the land on which UFV is
located. UFV recognizes and honours the contribution that Indigenous people have made — and continue
to make — to our community. We respect their connection to their land and acknowledge the histories of
colonial trauma which have allowed us to live and work on their land. UFV supports Indigenous learners
and seeks to incorporate indigenous ways of knowing in the curriculum.
Description of course
This course is an introduction to and analysis of the basic concepts, methods, and theoretical orientations
characteristic of sociology. It is designed to acquaint the student with the discipline and to facilitate critical
and logical thought concerning explanations of society, social interactions, organizations, and institutions.
Course Overview
What is sociology? Anthony Giddens (1991) wrote that, “Sociology is the study of human social life,
groups, and societies. It is a dazzling and compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own
behaviour as social beings. The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the analysis of passing
encounters between individuals in the street up to the investigation of global social processes.” In this
course, students will become familiar with the discipline of sociology (origins and theories) and will learn
about many of the concepts that enable sociologists to analyze social processes. Furthermore, this class
introduces students to some areas of empirical interest to sociologists, including: socialization and
socializing agents, social class, race and ethnicity, gender, families, aging, disabilities, and health and
illness.
Course Objectives
Through tests and other assignments, students should successfully be able to do the following at the end
of this course:

Explain and describe (in your own words and with your own examples) the meaning and relevance




of the sociological imagination.
Define and articulate the key elements of theory and how it differs from opinions, suppositions,
and intuitions.
Review and describe the key features of functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactions, and
other theories discussed in class and in your text.
Discuss some of the primary areas of sociological interest as reviewed in the lecture and text
materials.
Demonstrate the ability to think critically, providing sociological insights into social problems.
The goal of the course is for students to develop a sociological imagination and critically learn to see
themselves as a part and product of the social world. As such, upon successful completion of this course,
students will be able to:



Demonstrate an ability to think sociologically and to understand the sociological perspective
Explain the basic concepts and theoretical orientations of sociology
Carry out basic sociological critique of their own social world and of the larger society of which
they are a part.
Instructional Techniques
This course will consist of recorded lectures posted on Blackboard. Lectures will typically be posted on
the Monday of every new unit. Students are strongly encouraged to listen to every posted lecture and to
read each assigned reading DURING THE TIME PERIOD THE MATERIAL IS ASSIGNED. Students
are responsible for all lecture material, some of which is not available in the assigned readings. You are
unlikely to succeed in this course if you ignore the book and only listen to the lectures or if you simply
read the text and miss the recorded lectures.
Textbook
Ravelli, Bruce, and Webber, Michelle. (2022). Exploring Sociology: A Canadian Perspective (5th Edition).
Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.
 This book is available in the UFV bookstore (a digital code will be provided to you) or you can
access the book online at:
o https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/qypig8
 NOTE: you must use this link to register for the textbook that is required for this
course.
Etiquette and Responsibilities
My responsibilities:
-
To present the course material to you in an interesting and respectful way.
To foster strong reading and writing skills through course assignments.
To identify clearly and explicitly the assigned materials in the course, and those on which you
will be examined.
To be available to you to help you with course materials.
To challenge you to think in new ways about society and your role in it.
Your responsibilities:
- To “attend” class regularly and to listen to all recorded lectures.
- To study assigned materials as scheduled in the course outline and to complete assignments on
time.
- To consult Blackboard regularly for announcements or assignments.
- To tell me, via email, if you do not understand a point in my lecture, so I can explain it.
- To talk with me privately about your feelings if course topics or materials make you feel
uncomfortable.
- To let me know as soon as possible if you are having trouble with the course so we can seek
help.
Assignments and Assessments
Assignment
Worth
Due Date
Chapter Quizzes
15%
Ongoing throughout the semester (Due
Dates posted on Revel)
Forum Discussion
25%
Midterm (Online)
25%
5 times during the semester (see class
schedule below)
Feb. 26, must be taken between 9am-6pm
Final Exam (Online)
35%
Schedule by the Registrar in April
All assignments are expected to be written in university-level English.
Chapter Quizzes (Ongoing throughout the semester) – 15%
Your textbook (Exploring Sociology: A Canadian Perspective 5th Edition) is provided on a digital platform
called REVEL. Throughout the term, and as you read each chapter, you are required to answer a variety
of questions for each chapter assigned; questions occur throughout each chapter and at the end of the
chapter. This assessment is aimed to ensure you are up to date with course reading while also ensuring
you are engaging with course material. You will receive full marks (3 points) for each question answered
if they are answered correctly on the first attempt. For each additional attempt, you will receive 1 point
less for each correct answer. Together, the chapter quizzes make up 15% of your course grade. There are
no make-ups for missed quizzes. See due dates on Revel.

