Sociology 1101 N/O
Introduction to Sociology
FALL 2013
2:30 p.m. –3:45 T/R
AH N126
Instructor:
Office Phone:
E-mail:
Office:
Office Hours:
Ms. Lisa Smoot
(706) 737-1735/(706) 250-1842
lsmoot@aug(gru).edu
SH 1064
Office Hours 4:00 PM-5:00 PM (TR) and by appointment
Introduction to the Course:
Sociology is the study of symbolically created relationships. Have you ever wondered why there is inequality
within our society or how society shapes who we are and what relationships are developed? This is a form of sociological
thinking!
This course is designed to introduce students to the various sociological perspectives and recognizing the
importance of using the sociological imagination to study/explain various social, political and economic plethoras in
regards to social structures, social forces and group relations. In the coming weeks we will examine issues such as
inequality, socialization, poverty and race relations—in regards to the overall structure of society).
This course will rely on lectures, discussions, in-class activities, and videos. Class lectures and assigned readings
are informative yet to understand the entire premise of this course discussions, activities and videos will help you fully
grasp the sociological form of thinking but be able to recognize these relationships in all facets of your daily live(s). This
course focuses on sociological terms and concepts. However, the main objective is for students to be able to use the basic
concepts as interpretive tools. Students will be expected to apply the terms and concepts to assigned readings, class
discussions and videos.
This class is NOT a lecture based class. To me, the study of sociology is more than learning key terms and
memorizing facts. To truly see how sociology operates in our lives, one must be willing to think critically about society
and current events. Thus, I usually will not lecture but will ask questions and expect students to respond and engage not
only myself but other classmates in discussion. I assume that students have read
the assigned material before class and will come prepared to discuss. My goal is for students to engage their sociological
imaginations in order to understand how their lives have been shaped. The textbook will be used to supplement critical
sociological concepts and to facilitate more in-depth conversations in class as well as on exams.
Required Text(s): A Brief Introduction: Sociology
By Richard T. Schaefer
Course Requirements and Evaluation
Attendance and participation
Reading Response Papers (total 3)
Other Assignments (pop quizzes, etc.)
Research/Project
Exams - 3
TOTAL POINTS
GRADING SCALE:
50
30
130
150
150
510
459-510= A
408-458= B
357-407= C
306-356= D
305-BELOW= F
Attendance and participation:
Your attendance and participation in class discussions will be an important element in regards to this course and
each student should come prepared to take part. Attendance and participation will consist of fifty points of your overall
course grade. I believe that students that attend and actively participate in class will get more out of this course. I
understand that not all students are comfortable in class discussions so this grade will also based on attendance. Tardiness
is not accepted and if a student is more than 15 minutes late for class, they will be marked absent for that day.
Excessive tardiness and absences will be detrimental to the participation grade, as will inappropriate in-class behavior
(disruptive comments, sleeping, reading newspapers, doing homework from other courses--and cell phones-- (turn them
OFF when you come in the door). If you miss, three days or more it is up to my discretion to drop you from the
course.
Reading Response Papers:
Students will be required to complete 3 reading response papers based on supplemental readings/materials. You
may include information from lectures, textbook readings and videos to display your knowledge of the material. They
must be turned in as stated on the syllabus calendar. The guidelines for these papers will be in a separate handout posted
on D2L.
**************No late reading response papers will be accepted**************
Project/Research:
Limit of four persons per group (unless approved by instructor). Sociology is about people and the relationship
between people within society. This project requires you to direct a 15-20 minute script (scene, movie) utilizing the
concepts/themes we have discussed in class. The team will be graded as an entirety—meaning if someone is not actively
participating or contributing to the group inform the instructor of concerns/issues. Instructor must approve your topics
before starting research. Grading will be based on a paper and presentation/performance.
Examples:
Media/Body Image (How do I look?) – How a females/males self perception is/can be shaped by that of
society—the media, diet fads—etc.
