SOC 104 Introduction to Sociology
Fall 2015 CRN#46837
Core lecture: MW 11-11:50 NR 101
Professor: Lora Bristow
Email: ljb94@humboldt.edu
Phone: 826-5286
Office: BSS 518D
Office Hours: M,T,W 12-1:30 and by appointment
Note: All students must also enroll and participate in one of the following recitation sections:
#46838 Friday 11-11:50 HGH 225
#46850 Thursday 2-2:50 HGH 225 #46851 online
These sections are led by Sociology Graduate Student Teaching Associate Christopher Coker, clc756@humboldt.edu
Chris’s Office Hours: Mondays 3-4 pm BSS 539 and Thursdays 12-1:30 pm in the Depot
Course Description: From Catalog—(3 units) Study of social patterns across groups, social institutions, and societies.
Socialization, social interaction, inequalities, change, social issues, and social science research. Relationship of self and
society. [GE Area D.] Translation—Sociology is the systematic study of our social world, including the relationship
between self and society, interactions between people and groups, and the social institutions, forces, and structures
which pattern our lives. Sociology investigates questions such as:
 Why are some people poor and others rich, and why is the gap between these groups currently growing in the
U.S.?
 How are people social animals? How does our culture guide our lives? To what degree do individuals have “free
will”, and to what degree are their actions guided/limited by social norms and forces? How does “social control”
work?
 How do race, class, gender, sexuality, and other dimensions of social location and identity continue to impact us
and reflect the power structure of our society?
 How are social institutions like education, religion, the family, and the media constructed, and how do they
impact our lives?
 How do societies live in our natural environment, and what are the consequences?
 How does social change happen?
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes: Graduates with a BA in Sociology will be able to
1. Think critically about social justice efforts and inequalities in communities and environments.
2. Develop a solid foundation in sociological theory.
3. Make linkages between empirical data and theoretical concepts.
And: Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Note: Sociology majors must earn a C or better in this course for it to count towards the major.
University Learning Outcomes: This course explicitly contributes to students’ acquisition of skills and knowledge
relevant to the following HSU Learning Outcomes:
HSU graduates will have demonstrated:
1. Critical and creative thinking skills in acquiring a broad base of knowledge and applying it to complex issues.
2. Competence in a major area of study.
3. Appreciation for and understanding of an expanded world perspective by engaging respectfully with a diverse range
of individuals, communities, and viewpoints.
HSU graduates will be prepared to:
1. Pursue social justice, promote environmental responsibility, and improve economic conditions in their workplaces
and communities.
This course fulfills AREA D – Social Sciences
Upon completing this requirement students will:



apply the discipline-specific vocabulary, principles, methodologies, value systems and ethics employed in social
science inquiry, to a specific instance.
explain and critically analyze human social, economic, and political issues from the respective disciplinary
perspectives by examining them in contemporary as well as historical settings and in a variety of cultural
contexts.
lllustrate how human social, political and economic institutions and behavior are inextricably interwoven.
Course Texts—Required!
1. Introduction to Sociology, 2nd Edition, OpenStax ISBN: 978-1-938168-41-3
Available for FREE download here: https://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/introduction-to-sociology-2e
You can also purchase a print copy at the bookstore or through Amazon.com for about $20-30.
2. The Myth of Individualism: How Social Forces Shape Our Lives (2013, 2nd edition) Peter Callero ISBN: 9781442217454 Paperback; also available in e-book/kindle format for purchase online; campus bookstore carries
new/used paperback for rent or purchase.
This course combines a traditional lecture format twice a week with a once a week smaller recitation section where you
will have opportunities to demonstrate your understanding of readings, do activities, discuss, and add to your
understanding of course content, prepare for quizzes, and more. Tasks in recitation section will include individual work
as well as work in pairs and small groups. Expect to spend an average of 6 to 8 hours a week outside of class reading,
researching, studying, writing, etc.
You are expected to:
 complete reading assignments BEFORE the class session where they are listed on the schedule.
 be on time to and attend all lectures and all sessions of the recitation section in which you are enrolled.
 be sober, respectful of fellow students’ thoughts and experiences, and intellectually engaged in lecture and
section.
 turn in assignments on time.
 use Moodle to access course information, turn in assignments as directed, and complete quizzes.
 check (and respond as needed) to your HSU email daily. You will be notified of any changes in course schedule,
etc. through this email.
 use personal electronics during lecture and recitation section ONLY for class-related purposes. In other words,
you may access your textbook on your phone, but you may not text your friend.
 ensure that you have adequate access to a computer with Firefox or Chrome browser (for Moodle) and wordprocessing capabilities to produce .doc or .docx files (for Moodle uploads), as well as occasional printer access
(for printing papers).
Policies: No late assignments will be accepted. Quizzes will have a window of a few days in which you may take them
online through Moodle. Begin working on your papers well ahead of due dates! You must be present in recitation
sections to complete and get credit for assignments given there (or complete as directed in online section if you are
registered for it).
**If you experience a major life event which prevents you from attending class and/or completing work, talk with us
right away. Likewise if you know you will have to miss a class (illness, appointment not otherwise possible, other
“legitimate” reasons). Email is good; we are likely to ask you to come to office hours so that we can work together to
address your situation.
Learning is the goal. In this spirit, you will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit Paper #1 for more credit if you
receive a low score on it.
