Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2005
Course Prefix and Number: SOC 101-12
Course Title: Sociology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Wednesdays 6:00-8:50PM ICB 1812
Introduction:
This course will familiarize students with the basic problems, methods, concepts, and theories of sociological
analysis. It is important that students come away from an introductory course in sociology with knowledge of
how a sociological perspective differs from and/or complements other perspectives (e.g., psychological,
theological, philosophical, or biological) as well as an appreciation of how sociology compares with various “
common sense” interpretations of the social world. In order to see these differences, it is crucial to recognize
that sociology has a scientific basis. Among the topics to be covered are the family, religion, education, politics,
social class, deviance, gender, race, culture and social change.
Catalog Description:
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of society. Topics include power and inequality,
change, deviance, education, occupations, organizations, family/gender, religion, and racial/ethnic groups.
Students will develop a critical understanding of social forces. Prerequisite(s): None.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Evan Brown
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2100
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: Wednesday 5:30-6, Thursday 5:30-6
Textbook:
Required:
Anderson, M.L. & Taylor, H.F. (2004) Sociology: The Essentials. 3rd Ed. Thompson
Wadsworth.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S. degree.
This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois
Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However, students
should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI
web page at www.itransfer.org for more information.
Student Learning: Students tend to learn best when presented with a variety of ways
to get to know the material. Since this is an introductory course, there will be a fair amount of lecture; however
there will also be opportunities for student involvement during class time.
Instructor’s Role: I believe that it is my job to get you interested in the field of sociology. Many if
not all of you are in this class to fulfill a general requirement towards your degree or to accommodate a
university with a certain number of transfer credits. (Hence you are all captive students!) Therefore, I make it
my job to try to get you fired up about sociology to the point where you would consider taking another course in
this discipline in the future.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following objectives:
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Be able to explain how their individual level experiences are influenced by societal-level
changes and trends.
Have an appreciation for the fact that their unique social context influences their personal
perspectives and that different social contexts result in different perspectives.
Be familiar with a pool of sociological concepts to apply to their understanding of sociological
events.
Be able to analyze contemporary social issues from several theoretical perspectives.
Have knowledge of the history and development of sociology.
Be able to describe how social forces influence socialization.
Have an appreciation for and an understanding of local, national, and international diversity, and
how this diversity has influenced both society and the study of society.
Have an appreciation for the interconnectedness of groups within society, of societies around the
world, and of society and the physical environment.
Be able to articulate opinions about social issues, which are supported by research as well as
personal observations and experiences.
Be able to articulate the various ways in which local social issues are connected to international
or global social issues and how historical events are connected to
contemporary social issues.
Course/Lab Outline:
Methods of Instruction:
Since this is an introductory course, there will be a fair amount of lecture. However lecture CAN be interactive.
Time is built into the course schedule for discussions of the topics. This type of work allows the student to gain
insight on a particular subject in another way. One of the best ways to learn sociology is to see it in the world
around you. Efforts will be made to have the student apply sociological concepts to his/her life.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
There will be a total of 200 points available in this course.
Exams: There will be four exams given in this course. They will be worth 35 points each for a total of 140
on all four exams. These exams will NOT be comprehensive. The fourth exam will be given in the final
exam period for this class. Exams will consist of matching/multiple choice, short answer, and essay
questions. Exam dates will be announced in class.
Article Assignments: During the course of the semester there will be the opportunity to show what you
have learned in the course by completing 10 article assignments. Each article assignment will be worth 5
points for a total of 50 points for the semester. Each assignment should be a reflection upon the article,
lecture material, textbook information, and other course information. Specific articles and dates of
assignment will be given in class. There are no make ups for article assignments.
Participation/Attendance:
1. Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities each class day.
2. You are responsible for all material presented or discussed in class even if you are absent. The
instructor will not provide notes for students who have missed class.
3. Attendance will be taken randomly in class and is worth 10 points for the semester.
Make-up of tests and assignments: Students may make up exams ONLY under the following conditions:
1. The student informs the instructor that s/he will miss an exam BEFORE exam day begins.
2. The instructor decides if the reason/excuse WARRANTS a make up exam.
3. If a student is allowed to take a make up exam it will be in the testing center.
Grading Scale:
180-200 points = A
160-179 = B
140-159 = C
120-139 = D
0-119 = F
Syllabi disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to make alterations to this syllabus as necessary.
Course Calendar:
Week
Topic
Readings
1
Introduction
Syllabus
2
Key People, Theory
Chapter 1
The Sociological perspective
3
Finish week 2 topics
Culture
Chapter 2
3
Socialization
Chapter 3
4
Social Interaction
Chapter 4
5
Groups & Orgs
Chapter 5
6
Deviance
Chapter 6
7
Social Stratification
Chapter 7
8
Race & Ethnicity
Chapter 9
9
Sex & Gender
Chapter 10
10
Family & Religion
Chapter 12
11
Education & Health Care
Chapter 13
12
Politics & the Economy
Chapter 14
13
Population & Urbanization
Chapter 15
14
Social Change
Chapter 16
15
Catch up and review!