Gender Roles/Sexuality (Not Wearing Pink) - How an athletic female is teased because she is not conforming to the
traditional gender roles placed upon her by society. Instead of wearing dresses and high heels she decides to wear baggy
pants and long shirts—causing people to question her sexuality/identity as a female.
These are my ideas and are only examples of what you may create. Be creative and remember sociology is fun—
embrace it.
(Guidelines on requirements will be given out in another handout)
Exams:
There will be three exams online (D2L). Exam questions will be drawn from assigned readings, videos, class
discussions and lectures. Exams will be open on scheduled date(s) from 9:00 am- 11:55 pm. If you miss the scheduled
time—THE EXAM WILL NOT BE REOPENED. The exam(s) will be forced completion- meaning, that once the
exam is open you are not allowed to close or reopen it.
In-Class Assignments:
Assignments must be typed, not hand-written, and you must complete every assignment in order to pass the
course. Further, all assignments must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day on which the assignment is due.
Any assignments handed in after their deadlines will be penalized 10 percent off the overall grade. In addition, papers
must be Times New Roman 12 font, doubled spaced, and must be stapled! If these rules are not followed, the
assignments will be deducted one-point for each page/each offense.
D2L Assignments:
Students must submit assignments through Desire2Learn as directed. Emailed assignments will NOT BE
ACCEPTED UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED BY INSTRUCTOR-THEY WILL BE DELETED AND THE
STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A “0” FOR NOT FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!
In Class/homework assignments:
In and out of class homework assignments will be assigned during various times in the semester. Homework will
be discussed in class. In class assignments will usually consist of your response to a reading, a chapter of the book, a
movie, or a group project that will be completed in class and require a paper to be written. In class assignments will not be
listed and credit will only be given to students who are either University excused or in class that day.
Extra Credit:
There will be ample extra credit opportunities! Since there are many opportunities please do not ask me at the end
of the semester if I can give you extra points so your final grade will be higher or if there will be any more extra credit. I
suggest that you complete at least one extra credit assignment. If you are missing more than two regular assignments it is
up to my discretion on whether to allow your extra credit points to be counted.
Academic Honesty:
Students enrolled in this class are responsible for knowing and abiding by the University's Student Conduct Code,
particularly as it pertains to academic dishonesty. Students who violate the University's code of academic honesty and
integrity run the risk of failing this course.
DATE:
TOPIC:
Reading/ Assignments:
T 8/20
Introduction
Read Syllabus
R 8/22
T 8/27
R 8/29
T 9/3
What is Sociology?
RACE MATTERS
CRASH
CRASH
R 9/5
T 9/10
R 9/12
T 9/17
R 9/19
T 9/24
R 9/26
T 10/1
R 10/3
T 10/8
R 10/10
T 10/15
R 10/17
T 10/22
R 10/24
T 10/29
R 10/31
T 11/5
R 11/7
T 11/12
Gender/Age
Gender/Age
“You don’t know Dick”
REVIEW
TEST 1
Deviance
R 11/14
T 11/19
R 11/21
T 11/26
R 11/28
T 12/3
R 12/5
Presentations
Presentations
Syllabus Quiz
Socialization
Family
Review
Project Day/Test 2
Mass Media
Mass Media
Video
Review
Test 3
All Research Papers Due!!!!
Thanksgiving Holiday
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
NOTE: Students must ALSO be aware of assignments posted and due through WebCT. There is also a calendar posted
online to assist you with these dates/assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to check D2L daily for assignments
and announcements.
IMPORTANT DATES:
October 14, 2012 (Mid-term)
November 27-28 (Thanksgiving Break)
December 05, 2013 (Classes End)
Student Contract
I have read the entire syllabus and understand all rules and regulations set forth by Ms. Smoot. Please also understand that
the items listed within the syllabus can be changed at anytime by Ms. Smoot. This contract must be signed and returned
to Ms. Smoot after it is read in its entirety by August 30, 2012.
(POSTED IN D2L for grade- do not bring to class—submit via D2L)
___________________________________
Printed Name
___________________________________
Signature
________________________
Date