REVEL is available when you purchase the book through the use of this link:
o https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/qypig8
 NOTE: you must use this link to register for the textbook that is required for this
course.
Forum Discussions – 25%
In order for this course to be successful, students are required to engage with course material; ongoing
participation through an online forum discussion is therefore warranted in order to foster an environment
of critical academic reflection and dialogue. There will be five forum discussions posted on Blackboard
throughout the semester. You are required to respond to all five of them. Forums will consist of 1
activity per forum discussion. Each activity may include a combination of articles (academic or media)
and videos, which will be followed by specific questions that students must respond to. Responses
should be no more than 3 paragraphs per activity unless otherwise noted. Be sure to answer all
components of the question. Furthermore, you are required to respond to at least 2 of your peers’ posts
for each forum discussion. Forums will be posted on Monday 5:00pm of the week they are assigned and
are due by Friday that week by 5:00pm. For example, your first Forum Discussion is scheduled for week
3. That forum discussion will be posted Jan. 22 by 5:00pm and is due Jan. 26 at 5pm. If you are late at
posting, your post will NOT count towards your final mark.
The Grading Rubric for this assignment is posted on Blackboard. This component of your grade is worth
25%.
Exams
Exams may include a combination of multiple choice, true/false, short answer questions and long answer
questions. The Midterm (25%) is scheduled for Monday Feb. 26 for 1.5 hours and the Final Exams
(35%) is scheduled by the Registrar during the final exam period in April. The Final Exam will
primarily include the material after the Midterm and be two hours in length. The Midterm Exam must be
taken on the date that it is assigned between 9am-6pm; you choose what time on that day you wish to
take the Midterm. Furthermore, once you begin the Midterm, the time limit will begin and you MUST
take the exam in one sitting, meaning once you begin the Midterm, your time will begin to countdown.
All exams will be taken through Blackboard and are CLOSED BOOK, meaning you cannot refer
to any notes, course material, or external sources while taking the exam. Please note that all
suspected cases of AI generated answers or other suspected academic misconducts will be referred
to the Director of the School of Culture, Media, and Society as per the Academic Misconduct
Policy (#70), available at: https://www.ufv.ca/media/assets/office-of-integrity-and-appeals/StudentAcademic-Misconduct-(70)_Regulations-and-Procedures.pdf
Tentative Class Schedule (subject to change)
Date
Week 1 – Lecture
1 posted (Jan. 8)
Topic
- Welcome:
o What is sociology?
o Course overview
o Why sociology?
- The Birth of Sociology
Class Work
Activating your sociological
imagination
-
Social Theory
*Forum Discussion #1, due
Jan. 26, 5pm
-
Research Methods
- Ravelli & Webber
Ch. 2+3
- Ravelli & Webber Ch. 4
-
Culture
- Ravelli & Webber Ch. 5
-
Socialization
Week 7 – NO
CLASS
Week 8 –
MIDTERM (Feb.
26)
-
Family Day/Reading Week –
NO CLASS
Midterm – Monday Feb. 26
No Lecture Posted
Weeks 9 and 10 –
Lecture 7 and 8
posted (Mar. 4
and 11)
-
Gender and Sexuality
Week 11 –
Lecture 9 posted
(Mar. 18)
Week 12 –
Lecture 10 posted
(Mar. 25)
-
Social Inequality
*Forum Discussion #4, Due
Mar. 22, 5pm
- Ravelli & Webber. Ch. 7
-
Race and Racialization
Race: The Power of an Illusion
- Ravelli & Webber
Ch. 10
Week 13 – NO
CLASS
Week 14 –
Review Lecture
posted (April 8)
-
Easter Monday – NO CLASS
-
Exam Period
-
Catch Up and Review
NOTE: All Forum
Discussions and Revel
Quizzes MUST be submitted
by 5pm on April 8.
Final Exam (Online via
Blackboard)
Week 2 – Lecture
2 posted (Jan. 15)
Week 3 – Lecture
3 posted (Jan. 22)
Week 4 – Lecture
4 posted (Jan. 29)
Week 5 – Lecture
5 posted (Feb. 5)
Week 6 – Lecture
6 posted (Feb. 12)
Readings
- Ravelli & Webber, Ch. 1
*Forum Discussion #2, due
Feb. 16, 5pm
Midterm (Online via
Blackboard)
- Available all day (9am6pm)
- *Closed book
* Forum Discussion #3, Due
Mar. 15, 5pm
- Miss Representation -
- Ravelli & Webber
Ch. 6
- Ravelli & Webber
Ch. 11 (no Revel Quiz)
- Ravelli & Webber
Ch. 8 and 9
https://ufvca.kanopy.com/video/missrepresentation-0
*Forum Discussion #5, Due
April. 2, 5pm
- Scheduled by the Registrar’s
office
Other Important Information:
Welcome to the 2023-2024 academic year. Students registered in UFV courses should be aware of the
following institutional procedures & policies that may directly relate to their success.
