SOC 111 Introductory Sociology – MON/WED/FRI 2:00 – 3:50
Professor Tiffany Sanford Jenson
Visiting Lecturer, University of Oklahoma
Brigham Young University, Dept. of Sociology
Room: JFSB B032
Summer 2010
Office Hours: JFSB Office - Wednesdays 12:30 – 1:45 PM
& by appointment
Email: tjenson@ou.edu
Teaching Assistant:____________
Email:______________________
Office Hours:________________
Course Description
A sociological perspective can help begin to unravel questions about human behavior and social dilemmas
both personally and globally. Thinking sociologically enables us to make observations, use scientific methods,
and offer insights about the social world that extend far beyond either common sense, explanations that rely
on individual quirks and personalities, or misconceptions found in popular media. This course is designed to
introduce you to the sociological perspective and assist in developing a critical understanding of how the
social world works. Along the way, you will become familiar with a number of key sociological concepts,
learn sociological terms and methods, and understand some of the major substantive topics that sociologists
study in the discipline.
Required Texts
Required readings will include a main text. Additional readings are assigned and posted on the course
website (Below).
KIMMEL, MICHAEL & AMY ARONSON. 2009. SOCIOLOGY NOW: THE ESSENTIALS.
Pearson/Allyn & Bacon Publishers: Boston.
ISBN: 0-205-63298-X / 978-0-205-63298-5
Course Website:
This course requires you to access a course website. The course site is maintained on the university
Blackboard system. Course lecture notes, assignments, scores, and other materials will be available through
Blackboard. To access Blackboard go to www.byu.edu, click on Route Y, and then enter your Net ID and
Password. Next, click the Blackboard Courses link and under My Courses, select the course link. By
default, announcements for the course will be visible. To access lecture notes, click on the Course
Documents tab on the left side of the page and follow the link Class Lecture Materials. These files may
be opened directly by clicking the links or files may be downloaded to a location of your choosing
(recommended for larger files) by right clicking the link and choosing Save Target As from the menu that appears
and designating the location folder for saving. I strongly recommend printing the slides and bringing them
with you to class. This way you can add to the existing material without rushing to write down everything
that appears on the slides. I recommend printing 2 slides per page. Scores for assignments, and exams can
also be viewed in Blackboard by clicking the Tools tab on the left side of the page and then following the
Check Grade link.
Communication
In addition, you will be required to use your university-provided email address for class announcements and
unexpected changes to the schedule.
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Grading & Evaluation
1. Regular attendance and active participation are expected. The instructor may check for
attendance during the semester and will use this as a criterion for calculating final grades. Students
are expected to be on time and dedicate their time to the course hours as scheduled on
Mon./Wed./Fri. from 2:00 P.M. – 3:50 P.M.
2. Quizzes will be given on a regular (weekly) basis over the chapters in the main text as a reward for
completing the reading. These are short quizzes given at the discretion of the instructor, so you will
need to follow the reading schedule in order to receive the maximum number of points possible.
Quizzes and assignments will also be used to give credit for regular attendance and account for 20%
of the course grade. (200 points)
3. Assignments. Students will have opportunities to respond in writing to a number of reading
assignments in the form of Reading Response Exercises (2 double-spaced pages each). These
assignments will account for 30% of the course grade. (300 points distributed over various
assignments). More detail on these assignments is found in a separate section of the syllabus.
4. Sociology Creative Project. See further instructions below. This project will account for 10% of
the course grade. (100 points)
5. Two exams over the chapters and assigned reading materials will count for 20% of the course
grade. (200 points)
6. The final exam will make up the remaining 20% of the course grade. (200 points).
Quizzes
During the semester, (particularly during the weeks when you do not have assignments or exams) you will
take weekly quizzes on the assigned reading material. This is your incentive to do the reading and come to
class prepared. The total points awarded for the quizzes are worth approximately as much as the
final exam, so please take these seriously. You are essentially getting credit for something expected of you
anyway….so these points are up for grabs! Don’t get lazy, just keep up. Quiz responses are due during class
on the day the quiz is given and late quizzes or make-up quizzes will be accepted only at the instructor’s
discretion. Each quiz is worth 40 points each.
