INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Sociology 100H: Sections: 0101
Fall 2014
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to be a broad introduction to the field of sociology. We will encounter some
of the most influential theories used by sociologists to think about the social world, and many of the
methods sociologists employ to investigate it. We will discuss and acquire a familiarity with the
concepts sociologists typically use in their work. For instance, students will gain an understanding of
what sociologists mean when they talk about culture and social structure. Finally, the class will pay
particular attention to the broad sociological concern of social inequality as it pertains to race, class,
gender, and sexuality.
This is a CORE Distributive Studies course (Area D: Social and Behavioral Sciences). Distributive
Studies courses are designed to ensure you will take a look at several different academic disciplines
and the ways they create and analyze knowledge about the world (see the CORE website at
http://www.ugst.umd.edu/core/).
Instructor – Contact Information and Schedule
Instructor: Lester Andrist
Office Location: 1108 ASY
Email: Canvas
Office Hours: Mondays 12:00 pm- 2:00 pm,
or by appointment
Lecture: MWF: 10:00 am – 10:50 am (3203 ASY)
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS, SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS, AND VIDEOS
Textbook Readings. We will be using selected chapters from The Sociology Project: Introducing
the Sociological Imagination by Jeff Manza, Richard Arum and Lynne Haney (2012). Readings
from the textbook are designated by a “[T]” on this syllabus. Note that the textbook is written
collaboratively by twenty different sociologists at the New York University. You can purchase a
copy of the book from the University of Maryland Campus Bookstore.
Supplementary Materials. Note that by purchasing the textbook you will also have access to the
publisher's site (http://www.mysoclab.com/), which features a number of supplementary
materials. You will need access to the supplementary materials from www.mysoclab.com for this
course. Note that when registering on mysoclab, the course ID you should enter is "andrist91177"
Supplementary readings are designated by an “[S]” or [O], which indicates that they can either be
accessed directly online or through Canvas.
1|Page
Video and Readings. In this course we will also watch a number of short video clips. Many of
these clips can be accessed on The Sociological Cinema, which is a site I have developed in
collaboration with two other sociologists (http://www.thesociologicalcinema.com). In most cases,
the link I provide you will direct you to a page on The Sociological Cinema where you will be
able to find another link that takes you to the video. Note that if the link I give you directs you to
The Sociological Cinema, this is because I would like you to read the text on that page before
watching the video. On this syllabus, the videos I am requiring you to watch and the readings that
accompany those videos are designated by an “[V]”.
USING CANVAS
http://www.elms.umd.edu
The website for this course is hosted by Canvas, an online course development tool that is used in
classes throughout the University of Maryland. Logging onto Canvas will give you access to the
course syllabus and all supplemental readings. You may check your grades and your progress in
the course, and you may use Canvas to communicate with other students in the class. Any student
who cannot successfully log onto Canvas should contact me as early as possible.
ASSIGNMENT ABBREVIATIONS
[T] = Manza, et al. Textbook
[S] = Supplemental Reading
[O] = Online Reading
[V] = Video
2|Page
SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Wed, 9/3
Introduction to the Course
Fri, 9/5
Developing a Sociological Imagination
[T] Manza, Jeff. 2012. “The Sociological Imagination.”
[S] Mills, C. Wright. 1959. "The Promise." (Pp. 3-24) in The Sociological
Imagination. Oxford University Press.
