Introduction to Sociology
Texas Tech University
Spring 2014
SOC 1301-007
TR 11:00-12:20
Holden Hall room 150
Instructor: Dr. Clare Walsh
email: clare.walsh@ttu.edu
Office Room Number: Holden Hall 64
Office Phone: 806.834.7991
Office Hours: 9:00am-10:00am MW and 1:00pm-2:00pm TR and by appointment.
Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Teaching Assistant: Tyler Sims
email: tyler.sims@ttu.edu
Office Room Number: Holden Hall 156
Office Hours: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Society and the social groups to which we belong have a great deal of influence on our
lives. They impact how we feel, how we act, and what we believe. This course uses
the sociological perspective to uncover hidden social forces, social institutions, and
social problems. The primary goal of this course is to provide an introductory overview
of sociology. Students will critically examine issues from historical, political, cultural and
global perspectives to investigate the ways gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexuality, and
social institutions (among other things) impact human behavior. Exploration will take
place through readings, discussions, activities, and written assignments.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES & OBJECTIVES:
This class helps to fulfill the requirement of “Social and Behavioral Sciences” in the core
curriculum in “Individual and Group Behavior.” The objective of the social and
behavioral sciences in a core curriculum is to increase the student's knowledge of how
social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and
interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge
will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in
addressing the issues facing humanity.
The objective of this core curriculum course is as follows: students graduating from
Texas Tech University should be able to demonstrate the ability to assess critically
claims about social issues, human behavior, and diversity in human experiences.
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
2
Social and Behavioral Science Learning Assessed By:
Outcomes:
Identify and critique alternative explanations
for claims about social issues and human
behavior.
Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate
ethical methods, technologies, and data that
social and behavioral scientists use to
investigate the human condition.
Critical Thinking Skills: to include creative
thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,
evaluation and synthesis of information.
Communication Skills: to include effective
development, interpretation and expression of
ideas through written, oral and visual
communication.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include
the manipulation and analysis of numerical
data or observable facts resulting in informed
conclusions.
Personal Responsibility: to include the
ability to connect choices, actions, and
consequences to ethical decision-making.
Social Responsibility: to include intercultural
competence, knowledge of civic responsibility,
and the ability to engage effectively in
regional, national, and global communities.
Students will correctly answer exam questions
testing their ability to separate causation from
correlation, as well as determine alternate
hypotheses for claims about social issues and
human behavior.
Students will correctly answer exam and inclass questions testing their knowledge of
research methods used to investigate social
structure and human interaction, data
collection, output interpretation, and the
protection of human subjects.
Students will correctly answer exam questions
testing their knowledge, interpretation, and
synthesis of comparative theories, current
research, and social issues.
Students will satisfactorily complete short inclass written assignments testing their ability
to respond to ideas presented in lecture and
discussion.
Students will also volunteer or be called on to
orally respond to questions about the subject
matter or to interpret material presented during
lecture.
Students will correctly answer exam questions
testing their ability to identify, calculate, and
interpret data and statistical metrics relating to
human behavior, including correct
interpretation of graphs and charts.
Students will correctly answer exam questions
about the connection between individual
choices and group outcomes, as well as
examine concepts of responsible decisionmaking in an informed society.
Additionally, personal responsibility will be
evaluated through student attendance, grades,
and class participation.
Students will correctly answer exam questions
testing their knowledge of the impact and
ethics of structures in society such as
education, religion, and government on the
life-chances and outcomes of regional,
national, and global social groups and
individuals.
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
Multicultural Graduation Requirement
Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate intercultural
awareness, knowledge and skills in written,
verbal, and behavioral activities.
3
Assessed By:
Students will be able to correctly answer exam
questions testing their knowledge of the
diversity and variance of behaviors, norms,
skills, and values between global cultures.
Students will also be able to answer
discussion questions and engage in a
classroom conversation about these
variances.
Students will exhibit the ability to engage
constructively with individuals and groups,
across diverse social contexts.
