Department of Sociology
The University of Hong Kong
SOCI 1001 Introduction to Sociology
First Semester 2008 – 09
Course Outline
Lecturer:
Time & Venue:
Off. & Tel. no.:
WebCT:
Tutors:
Dr. Cheris Shun-ching Chan (cherisch@hku.hk)
Fridays 10:40AM – 12:30PM, T1 Meng Wah
1217 K.K. Leung Bldg., 2219-4341
MyWebCT at HKU Portal
Charlotte Yeung (charlotte_yeung@yahoo.com)
Grace Au (h0093740@hkusua.hku.hk)
Manynooch Faming (mfaminga@hkusua.hku.hk)
Collin Li (collinli@graduate.hku.hk)
Course Description
Welcome to Sociology! This course aims to introduce you to sociological thinking,
familiarizing you with the key sociological concepts and perspectives. It provides an
overview of the subject, covering a wide range of topics relevant to our lived experience
and surrounding social phenomena. The various sociological topics are grouped under
three major themes: social inequalities, social institutions, and social conflicts and
changes.
At the end of the course you are expected to think and talk like a sociologist, and
understand various aspects of life in sociological ways. You will also develop analytical
sensitivities and critical thinking, discerning some underlying social forces that structure
our daily social lives and the larger society.
This course is composed of 12 lectures and 9 mandatory tutorials. A tutorial outline is
distributed separately.
Reading
Recommended Textbooks
Haralambos, Michael and Martin Holborn. 2008. Sociology: Themes and Perspectives,
7th edition. London: Collins Educational.
Macionis, John. 2008. Sociology, 12th edition. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
1
Other Required Readings
Haralambos, Michael and Martin Holborn. 2004. Sociology: Themes and Perspectives,
6th edition. London: Collins Educational. Selections.
Charon, Joel and Lee Garth Vigilant. 2009. The Meaning of Sociology. 8th Edition. New
Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Selections.
Edles, Laura Desfor. 2002. Cultural Sociology in Practice. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
Selections.
*A list of required readings for tutorial discussion is distributed along with the tutorial
outline.
Assessment
Part I: Coursework (40%), to be detailed in the tutorial outline
i) Tutorial attendance and participation (10%)
ii) Field observation and presentation (10%)
iii) Four one-page (single-spacing) or two-page (double-spacing) memos (20%)
Part II: Final Examination (60%)
WebCT
Course materials (including the syllabus, lecture outlines, and sample assignments) can
be found at WebCT. Important class announcements will also be posted on this site.
Students are strongly recommended to log in once a week for the most updated course
materials or information.
Lecture Schedule (subject to change if necessary)
Week # &
Date
Topics
Readings
Invitation to Sociology
1 (Sept. 5)
What Is Sociology?
Macionis: ch.1:1-12,
ch.2;
Charon:chs.1-2
2 (Sept. 12)
Culture and the Social
Construction of Reality
Film: The Gods Must Be Crazy
Haralambos:ch.11:663669, 672-678;
Macionis: ch.6
2
Remarks
Week # &
Date
Topics
Readings
Remarks
1st tutorial
begins this
week
Social Inequalities
3 (Sept. 19)
Class, Status, and Power:
The Foundation of Inequalities
Haralambos:ch.1:19-32,
45-63, 75-82;
Macionis ch.12
4 (Sept. 26)
Labor and Workplaces:
From Manchester to the Global
Factory
Films: Modern Times;
Mardi Gras: Made in China
Haralambos 2004 (6th
edition):621-661;
Macionis ch.16
5 (Oct. 3)
Gender and Society:
Doing Gender in Work and
Families
Haralambos ch.2:93115;
Macionis ch.13
Social Institutions
6 (Oct. 10)
Politics and the State
Haralambos ch.9:521539, 545-562;
Macionis ch.17
7 (Oct. 17)
Reading Week: No class
8 (Oct. 24)
The Media and Popular Culture
Film: Mickey Mouse Monopoly
Haralambos ch.12;
Edles:56-76
9 (Oct. 31)
Religion and Spirituality in
Modern Societies
Haralambos ch.7:395401, 405-423, 429-445;
Macionis ch.19
10 (Nov. 7)
Health and Medicine
Film: Sicko
Haralambos ch.5:304311;
Macionis ch.21
3
Week # &
Date
Topics
Readings
Remarks
Social Conflicts and Changes
11 (Nov. 14)
Crime and Deviance:
Defining normality and outsiders
Haralambos ch.6:321344; 355-359, 376-386;
Macionis ch.9:220-239
12 (Nov. 21)
Collective Behaviors and Social
Movements: Agency for Change
Haralambos ch.9:566575;
Macionis ch.23
13 (Nov. 28)
Conclusion and Revision
No tutorial
4