[V] “Social Inequalities: What Is Sociology?” 3:12 min http://goo.gl/g6XhCu
[V] “The Decline: The Geography of a Recession by LaToya Egwuekwe” 0:29
min http://goo.gl/hFk3e
[V] “What the Classroom Didn't Teach Me about American Empire” 8:35 min
http://goo.gl/lebQM
Mon, 9/8
Sociological Theory
[S] Ritzer, George. 2012 “Chapter 2: Thinking Sociologically.” In Introduction to
Sociology (Pp. 36-51). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
[V] “What Is Theory? A Precautionary Tale’ 2:53 min http://goo.gl/CjHA5
[V] “Social Inequalities: Sociological Theory and Research” 4:27 min
http://goo.gl/3ELNmz
[V] “Relationship Coffee Fair Trade Case Study” 8:17 min http://bit.ly/b1yCsr
[V] “First Taste of Chocolate in Ivory Coast” 5:55 min http://goo.gl/NSFpGa
Wed, 9/10
Sociological Theory
[S] Ritzer, George. 2012. “Chapter 2: Thinking Sociologically.” In Introduction to
Sociology (Pp. 51-73). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
[V] “Weber’s Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” 9:49 min
http://bit.ly/9d94BF
[V] “Food Inc.: Alienation and Rationalization” 4:47 min http://goo.gl/AZ5u0
Fri, 9/12
Sociological Theory
[S] Hausbeck, Kathryn and Barbara G. Brents. 2006. “McDonaldization of the
Sex Industries? The Business of Sex.” (Pp. 103-118) in McDonaldization: The
Reader, edited by George Ritzer. Pine Forge Press.
[V] “Chipotle’s Tour of a McDonaldized Society” 3:23 min http://goo.gl/XwzEL9
Mon, 9/15
Sociological Theory
Wed, 9/17
Social Structure
[T] Manza, Jeff, et al. 2012. “Social Structure.” (Pp. 84-98)
[V] “Christianese: Evangelical Habitus” 2:49 min http://goo.gl/bBhAQ
Fri, 9/19
Social Structure
[T] Manza, Jeff, et al. 2012. “Social Structure.” (Pp. 98-109)
[V] "Stephanie Coontz: On Marriage" 19:11 min http://goo.gl/EgnsI
3|Page
Mon, 9/22
Social Interaction
[T] Molotch, Harvey. 2012. “Social Interaction.” (Pp. 58-71)
[V] “Social Inequalities: Social Interaction” 2:42 min http://goo.gl/AN2zjj
[V] “Kanye West Goes Off Script” 1:51 min http://goo.gl/yNwpn2
Wed, 9/24
Social Interaction
[T] Molotch, Harvey. 2012. “Social Interaction.” (Pp. 72-83)
[V] “Conformity and Breaching: Experimenting with Social Norms” 2:14 min
http://goo.gl/2V5oWu
[V] “The Stanford Prison Experiment” 43:59 min http://goo.gl/Mim3ce
Fri, 9/26
Sociological Methods
[T] Haney, Lynne. 2012. “Studying the Social World.” (Pp. 26-38)
Mon, 9/29
Sociological Methods
[T] Haney, Lynne. 2012. “Studying the Social World.” (Pp. 38-57)
[V] “Derren Brown – Person Swap” 4:48 min http://goo.gl/2OeDj
[V] “The Milgram Experiment, Reloaded” 10:47 min http://bit.ly/bffkfe
[V] “Hamsters, Depression, and Methodological Validity“ 2:22 min
http://goo.gl/x7PwE
Wed, 10/1
Sociological Methods
[S] Ehrenreich, Barbara. 2001. “Scrubbing in Maine.” (Pp. 59-119) in Nickel and
Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. Owl Books.
[V] “Learning Ethnography from a ‘Rogue Sociologist’” 4:10 min
http://goo.gl/LaLVjr
Assignment 1 due
“Developing a Sociological Imagination”
Fri, 10/3
Culture
[T] Klinenberg, Eric, et al. 2012. “Culture, Media, and Communication.” (Pp.
110-128)
[V] “You Will: The Interplay of Material and Symbolic Culture” 3:32 min
http://goo.gl/cqNsm
[V] “Thick Description: Contextualizing Social Interaction” 5:32 min
http://goo.gl/XM2ao
Mon, 10/6
Culture
[O] Greif, Mark. 2003. “The Hipster in the Mirror.” The New York Times.
http://goo.gl/nr3Ro accessed August 3, 2014
[V] “Greenpeace Jams Dove” 2:47 min http://goo.gl/XFmns
Wed, 10/8
Media and Representation
4|Page
[T] Klinenberg, Eric, et al. 2012. “Culture, Media, and Communication.” (Pp.