Students will appraise privilege relationships at
different levels (interpersonal, local, regional,
national, and international) and explain how
these relationships affect the sociocultural
status of individuals and groups.
Students will correctly answer exam questions
testing their knowledge of the impact of
organized religion, politics, education, and
literacy on life-chances of diverse social
groups and individuals.
Students will also be able to engage with each
other about differences of opinion and values
in the classroom, and discuss how they might
engage with other groups constructively.
Students will be able to correctly answer exam
questions testing their knowledge of the
impact of racial, gender, and class-based
identities on social action and interaction, as
well as questions testing their knowledge of
the effects of population growth and
distribution (demography) on the structures
and future of a given society and how those
identities and distributions affect the status of
individuals and groups.
ACADEMIC ETIQUETTE:
Some aspects of this class require interaction through discussion. Some topics may be
controversial, explicit, and sensitive, but we must ALL respect each other’s opinions and
be courteous. Remember to disagree with respect means you have actually heard the
speaker, and have thought critically about what he or she has said. Disagreeing with
disrespect shows you have failed to hear the speaker and are reacting without thinking.
Disrespect directed at anyone will not be tolerated. Failure to comply may result in
dismissal from class, with no opportunity to make-up missed work.
Cell phones and other electronic equipment are distracting to me and other students
and should not be used be during class. Since you cannot use them during this class,
please do not bring laptops, tablets, or smartphones to class. You will be asked to
leave the class if you are caught using your phone or distracting others while on
electronic devices, with no opportunity to make-up missed work.
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
4
You should strive to be on time for class and stay for the whole class period, regularly
attend class, prepare for class by doing the readings before class, and contribute to
class by participating in any discussion. In kind, you may expect that I will start class
promptly, end on time, answer your questions fully and respectfully, provide feedback
on your assignments in a timely manner, and be available to meet with you during my
office hours.
TEXTBOOKS & READINGS:
Kimmel, Michael & Aronson, Amy. 2012. Sociology Now, Census Update. Boston:
Allyn & Bacon. ISBN-10: 0-205-118106-6 • ISBN-13: 978-0-205-18106-3.
REQUIRED
Other readings may be assigned during the course of the semester and will be available
either as handouts or electronically.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
Students are not permitted to sell class notes or recordings of lectures, presentations,
or discussions.
Students with Disabilities: Any student who, because of a disability, may require
special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the
instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should
present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services (SDS) during the
instructor’s office hours. Please note as the instructor I am not allowed to provide
classroom accommodations to any student until appropriate verification from SDS has
been provided.
Contact Information: Student Disability Services, 335 West Hall, 806.742.2405 or
visit online at www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/sds.
Academic Integrity: All members of the class are expected to adhere to the highest
professional standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty will be handled
as prescribed by TTU policy, without exception.
“Academic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion,
falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts and any act designed to give unfair
academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of
essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of
the instructor(s) or the attempt to commit such an act).
As listed in the University Catalog I will attempt to discuss any infractions with you and
then I may assign academic sanctions that may include: assigning a paper or research
project related to academic integrity, assigning a make-up assignment that is different
from the original assignment, reducing the grade for the assignment and/or course,
issuing a failing grade on the assignment, and/or issuing a failing grade for the course.
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
5
SERVICES OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY:
Learning Center:
The Learning Center’s mission is to empower and encourage students in their
pursuit of achieving academic success in a welcoming environment. The Learning
Center works to enhance the academic success of all enrolled Texas Tech students by
offering a variety of free services:
• Online tutoring available Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
(www.lc.soar.ttu.edu)
• Drop-in peer tutoring for math, physics, chemistry, biology, accounting,
engineering, and Spanish.
• Peer academic coaching designed to provide students with a trained peer
coach for ongoing advice on how to prepare academically for Texas Tech
courses. Common topics include memory techniques and strategies, time
management, note taking, goal setting, test-taking tips, and test anxiety.