Reading Response Exercises
During the semester, students will have opportunities to respond in writing to predetermined reading
assignments. The objective of these writing assignments is to provide you with an opportunity to reflect on
the readings and to think through their possible applications in your own life. I will be looking for evidence
of your comprehension and application of sociological concepts, (particularly the things we’ve learned in
chapters 1-5 in the beginning of the course), as well as the ways that you apply critical thinking skills. Thus,
do not write reading summaries, but respond in a thoughtful and critical way to the readings. Responses
should be no longer than 2 double-spaced typed pages. Please use regular 1 inch margins and Times New
Roman, 12-point font. Be sure to use proper citation methods and include the author’s citation information
if you are using the author’s words on a works cited page. Include your name, course information (title,
course number, and section number), the date, and the author and title of the reading in the heading. (Do
not include a cover page, and you can certainly duplex or print on both sides of a single sheet.) Responses
are due during class on the day the reading is assigned and late exercises will be accepted only at the
instructor’s discretion. Each exercise is worth 50 points each.
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Sociology Creative Project
Choose one chapter in your Sociology textbook (eligible chapters include: Ch. 6 “Deviance and Crime,” Ch.
7 “Stratification and Social Class,” Ch. 8 “Race and Ethnicity,” Ch. 9 “Sex and Gender,” Ch. 10 “Age and
Sexuality,” Ch. 11 “The Family,” Ch. 12: “Economy and Work,” Ch. 13 “Politics and Media,” Ch. 14
“Education,” Ch. 15 “Sociology of Environments: The Natural, Physical and Human Worlds,” and the
“Religion and Science” Chapter. Create a small poster/flyer (8 ½” x 11” Letter sized paper) to illustrate
some of the ideas in this chapter. Be sure to look over your chapter carefully and ask how sociology is
used to elaborate on that topic. You will need to include your name and BYU student ID number on the
back and write up a one summary paragraph 5-10 sentences or a half page (double-spaced) that describes and
explains your project’s artwork/graphs/images. Use data, facts, diagrams, charts, and concepts that
allow someone unfamiliar with sociology to learn about your subject area. Your creative project and
summary paragraph is worth 100 points total (the same value of an exam). This is your chance to let out
your “inner artist” and learn something about the social world in a different way that you’d like to express.
Course Policies
This course will use the following grading system:
A = 95-100% (950 – 1000 points)
A- = 94- 90% (949 – 900 points)
B+ = 87- 89% (899 – 870 points)
B = 83- 86% (869 – 830 points)
B- = 80- 82% (829 – 800 points)
C+ = 77- 79% (799 – 770 points)
C = 73- 76% (769 – 730 points)
C- = 70- 72% (729 – 700 points)
D+ = 67- 69% (699 – 670 points)
D = 63- 66% (669 – 630 points)
D- = 60- 62% (629 – 600 points)
E = 59- 0% (599 points and below)
Grades will be posted regularly on the course website (www.byu.edu , RouteY) and a point system will be
utilized so that students can self-determine their own progress in the class.
Class Conduct, Absences, Handing in Work
Respectful participation and attendance are expected. Absences anticipated in advance (especially for
university-excused activities) should be brought to the instructor’s attention with the earliest possible notice
and documentation. The instructor has the discretion to determine an adequate policy on make-up work
procedures and missed exam schedules in the case of university-excused absences. Students are expected to
complete readings and assignments before class. Please come to class on time.
COLLEGE STATEMENTS ON ACADEMIC HONESTY AND DISCRIMINATION
Honor Code Standards. In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to
be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you
present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may
result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university.
Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates
respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the
university’s expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code
standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
Preventing Sexual Discrimination or Harassment. Sexual discrimination or harassment (including
student-to-student harassment) is prohibited both by the law and by Brigham Young University policy. If
you feel you are being subjected to sexual discrimination or harassment, please bring your concerns to the
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professor. Alternatively, you may lodge a complaint with the Equal Employment Office (D-240C ASB) or
with the Honor Code Office (4440).
Students with Disabilities. If you have a disability that may affect your performance in this course, you
should get in touch with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (1520 WSC). This office can
evaluate your disability and assist the professor in arranging for reasonable accommodations.
***Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class and
posted via class email.***
Course Schedule
PART ONE – FOUNDATIONS OF THE FIELD OF SOCIOLOGY
Mon., June 21st: Review Syllabus/Overview of Sociology Course - Reading: Kimmel & Aronson Chapter 1
“What is Sociology?” Pp. 3-35
Wed., June 23rd: Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 2 “Culture and Society” Pp. 37-61
Fri., June 25th: QUIZ # 1: Ch. 2 - “Culture and Society”
Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 3 “Society: Interactions, Groups, and Organizations” Pp. 63-93
Mon., June 28th: QUIZ # 2: Ch. 3 - “Society: Interactions, Groups, and Organizations” Reading: Kimmel
& Aronson - Chapter 4 “How Do We Know What We Know? The Methods of the Sociologist” Pp. 95-125
ADD/DROP DEADLINE FOR SUMMER TERM
Wed., June 30th: Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 5 “Socialization” Pp. 127-151
SOCIOLOGY CREATIVE PROJECT ASSIGNMENT DUE– (100 points)
PART TWO – IDENTITIES AND INEQUALITIES
Fri., July 2nd: E X A M # 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5) (100 points)
Start Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 6 “Deviance and Crime” Pp. 153-187
Mon., July 5th: INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Wed., July 7th: – READING POSTED ON BLACKBOARD – Erich Goode – “The Marijuana
Smokers” ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE– READING RESPONSE EXERCISE on the posted readings.
(50 points); Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 6 “Deviance and Crime” Pp. 153-187
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Fri., July 9th: Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 7 “Stratification and Social Class” Pp. 189-221
Mon., July 12th: QUIZ # 3: Ch. 7 - “Stratification and Social Class”
Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 8 “Race and Ethnicity” Pp. 223-255
TWO READINGS POSTED ON BLACKBOARD – #1 Peggy McIntosh –“White Privilege: Unpacking
the Invisible Knapsack”, #2 Reading Exercise based on Hopwood vs. Texas, 78 F.3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996)
& California vs. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265 (1978) “A Shade Off” ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE– READING
RESPONSE EXERCISE on these 2 posted readings. (50 points)
Wed., July 14th: Reading: Kimmel & Aronson – Chapter 9 “Sex and Gender” Pp. 257-285.
READING POSTED ON D2L West & Zimmerman – “Doing Gender” - ASSIGNMENT #3 DUE–
READING RESPONSE EXERCISE on this posted reading. (50 points)
PART THREE – SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Fri., July 16th: E X A M # 2 (Chapters 6, 7, 8, & 9) (100 points)
Start Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 10 “Age and Sexuality” Pp. 287-325
Mon., July 19th: Finish Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 10 “Age and Sexuality” Pp. 287-325
Wed., July 21st: Kimmel & Aronson - – Chapter 11 “The Family” Pp. 327-359
Fri., July 23rd: PIONEER DAY STATE HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Mon., July 26th : QUIZ # 4: Ch. 11 - “The Family”
Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 12: “Economy and Work” Pp. 361-395
READING POSTED ON D2L – Raymond Flynn – “America’s Cities Centers of Culture, Commerce, and
Community—or Collapsing Hope?” ASSIGNMENT #4 DUE– READING RESPONSE EXERCISE
on this posted reading. (50 points)
July 27th: ADD/DROP DEADLINE FOR SUMMER TERM
Wed., July 28th : Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 14 “Education” Pp. 439-465
Fri., July 30th : Reading: Kimmel & Aronson - Chapter 14 “Education” Pp. 439-465 READING POSTED
ON D2L – Harry Gracey – “Learning the Student Role: Kindergarten as Academic Boot Camp”
ASSIGNMENT #5 DUE– READING RESPONSE EXERCISE on this posted reading. (50 points)
Mon., Aug. 2nd: READING POSTED ON D2L – Reading: Kimmel & Aronson’s “Religion & Science”
DISCONTINUANCE DEADLINE FOR SUMMER TERM
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Wed., Aug. 4th: READING POSTED ON D2L – Reading: Kimmel & Aronson’s “Religion & Science”
READING POSTED ON D2L – "Popular Christianity and Political Extremism in the United States" by
James Aho ASSIGNMENT #6 DUE– READING RESPONSE EXERCISE on this posted reading.
(50 points)
Fri., Aug. 6th : Finish Reading: Kimmel & Aronson’s “Religion & Science”
QUIZ # 5: Ch. “Religion & Science” - Careers in Sociology Presentation; Sociology Creative Projects
SlideShow
Mon., Aug. 9th : Wrap-Up Course/Course evaluations reminder/Review for Final Exam (200 points)
LAST DAY OF CLASS FOR SUMMER TERM
August 10th – 12th: F I N A L S
WEEK
--- N O C L A S S E S
Wednesday, Aug. 11th: F I N A L E X A M from 11:00 AM– 12:50 PM
(Chapters 10, 11, 12, 14 & Religion and Science Chapter) (100 points)
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