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Introduction to Sociology: SYG 1000-03
TR 3:35 - 4:50 pm, HCB 210
Florida State University, Spring 2014
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Instructor: Hernan Ramirez, Ph.D.
Office: Bellamy 516
Office Hours: TR 5:00 - 6:00 pm and by appointment
Email: hramirez@fsu.edu
Phone: (850) 644-6416 (main office)
Course Description
What is sociology and how does a sociological analysis contribute to a critical
understanding of ourselves, other individuals, groups, institutions, and society more
generally? In this class, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of sociology,
including research topics and issues, theories, and methodologies. By developing your
sociological imagination, you will gain an understanding of how history, culture,
individuals, and institutions intersect in the shaping of your own experiences, life
chances, and identities, as well as those of other individuals and groups in society.
Throughout the semester, we will explore a number of macro and micro sociological
perspectives and focus on the basic findings of empirical research studies in a wide range
of areas traditionally examined by sociologists. We will look at the roles that variables
such as race/ethnicity, gender, and social class - as well as institutions such as the family,
education, and the media - play in shaping our own lives and the larger society in which
we live. We will critically examine the taken-for-granted world in order to illuminate
how social norms, values, roles, and large-scale social structures and institutions impact
our location in society and the world around us.
Course Goals and Objectives
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
(1) Identify and explain key sociological concepts, including the dominant
theoretical perspectives and major research methods used in sociological research;
(2) Apply sociological concepts and theories to real-world situations and current
events;
(3) Critically examine how large-scale social institutions such as the family,
education, work, politics, and religion shape our lives and the society in which we
live;
(4) Demonstrate your comprehension of the material through class discussion, inclass assessments, and written assignments.
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Required Texts
• Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum, and Deborah Carr.
2014. Introduction to Sociology [9th edition]. New York: W.W. Norton &
Company. (This book is referred to in the class schedule as “Giddens et al.”)
•
Karen Sternheimer. 2010. Everyday Sociology Reader. New York: W.W.
Norton & Company.
Lectures are organized around the required readings, and you are responsible for
completing the reading for each class meeting prior to coming to class. While the
lectures correspond to the readings, I will not go directly over all the material from the
text in class. Do not hesitate to ask questions during class or come see me in office hours
if you do not understand any of the material and would like to discuss it further.
Note: Supplementary readings may be assigned at various points throughout the semester.
Such readings will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard.
Course Requirements
(1) Group Activities: A total of 4 in-class group activities will take place during the
course of the semester. These group activities will be unannounced, so it is
important to attend class regularly and to stay on top of the material. Each
group activity will count for 5% of your final grade (for 20% total). Unless you
have an excused absence, there will be no make-up group activities.
(2) Examinations: Three exams will be given. They may involve some combination of
multiple choice and true/false questions, short answers, and essays. Each exam is
worth 20% of the final grade. The final exam is not cumulative. The exams are
closed-book, in-class exams.
(3) Term Paper: For this assignment, students will write an 8-page paper where they will
relate material from the course – including major concepts, theories, etc. – to their
daily lives. Detailed instructions for this assignment will be presented in class
and posted on Blackboard early in the semester. This assignment will count for
15% of your final grade.
(4) Attendance and Participation: Attendance and participation will count for 5% of your
final grade. Attendance will be checked every class meeting through the use of a
sign-in sheet.
University Attendance Policy: Excused absences include documented illness,
deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or
jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities. These absences
will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who
have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent
children experience serious illness.
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Rubric
Group Activities
20%
Exam 1
20%
Exam 2
20%
Exam 3
20%
Term Paper
15%
Attendance
and Participation
5%
______________________
Total
100%
Grading Scale
Grades for the course will be based on the following scale:
0-59: F
60-62: D63-66: D
67-69: D+
70-72: C77-79: C+
80-82: B83-86: B
87-89: B+
90-92: A-
73-76: C
93-100: A
Liberal Studies Statement
The Liberal Studies Program at Florida State University has been designed to provide a
perspective on the qualities, accomplishments, and aspirations of human beings, the past
and present civilizations we have created, and the natural and technological world we
inhabit. This course has been approved as meeting the requirements for Liberal Studies
Area III, History and Social Science, and in combination with your other Liberal Studies
courses, provides an important foundation for your lifelong quest for knowledge.
Email and Blackboard
The best way to contact me is through email (hramirez@fsu.edu). Make sure to write
“SYG 1000-03” and your name in the subject line. I check my email regularly during the
workweek and do my best to reply to all emails as quickly as possible, but please allow
time for a response. If you email me over the weekend, you can expect a response on
Monday. Please do not email me to let me know that you will be absent, unless, of
course, there is some sort of emergency or illness that will result in missing more than
one class period, for which you should bring documentation. Any questions that require
a lengthy response should be asked not via email but in a face-to-face conversation
during office hours or after class.
