SOC100-03 General Sociology
Corey Wrenn
109 Natural Resources Building
9:30-10:45 Tuesdays & Thursdays
Spring 2012
Office Hours
B269 Clark Building
12:30-2:00 Tuesdays & Thursdays
Introduction:
This is a survey course in human societies and cultures, social issues of class, gender, species, and race/ethnicity,
and social institutions such as the economy, politics, education and health. The course objectives and structure are
summarized briefly in this syllabus. The course objectives will be realized using the sociological imagination and
critical thinking. Please be aware that this course will challenge many taken-for-granted social “realities” and will
often cover uncomfortable subjects. I ask that you please maintain a professional demeanor and help me in creating
a respectful and safe environment for discussion and learning.
Course Objectives:
 To better understand society as it is and as it might be
o You must understand society to either maintain or change it
 To better understand your place in society
o How and why you behave and believe the way you do
 Preparation for other courses in sociology.
Course Materials:
Richard T. Schaefer. 2011. Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 9th Edition.
You are welcome to use an older edition, but you are responsible for any discrepancies. You will also be
responsible for articles and other reading materials available to view and download from RamCT.
Contact:
I prefer you contact me through RamCT email. For emergencies, you may call my cell at 540-969-9687.
I don’t accept calls from unknown numbers, so leave a voicemail or send a text and I will get back to you
within 24 hours…unless it’s the weekend, during which there are no guarantees. 
Evaluation of Student Performance:
Three exams: 20% each (including final exam); 60% total
Two essays: 10% each; 20% total
15 Reflection papers: 1.33% each; 20% total
Reflection Papers:
You will be responsible for turning in a one page, single spaced summative reflection paper at the beginning of
class on Thursdays. These papers are intended to help me monitor your comprehension and progress. They are
also excellent study tools.
Late Submissions and Absences:
If for any reason you require extra time on an essay or a reflection paper, you are allowed up to two late
submissions with a 25% late submission penalty. I will only accept late submissions from students who notify me
at least 24 hours in advance. If you will be absent the day an essay or reflection paper is due, you may submit it
ahead of time without a grade penalty, but it will still count towards the two late submissions you are allotted. If
for some reason you will not be able to make an exam date, please contact me to discuss your options. Again, you
must notify me at least 24 hours in advance.
RamCT:
Check RamCT regularly for course announcements, course documents, assignments, and mail. A discussion board
is also available for general questions and connection with classmates. Supplementary required readings will be
posted here. Powerpoint slides to coincide with course lectures will be provided. You may find it helpful to print
them out to facilitate note-taking in class. Please check your RamCT mail prior to each class in case of class
cancelations and other important announcements.
Writing Competency:
Writing assignments in this class are intended to improve students’ comprehension of course content and
proficiency in writing. Students are expected to demonstrate:
 The ability to convey a theme or argument clearly and coherently,
 The ability to analyze critically and to synthesize the work of others,
 The ability to acquire and apply information from appropriate sources, and
 Competence in standard written English (including proper use of syntax, grammar, punctuation, etc.)
If you require assistance on meeting these requirements, please set up an appointment with the CSU writing center
(http://writing.colostate.edu/). This course requires strict adherence to the American Sociological Association’s
citation style. Please see the Owl at Purdue website for assistance (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/). See the RamCT
page for further information on citing in the ASA style.
Plagiarism:
According the Colorado State University General Catalog, plagiarism is an act of academic dishonesty that includes
submitting something written by others as your own written work, paraphrasing without proper documentation,
and/or quoting without proper documentation. If you are not familiar with the consequences of academic
dishonesty or with your rights as a student, please refer to your Student Conduct Code handbook or the General
Catalog. Please refer to RamCT for instructional materials to assist you in proper citation.
Course Schedule
Subject to change: Please check RamCT regularly for updated information, announcements, and
additional reading materials
Week 1 – Introduction to Sociology
January 17: Introduction
January 19: Major Theoretical Perspectives
 Reflection paper #1 due
 Chapter 1: Understanding Sociology
Week 2: Research Methods
January 24: The Scientific Method & Research Design
 Chapter 2: Sociological Research
January 26: Ethics of Research
 Reflection paper #2 due
 Video: “Stanford Prison Experiment” (RamCT)
Week 3: Culture
January 31: Culture, Norms, and Values
 Chapter 3: Culture
 Huntington – “The Clash of Civilizations?”
February 2: Cultural Genocide: “We Still Live Here”& “Dances of Life”
 Reflection paper #3 due
Week 4: Socialization
February 7: Theories of the Self
 Chapter 4: Socialization and the Life Course (Pp. 78-93)
February 9: The Life Course and Ageing
 Reflection paper #4 due
 Chapter 4: Socialization and the Life Course (Pp. 93-100)
Week 5: Social Structure
February 14: Status, Roles, and Groups
 Chapter 5: Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure (Pp. 104-115)
February 16: Social Institutions
 Reflection paper #5 due
 Chapter 5: Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure (Pp. 116-128)
Week 6: Media
February 21: Exam #1
February 23: Media
 Reflection paper #6 due
 Chapter 6: The Mass Media
Week 7: Media (Continued) and Deviance
February 28: Women in the Media
March 1: Deviance
 Reflection paper #7 due
 Chapter 7: Deviance and Social Control
Week 8: Social Stratification
March 6: Mobility, Inequality, and Poverty
 Essay #1
 Chapter 8: Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States
March 8: Theories of Stratification
 Reflection paper #8 due
Week 9: Spring Break
Week 10: Race & Ethnicity
March 20: Race as a Social Construction
 Chapter 10: Racial and Ethnic Inequality
March 22: Racial and Ethnic Inequality
 Reflection paper #9 due
Week 11: Gender
March 27: Exam #2
March 29: Gender
 Reflection paper #10 due
 Chapter 11: Stratification by Gender
Week 12: Species
April 3: Speciesism
 Francione – “We’re all Michael Vick”
 Francione – “Reflections on Animals, Property, and the Law and Rain without Thunder.”
April 5: Speciesism Continued; Intersections




Reflection paper #11 due
Adams – “Why Feminist-Vegan Now?”
Harper – “Social Justice Beliefs and Addiction to Uncompassionate Consumption: Food for Thought”
Schlosser – “The Most Dangerous Job”
Week 13: Social Institutions I
April 10: Marriage and Family
 Chapter 12: The Family and Intimate Relationships
April 12: Religion and Education
 Reflection paper #12 due
 Chapter 13: Religion and Education
Week 14: Social Institutions II
April 17: Government and Economy
 Chapter 14: Government and the Economy
April 19: Health
 Reflection paper #13 due
 Chapter 15: Health and the Environment (Pp. 386-401)
Week 15: The Environment and Global Inequality
April 24: Environment
 Essay #2
 Chapter 15: Health and the Environment (Pp. 402-411)
April 26: Global Inequality
 Chapter 9: Global Inequality
 Reflection paper #14 due
Week 16: Globalization and Social Change
May 1:

May 3:


Globalization
Chapter 16: Social Change in the Global Community (Pp. 426-434)
Social Movements
Reflection paper #15 due
Chapter 16: Social Change in the Global Community (Pp. 414-425)
Final Exam: May 9, 6:20-8:20 PM