Professor's Syllabus
Social Science/Human Services Department
Spring, 2013
It’s your life. You are responsible for your results. It’s time to turn up the heat.
Samuel L. Parker
SOCI 181 – Introduction to Sociology – 3 credits
Professor's Name: Dr. Sandra Williams
Course Title and Number: Soci 181 – Introduction to Sociology
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course presents the fundamental concepts, perspectives, and
methods of sociology. Course topics include culture and society, socialization and the life cycle,
social interaction and everyday life, social power and inequality, work and economic life,
marriage and the family, gender and sexuality, social change and social movements, and the
natural environment and our ecological fate.
Semester: Spring 2013
Office Location: Bartlett Hall, Room 117
Phone Number: (732) 255-0400 X2003
E-Mail Address: swilliams@ocean.edu
Office Hours: Schedule with Instructor
Other Meeting Times: To arrange a meeting with me, please contact me directly, 732255-0400x2003, email: swilliams@ocean.edu, or contact the Social Science/Human
Services Department at 732-255-0400 x2210.
Required Text and other Materials: The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology,
Kerry Ferris, Jill Stein, 3rd Edition. Publisher Norton
SPECIFIC COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Discuss key concepts and terminology used by contemporary sociology.
Describe the logic and practice of conducting sociological research.
Compare and contrast the main sociological perspectives.
Analyze and discuss the unique features of the culture and society in which we live.
Describe how socialization impacts human behavior.
Analyze the complex patterns of human social interaction.
Discuss the critical link between social structures, social forces, and individual
circumstances.
Identify the major social institutions in the U.S., the functions of those institutions,
and the inequalities that exist within them.
i)
Examine the cultural, racial, gender, and economic diversity that exists in the U.S.
from a sociological perspective.
General Education Goals Addressed in this Course
Communication – Written and Oral
Technological Competency/Info Literacy
Society and Human Behavior
Historical Perspective
Global and Cultural Awareness
Ethical Reasoning and Action
Independent/Critical Thinking
Course Standards:
Certain things are expected of you as a student in this class. Your responsibilities include:
●
●
●
●
Coming to all classes on time, reporting anticipated absences in a timely manner
Preparing for class by reading and reflecting on your assignments
Participate in discussions and all class activities
Completing online and in class assignments and turning them in on time
Attendance Policy: Attend all classes. Missing more than three classes will impact your
grade.
Grading scale:
Grades will be based on points earned on scheduled quizzes and class projects. Test scores
count for 80 % of your grade (four tests, 20% each). Class Projects count for 20% of your
grade (One research project). Class attendance, punctuality and involvement in class and
campus activities count for 20% of your grade.
The following grading scale will be used for each quiz and class project:
90
87
80
77
70
60
59
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
100
89
86
79
76
69
Below
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
Course Outline
Week Of
1/23
Chapter
1/28
Chapter
2/4
Chapter
2/11
Chapter
2/19
Chapter
2/25
Chapter
Chapter
3/4
Chapter
3/11
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Sociology and the Real World 5
Sociological Research Methods 39
Cultural Crossroads 71
The Self and Interaction 97
Separate and Together: Life in Groups 125
Deviance 153
Social Class: The Structure of Inequality 181
Race and Ethnicity as Lived Experience 221
Constructing Gender and Sexuality 247
3/18
4/1
4/15
4/22
4/29
5/8
Chapter 10 –The Macro-Micro Link in Social Institutions 285
Chapter 11 – The Economy, Work, and Working 323
Research Project Due – Written and Oral
Chapter 12 – Life at Home 357
Chapter 13 - Recreation and Leisure in Everyday Life 383
Chapter 14 – Health and Illness 411
Chapter 15 - City & Country: The Social World & the Natural World 439
Chapter 16 – Social Change: Looking Toward Tomorrow 483
Course Closure
A Word on Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of copying someone else’s words, work, or
ideas and presenting it as your own. The college has a specific policy regarding plagiarism
in the Student Handbook. See Policy #5180.
INFORMATION - This is a writing intensive course in which students write essays totaling
1200 words (minimum).