All students should activate their FSU email account and check it on a daily basis. This
account will be utilized through the Blackboard platform to notify you of syllabus
changes, send reminders, and/or transmit other class-related information. If there is a
problem logging on to Blackboard or accessing your email account, please notify ACNS
to resolve the situation. (www.cars.acns.fsu.edu)
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Office Hours and Assistance
I encourage you to stop by during office hours to discuss any questions you might have
regarding the course, to chat about issues brought up in class, or if you find yourself
struggling to complete the requirements for the course or not comprehending the
material. If you cannot make it during my regular office hours, please speak with me
before or after class about scheduling an appointment at a time that is convenient for both
of us.
Attendance, Participation, and Classroom Etiquette
Student participation is a vital component of creating a vibrant learning environment.
Therefore, you are expected to attend every class and to come prepared, having done the
reading and ready to discuss it. Students should not only be active participants in class
discussions but should also be active and courteous listeners. We will be discussing
several sensitive social issues in the course, so collegiality and respect are expected of
everyone. The diversity of students’ views adds depth and richness to this course and is
welcomed and valued. Talking over other students, making inflammatory remarks,
yelling, or in any other way disrespecting your fellow students will not be tolerated.
You are expected to arrive in class on time and to remain until we are done for the day.
Please try not to arrive late or to leave early unless it is unavoidable. Also, please make
sure to shut off or silence your cell phone before the start of class, and refrain from using
your cell phone for receiving calls, texting, or any other e-communication during class.
Also, please use your laptop computers only to take notes – not to chat online, check
your email or Facebook, listen to music, play games, or browse the web during class.
All of these activities are disruptive and disrespectful to the instructor and your
classmates. Should it become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to limit or
prohibit the use of laptop computers in the classroom.
Incomplete Grades
Missing work is not a sufficient reason for requesting an incomplete grade. A grade of
incomplete (I) is given only under extenuating circumstances at the instructor’s
discretion. Note that College of Social Science guidelines require that students seeking
an “I” must be passing the course.
Academic Honor Policy
The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University’s
expectations for the integrity of students’ academic work, the procedures for resolving
alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students
and faculty members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the
Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to “. . . be honest and truthful
and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University.”
(Florida State University Academic Honor Policy, found at
http://dof.fsu.edu/honorpolicy.htm.)
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Among other things, this means that all students will avoid any violations of academic
integrity, such as cheating, plagiarism, hiring others to do work, key logging onto another
student’s computer, etc. The penalty for cheating on an exam or other assignment is a
score of “zero” for that particular assignment, which will adversely affect your final
grade.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should:
(1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center;
and (2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what
type. This should be done during the first week of class.
This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.
For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact
the:
Student Disability Resource Center
874 Traditions Way
108 Student Services Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167
(850) 644-9566 (voice)
(850) 644-8504 (TDD)
sdrc@admin.fsu.edu
http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/
Free Tutoring from FSU
For tutoring and writing help in any course at Florida State University, visit the
Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutoring Services’ comprehensive list of tutoring
options - see http://ace.fsu.edu/tutoring or contact tutor@fsu.edu for more information.
High-quality tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. These services
are offered by tutors trained to encourage the highest level of individual academic
success while upholding personal academic integrity.
Syllabus Change Policy
Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading)
statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance
notice.
Tentative Class Schedule
The following dates and topics are tentative and subject to change, depending upon class
progression through the material. Note, however, that the official final exam date and
time (Wednesday, April 30, 12:30 – 2:30 pm) is set by the University and is not subject
to change. This policy cannot be bypassed, so please make any travel plans accordingly.
Reading assignments should be completed before class meetings.
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Weeks 1 & 2: Introduction to Sociology, Theory, and Research
January 7: Introduction to class, first-day attendance
January 9
• Giddens et al. Preface and Chapter 1, “What is Sociology?” (pp 3-21).
• Sternheimer, K. “Thinking Sociologically and Doing Sociology.” Everyday
Sociology Reader. (pp 1-2).
• Mills, C.W. “The Promise.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 3-6).
• Raskoff, S. “Fractals, Theories and Patterns.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 79).
January 14
• Giddens et al. Chapter 2, “Asking and Answering Sociological Questions.” (pp
23-39).
January 16
• Prince Inniss, J. “Matching Research Methods to Research Questions.” Everyday
Sociology Reader. (pp 10-12).
• Wright, B. “Where to Sit: Doing Qualitative Research.” Everyday Sociology
Reader. (pp 13-14).
• Best, J. “Scary Numbers.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 15-22).
Weeks 3-5: The Individual, Groups, Culture, and Society
January 21: Culture from a Sociological Perspective
• Giddens et al. Chapter 3, “Culture and Society.” (pp 43-65).