128-139)
[V] “Neil deGrasse Tyson and the Politics of Representation.” 2:30 min
http://goo.gl/jk5L9H
[V] “Miss Representation” 8:52 min http://goo.gl/mgfVX
Fri, 10/10
Media and Representation
[O] Wade, Lisa. 2011. “Representation of the ‘Primitive’ American Indian.”
Sociological Images: Inspiring Sociological Imaginations Everywhere.
http://goo.gl/aVxdz accessed August 3, 2014.
[V] “Reel Injun” 88:00 min http://goo.gl/MlaCpY
[V] “Trending on Indigenous Cultures: Who Has the Right to Represent Whom?"
22:50 min http://goo.gl/W94ys
Mon, 10/13
Power and Politics
[T] Lukes, Steven, et al. 2012. “Power and Politics.” (Pp. 140-153)
[V] “The Art of Manufacturing Consent” 9:50 min http://goo.gl/fjoiIZ
Wed, 10/15
Power and Politics
[T] Lukes, Steven, et al. 2012. “Power and Politics.” (Pp. 154-169)
Fri, 10/17
Midterm
Mon, 10/20
Social Stratification, Inequality, and Poverty
[T] Torche, Florencia, et al. 2012. “Social Stratification, Inequality, and Poverty.”
(Pp. 228-247)
[V] “Social Inequalities: Social Class in the US” 4:13 min http://goo.gl/vXgmM2
[V] “The Actual Distribution of Wealth in the United States” 6:24 min
http://goo.gl/9WDkq6
[V] “Social Immobility in the United States” 3:09 min http://goo.gl/tou65
Wed, 10/22
Social Stratification, Inequality, and Poverty
[T] Torche, Florencia, et al. 2012. “Social Stratification, Inequality, and Poverty.”
(Pp. 248-259)
[V] “People Like Us: Tammy’s Story” 7:50 min http://goo.gl/QA4dk
[V] “People Like Us: Wasp Lessons” 2:12 min http://goo.gl/HRSrU
Fri, 10/24
Social Stratification, Inequality, and Poverty
[V] “Relationship between Class Inequality and Health” 10:29 min
http://goo.gl/WKzi3N
Mon, 10/27
Race and Ethnicity
[T] Morning, Ann, et al. 2012. “Race and Ethnicity.” (Pp. 260-275)
[V] “Social Inequalities: Race and Ethnicity” 4:00 min http://goo.gl/AmT1cy
[V] “Race: The Power of an Illusion – Part 1” 21:43 min http://bit.ly/fVThmi
5|Page
Wed, 10/29
Race and Ethnicity
[T] Morning, Ann, et al. 2012. “Race and Ethnicity.” (Pp. 276-291)
[V] “Racial Projects and the Wizardry of Oz” 2:36 min http://goo.gl/3V24o
Fri, 10/31
Race and Ethnicity
[O] McIntosh, Peggy. 1988. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible
Knapsack.” http://goo.gl/uHTBX accessed September 3, 2014.
[V] “Louis C.K.: Being White” 2:30 min http://goo.gl/8UumU
[V] “The Power of White Privilege” 3:48 min http://goo.gl/RZHq1
Mon, 11/3
Race and Ethnicity
[S] Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. 2010. "’New Racism,’ Color-Blind Racism, and the
Future of Whiteness in America.” (Pp. 345-361) in Mapping the Social
Landscape, edited by Susan J. Ferguson. McGraw-Hill.
