AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department of Social & Behavioral Studies
SOAN 201: Introduction to Sociology
Session 1 Jesup 107 (8:45- 9:45) and Session 2 Nicely 212 (10:00-11:00)
Dr. Sari Hanafi
Associate professor
Office hours: MW 11:00 to 12:00 and open door policy
Phone: 01 350000, extension: 3823; Office: Nicely 201
Sh41@aub.edu.lb, http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~websbs/Sociology/faculty/CVS/Hanafi_cv.htm
Course Description .....................................................................................................1
Objective .....................................................................................................................2
Outcomes ....................................................................................................................2
Course Textbook.........................................................................................................2
Course Policies ...........................................................................................................3
Grading System...........................................................................................................4
Course Rating .....................................................................................................4
Outline ........................................................................................................................4
Glossary ......................................................................................................................6
Field Research Assignment ........................................................................................7
Course Description
"I do not share your views but I am ready to die for
your being able to freely propound them"
Francois-Marie A. Voltaire (1694-1778)
The aim of this course is to provide a basic introduction to the discipline of Sociology. In
one semester we can only hope to touch on a number of aspects within sociology to give
the student a ‘flavor’ of the sociological enterprise. This course should initiate you not
only on knowledge but also research. You will become acquainted with sociology through
first-hand experience in starting a research project over the course of the term, and in
doing several exercises to prepare you for that project. The readings will help you learn to
do, evaluate and reflect on sociological research. It is preferable to do the readings prior to
the class periods for which they are assigned.
1
Students expecting to learn the ‘truth’ about society and social relations will usually be
disappointed with sociology. That is, in the various issues we tackle, there are rarely ‘black
and white’ or ‘true and false’ views. Most issues may be challenged. And it is this
challenge, which requires students to think about them, which makes sociology an everchanging and dynamic discipline.
Course promotes the freedom of expression and discussion. Students of sociology are
required to ‘engage’ the issues we address. You are encouraged to openly discuss and, in
particular, to bring to the class your own ideas, or issues which arise from your everyday
life to be discussed from a sociological perspective. For example, each week you will be
required to obtain an article or some issues from current affairs which may be of some
relevance to the topic of the week.
Objective
Upon completion of the course, students will be able:
1 . to identify a more accurate picture of Lebanese society in relation to other
societies.
2. to apply sociological principles to everyday social phenomena.
3. to analyze some of the causes and consequences of social and cultural change.
4. to analyze a social setting based on role, status, group dynamics and norms.
5. to recognize ways in which social structures affect life choices and life chances.
6. to understand the major theoretical paradigms (conflict theory; structural
functionalism; interpretive sociology)
7. to identify the major methods employed by sociologists.
8. to be familiarized with unfamiliar values and customs from a stance of cultural
relativism.
9. to have the ability of using statistics, reading graphs and tables
Outcomes
Students will:
1.
write a comparative paper on culture or ethnic groups (objective 1 and 2, 3)
2.
write paper on one social phenomenon using ‘tools’ and ‘modes of analysis of
sociological analysis (3,4,5, 7)
3.
conduct discussion of social topics and especially those which have more
controversial nature (6,8)
4.
write critiques on articles on related topics (9)
Course Textbook
Giddens, Anthony (2005) Sociology (5th Edition), London: Polity Press and other
readings see schedule
2
Course Policies
1- The readings will help you learn to do, evaluate and reflect on quantitative and
qualitative research. It is preferable to do the readings prior to the class periods for which
they are assigned.
2- You are strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion periods during classes and
indeed beyond the classroom. It will make the classes more interesting and vibrant, and it
helps in learning and understanding sociology.
3- You should have a sense of responsibility. Class attendance is required and assessed
(15%). Coming late is not permitted without a proper justification. If you don’t attend for
more than fifth of the time of the course you will be dropped automatically without
notification.
4- It is strictly prohibited to use or to show mobile during the course.
5- You are not allowed to leave the computer lab during the exams.
6- You are kindly requested to log in regular basis the Moodle as different discussions and
assignment will be posted there.
7- Academic integrity
The heart of the teaching profession is integrity. Any violation of academic integrity will
NOT be tolerated and will result in serious repercussions. Please refer to AUB policies and
procedures on academic integrity.
http://pnp.aub.lb/university/handbook/158010044.html
Essay writing is an essential part of the learning process and a vital medium through which
we can assess your understanding of the subject. Written work must therefore be your own
work. This does not mean that you should not make use of the work of others. However,
when you quote or paraphrase the explanations of others, you must acknowledge your
sources in full. You may seek the help of your teacher in preparing the essay and might
enlist the help of fellow students in sorting out your ideas, but the final essay must be
written by you in your own words.
