INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SOCIETY
Course number: SOC 121 A, Spring 2005
MWF, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Foss 20
JAMES A. VELA-MCCONNELL, PH.D.
Office Hours: Tuesday, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.; and by appointment.
Office: Memorial 429
Phone: 330-1224
e-mail: velamcco@augsburg.edu
Web Site: http://www.augsburg.edu/sociology
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to the field of sociology, its major
questions and issues, theoretical perspectives, methodologies, and many of the major subject
areas within the field. The central questions guiding the format of this course have to do with the
nature of the relationship between the individual and society. How does society construct the
individual? How do individuals construct society? How does the dynamic tension between
individual agency and societal constraint play itself out? These three questions outline the three
main sections of the course. Lectures, readings, discussions, assignments, and exams will be
organized with the intent of addressing each question.
GOALS: The first set of goals reflect general skills which students should acquire in any college
course in the social sciences:
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3.
4.
To foster critical thinking.
To encourage clarity and creativity in writing.
To develop confidence in speaking.
To promote effectiveness when working with others as well as when working alone.
In addition to these general skills, students will be expected to have a firm understanding of
sociology as exhibited in the following:
1. The ability to concisely define and describe sociology.
2. The ability to discuss the relationship between the individual and society.
3. A grasp of the major concepts in sociology, especially the following:
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Role
Social structure
Cultural relativism
Deviance
Norms
Social groups
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Socialization
Culture
Sociological imagination
Social control
Society
Social institutions
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Self
Ethnocentrism
Stratification
Values
Social interaction
Social Change
4. A grasp of the major tools (theory and methods) for sociological understanding.
5. The ability to relate knowledge and skills gained in this course to one’s own social
experiences
and the ability to use personal experiences to enhance one’s understanding of sociology.
For those students entering Augsburg College in Fall 2003 or later, this course meets the Liberal
Arts Foundation requirement for the Social Sciences. For students who entered Augsburg
College prior to Fall 2003, this course fulfills the Social World Perspective. With this objective
in mind, this course is intended “to help students learn to identify, examine and critique social,
political, and/or economic systems: to understand how and why such systems develop, to see the
connections among these systems and to use this knowledge as a participant in society.” From
this
perspective, students should gain an understanding of and critically reflect upon:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The characteristics and dynamics of human organization at the group and societal level.
Current theories and methods for understanding social, political or economic systems.
The historical development of selected social, economic or political structures.
The relationship between various social, political, or economic systems and the student's own
responsibility in society.
5. The ways that social, economic or political structures differ across cultures and affect diverse
groups in society.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Vela-McConnell, James. Intersections: Readings in Sociology.
MacLeod, Jay. Ain’t No Makin’It.
Charon, Joel. Ten Questions: A Sociological Perspective
Coursepak: Introduction to Human Society (available to download on Blackboard)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION (100 points). Students are expected to have
completed the readings prior to the class for which they have been assigned. In this way, you
will be able to take an active role in class discussions. Questions and comments about the
readings, movies, or lectures are strongly encouraged. Such student participation lets me know
where your interests lie and generally makes the time spent in class more dynamic and appealing
for everyone. Regular attendance is required since lectures and discussions, while on the same
topic as the readings, will not be a simple repetition of what you have already read. Note that the
exams will cover not only what is contained in the assigned readings, but will also include what
is presented and discussed in class. On occasion, there will be assignments done during class or
to be taken home for the next class which will be graded on a pass/fail basis and included in your
participation grade.
FORMAL DISCUSSIONS (25 points). (For an explanation of this assignment, see the
description in your coursepak.) In addition to the regular class discussions, there will be three
formal discussions for which the class will be divided into groups of about five students each.
One student will then lead the discussion in each group. The discussions will focus on the book
assigned to the class for that section of the course. Every student will be expected to facilitate
one of the three discussions and all students are expected to participate in the discussions being
led by their peers. For a more detailed description on how to prepare for the discussion you
facilitate, see the Formal Discussion Guidelines in the coursepak. I will be monitoring
participation in these discussions.
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CRITICAL REFLECTIONS (50 points). The purpose of these reflections is to give
students the opportunity to critically reflect on and integrate what you have learned from the
readings together with the in-class materials. When writing each reflection, ask yourself, “What
have I learned about this topic from the reading(s), lecture, discussion, activity, and/or video?
What are my personal reactions to and observations about what I have learned?” Each reflection
should address each reading together with the in-class materials, integrating them into an overall
view on the topic covered. In doing so, focus on the ideas that were most compelling to you
from each of these sources. Each reflection must be typed, no more than two pages and will be
due on the class day after the topic has been covered.
ANALYSIS PAPERS (50 points each). For an explanation of these assignments, see the
description in your coursepak.
THREE EXAMS (2 @ 100 points each and the final @ 140 points). The exams will fall at
the conclusion of each of the three major sections of the course. They will be taken during class
and will include multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions. You will be responsible for
the reading, lecture, and discussion materials covered in that section and in the previous sections.
You are expected to be present on the days scheduled for the exams. There will be no make-up
exams. If you miss an exam, you will take a comprehensive final which counts for 200 points.
