Cincinnati Christian University
Foster School of Biblical Studies, Arts & Sciences
Introductory Sociology
Fall 2013
SOCI 110 01
3 semester credit hours
Mon, Wed & Fri, 1:30-2:20pm
Room PH 105
Steve Skaggs, Campus Box #2
Director, The John A. Wilson Center for Urban and Global Outreach
Email: Steve.Skaggs@CCUniversity.edu
Phone: (513) 244-8456 Office: WM 133
CCU Catalog Course Description
An overview of significant theories and issues in the study of human social behavior. Special attention will be
given to ways in which sociological theory may be applied in Christian life and ministry.
Course Rationale
Part of the mission of this school is to equip and empower students in order to “impact society for Christ.”
Certainly an important part of this is to attempt to understand how societies are organized, how they function and
how they change. Early sociology was developed in the midst of dramatic changes taking place in western
societies as those societies industrialized. Some sociologists sought to explain the way that society functioned
while being as objective as possible. Others thought sociology could provide many answers to improve society.
As Christians we bring a unique perspective when we study sociology. This course will help each student gain a
better understanding of human society and will challenge the student to consider the proper role of the church
and the individual Christian as they seek to impact society.
Objectives
Learn basic sociological terms, concepts and theoretical approaches.
Understand how to think from a sociological perspective, learning to see not only one’s individual
predicament but the larger social structure of which one is a part.
3. Understand varying perspectives on the proper role of the church in society and begin to determine your own
position on this important issue.
4. Consider during the course how sociological research can inform, enhance, and challenge the ministry of the
church.
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Required Reading
Croteau, David and William Hoynes. 2013. Experience Sociology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Companion
Web Site:
Corbett, Steve and Brian Fikkert. 2009. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor
and Yourself. Chicago: Moody Publishers.
Class Assignments
The Sociological Perspective
Week 1—26-30 August
Monday—Review Syllabus
Ch 1 Experience Sociology—The Sociological Perspective (begin)
Week 2—2-6 September
Monday— NO CLASS , Labor Day
Ch 1 Experience Sociology—The Sociological Perspective (conclusion)
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Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #1, Reading Report—Ch 1, & Moodle Test
Sociology’s Core Concepts
Week 3—9-13 September
Ch 2 Experience Sociology—Understanding the Research Process
Friday: Bring Research Article to Class
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #2, Reading Report—Ch 2, & Moodle Test
Week 4—16-20 September
Ch 3 Experience Sociology—Culture (begin)
Week 5—23-27 September
Ch 3 & 14b Experience Sociology—Culture (conclusion), Consumer Culture (p 392-401), and “Christ
and Culture”
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal#3, Reading Report—Ch 3, & Moodle Test
Week 6—30 September-4 October
Ch 4 Experience Sociology—Social Structure
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #4, Reading Report—Ch 4, & Moodle Test
The Social Self
Week 7—7-11 October
Ch 5 Experience Sociology—Power
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #5, Reading Report—Ch 5, & Moodle Test
Week 8—14-18 October
Ch 6 Experience Sociology—Socialization
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #6, Reading Report—Ch 6, & Moodle Test
Identity and Inequality
Week 9—21-25 October
Ch 7 Experience Sociology—Interaction, Groups, and Organizations
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #7, Reading Report—Ch 7, & Moodle Test
Week 10—28 October-1 November
Ch 9 Experience Sociology—Class & Global Inequality (begin)
Social Institutions & Social Issues
Week 11—4 November-8 November
Ch 9 Experience Sociology—Class & Global Inequality (conclusion)
Due Friday: Book Review When Helping Hurts
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #8, Reading Report—Ch 9, & Moodle Test
Week 12—11-15 November
Ch 10 Experience Sociology—Race & Ethnicity (begin)
Friday—NO CLASS, International Conference on Missions, Kansas City
Week 13—18-22 November
Ch 10 Experience Sociology—Race & Ethnicity (conclusion)
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #9, Reading Report—Ch 10, & Moodle Test
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Thanksgiving Break —No Class 25-29 November
Week 14—2-6 December
Ch 12 Experience Sociology—Family & Religion
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #10, Reading Report—Ch 12, & Moodle Test
Week 15—9-13 December
Ch 13a Experience Sociology—Education (p345-362)
Due by MIDNIGHT SATURDAY on Moodle: Journal #11, Reading Report—Ch 13a, & Moodle Test
(Note special instructions for final journal entry below.)
Grading Procedures
Grades will be assigned based upon the school’s grading scale . Your grade will be made up of the following
components:
Chapter Tests
25%
Reading Assignments
10%
Book Review
15%
Journal
25%
Digging Deeper Assignments
25%
Chapter Tests
Chapter tests will be composed primarily of matching and multiple choice questions. Tests will cover the
material in the designated chapter as well as information that we discuss during class related to that chapter.