Grading: All undergraduate students at UFV are evaluated using the same grade scale:
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
90-100
85-89
80-84
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
50-59
<50
All students who are admitted to, or declare, a program or program option require a minimum
program grade point average (PGPA) of 2.00 (3.00 for graduate level) on all courses taken at UFV
that are used to meet program requirements. To declare a major/minor or enquire about program
requirements, please schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor; www.ufv.ca/advising
Academic Misconduct: UFV Policy 70 includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating
(including unauthorized use of artificial intelligence), impersonation, improper access to
examination materials, falsification or unauthorized modification of an academic document/record,
resubmission of work, improper research practices, obstruction of the academic activities of
another, and aiding and abetting.
Attendance Policy: UFV Policy 62 states that instructors may withdraw students who do not attend
the first class and penalize lack of regular attendance. Instructors are expected to advise students of
penalties at the start of term.
Audit Policy: UFV Policy 108 explains that a student intending to audit a course must do so
before 30% of the course is complete. Please refer to Important Dates.
Final Exams are scheduled during the pre-determined final exam period. Students must be
available for the entire exam period and should not make travel or other plans which conflict with
this schedule. Instructors are entitled to require that students take all examinations at the times
scheduled.
Final Grade Appeals: UFV Policy 217 outlines the appeal process for final grades. All appeals
must be made within 14 days of the final grade becoming available.
Pre-requisites: UFV Policy 84 states that the minimum grade required for a prerequisite course is
C− unless another grade is stated.
Safe Student Learning Community: UFV Policy 204 states “Students are required to conduct
themselves in a mature and responsible manner, consistent with the university mission, policies,
and regulations, and in compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal laws. Students will be
held accountable for their actions whether acting alone or in a group.” For more information,
please visit the Safe Student Community website.
Withdrawal: UFV Policy 81 states students may choose to withdraw from a course without penalty
before completing 60% of the course. Students withdrawing before they have completed 30% of
the course will not receive a “W” on their transcript; students withdrawing after completing 31%
to 60% of the course will receive a “W” on their transcript. A “W” has no academic penalty and is
not counted in the student’s GPA. After 60% of the course has been completed, students must
apply for Late Withdrawal. Please be aware of semester withdrawal deadlines.
For a full list of UFV policies please refer to the University Secretariat website.
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Referral to the Student Support Centre (formerly PASS): UFV faculty and staff may submit a
referral to the Student Support Centre to connect you to the supports and resources that may help
your academic persistence and resilience. Such assistance may include finding the right UFV
resource for you and working with you one-on-one to help problem solve and create individualized
plans for your specific situation. The referral is treated confidentially and is sent because your
instructor cares about your progress, wellbeing, and success. Your response to a Student Support
Referral is entirely voluntary. Instructors will let you know they are making a referral.
Visit https://www.ufv.ca/studentservices/student-support-centre/ for more information. If you
would like to refer yourself, you can find the referral link on our website.
UFV Communicable Disease Prevention:
Please adhere to the guidelines from UFV Environmental Health and Safety, with regards to
ongoing practices for monitoring and managing the potential for infectious disease to spread
illness on campus. Safety guidelines specific to COVID-19 are also posted online:
https://ufv.ca/covid-19-safety/
If you are sick, please do the following:
 Do not come to campus
 Contact your instructor to explain your situation
 Submit a student declaration of absence form to your instructor and work together on a
plan for you to make up any missed learning activities or assignments. This applies to both
online classes or scheduled face-to-face classes
 Communicate with your instructor if you are unable to complete the course due to illness
and/or request an Incomplete Grade Contract*
* “An Incomplete (I) grade is a temporary grade or notation that may be assigned at the
instructor’s discretion, when a student is unable, due to extenuating circumstances, to complete all
the requirements of a course by the end of the semester and has made sufficient progress and
achievement to warrant additional time for completion…”
UFV Safety and Security has a new online tool for reporting incidents as well as ‘near-miss’
incidents. Security also offers security escort and maintains an active safewalk program, available
to all members of the UFV community.
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