Grade Information
Assignment
Reading/Lecture Responses (10)
Recitation Section Activities (15)
Class Quizzes (4)
Kick Ass @College Quizzes (4)
Papers (2)
Grading scale:
A
100-93
A92-90
B+
89-87
Points possible
1.5 points each
1.33 points each
7.5 points each
1.25 points each
15 points each
B
86-82
B81-80
C+
79-77
Percent of grade
15%
20%
30%
5%
30%
C
76-72
C71-70
D
69-60
F
<60
Assignment Information:
Reading/Lecture Responses
You will write a solid, well-crafted paragraph (minimum) to answer questions posed about readings, particularly
from the Myth of Individualism text, and topics in class lectures. The prompt will be posted in your Section Moodle site,
in the page for the week it is assigned. You will need to write your response directly into the assignment box on Moodle
(or copy/paste into this box) and submit by 11 pm Friday for the week assigned. Note that these are not assigned every
week; check the course syllabus and weekly pages in Moodle to see where they are assigned.
Recitation/Discussion Section Activities
You have a Section for every week of this course, where you will mostly work in small groups (yes, even those of
you enrolled in the online Section!) to discuss, apply, and extend class learnings and complete tasks.
Course Quizzes
These quizzes feature 20 questions each, multiple choice and true/false, mostly focused on the core text
(OpenStax), but also including things from lecture and the Myth text. You will complete them in Moodle between 1 pm
Wednesday and 11 pm Sunday in the week they are due.
Kick Ass @ College Quizzes
You will follow links from the weekly pages in Moodle, read information on the topics, and then complete a very
short quiz back in the Moodle page to check your understanding of the reading. These are topics that will support your
success in general in college—classroom conversations, college-level writing and citation of sources, and critical thinking.
Short Papers (student choice of type, topic---more information on these will be given in class/Moodle.)
A) Current Event and Journal Article: read news article and journal article on same topic; summarize, connect
with each other, and connect with class content (from recent half of term); include citation of journal
article, news article
B) Analysis of Pop Culture Text/Event/Practice and Journal Article: (as above)
Extra Credit opportunities may become available throughout the semester, if activities/events arise on campus/in the
community which directly pertain to course learning objectives. These will be announced in lecture.
Exceptional attendance in lectures and sections will be recognized at the end of the semester.
Course Schedule (subject to change with fair notice)
Week
Lecture
Topics
Readings
Week 1
August 24-30
Monday
OpenStax Ch. 1
Myth… Introduction
Monday
Introduction—What is
sociology?
Theoretical
perspectives
Research
Wednesday
Culture
OpenStax Ch. 3
Reading/Lecture Response #1
Kick Ass @ College Quiz 4
Culture, continued
Interaction
Myth… Ch. 1
OpenStax Ch. 4
Reading/Lecture Response #2
Wednesday
Monday
Quiz #1
Socialization
Myth… Ch. 2
OpenStax Ch. 5
Wednesday
Groups, Organizations
OpenStax Ch. 6
Reading/Lecture Response #3
Kick Ass @ College Quiz 2
Monday
Deviance, Crime, Social
Control
OpenStax Ch. 7
Wednesday
Week 2
August 31September 6
Week 3
September 713
Week 4
September 1420
Week 5
September 2127
Week 6
September 28October 4
Week 7
October 5-11
Week 8
October 12-18
Week 9
October 19-25
Week 11
November 2-8
Week 12
November 9-15
Kick Ass @ College Quiz 1
OpenStax Ch. 2
Monday—no
class! Labor Day
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Media
Wednesday
Monday
Stratification
Work and the Economy
Wednesday
** Meet in
Goodwin Forum**
Monday
Play game!
Global Inequality
Wednesday
Week 10
October 26November 1
Due this week (see Moodle
for specifics, how to turn
in/complete)
Myth… Ch. 3
OpenStax Ch. 8
Myth… Ch. 6
OpenStax Ch. 9
OpenStax Ch. 18
OpenStax Ch. 10
Myth… Ch. 5
Race and Ethnicity
OpenStax Ch. 11
Wednesday
Monday
Gender and Sexuality
OpenStax Ch. 12
Wednesday—no
Reading/Lecture Response #5
Quiz #2
Kick Ass @ College Quiz 3
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Reading/Lecture Response #4
Paper #1 Draft in Section
Reading/Lecture Response #6
Paper #1
Quiz #3
Family, Life Course
OpenStax Ch. 13, 14,
19 (briefly)
Myth… Ch. 4
Reading/Lecture Response #7
Week 13
November 1622
class—Veterans
Day!
Monday
Institutions: Education, OpenStax Ch. 15, 16,
Religion, Government
17 (briefly)
Wednesday
Revise/Resubmit Paper #1
Deadline
Reading/Lecture Response #8
Fall Break
Week 14
November 30December 6
Week 15
December 7-13
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
People and
Environment
Reading/Lecture Response #9
Social Change and
Social Movements
Wednesday
Finals Week
OpenStax Ch. 20
Wednesday
OpenStax Ch. 21
Myth… Ch. 7,
Conclusion
Quiz #4
Reading/Lecture Response
#10
Paper #2
Other Information/University Policies:
Academic honesty: Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding academic honesty. For more information, visit: Academic
Honesty Policy or HSU Catalog
Students with Disabilities: Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact the Student Disability
Resource Center in House 71, 826-4678 (voice) or 826-5392 (TDD). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to arrange.
Student Disability Resource Center
Add/Drop policy: Students are responsible for knowing the University policy, procedures, and schedule for dropping or adding
classes. Schedule Adjustments (Adding or Dropping)
Emergency evacuation: Please review the evacuation plan for the classroom (posted on the orange signs) , and review Campus
Emergency Preparedness http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/emergencyops/campus_emergency_preparedness.php for information on campus
Emergency Procedures. During an emergency, information can be found campus conditions at: 826-INFO or Emergency Conditions
Attendance and disruptive behavior: Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding attendance and disruptive behavior:
Class Attendance and Disruptive Behavior