Each of these tests will be available on Moodle on the week indicated, opening early in the week. Note that
tests will close at MIDNIGHT on SATURDAY of the week they are listed on the syllabus schedule. Tests
are open book and open note but are timed, so you should prepare for the tests before taking them—you will not
have time to look up answers. Once the test closes you may not make up the test.
Reading Assignments
Reading each chapter is essential to doing well in this class. Not only do you receive a grade for reading
but reading is important for participating in class discussion and for doing well on chapter tests. Begin reading
each chapter in preparation for our first class on that chapter, and make sure you have completed it well before
the chapter test. You will report your chapter reading on Moodle. Note that the reading report forms will
close on Moodle at MIDNIGHT on SATURDAY of the week that they are listed on the syllabus schedule.
Failure to report reading on Moodle by the deadline will, without exception, result in a zero reading grade for that
week.
Book Review
Write a 3-4 page (minimum 3 full pages) response paper to When Helping Hurts, due in class on Friday,
November 8th. Be prepared to discuss the book in class on that date as well. Balance summarizing the content
of the book with assessing and responding to the author’s arguments. Further information on the assignment and
grading rubric are on the cover sheet for this assignment which must be completed and stapled to the front of
your paper (cover sheet on course Moodle site). Book Reviews turned in after that date will be penalized 10
points per day.
Journal
The journal is to help you organize your thoughts as you consider the key issues that we will discuss this
semester in light of your faith. Here’s what your journal entries should contain:
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First consider the key things you have learned in this chapter reading and lectures related to this chapter.
Keep your list down to the top 2-3 things.
Second, you should use the journal to react to the information presented in the section. As an individual,
a citizen and a Christian, how do you respond to the issues that are raised?
Third, you should consider what action you as an individual Christian or the Christian community
collectively take as a result of what you learned in this section?
Finally, over the semester there are a few question I hope you will keep in mind and explore:
 What does sociology have to offer the church? What do those of faith have to offer to sociology?
 What is the proper role of the church in society?
Your journal should be typed as a Word document, saved, then uploaded to Moodle. Entries should be at least
one double spaced typed page in length. Less than a page may result in an automatic grade deduction, but quality
as well as quantity will be considered for your journal grade. Each journal should be labeled (single space the
label) with your name, the date and journal entry number (see schedule) on the top right hand corner of each
page. Each journal is due SATURDAY at MIDNIGHT on the week indicated in the schedule. Journal entries
will not be accepted after the due date.
Special instructions for Journal #11: The final journal assignment will be 2-3 pages long and will summarize
what you have learned in the semester. Include answers to the following questions:
 What has been most important to you in the course? What are the things that you have learned that are
most relevant to your ministry/career goals?
 Give your final answers to the questions that I asked you to ponder over the semester (see above).
 What do you plan to do about what you have learned over the course? As you consider what you
can/should do, reflect on both your current situation, as well as your future career/ministry.
 What should the church do about the social problems and other issues raised in class? What part can you
play in enabling the church to take action?
Digging Deeper Assignments
Over the course of the semester, I will provide details in class of Digging Deeper assignments. These
assignments will help you further engage with the material in our reading and in lectures. Assignments may
range from investigating a web site to watching a relevant video or another activity. Specific instructions on
these assignments, along with due dates, will presented in class.
Attendance/Participation
Attendance will be taken at each class session. Students are expected to be present in class, having read
the assignment for the week and be prepared to participate in class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of
class. If you arrive late, or for any reason the attendance sheet misses you, you must let me know after class
or you will be counted absent. Consult the academic catalog for the University’s attendance policy. Students
absent from the class more than four times will receive a FA (failure due to absences) designation and will have
to be reinstated into the class.
Submitting Assignments When submitting your work take time to proofread your work. This is a college course,
so submit assignments that reflect college level thought and college level writing. Always make sure that you
submit your work on time, and to receive maximum points, make sure that you follow the assignment
instructions. As a general rule I will not accept any late assignments in the course unless noted otherwise in this
syllabus. If you have an emergency arise or special circumstance, let me know. Finally, be diligent about saving
your work. Always save your work as a Word document and keep to a standard format: Times New Roman or
Arial, 11-12 point font, double spaced with one inch margins.
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Special Notes
The class schedule is a tentative schedule and may be subject to change. You will be notified of any
changes in class as we proceed through the semester.
Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological or
learning disability must request assistance from the Academic Support Director within the first two weeks of
class. The Academic Support Office is located in the Lower Level of the Worship and Ministry Building (room
153). You may also contact the office by phone (244-8420).
Please familiarize yourself with the school’s Policy on Academic Integrity. Cheating, plagiarism, and
dishonesty in reporting attendance have high penalties!
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