Sociology 101: Introductory Sociology—Study of Society
TTh 9:30-10:45 am AL 105
TTh1 2:30-1:45 pm IT 201
Fall 2014
Amy Wong, M.A.
Dept. of Sociology Main Office
Faculty Office:
NH 208
NH 224
Office Hours:
MW 10:15-10:45 am; TTh 8:30-9:15 am; and by appointment
(619) 594-4826
Voicemail:
(619) 594-5534
Email:
awong@mail.sdsu.edu
Teaching Associate (T.A.)
Juan Flores
Office Hours: TTh 11-12 pm
jflore1989@gmail.com
NH 208
Teaching Associate (T.A.)
Chris Owen
Office Hours: M 2-3 pm; W 3-4 pm
cjo103@hotmail.com
NH 208
Required Textbook
The Real World by Kerry Ferris and Jill Stein (2014, Fourth Edition)
(Two copies of the textbook are on Reserve in the Library)
Required Supplies
● 6 scantrons (Form No. 882; green)
● #2 pencil
● eraser
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This class will help you develop your sociological imagination-- the ability to understand the relationship between the individual and
society. We will cultivate this sociological perspective through the course readings, lectures, and discussions. In this course, we will
examine, explore, and study:
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sociological theories and research methods, grounding sociology as a social science discipline
culture and socialization, discussing how they shape and influence social interaction, including conformity and deviance
social stratification, highlighting social class, race/ethnicity, and sex/gender as factors affecting social inequality
the social institutions that influence our everyday lives, e.g., government, education, religion, family, and the economy
our relationship with the natural world, resulting in over-population, vast urbanization, and a declining environment
social change, particularly in the ways social movements have positively impacted our individual lives and the larger society
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Multiple-Choice Exams
The five (5) multiple-choice exams will be worth different points. For example, Exam 1-- covering two chapters-- will be worth 50
points while Exam 2-- covering three chapters-- will be worth 75 points. Please see the class schedule on the other side for more specific
information. The exams will focus on a combination of lecture and textbook material. All students will have 75 minutes to complete
each exam (9:30-10:45 am and 12:30-1:45 pm). Remember to bring your own scantron (Form 882) for all five exams. Possible points:
325
Exam Make-Up Day
If you miss an exam on the scheduled day, you will be able to make it up on Thurs., Dec. 9. You will have 75 minutes to make up as
many exams as you need (Exams 1-5).
Final Exam (Optional)
The optional final exam will include 100 multiple-choice questions from previous exams (will include all 13 chapters). If you are
satisfied with your course grade after Exam 5, you do not need to take the optional final exam. However, if you are interested in raising
your course grade after Exam 5, you will have the opportunity to do so with the optional final exam. Possible points: 100
Overall Effort
Your overall effort will be assessed when final grades are determined. As such, I will consider attendance, progress, participation, and
commitment. Please note that excessive absences, low exam scores, class indifference, and electronic distractions will have a negative
impact on your final grade. Possible points: 40
Extra Credit
This class will not offer extra credit assignments.
GRADING POLICY
Your final grade will be based on a combination of exam scores and overall effort. Exam scores are not dropped and a class curve will
not be used. The information below indicates the distribution of grades; pluses (+) and minuses (-) will be used if necessary. Total
Possible Points: 365 without the final exam; 465 with the final exam
A range = 90% and above; B range = 80-89%; C range = 70-79%; D range = 60-69%; F range = 59% and below
CLASS POLICIES
Participation is encouraged and expected from each person; however, disruptive or disrespectful behavior directed toward anyone in class
will not be tolerated. Please consider these policies for the semester: 1) attendance will be taken and recorded each time we meet; 2)
only officially enrolled students may attend class sessions; 3) please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices before entering the
classroom; and 4) dictionaries, calculators, and books/notes cannot be used during exam sessions.
CLASS SCHEDULE
To make the most out of our class discussions and to maximize student involvement, please read the Ferris and Stein textbook before you
come to class. For example, please read Chapter 1 by Thursday, August 28 for our class lecture.
Week 1:
Tues., Aug. 26
Thurs., Aug. 28
Introduction to the class
Chapter 1: Sociology and the Real World
Week 2:
Tues., Sept. 2
Thurs., Sept. 4
Chapter 1: Sociology and the Real World
Chapter 2: Studying Social Life- Sociological Research Methods
Week 3:
Tues., Sept. 9
Thurs., Sept. 11
Chapter 2: Studying Social Life- Sociological Research Methods
Exam 1 (Chapters 1 and 2; 50 multiple-choice questions)
Week 4:
Tues., Sept. 16
Thurs., Sept. 18
Chapter 3: Culture
Chapter 3: Culture
Week 5:
Tues., Sept. 23
Thurs., Sept. 25
Chapter 4: The Self and Interaction
Chapter 4: The Self and Interaction
Week 6:
Tues., Sept. 30
Thurs., Oct. 2
Chapter 6: Deviance
Exam 2 (Chapters 3, 4, and 6; 75 multiple-choice questions)
Week 7:
Tues., Oct. 7
Thurs., Oct. 9
Chapter 7: Social Class- The Structure of Inequality
Chapter 7: Social Class- The Structure of Inequality
Week 8:
Tues., Oct. 14
Thurs., Oct. 16
Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience
Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience
Week 9:
Tues., Oct. 21
Thurs., Oct. 23
Chapter 9: Constructing Gender and Sexuality
Exam 3 (Chapters 7, 8, and 9; 75 multiple-choice questions)
Week 10:
Tues., Oct. 28
Thurs., Oct. 30
Chapter 12: Life at Home- Families and Relationships
Chapter 12: Life at Home- Families and Relationships
Week 11:
Tues., Nov. 4
Thurs., Nov. 6
Chapter 10: The Macro-Micro Link in Social Institutions
Chapter 10: The Macro-Micro Link in Social Institutions
Week 12:
Tues., Nov. 11
Thurs., Nov. 13
Veteran's Day Holiday-- class will not meet
Chapter 11: The Economy and Work
Week 13:
Tues., Nov. 18
Thurs., Nov. 20
Exam 4 (Chapters 12, 10, and 11; 75 multiple-choice questions)
Chapter 15: Populations, Cities, and Environments
Week 14:
Tues., Nov. 25
Thurs., Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Break-- class will not meet
Thanksgiving Break-- class will not meet
Week 15:
Tues., Dec. 2
Thurs., Dec. 4
Chapter 16: Social Change: Looking Toward Tomorrow
Exam 5 (Chapters 15 and 16; 50 questions)
Week 16
Tues., Dec. 9
Exam Make-Up Day
You only need to attend class if you need to make-up Exams 1-5
Finals Week
Final Exam (all assigned chapters; 100 multiple-choice questions)
The 9:30 am class will take the final on Thurs., Dec. 11 from 8-9:30 am in AL 105
The 12:30 pm class will take the final on Thurs., Dec. 11 from 10:30-12 pm in IT 201