Sociology 100 A5: Introduction to Sociology
Fall 2013
Department of Sociology, University of Alberta
www.sociology.ualberta.ca
Instructor: Heidi Bickis
Time and Place: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3:20pm, ETLE 1 003
Office Hours: By appointment
Office: Tory 4-14
Email: hbickis@ualberta.ca
There are no prerequisites for this course. This course is not to be taken by students with
credit in SOC 300. Policy about course outlines can be found in §23. 4(2) of the University
Calendar.
Course Description and Objectives
“[S]ociology’s richness comes in part from the variety of ways it tells a variety of stories at
a variety of levels. It comes also from the pleasurably disturbing way its stories open doors
of possibility in the corridors of the everyday” (Game and Metcalfe, Passionate Sociology,
1996, p. 64).
“There would be no point to knowledge [...] if we did not feel a passion for wonder, seeing
the same as different, the familiar as strange” (Game and Metcalfe, Passionate Sociology,
1996, p. 173).
What is sociology? What is a sociologist, and what kinds of questions do they ask? Why is
sociology important? How might I engage in sociological thinking? Through readings,
lectures, class activities and some group discussion, students will be invited to engage with
these, and a vast range of other, questions about the social world. With this questioning,
students will be introduced to a range of ways of doing sociology. By the end of the class,
students will be able to demonstrate the beginnings of a critical and reflective
understanding of the discipline of sociology. More specifically, students will be able to:
• Ask sociological questions about a range of different topics.
• Identify and explain different ways sociologists analyze, examine and interpret the
social world.
• Use their “sociological imagination” to analyze and examine current social issues
by identifying connections between individuals and society.
Class Structure
Classes will be lecture-based, and will sometimes include videos, discussion and other inclass exercises. Each lecture will focus on the topic(s) introduced by the scheduled reading.
The lecture will supplement the reading by summarizing the main arguments in the article,
expanding on key points and considering other relevant examples. To fully benefit from the
class, students need to do the assigned readings before class and attend lectures regularly.
Exams will be based on lectures, any videos or other examples presented as part of a
lecture, and the required readings.
Required Text
The required text for this course is Questioning Sociology edited by George Pavlich and
Myra J. Hird. The text is available at the University of Alberta Bookstore. Also required
are: ‘Introduction: The Discipline of Sociology’ by Zygmunt Bauman and Tim May, and
‘Stories’ by Ann Game and Andrew Metcalfe. Both are available on e-class. A reading
schedule will be available on e-class.
Assignments and Mark Distribution
• Online Group Discussion (20%) (10% for initial response to discussion question;
10% for additional contributions): Deadlines will vary.
*Details about this assignment will be posted on e-class and discussed on
the first day.
• Exam I (20%): October 8 2013
• Exam II (20%): November 7 2013
• Final Exam (40%): TBA
For Exams I and II students will be asked to answer 5 out of 7 short answer questions. A
short answer is 3 to 5 sentences long. Types of questions asked might include:
•
•
•
Explain how history contributes to a sociological analysis of Ben Johnson’s steroid
use.
Explain why sociologist George Pavlich asks the question “am I free?” in his article
with the same title.
Describe two of the three models of governance discussed by Dawn Moore.
The Final Exam will be in 3 Parts.
Part I will ask students to define 5 out of 7 terms from the readings and lectures (e.g.
discipline, neo-liberalism). Each answer will be marked out of 2, for a total of 10 marks.
Part II will consist of 5 out of 7 short answers (like the above examples). Each short answer
will be marked out of 4 for a total of 20 marks.
Part III will ask students to read a short news story and use their sociological imaginations
to respond to the following: How might a sociologist look at this current event? Using your
sociological imaginations, identify two examples of how the individual’s actions in the
story might be linked to wider societal forces. Each example should be explained in 3-5
sentences. Be sure to link your answer to concepts, approaches and ideas discussed in the
readings and/or lectures. Each example explained will be marked out of 5, for a total of 10
marks.
Grading
Grades for each component will be assigned as a mark out of the total weight of the
assignment: (e.g x/20 for online discussion; x/20 for Exam I). Your final grade will be
based on the combined scores of each component, and then converted into a letter grade
based on the scale below. The course is not graded on a curve.
Descriptor
Excellent
Poor
Percentage
90–100%
86–89.9%
82–85.9%
78.0–81.9%
74.0–77.9%
70–73.9%
66.0–69.9%
62–65.9%
58–61.9%
54–57.9%
Minimal Pass
Failure
50–53.9%
0–49.9%
Good
Satisfactory
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Grade Point Value
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Late Assignment Policy
Regular attendance is essential in order to do well and enjoy any course. Absences and late
work may be excused if students become ill or in cases of domestic affliction. When
possible, please let me know the situation ahead of time. If you miss any exams or your
scheduled online discussion group due to a sudden illness or a domestic affliction, you must
apply to me within two working days of the absence. As stated in the University calendar
§23.3(1): “Approval for an excused absence from term work ... or term exams is at the
discretion of the instructor.” Medical documentation is not required, but students may use
the following forms if they choose:
• University of Alberta Medical Statement (this form is not required, but will be
accepted if provided in lieu of other documents)
• Medical Declaration Form for Students (for Faculty of Arts students)
For students in Faculties other than Arts, they can fill out a Statutory Declaration to be
obtained from their home Faculty or the Office of the Registrar. For other acceptable
absences, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, students should consult with
the Instructor or Department about appropriate documents. More details about absences are
available in 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused
absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and
participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any assignments that are not handedin or completed as a result.
Final Exams
If you are not able to write the final exam due to illness or a domestic affliction, you must
apply to the Faculty you are registered in to request permission to write a deferred exam.
The Department of Sociology Set Deferred Exam Date is January 18, 2014 at 9:00am in
Tory 1-91. Please note the following from the University Calendar §23.3(2)c: “A deferred
final examination will not be approved if a student (a) has not been in regular attendance
where attendance and/or participation are required, and/or, (b) excluding the final exam,
has completed less than half of the assigned work.”
Learning and working environment
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to
work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment.
It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. The department urges
anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:
• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or
• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is
inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the student
ombudservice: (http://www.ombudservice.ualberta.ca/ ). Information about the University
of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures can be found in the
GFC Policy Manual, section 44 available at http://gfcpolicymanual.ualberta.ca/
Cheating and Plagiarism
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and
honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic
honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly
urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour
(online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially
result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation
in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or
explusion from the University.”
The Code of Student Behaviour is available at:
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/Co
deofStudentBehaviour.aspx
All students should consult the “Truth-In-Education” handbook or Website (
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/TIE/ ) regarding the definitions of plagiarism and its
consequences when detected. An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student
has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance
is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the
Associate Dean of the Faculty. Before unpleasantness occurs consult
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/TIE/; also discuss this matter with any tutor(s) and with
your instructor.
Recording
“Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by
students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an
approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study,
and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from
the instructor.”