• An onsite licensed professional counselor to assist students struggling with
personal issues that may impair their chances of obtaining academic success.
• A study lounge to accommodate individual and group studying. The Learning
Center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. on Friday.
Contact Information: 80 Holden Hall, www.lc.soar.ttu.edu, 806.742.3664.
Computing Help:
The Information Technology (IT) Division (www.infotech.ttu.edu), managed by
the Texas Tech University Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), provides a wide
range of computing resources, services, and support for students, faculty, and staff in
support of the university’s educational and research mission.
Contact Information: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ithelpcentral, visit the IT Help
Central office in Administrative Support Building, or call (806) 742-HELP (4357).
The Blackboard Learning Management System https://ttu.blackboard.com will be an
important resource for this class listing assignment details, announcements, providing
you with a place to check your grades, etc. If you experience any problems with
Blackboard do not hesitate to contact the IT Help desk for assistance as soon as you
notice the problem. Don’t wait until the last minute, you might miss something. The IT
Help desk phone number is (806) 742-HELP (4357).
Counseling Services:
The Student Counseling Center (SCC) provides professional psychological
services in a beautiful and welcoming environment to address the variety of concerns
affecting a college student’s personal life and academic performance. Services are
provided by doctoral level psychologists who are licensed to practice psychology in the
state of Texas and by their supervisees.
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
6
Student Counseling Center services are available to enrolled students who have
paid the student services fee. All information is strictly confidential within limits of the
law. The SCC is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During these times, a
walk-in clinic is available to initiate counseling services from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Contact information: 201 Student Wellness Center, 806.742.3674,
www.depts.ttu.edu/SCC.
Student Health Services:
Student Health Services is the primary care clinic for students at Texas Tech
University. The clinic is staffed with board certified physicians, nurse practitioners,
nursing staff, a dietician, and support staff to provide high quality care for illnesses and
injuries, as well as mental health issues.
Student Health Services is located in the Student Wellness Center at the corner
of Main and Flint on the west side of the campus. Services are available by
appointment Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Contact information: www.ttuhsc.edu/studenthealth, 806.743.2860.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
NO assignments will be accepted electronically. Hard copies are required for ALL
assignments (except those required to be turned in electronically like the photo
essay assignment).
There is NO extra credit in this class. Please don’t ask about it at the end of the
semester.
Participation and listening are important in this course. Being able to express yourself
with thoughtful interpretations of readings and discussions and being able to listen as
others express themselves will contribute to the overall tone and effectiveness of the
class. Please come to class prepared having read ALL assignments beforehand.
Formatting: All assignments are to be typed with 12 point font, Arial or Times New
Roman, 1 inch margins, double-spaced and should be free of spelling and grammatical
errors. Keep in mind you should have more than one paragraph for any assignment—
NO long blocks of text.
The heading for any assignment turned in for this class should be limited to one
line with your name, course number, assignment name, and date. Example:
Susie Student
SOC 1301
Response #1
Mar 6, 2014
You should print on both sides of the paper if you have multiple pages staple
them together.
Points will be lost if these directions are not followed.
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
7
Attendance/Make-up Policy:
If you plan to miss class and want to request the opportunity to make arrangements to
submit work late or to come up with a plan to make up work missed during the time you
are gone, you must complete the Time and Attendance Report and submit it to me at
least one week before your absence. If you are ill or miss class for an extraordinary
circumstance and want to submit a late assignment or have the opportunity to make up
missed work, you must complete the Time and Attendance Report within 48 hours of
the class you missed. Submitting the report does not guarantee that your request will
be approved. The Time and Attendance Report can be found on Blackboard.
Attending class is your responsibility as a student. Lecture slides are not posted or
emailed, so if you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to get the notes
from a classmate or attend the TA’s office hours to go over lecture. Take a minute to
make sure that you have the name, email address, and phone number of a classmate in
advance of an absence.