January 23
• Giddens et al. Chapter 3, “Culture and Society.” (pp 43-65, continued).
• Veblen, T. “Conspicuous Consumption.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 27-30).
• Shor, J. “The Visible Lifestyle: American Symbols of Status.” Everyday
Sociology Reader. (pp 31-37).
• Sternheimer, K. “Reality Life.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 38-39).
• Sternheimer, K. “Beauty Myths and Magazines.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp
13-14).
January 28: Socialization and the Life Course
• Giddens et al. Chapter 4, “Socialization and the Life Cycle.” (pp 67-87).
January 30
• Giddens et al. Chapter 4, “Socialization and the Life Cycle.” (pp 67-87,
continued).
February 4: Social Interaction and the Construction of the Self and Society
• Giddens et al. Ch. 5, “Social Interaction and Everyday Life in the Age of the
Internet.” (pp 89-109).
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•
•
•
Sternheimer, K. “Self and Interaction.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 47-48).
Goffman, E. “[Impression Management].” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 4956).
Raskoff, S. “Stand By Our Man.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 57-58).
February 6
• EXAM 1
Weeks 6-10: Social Inequality
February 11: Social Class and Economic Inequality in the U.S.
• Giddens et al., Ch. 8, “Stratification, Class, and Inequality.” (pp 161-189).
February 13
• Sternheimer, K. “Stratification.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 119-127).
• Perrucci, R. and E. Wysong. “Class in America.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp
135-148).
• Raskoff, S. “The Disaster of Homelessness.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp
168-170).
• Ehrenreich, B. “White-collar Downward Mobility.” Everyday Sociology Reader.
(pp 257-259).
February 18: Economic Inequality in a Global Perspective
• Giddens et al., Ch. 9, “Global Inequality.” (pp 191-211).
February 20: Gender and Gender Inequality
• Giddens et al., Ch. 10, “Gender Inequality.” (pp 213-241).
February 25
• Sternheimer, K. “Gender and Sexuality.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 173174).
• West, C., and D. H. Zimmerman. “Doing Gender.” Everyday Sociology Reader.
(pp 175-182).
• Raskoff, S. “Does Finger Size Reveal Sexual Orientation?” Everyday Sociology
Reader (pp 168-170).
February 27: Race and Ethnicity
• Giddens et al., Ch 11. “Ethnicity and Race.” (pp 243-267).
March 4
• Giddens et al., Ch 11. “Ethnicity and Race.” (pp 243-267, continued).
• Prince Inniss, J. “Class and Race.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 149-153)
March 6
• Sternheimer, K. “Race and Ethnicity.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 209-210).
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•
Omi, M. and H. Winant. “Constructing Race.” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp
211-224).
March 11 & 13: SPRING BREAK (No class)
March 18
• Prince Inniss, J. “Black and White or Rainbow Colors: Tiger Woods and the
‘One-Drop-Rule.’” Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 225-226).
• Le, C.N. “Racial Tensions and Living in a Color-Blind Society.” Everyday
Sociology Reader (pp 227-228).
March 20
• EXAM 2
Weeks 11-15: Institutional Arrangements and the Shaping of Society
March 25: Government and Social Change
• Giddens et al. Ch. 13. “Government, Political Power, and Social Movements.” (pp
295-311 only)
March 27: The Sociology of Labor and the Economy
• Giddens et al. Ch. 14. “Work and Economic Life.” (pp 329-363).
• Wright, B. “Getting a Job: Weak Social Ties and Online Connections.” Everyday
Sociology Reader. (pp. 260-261).
April 1
• Giddens et al. Ch. 14. “Work and Economic Life.” (pp 329-363, continued).
April 3: The Sociology of Family Life
• Giddens et al. Ch. 15. “Families and Intimate Relationships.” (pp 365-393).
• TERM PAPER due at the start of class
April 8
• Giddens et al. Ch. 15. “Families and Intimate Relationships.” (pp 365-393,
continued).
April 10: The Sociology of Education
• Giddens et al. Ch. 16 “Education.” (pp 395-419).
• Kozol, J. “Hitting Them Hardest When They’re Small.” Everyday Sociology
Reader. (pp 262-273)
April 15
• Giddens et al. Ch. 16 “Education.” (pp 395-419, continued).
April 17: The Sociology of Religion
• Giddens et al. Ch. 17. “Religion in Modern Society.” (pp 421-453).
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•
Stanczak, G.C. “Bridging the Gap: The Split between Spirituality and Society.”
Everyday Sociology Reader. (pp 276-291).
April 22: Urbanization in a Global Society
• Giddens et al. Ch. 19. “Urbanization, Population and the Environment.” (pp 491515 only).
April 24
• Catch-up and Course Wrap-Up
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
• EXAM 3 (FINAL EXAM)
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