Civility in the Classroom: Ocean County College defines civility primarily as the
demonstration of respect for others, basic courtesy, reciprocity (treating others as we wish
to be treated), and behaviors that create a positive environment in which to learn and to
work. [See www.ocean.edu/civility.htm]
Out of respect for your fellow students, please shut off cellphones and other devices while
in class. Civil courteous behavior is expected and will facilitate an effective learning
environment.
Campus resources and services: The following resources are available on campus to help
you be as successful as possible:
• The Writing Tutoring Lab – Russell Building, Russ 142. Assistance with writing
assignments in all disciplines. Appointments are required.
• The Math Tutoring Center – Russell Building. RUSS 144. Professional and
peer tutors assist with math homework. Drop in during posted hours.
• Study Strategy Sessions – Posted on the college website under “Campus
Resources and Services”
● Career Center in Administration Building
● Student Life Office in College Center for information on campus activities and
organizations
● Health Services in Instructional Building
Statement of Accommodation: If there is any student in this class who has special needs
because of learning disabilities or other kinds of disabilities, please feel free to come and
discuss this with me or a staff member for Disability Services.
Disclaimer: Individual faculty members may make reasonable changes to this course
outline exclusive of course requirements, course calendar, and grading procedures.
GENIUS IS 1% INSPIRATION AND 99% PERSPIRATION
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Spring, 2013
Wednesday, January 23
Classes Begin 8:00 am
Friday, April 5
Last Day to Withdraw from Classes
Mon. 3/25 – Sun. 3/31
NO CLASSES Spring Break
Wednesday, May 15
Last Day of Classes
Last Day to Withdraw from Classes Friday, April 5, 2013
HAVE A GREAT SEMESTER
OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE
OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMAN SERVICES
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:
SOCI-181: Introduction to Sociology
SEMESTER HOURS:
CONTACT HOURS: (3
3
+ 0)
Lecture Lab
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course presents the fundamental concepts, perspectives, and methods of sociology.
Course topics include culture and society, socialization and the life cycle, social
interaction and everyday life, social power and inequality, work and economic life,
marriage and the family, gender and sexuality, social change and social movements, and
the natural environment and our ecological fate.
PREREQUISITES: None
COREQUISITES: None
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 34
COURSE FEE CODE: 0
DIFFERENTIAL FUNDING CATEGORY: A
Course Type for Perkins Reporting: ___ vocational
x non-vocational
JUSTIFICATION
a. Describe the need for this course
This course is a prerequisite for most entry level sociology courses. In this course the
student will learn to interconnect how sociological imagination extends beyond the
local borders and how the effects of social change impact on their daily lives. Course
topics include culture and society, socialization and the life cycle, social interaction
and everyday life, social power and inequality, work and economic life, marriage and
the family, gender and sexuality, social change and social movements and the natural
environments and our ecological fate.
b. Relationship to courses within the College
i. Will the college submit this course to the statewide General Education
Coordinating Committee for approval as a course which satisfies a general
education requirement?
x__ yes
___ no
If yes, mark with an “x” the appropriate category below.
___ Communication _x_ Social Science
___ Humanities
___ Lab Science
___ Mathematics
___ Technology
___ History
___ Science (Non-Lab)
___ Diversity
ii. If the course does not satisfy a general education requirement, which of the
following does it satisfy:
___
___
Program-specific requirement for the following degree program(s):
__________________________________________________
Elective
c. Related courses in other institutions
[NOTE: The two charts below need to be completed when submitting a new
course proposal. They do not need to be completed for most course revisions,
unless an Official Course Description is so old that the course’s transferability
needs to be reconsidered, as in the case of an obsolete course, which may be
reactivated.]
i. List any comparable course(s) by completing the table below. Insert “None” if
there are no comparable courses.
Institution
Comparable Courses at NJ Community Colleges
Course
Course
Number
Comments
Title
Number of Credits
ii. If “None” was inserted, please explain.
iii. Complete the table below. The institutions listed comprise the top six institutions
queried on NJTransfer by OCC students.