[V] “Institutional Discrimination: The Case of Redlining” 15:55 min
http://goo.gl/ajbwJ
[V] “Laissez-Faire Racism and the Question of Paying Reparations" 9:23 min
http://goo.gl/DxkBj4
Assignment 2 proposal due
Wed, 11/5
Immigration
[T] Jasso, Guillermina et al. 2012. “Immigration.” (Pp. 318-331)
[V] “Drop the ‘I’ Word” 2:58 min http://goo.gl/ZoupZv
[V] “Rinku Sen: "Illegal" Word is a Gateway to Racism and Exploitation” 1:13
min http://goo.gl/kO1KM2
Fri, 11/7
Immigration
[T] Jasso, Guillermina et al. 2012. “Immigration.” (Pp. 332-347)
[V] “Assimilation and 30 Years of Immigration Policy” 18:56 min
http://goo.gl/RLuODU
Mon, 11/10
Immigration
Wed, 11/12
Gender
[T] England, Paula. 2012 “Gender and Sexuality.” (Pp. 292-304)
[V] “Feminist Adventure Time: A Primer on the Three Waves” 8:10 min
http://goo.gl/hvGdgD
Fri, 11/14
Gender
[V] “Do Men Really Earn More than Women?” 14:42 min http://goo.gl/TVEfn
[V] “Gender Binary, Gender Baggage” 4:37 min http://goo.gl/JKGWhV
Mon, 11/17
Gender
6|Page
[S] Hooks, Bell. 2004. “Understanding Patriarchy” in The Will to Change: Men,
Masculinity, and Love. Washington Square Press.
[V] “Katie Makkai – Pretty” 3:29 min http://goo.gl/cOa74
[V] The Clorox Commericals http://goo.gl/YzOME & http://goo.gl/LFL7m
Wed, 11/19
Gender
[O] Sharp, Gwen. 2010. "Women and Street Harassment," Sociological
Images. http://goo.gl/Nm6vl accessed September 1, 2013.
[V] "What Do You Do to Protect Yourself from Sexual Violence?" 4:42 min
http://goo.gl/uGIvG
[V] "Stating Allstate's Sexism" 0:30 min http://goo.gl/tY4W6
[V] “Why Rape Is Sincerely Hilarious” 2:16 min http://goo.gl/wpEsUW
Fri, 11/21
Sexuality
[T] England, Paula. 2012 “Gender and Sexuality.” (Pp. 305-317)
[V] “Understanding Hookup Culture” 6:22 min http://goo.gl/HHkkL
Mon, 11/24
Sexuality
[S] Wilchens, Riki. 2004. “Homosexuality: Foucault and the Politics of Self.” in
Queer Theory, Gender Theory. (Pp. 47-57) Alyson Books.
[V] “Social Inequalities: Sex and Sexuality” 3:33 min http://goo.gl/6s4lc3
Wed, 11/26
Sexuality
[S] Katz, Judith H. 1997. "Heterosexual privilege: Owning My Advantage,
Uncovering My Collusion." in Cultural Diversity at Work, Vol. 10, No. 2.
[V] “When Did You Decide to become Straight?” 3:00 min http://goo.gl/j9jos8
Assignment 2 due.
“Rated R for Racism: The Motion Picture Rating Assignment”
Fri, 11/28
No class! Thanksgiving Break!
COURSEEVALUM FALL 2014
Your participation in the evaluation of courses through CourseEvalUM is a responsibility you
hold as a student member of our academic community. Your feedback is confidential and
important to the improvement of teaching and learning at the university as well as to the tenure
and promotion process. The dates CourseEvalUM will be open for you to complete your
evaluations will be announced in class. Once announced, please go directly to the website
(www.courseevalum.umd.edu) to complete your evaluations. By completing all of your
evaluations each semester, you will have the privilege of being able to access the evaluation
reports on Testudo for the thousands of courses for which 70% or more students submitted their
evaluations.