Name: _____________________________ Phone: ________________________
e-mail:____________________
Class time is the preferred time in which to turn in assignments. If you have issues
turning in an assignment during class, please discuss it with me.
Printer issues:
Printer problems are the most common excuse given for needing to turn assignments in
late, so do not wait until the last minute to print out your assignments since printer
issues are not an excuse for turning in assignments late. There is a computer lab with
printers in Holden Hall room 105 and there are printers available in the Library.
Wireless Everywhere Print Anywhere (WEPA) Printing is also now available. This
is a cloud printing environment that is accessed across a network of touch-screen
printing kiosks. There are several kiosks located across campus and one is located in
Holden Hall across from the Learning Center (room 079). Check wepa.ttu.edu for
details.
Excused absences include:
 University Sponsored Events. These events will be excused with official
documentation from the appropriate faculty or staff member. Documentation
should be received PRIOR to the event and any assignments due during
absence should be turned in ahead of time with a Time and Attendance Report
attached.
 Absence Due to Religious Observance. A student shall be excused from
attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the
observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student
who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in
writing to the instructor within the first two weeks of class so that appropriate
accommodations may be made. Assignments due during absence should be
turned in ahead of time with a Time and Attendance Report attached.
Introduction to Sociology


Spring 2014
8
Medical Emergencies. Medical emergencies are excused with appropriate
documentation from a health care provider. This documentation should be
attached to a Time and Attendance Report
Family Emergencies. These emergencies are only excused with written
documentation attached to a Time and Attendance Report.
Excused assignments will not be accepted one week past the initial assignment due
date and must be accompanied by a Time and Attendance Report. Late assignments
without an excused absence and/or without a Time and Attendance Report will not be
accepted.
Emails
Before you sending an email, check the syllabus or the assignment. Most of your
questions can be answered in these extremely detailed documents. If you decide to
send me an email, please be sure that it is professional. This means (1) include a title
with the name of the course (2) include your full name as the signature, (3) spell check
your email and include complete sentences with proper capitalization, and (4) please do
not include slang, texting lingo, etc. Our email discussions are professional and should
not be considered chatting between friends. Think: Would I send my employer this
email?
COURSE EVALUATION:
Exams—60% of total grade (each exam = 20% of grade)
The exams in this class may be multiple choice/true false and essay/short answer. You
will need to bring an orange scantron sheet and a #2 pencil with you to the exams—
these will not be supplied. They may be purchased from Brenda in the sociology
advising office, from the bookstore in the SUB, and from vending machines on campus.
Exam 1 (Feb 19) will include information from Part One: Foundations of the Field. Exam
2 (March 28) will include information from Part Two: Identities and Inequalities and the
last exam will be in finals week (May 12) and will include information from Part Three:
Social Institutions. These exams will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your
ability to synthesize course readings and discussions.
No exam make-ups will be offered unless valid documentation is provided. If you
miss an exam due to an excused absence it is your responsibility to contact me
immediately. Make-up exams will only be offered up to 48 hours past the original exam
date.
Photo Essay—20% of grade
You are asked to demonstrate your newly discovered "sociological imagination" via a
creative photo essay. This assignment is intended to engage you in your community as
a sociological observer. I’d like you to demonstrate your newfound ability to employ the
“sociological imagination” in an innovative way – with illustrated photographs organized
in a PowerPoint slideshow. Note: you will need access to PowerPoint and a
(preferably digital) camera for this assignment. For this project, you will spend some
time visually exploring the social world around you, taking your sociological imagination
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
9
and all those concepts, ideas and theories you’ve learned in class with you on your
exploration. I’d like you to create a slideshow of 10 photos that you have personally
taken (I will not accept non-original photos such as clip art, magazine images or any
other images taken from the internet and If you include people in a non-public setting,
you should ask their permission.) that reflect 3 sociological concepts or ideas from
the course. Upload these images to a PowerPoint file and describe the sociological
idea you’ve captured in a short paragraph for each photo. Your text should answer the
following questions: What sociological insight is evident in the photos? What specific
concept or idea is illustrated? Make sure to define your concepts as you discuss them.
