Introduction to Sociology (SOC 101)
Course Syllabus
Union County College Fall 2007
Professor Nicole Stokes-DuPass, MA, MPS
Instructor, Psychology & Sociology Department
My email: teachingsoc@yahoo.com
(Please note: Email is the best way to contact me!)
My Website: http://faculty.ucc.edu/psysoc-stokes/
Class Meetings & Location:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Tuesdays & Thursdays Room: MLH
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
MacKay Library 3rd Floor Room L- 303A (Beginning 9/11/07)
Required Texts:
1)
Shepard, Jon. Sociology -Most recent Edition
(Available at the Campus Bookstore)
2)
Selected Articles (Provided by Instructor)
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the field of Sociology. This course is designed to provide an
introduction to major sociological principles including the theoretical perspectives utilized in Sociology as a science. This
course will examine a number of socially relevant topics including, how social class and power are manifested in American
society and how social norms and deviant behavior are socially constructed and expressed. We will also discuss the effects of
race, ethnicity and gender in our society. This course is by no means an attempt to expose the student to every aspect of the
field. Rather, it is designed to encourage the student to make initial inquiries about how and why our society works and their
role within it.
The primary goal of this course is to establish an interplay of information between the instructor and the student, therefore
active and insightful class participation are strongly encouraged. Class lectures will highlight important aspects of the
required texts and supplemental materials, but will not serve as a replacement for reading the materials yourself. The
instructor also reserves the right to incorporate supplemental materials during class lectures that will serve to enhance the
required readings.
The Role of the Instructor:
My goal for this class is to utilize a number of teaching methodologies, including seminar discussion, lecture format and
group work. My vision for this class is to establish an active dialogue about how the study of Sociology is relevant to all
individuals as participants in the social world. I see my role in this dialogue as a facilitator, which means I will simply guide
our discussion not dominate it. Your knowledge and life experiences will play an integral part in our mutual understanding of
these concepts. Therefore, I expect all students to be prepared for class by completing the scheduled readings BEFORE class.
Your cooperation in these areas will be critical for us to achieve the above objectives.
Examinations & Grading Policy:
There will be chapter quizzes, a midterm exam and a final exam at the end of the semester. The questions for the
examinations will be derived from the required text, articles and class lectures. Each exam will consists of a combination of
multiple choice and short essay questions. Review for the exam will be done on a daily basis during class lectures. A review
session for the final exam will be scheduled for the last week of classes. You and your classmates will determine the quantity
and quality of the reviews sessions by asking questions about the readings as we discuss the material.
Generally, there will be NO make-ups for missed assignments or examinations and I DO NOT allow for extra credit
work in lieu of missed assignments, exams or quizzes. If you have a valid reason for missing an assignment or
examination, then arrangements for a make-up must be arranged with me at least two weeks PRIOR to the scheduled
exam date. Failure to do so will result in your receiving a failing grade for the missed assignment or examination.
ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.
Your final grade will be based on a cumulative average the following grades:
Grading Scale:
Midterm Examination
Average of three (3) quiz grades
Final Exam Grade
Attendance/Lateness Points
average
93% and Above =
92-87%
=
86-81%
=
80-75%
=
A
B+
B
C+
74-70%
69-67%
66-65%
64% or below
C
D+
D
F
= 1/3 of final grade
= 1/3 of final grade
= 1/3 of final grade
10 points added into cumulative
Grading Example:
Midterm Exam
Quiz Average
Final Exam
Attendance/Participation
Final average
(79+87+85+10=261) (261/3= 87)
79
87
85
10
=
=
=
=
87 = B+
Please note ALL of the following policies and procedures:
The instructor reserves the right to increase or decrease the cumulative test average by a maximum of five points for
satisfactory or unsatisfactory class performance, attendance and overall participation.
The instructor also reserves the right to utilize unannounced or “pop” quizzes as a measurement of whether or not the weekly
readings have been completed by students.
Attendance/ Lateness Policy:
Attendance at every class is critical to understanding the material covered and to ensure adequate preparation for the
examinations. However, in accordance with the college policy, if you miss six classes or more, I reserve the right to
withdraw you from the class or lower your final grade one full letter grade. It is important to note that I will take attendance
at the beginning and at the end of class. Therefore, leaving early without a valid excuse WILL count as an absence from class
for the day.
It is entirely YOUR responsibility to obtain any missed notes and assignments. DO NOT email me for missed classwork. YOU must make arrangements with your classmates to obtain missed notes/ announcements.
More than Five (5) absences will result in a loss of all attendance points for the semester
Attendance points are distributed as follows: Perfect attendance = Ten (10) points added into the cumulative course average;
1-5 absences = Five (5) points into the cumulative course average.
Excessive lateness WILL NOT be tolerated because it is disruptive to both the instructor and the other students. I understand
that there are situations beyond our control, and if you must be late on a regular basis, please see me about it. Otherwise, I
expect everyone to arrive to class on-time.
Every three (3) lateness will equal one (1) absence for the course
Withdrawal Policy:
If you would like to withdraw from the class beyond the college “Add/ drop Period,” please see me about the procedure to do
so. I also reserve the right to withdraw you for poor attendance, disruptive or disrespectful behavior.
According to the college calendar, October 31, 2007 is the last day to withdraw from all Fall 2007 classes.
Policy on Academic Integrity:
In accordance with the college policy, plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in
this course and may result in any of the following actions: failing grade in the course, academic probation and/ or academic
dismissal. Please refer to your current Student Handbook for further details on this and other academic policies.