Plagiarism occurs when students fail to acknowledge that ideas have been borrowed or
when the paraphrasing of a passage from a reference is too close to the original reference
material. Specifically it occurs when:
 phrases and passages are used verbatim (word for word) without quotation marks
and/or without a reference to the author;
 an author’s work is paraphrased and presented without a reference;
 other students’ essays are copied;
 essays are written in conjunction with other students (without prior permission);
 an essay has already been submitted for assessment in another course;
 material is downloaded from the internet and incorporated into the essay without
acknowledgement.
 Another form of plagiarism can occur where paragraphs or slabs of text are taken
from one or more references (usually largely without quotation marks) and
connected by sentences to make up an essay. Even if the borrowed text is
referenced with the author’s name and date (and page), the substance of the paper
is not the student’s own work or ideas/arguments.
3
Grading System
1.
2.
3.
15% Class attendance and class discussion
10% Drop quiz
30% Mid-term Quiz (multiple choice-type questions plus short essay answers)
(July 17, 2008)
Multiple choice-type questions plus short essay answers
4.
20% Field Research Assignment (see details below) (1500 words) (July 20)
5.
25% Final Exam (multiple choice-type questions plus short essay answers) (Date
to be advised)
Course Rating
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
High Distinction
Distinction
Credit
Pass
Fail
Outline
[Note: all readings are available in the ‘Reserve’ section at the Jafet Library]
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Topic
TOPIC 1: What is
Sociology?
Nature and scope of the
science of society
Private Troubles and Public
Issues
Discovery and explanation
in the social sciences
Intellectual Sources of
Sociology
TOPIC 2. Globalization
and the Changing World
Define the main headings
under which the debate
about globalization takes
place. Describe the
arguments of ‘sceptics’,
‘hyperglobalizers’ and
‘transformationalists’.
Discussion Topic
From your readings and lectures to
date, what is your understanding
about what sociology explains and
how sociology explains it? What are
some of the benefits of the
sociological approach and what are
some of its limitations?
Are we a sceptic, a hyperglobalizer or
a transformationalist?
Is there a single global economy or
just a series of self-contained regional
trading
blocs?
If we wanted to stop globalization,
could we do it? If so, how?
Readings and Activities
1.
Text: chap. 1.
2.
Bauman, Z.
(1990) Thinking
Sociologically
1. Text, chap. 2.
4
Week 3
Week 4
TOPIC 3: Social
Interaction and Everyday
Life
Culture and Society
Socialization and Individual
Freedom
Interaction and Everyday
Life, Micro and
Macrosociology; On the
routinization of Violence in
Lebanon
TOPIC 4: Families and
Intimate Relationships
Changes in Family Patterns
The Significance of Kin
and Family
The Dark Side of the
Family Sexual Abuse
Intimate Violence
Alternatives to Marriage
and the Family
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
TOPIC 5: Deviance and
Crime
The Sociology of Deviant
Behavior
Theoretical Perspectives
Anomie Differential
Association Labeling
Gender and Crime
Victimization
Organized Crime
TOPIC 6: Asking and
Answering Sociological
Questions
Conceptual Analysis
Research Methods
Scientific Analysis and
Value Judgments
TOPIC 7: Theoretical
Thinking in Sociology
Theoretical Approaches
Theoretical Dilemmas
What do you understand by the
concept socialisation? Discuss the
various agents of socialisation and the
impact of these on identity. How is
socialisation foundational to
sociology? Reflect on your
experiences of being socialised into
the role of a university student.
Discuss some of the broader social
consequences of changing family
patterns. Compare the differences in
the culture of the family between
Lebanon and, say, the United States.
Interview students from a country
other than the Lebanon and not from
your country of origin. Ask about
similarities and differences in one or
two of the following areas: family life;
gender relations; pace of life; student
life; the relative importance of
individualism and loyalty to family,
work groups, and other important
groups.
Why and how is ‘power’ central to an
understanding of deviance? How do
gender and culture impact on accepted
views of what it is to be normal?
Analyze a crime show: how is deviant
behavior explained on this show? Is
the explanation based on social class,
personality, background?
What are the basic steps in the
research process? How is research
related to theory? What are some of
the basic ways by which sociologists
find out about the social? What are
the main ethical issues in conducting
sociological research?
Discussion Topic:
Be clear about the following three
major theoretical traditions in
Sociology:
Functionalism
Symbolic Interactionism
Marxism (or conflict theory)
1.
Text: Chapter 5
2.
Murphy, “The
Veil and Social
Distance.” .
3.
Khalaf, S.,
“Ideologies of Enmity in
Lebanon.”
1.
Text: chap. 7
2.
Labidi, L.
(2003) “From Sexual
Submission to Voluntary
Commitment [Tunisia]”
3.
Joseph, S. (1999)
“Brother and Sister
Relationships [Lebanon]”
1.
Text: chap. 19.
2.
3. Becker, H.S., “On
Labelling Outsiders.”
3.
Collins, R.
(1992) “The Normalcy of
Crime”
1.
Text: chaps. 3
2.