Also be sure to include an Introduction slide that includes the type of information
found on a title page—name, course name and section, date, title of essay.
Quotation, Concept, Comparison, Questions (QCCQ) Reflection Papers—15% of
grade
You will be responsible for five QCCQ reflection papers. This reflection should be two
full typewritten pages (1” margins/12 point font/double-spaced—see formatting
requirements on page 7) and should reflect your ideas on the course readings,
activities and discussions that you found particularly interesting. The goal of this
assignment is for you to engage the material and voice your thoughts, give thoughtful
responses and raise questions about ideas and NOT to simply summarize and
regurgitate the material. Keep in mind you need to use your sociological
imagination in these reflections and not just offer up opinion.
First, select a quotation from the reading (2-4 sentences, this is the Q); then summarize
the concept or idea the quote captures in your own words (this is the first C); thirdly,
compare or relate this reading to another reading from the unit (You can think of a unit
as the topic of the chapter or the 3 main themes that ties the chapters within a unit
together. This is the 2nd C); and finally, develop 2 questions that deepen your
understanding of the concept/quote or will generate discussion regarding the
concept/quote (this is the last Q). You do not have to answer these questions but they
do need to show you are engaging course material. This assignment will be collected
on Tuesdays during class on dates noted in the course schedule.
Minute Papers and Participation Assignments—5% of grade
Minute Papers will be used to make sure students are keeping up with the readings and
attending class. These Minute Papers may occur at the beginning, middle, or end of
class and once they have been collected you may not make them up. These along with
various “homework assignments,” in-class assignments, and in-class activities all count
toward the participation portion of your grade. There will be 6 unannounced participation
assignments conducted at various points of the semester. You must complete 5
participation assignments throughout the semester in order to receive the full 100
points. If you complete all 6 minute papers, your 6th minute paper/participation
assignment will count as bonus points.
Any missed in-class minute paper/participation assignment can only be made up if you
have a documented excused absence AND you have submitted a Time and Attendance
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
10
Report as discussed in the make-up policy earlier in syllabus and must be made up
within 48 hours of being missed.
Grade Composition:
Your grade will be determined based on a 500 point total with three exams worth 100
points each for a total of 300 points, one photo essay worth 100 points, five responses
worth 15 points each for a total of 75 points, and five (six) minute-papers worth 5 points
each for a total of 25 points.
Assignments
Exams (3@100 pts)
Photo Essay (1@100 pts)
Responses (5@15 pts)
Minute Papers (5@5 pts)
Total Points
300
100
75
25
Total: 500
Total Grade Percentage
60
20
15
5
100
Grading Policy:
Grades are calculated based on the “total points” method. The total number of points
possible is 500. Grades will be posted on Blackboard. Periodically check your grades
and if you find a discrepancy, notify me immediately. I will only change grades within 2
weeks after the assignment has been collected. In other words, I do not go back into the
gradebook. Please do not write at the end of the semester about an assignment that
was due in the beginning because I will not give you credit. I do not curve assignments,
but if you are on the border (within 1 point of the next letter grade step) AND have
submitted ALL assignments I will ‘bump you up’. I also do not grade on the basis of
need, but based on what you earned. Do not ask me to change your final grade
unless I have made a mathematical error, which occasionally happens.