My policy is simple. If you cheat on a quiz, exam, or paper, including asking students from other or previous
sections for the questions for exams, buying/ selling or otherwise stealing material from the Internet or past
exams, once, you fail the assignment and cannot revise it. If you are guilty of a second act of academic dishonesty,
you fail the course. Additional consequences can include censure, suspension, or dismissal from the College.
Policy on Students with Disabilities:
In accordance with ADA legislation, qualified students with disabilities will be offered appropriate and reasonable
accommodations for this course. These accommodations MUST be formally arranged through the UCC Coordinator of
Disability Services. It is the responsibility of the student to make his/her needs known to the office/agent above. Once these
arrangements have been made, written confirmation MUST be submitted to the instructor by no later than the beginning of
the 2nd week of classes. Individuals with concerns regarding accommodation should contact the UCC Coordinator of
Disability Services at (908) 709-7164. Students who do not follow this protocol WILL NOT receive accommodations in this
course.
Student Resources:
This course will require a significant amount of reading and writing, therefore I strongly encourage all students to make use
of the Academic Learning Center for proofreading papers or for assistance with the mechanics of writing PRIOR to the
quizzes, exams. Your tuition dollars pay for these and other services, therefore it is in your best interest to “get what you or
your parents pay for.” The Academic Learning Center offers tutorial assistance in most courses, skills workshops and a
myriad of other services. They are located on the first floor of the MacKay Library or via web at
http://www.ucc.edu/academiclearning
SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS:
Week One
9/4 & 9/6
Review of Course Syllabus & Introductory concepts: What
is Sociology? What is the sociological perspective & why
do we believe what we believe?
Assignment: Due 9/6
Read Shepard Chapter 1
Assignment: Due 9/11
Read Shepard Chapter 2
Week Two
9/11& 9/13
What are the theoretical perspectives? How do sociologists
do research? Why do they do research?
Assignment: Due 9/18
Read Shepard Chapter 3
Quiz # 1 on 9/18
(Shepard 1 & 2)
Week Three
9/18
Quiz # 1 on (Shepard Chapter 1 & 2)
Assignment: Due 9/25
Read Shepard Chapter 4
Film: “National Geographic: Cultural Taboos”
9/20
Week Four
9/25 & 9/27
What is Culture? What are the Dimensions of Culture?
What are roles, norms and sanctions?
What is Socialization and How does it happen? Theoretical
perspectives on Socialization
Assignment: Due 10/2
Finish Shepard Chapter 4 & Begin
Chapter 5
Quiz # 2 on 10/4
(Shepard Chapter 3-4)
Week Five
10/2
Socialization Continued
10/4
Quiz # 2 Today (Shepard Chapter 3-4)
Assignment: Due 10/9
Read Shepard Chapter 5
Film: “PBS: Milgram Experiment in Group Authority ”
Week Six
10/9 & 10/11
Week Seven
10/16 & 10/18
Social Structure and Society. What are status, roles and
obligations? What is the relationship between social
structure and culture?
Groups and Organizations. What are primary and
secondary groups? How are group roles and obligations
constructed and maintained?
Assignment: Due 10/16
Read Shepard Chapter 6
Assignment: Due 10/23
Begin Shepard Chapter 7 & Prepare
for midterm exam
Midterm Examination on 10/25
(Shepard Chapter 1-6)
Week Eight
10/23
Groups and Organizations Continued
10/25
Midterm Exam (Shepard Chapter 1-6)
Week Nine
10/30 & 11/1
Week Ten
11/6 &
Deviance and Social Control. How is deviance socially
constructed? How do we create and enforce social control?
Theoretical perspectives on Deviance. Cross- cultural
approaches to Crime Control.
Deviance Continued
11/8
Social Stratification/ Social Inequality.
-- How does stratification work? Systems of stratification
domestically and internationally. Theoretical perspectives
on stratification
Week Eleven
11/13 & 11/15
Social Stratification/ Social Inequality Continued
The nature of wealth and want in the U.S.
- What is Poverty? How has the U.S. addressed poverty in
terms of social policy?
- Why is welfare so unpopular in the U.S.?
Week Twelve
11/20
Quiz # 3 Today (Shepard Chapter 7-8)
Assignment: Due 10/30
Finish Shepard Chapter 7
Assignment: Due 11/6
Read Shepard Chapter 8
Assignment: Due 11/13
Read Wilson Article & Begin
reading Shepard Chapter 9
Assignment: Due 11/20
Finish Chapter 9
Quiz # 3 on 11/20
(Shepard Chapter 7-8)
Assignment: Due 11/27
Begin Shepard Chapter 10 &
Hoschild Article
Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity. What are race and
ethnicity? How are race and ethnicity constructed and
manifested in our society?
11/22
Week Thirteen
11/27
11/29
College Closed: No Classes Held- Fall Recess/
Thanksgiving
Race and Ethnicity Continued
Inequalities of Gender & Sex Discrimination. What is the
difference between Sex and Gender? Nature vs. Nurture
Debate on Gender. Discussion of Gender Roles and Gender
Identity.
Assignment: Due 12/4
Read Shepard Chapter 12
Week Fourteen
12/4 & 12/6
Inequalities of Gender & Sex Discrimination Continued
Assignment: Due 12/11
Read Shepard Chapter 12
Film: “Cover to Cover: Not an Ordinary Marriage”
Week Fifteen
12/11 & 12/13
The Family: Initiation into Society. Marriage and family.
The family life cycle and trends in the U.S. family
Assignment: Due 12/13
Prepare 5 questions each for Final
Exam Review
Week Sixteen
12/13
Last Class: Final Exam Review
Assignment: Due 12/15
Study, Study, Study!!!!
12/15-12/21
Final Exam week
Final Exam Date & Time TBA
(Shepard Chapters 7-10 & 12 plus
all articles and films)