Mack, J. &
Lindsay, S. (1985)
Absolute and Relative
Poverty in Britain
3.
Pollert, A.
(1982) Girls, Wives,
Factory Lives.
1. Text: Chapter 4
2. Marx, K. & Engels,
F. “The Materialist
Conception of History”
3. Durkheim, E. “The
Field of Sociology”
4. Weber, M. “Meaning
and Interpretation in
Sociology”
5
Week 89
TOPIC 8-9:Race,
Ethnicity and Migration
Race, racism and
xenophobia
Ethnicity and identity
Prejudice and
discrimination
Migration, immigration and
emigration
Week
10
Week
11
TOPIC 10:Cities and
Urban Spaces
Topic 11: Sexuality and
Gender
Gender Socialization
Gender Identity and
Sexuality : Freud and
Chodorow, Gender,
Sexuality and Inequality
Marginalization and
Empowerment of Women
Lebanon has traditionally been an
emigrant country. Discuss why this
has been so. What are Lebanese
attitudes towards ‘foreigners’?
Discuss the different theories
concerned with the process of gender
identity. What is your view regarding
the debates over biology versus
socialization (nature/nurture)?
Giddens Text: Chpt. 13
Hanafi, Sari (2004)
‘Rethinking the
Palestinian abroad as
diaspora’, in Andre
Misho (ed.),
Anthropology of the
diaspora, New York:
Colombia University
Press.
Film: Crash
Film: Maid in Lebanon
1.
Giddens Text:
chap. 21.
1.
Text: chap. 12
2.
Webster, S.,
“Harim and Hijab.” .
1.
Ghoussoub, M.
(2000) “Chewing
Gum, Insatiable
Women and Foreign
Enemies”
- Visit any big toys store
and describe gender
categorization of toys
there.
Glossary
Please visit this website for the definition of sociological concept
http://www.glossarist.com/glossaries/humanities-social-sciences/sociology.asp
See also the glossary in the course Moodle.
6
Field Research Assignment
(15%) Due: July 20
(To be submitted exclusively through the Moodle)
I
Objectives
The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to review three articles and to experience, first hand, the
process of collecting data and applying it to a sociological problem. To best accomplish this assignment, use
your ‘sociological imagination’ and the following instructions.
Note, however, that the objective is not to conduct data collection and an analysis for a comprehensive
explanation of the problem. Rather, the objective is to understand some of the problems inherent in the social
research process.
Note articles should be of Journal or chapters of book and NOT from internet. Use references from the
textbook and other articles to illustrate points you are making, but use your own words.
II
Procedure
DON’T write before cosulting the document "Writing the research paper" (Moddle)
2. Read at least three articles (which are not from internet) to determine your research questions,
assumptions and hypothesis.
3. Formulate hypothesis(ese) from the assumptions concerning mixed or exogamous marriage (eg. interethnic, inter-religious or inter-national). As example assumptions can be:
 A mixed marriage is a ‘house divided against itself.’
 Contrasting backgrounds create potential problems.
 Alienation from in-laws is a natural corollary of intermarriages.
 Intermarriages weaken family ties.
 Children of inter-marriages have confused identities.
What is an Assumption?
- An axiom or statement, not necessarily true but put forward and taken to be true to enable further
analysis of a hypothesis, or for the purposes of investigating what follows in relation to a theory.
- A presupposition, or the basis of an assertion, required to be true for the assertion to be true.
What is an Hypothesis?
- A tentative statement of a relationship between two or more variables.
- A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by
further investigation.
- Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation; an assumption.
- The antecedent of a conditional statement.
4.
Test the hypothesis that you have formulated by doing a single interview with a spouse (husband or wife)
in a mixed marriage. Select someone who is willing to talk about the issue in question. Formulate an
interview schedule (either by yourself or within a group).
5.
Write up your interview, your interpretation, analysis, and comment on your research experience. Your
report should be presented in 6-8 typed pages (double-spaced) in accordance with the following
instructions.
III
Presenting your paper
- Title, name and your major.
A. Introduction
1.
A paper needs a good LEAD-IN to persuade the reader to read it and
7
2.
some expression of your thesis (research questions, assumptions and hypothesis) : raise it as a
question or make it a statement and
3.
a Map - that is an outline of the sequence in which you will discuss the question(s).
B. Alternative views
1.
Present these before your own view.
2.
Make the best possible case for each alternative view and
3.
then give the limitations of these alternative views.
C. Your own view and
1.
1. why it is your view and
2.
2. any limitations of your view, if there are any, must be included.
D. Conclusion
1.
Try to write beyond just summing up and
2.
place your view with other implications or possibilities for the thesis/view. Make suggestion(s) for
other or further research possibilities around the thesis/view.
3.
If you start with a question(s), conclude with an answer(s).
If you start with a statement, end with a re-statement.
IV
Finally

Post it to the Moddle
8