Points
Percent
500-463
100-93
462-448
92-90
447-438
89-88
437-413
87-83
412-398
82-80
397-388
79-78
387-363
77-73
362-348
72-70
347-338
69-68
337-313
67-63
312-298
62-60
297 or less Below 59
Letter Grade Point
Translation
Grade Equivalent
A
4.0
Outstanding
A3.67
Very, Very, Very Good
B+
3.33
Very, Very Good
B
3.0
Quite Good
B2.67
Good
C+
2.33
Nice Work
C
2.0
Completed Requirements
C1.67 Almost Completed Requirements
D+
1.33
Requirements Not Fulfilled
D
1.0
Poor Work
D0.67
Very Poor
F
0
Failing/Inappropriate
Introduction to Sociology
Spring 2014
11
Course Schedule
All readings listed are from Sociology Now
*Note at the end of the semester we do not cover all chapters of the textbook and we skip around*
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Week
Jan 16
Jan 21
Jan 23
Jan 28
Jan 30
Feb 4
Feb 6
Feb 11
Feb 13
Feb 18
Feb 20
Feb 25
Feb 27
Mar 4
Mar 6
Mar 11
Mar 13
Topic
Readings
Intro
What is Sociology
Ch 1
p. 2-37
Ch 2
p. 38-67
Ch 3
p. 68-101
Ch 4
p. 102-137
Ch 5
p. 138-165
Ch 6
p. 166-203
Ch 7
p. 204-241
Ch 8
p. 242-277
Ch 9
p. 278-313
Culture & Society
Society: Interactions, Groups, & Organizations
How Do We Know What We Know? The Methods of the
Sociologist
Socialization
Deviance & Crime
Inequalities: Stratification & Social Class
Inequalities: Race & Ethnicity
Inequalities: Sex & Gender
Mar 18
Mar 20
Spring Break
Mar 25
Mar 27
Apr 1
Apr 3
Apr 8
Apr 10
Apr 15
Apr 17
Inequalities: Sexuality
Social Institutions: The Family
Social Institutions: Religion
Social Institutions: Mass Media
15
Apr 22
Apr 24
Social Institutions: Politics and Government/Education
16
Apr 29
May 1
Sociology of Environments: The Natural, Physical, and
Human Worlds
17
May 6
May 10
Sociology of Environments: The Natural, Physical, and
Human Worlds
1:30pm-4:00pm in classroom
Important
Dates
S. Contract Due
QCCQ 1 Due
Exam 1
No Class
QCCQ 2 Due
QCCQ 3 Due
No Classes
Ch 10
p. 314-345
Ch 12
p. 380-415
Ch 15
p. 486-509
Ch 18
p. 586-615
Ch
14/Ch17
p.454-485/
p.554-579
Exam 2
QCCQ 4 Due
Pho. Essay Due
QCCQ 5 Due
Ch 19
p. 616-628
Last Class
Exam 3
Note: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time
Sociology 1301 Syllabus Contract
The syllabus outlines the goals and objectives of this course, provides the grading and
evaluation scheme, lists the materials to be used, the topics to be covered, and gives a
schedule. The course syllabus is more than just a document providing you with
information about this course; it is a legal contract between me, the instructor, and you,
the student. Take the time to read, and periodically review the syllabus so you know the
course expectations and don’t miss an exam or turning in assignments. The syllabus
should be the first place you check for any questions you may have about this
course.
I understand that if I email a question to Dr. Walsh or the TA before checking the
syllabus and if the answer to my question can be found in the syllabus, I will get a
simple reply to check the syllabus.
I understand that to turn in an assignment late I must have a Time and Attendance
Report and/or an excused absence as noted in the syllabus. Printing issues are not an
excuse for turning in a late assignment. I also understand submitting a Time and
Attendance Report for a missed class does not guarantee acceptance of my late
assignment.
I understand that my final grade in this class is earned based on my work throughout
the entire semester. Grades are not negotiated—they are earned. I will NOT email Dr.
Walsh or the Teaching Assistant asking to “bump my grade” since they are on the
lookout for those students who meet the requirements to “bump.” I will NOT email Dr.
Walsh or the Teaching Assistant asking to change my grade, unless I find a calculation
error.
Print this page and sign it in the spaces below. Turn it in for participation points
by January 23, 2014.
I have read and understand the format of this course and the policies described in the
syllabus. I acknowledge that failure to comply with the terms of the syllabus may affect
my success in this class.
Print Name: ___________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ________________________________