Institution
Rutgers – New
Brunswick
Georgian
Transferability of Proposed Course
Course Code,
Transfer Category
Will NOT
Title,
(Major, General
Transfer
and Credits
Ed.,
(Place an “x”
or Elective)
in box)
Unable to
Determine
Status
(Place “U” in
box)
Court
University
Richard
Stockton
College
Monmouth
University
Kean
University
Rowan
University
iv. If a “U” was inserted above, document the course transferability by providing
either (a) the name of a contact person at the four-year institution, or (b) an email
from the contact person (attach to this proposal).
v. If not transferable to any institution, explain.
d. Consistency with the vision and mission statements, the Academic Master Plan, and the
strategic initiatives of the College
This course is part of a comprehensive program that contributes to the development of an
empowered and informed lifelong learner who will be prepared well for either the
successful transfer to a four-year institution of higher education or entrance onto the
career ladder of choice. This course will also assist the student to understand and employ
problem solving methodologies, evaluate multi-sources of information and manage
change.
e. Mark with an “x” the General Education goal(s) addressed by this course
x 1. Communication – Written and Oral
_ 2. Quantitative Knowledge and Skills
_ 3. Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning
x 4. Technological Competency/Info Literacy
x 5. Society and Human Behavior
_ 6. Humanistic Perspective
x 7. Historical Perspective
x 8. Global and Cultural Awareness
x 9. Ethical Reasoning and Action
x 10. Independent/Critical Thinking
SPECIFIC COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
Discuss key concepts and terminology used by contemporary sociology.
Describe the logic and practice of conducting sociological research.
Compare and contrast the main sociological perspectives.
Analyze and discuss the unique features of the culture and society in which we live.
Describe how socialization impacts human behavior.
o)
p)
q)
r)
Analyze the complex patterns of human social interaction.
Discuss the critical link between social structures, social forces, and individual
circumstances.
Identify the major social institutions in the U.S., the functions of those institutions,
and the inequalities that exist within them.
Examine the cultural, racial, gender, and economic diversity that exists in the U.S.
from a sociological perspective.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Class sessions will be devoted to lectures, discussions, and films. Lectures will clarify
difficult readings and introduce critical and supplementary material to provide a more indepth analysis of key concepts and theories.
9. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS / TECHNOLOGY NEEDS / HUMAN RESOURCE
NEEDS (PRESENTLY EMPLOYED VS. NEW FACULTY)
Text: An appropriate textbook will be selected. Please contact the Department Office for
current adoptions.
10. TENTATIVE TOPICAL OUTLINE
Section 1: Sociology: Issues, Perspectives, and Methods
Section 2: Social Stratification: Social Class, Race and Ethnicity, Sex and Gender
Section 3: Social Institutions: Families, Education, Work, Government, and Religion.
11. GRADE DETERMINANTS
The final grade in the course will be the cumulative grade based on the following letter
grades or their numerical equivalents for the course assignments and examinations
A
B+
B
C+
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Above Average
C
D
F
P
Average
Below Average
Failure
Passing
I
W
R
NC
Incomplete
Withdrawn
Audit
No Credit
12. NUMBER OF PAPERS AND EXAMINATIONS
Students will be required to complete writing assignments that include both a series of
four essay examinations and a final research paper. These writing assignments will
equal approximately five thousand words (5,000) over the course of the semester.
APPROVAL PROCESS FOR A REVISED COURSE PROPOSAL (SYLLABUS)
Revision of the Following Items Must Be
Revision of the Following Items
Sent to the Curriculum Committee
#1 Course Number & Title
#2 Semester Hours/Contact Hours
#3 Catalog Description
#4 Prerequisites & Co- requisites
#5 Maximum Class Size/Lab Fee Code/
Differential Funding Category
#6 Justification
#7 Course Objectives
Require No Approval
#8 Methods of Instruction
#9 Instructional Materials
#10 Tentative Topical Outline
#11 Grade Determinants
#12 Number of Papers and Examinations
Revised: October 2004, August 2006
Board of Trustees Approval Date: November 5, 2007
Board of Trustees Approval Date: April 26, 2010