7|Page
Mon, 12/1
Families and Family Life
[T] Gerson, Kathleen. 2012. “Families and Family Life.” (Pp. 348-363)
[V] “Single and Unequal” 5:16 min http://goo.gl/ghlmw
Wed, 12/3
Families and Family Life
[T] Gerson, Kathleen. 2012. “Families and Family Life.” (Pp. 364-377)
[V] “Concerted Cultivation and Slow Parenting” 11:26 min http://goo.gl/kPbGe2
Fri, 12/5
Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
[T] Duster, Troy et al. 2012. “Crime, Deviance, and Social Control.” (Pp. 442463)
[V] “Norms, Laws, and Driving while Deviant” 1:14 min http://goo.gl/LT3t5
[V] “Doing Nothing: A Public Deviance” 4:55 min http://goo.gl/dahkv
Mon, 12/8
Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
[T] Duster, Troy et al. 2012. “Crime, Deviance, and Social Control.” (Pp. 464473)
[V] “The Embarrassing Problems with U.S. Prisons” 17:42 min
http://goo.gl/isAlpq
Wed, 12/10
Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
Fri, 12/12
Final Review
Thur, 12/18 Final Exam, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., location TBA
8|Page
GRADING
Class Participation
Chapter Quizzes & Pop Quizzes
Assignments
1. Developing a Sociological Imagination
2. Rated R for Racism
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Points
200
200
Percent
20%
20%
200
200
100
100
20%
20%
10%
10%
Final Grades will be based on the total points received out of 1,000 possible points. Letter grades
will be determined based on the following distributions:
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
970+ points
930-969 points
900-929 points
870-899 points
830-869 points
800-829 points
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
770-799 points
730-769 points
700-729 points
670-699 points
630-669 points
600-629 points
599 points or less
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Participation (20%)
In order to encourage you to get the most out of this class, I have designed the class so that
20% of your grade is based on how well you participate in class discussions. For those of you
who do not have an opportunity to respond to the readings during lecture, you can participate
in other ways. Examples include meeting with me outside of class, submitting your thoughts
to the class discussion board, emailing me your thoughts about a topic, and tweeting me a
link to an article that relates to a relevant topic.
Reading Quizzes and Pop Quizzes (20%)
After completing many of your assigned readings, you will be expected to log on to Canvas
to complete a short reading quiz. In addition to the reading quizzes, teaching assistants will
occasionally administer an unannounced quiz during the regular time your discussion section
meets on Friday. There will be a total of 7 unannounced quizzes given during the semester.
Assignment 1 — Developing a Sociological Imagination (20%)
Details are posted on Canvas
Assignment 2 — Rated R for Racism: The Motion Picture Rating Assignment (20%)
9|Page
Details are posted on Canvas
Midterm Exam (10%)
Final Exam (10%)
CLASS CONDUCT
Electronic Devices:
 handheld devices. Please turn off all cell phones and handheld devices before you
enter the classroom. If you use a handheld device to take notes for class, please
request permission from me and your TA before class begins.

laptops/tablets. You may use a laptop or tablet to take notes and display class-related
content only. Note that content related to this class is not available on Facebook,
Twitter, or Tumblr. If you are caught on a site that does not have class-related
content, you will be asked to leave the classroom.
Be respectful: We will be talking about topics that are often hotly debated and controversial.
It is important to me that our classroom remains a place where each of us is able to
comfortably express ideas. Please be respectful toward other people and their viewpoints.
Be responsible: Please come to class on time, bring a copy of the assigned readings with
you, and be prepared to discuss the readings.
Absences: Multiple absences will reflect negatively on your classroom participation grade.
Any assignment due on the day of an absence from class must be turned in to me by email or
by another classmate before the start of class. A late assignment will be marked down one
letter for each day it is late. Exams cannot be made up so make sure you are here and on
time.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a university documented disability (or suspect that you might), please inform me
of such by the second class meeting so I can make any appropriate and necessary
arrangements.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
As a student at the University of Maryland, you are expected to adhere to the University’s
honor code. I will not tolerate academic dishonesty of any kind. Your work in this course
should be your own, and if I suspect any form of academic dishonesty, I will refer you to the
University’s Student Honor Council. One consequence of academic dishonesty is that you
will receive a grade of ‘XF’ (failure due to Academic Dishonesty). The following constitute
the violations of the University’s Code of Academic Dishonesty:
 Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or
study aids in any academic exercise.
10 | P a g e



Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as
one’s own in any academic exercise. Cite everything!
Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or
citation in any academic exercise.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to
help another to violate any provision of this Code (http://bit.ly/9YAtDB).
11 | P a g e