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GRADING:
Attendance and Participation:
Formal Discussion:
Analysis Papers:
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Critical Reflections
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
100 points
25 points
50 points
50 points
50 points
100 points
100 points
140 points
615 points
95% to 100% = 4.0
90% to 94% = 3.5
85% to 89% = 3.0
80% to 84% = 2.5
75% to 79% = 2.0
70% to 74% = 1.5
65% to 69% = 1.0
60% to 64% = 0.5
59% & below = 0.0
=A
= A=B
= B=C
= C=D
= D=F
If a student is taking this course on a pass/no pass (P/N) basis, she or he must complete and turn
in all course assignments and receive a final grade of at least 70%.
Format for Papers and Other Take-Home Assignments: Each paper should be typed (double
spaced). Pay attention to grammar and spelling as they will be included as part of your grade. Be
sure to include page numbers. The papers must be stapled—binders, folders, etc. will not be
accepted. Keep a copy of each paper for your own records. If a paper is lost and you don’t have
a backup, you will receive an automatic zero for the assignment. Finally, and of extreme
importance, you must cite your sources and include a bibliography, even if you are only
paraphrasing. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism may result in a zero for the paper
and/or a zero for the course. If you are unclear as to what format to use when citing other sources
or typing a bibliography, refer to the coursepak handout titled “ASA-Style Citations and
References.”
Note: Late papers and assignments will have 10% deducted for each day they are late,
which is equal to an entire letter grade. “On time” means that they must be turned in before you
leave the class in which they are due. DO NOT turn in a paper by putting it in campus mail.
Any papers lost this way will be given an automatic zero. Also, throughout the semester, there
may be several opportunities for extra credit. Be alert! Finally, be advised that this syllabus is
subject to change and you are responsible for any changes announced during class.
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SCHEDULE OF TOPICS, READINGS, AND ASSIGNMENTS
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS
Jan. 19 - 21
THE FIELD OF SOCIOLOGY
Key Concepts:
• Sociological Imagination
• Cultural Relativism
• Ethnocentrism
Babbie, “An Idea Whose Time Has
Come;” Berger, “Invitation to
Sociology;” Mills, “The
Promise;” and (on Blackboard)
Stephens, “Careers in Sociology”
SECTION ONE: SELF AND SOCIETY
Reading for this Section: MacLeod, Ain’t No Makin’ It
Chapters 1-3 & Appendix
(Complete by February 14)
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS
Jan. 24 -28
SOCIOLOGICAL TOOLS, PART A:
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST THEORY
Charon, ch. 3; Blumer, “The Nature
of Symbolic Interactionism”
SELF AND IDENTITY
Key Concept:
• Self
Jenkins, “Knowing Who We Are”
and Schmid & Jones, “Suspended
Identity”
SOCIALIZATION
Key Concepts:
• Socialization
• Norms
• Values
Miner, “Body Ritual Among
the Nacirema”
SOCIALIZATION & ADVERTISING
Key Concept:
• Culture
Charon, ch. 2
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Key Concept:
• Social Interaction
Goffman, “The Presentation of Self
in Everyday Life”
SOCIOLOGICAL TOOLS, PART B:
RESEARCH METHODS: OVERVIEW
AND QUALITATIVE METHODS
Charon, ch. 1; MacLeod, Ain’t No
Makin’ It—Appendix; Snow, et al.,
“‘Cooling Out’ Men in Singles Bars
and Nightclubs”
Jan. 31 Feb. 4
Feb. 7 - 11
5
Feb. 11. discussion materials due
Feb. 14
DISCUSSION ONE
Feb. 16
EXAM 1
Ain’t No Makin’ It, chs. 1-3 &
Appendix
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SECTION TWO: SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Reading for this Section: MacLeod, Ain’t No Makin’ It
Chapters 4-8
(Complete by March 16)
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS
Feb. 18 - 28
SOCIOLOGICAL TOOLS, PART C
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALIST THEORY
Key Concepts:
• Role
• Social Group
• Social Structure
• Society
• Social Institutions
Durkheim, “What is a Social Fact?”
GROUP STRUCTURE & PROCESS
Feb. 25: Analysis Paper 1 is due
Simmel, “Dyads, Triads,
and Larger Group;” Asch, “Opinions
and Social Pressure;” Zimbardo,
“Pathology of Imprisonment”
THE CONSTRUCTION OF “OTHER”
Past
Charon, ch. 6; Blauner, “Talking
March 2 - 7
Each Other”
THE FAMILY: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Gelles, “Through a Sociological
Lens”
BUREAUCRACY & THE IRON CAGE
Charon, ch. 5; Weber,
“Characteristics of Bureaucracy;”
Perrow, “Why Bureaucracy?” &
Blau & Meyer, “Bureaucracy in
Process”
CULTURAL FORMS & CULTURAL LAG
Key Concept:
• Culture
Becker, “Culture: A Sociological
View;”
March 14: discussion materials due
March 16
DISCUSSION TWO
Ain’t No Makin’ It, chs. 4-8
March 18
EXAM II
March 9 - 14
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SECTION THREE: AGENCY AND CONSTRAINT
Reading for this Section: MacLeod, Ain’t No Makin’ It
Chapters 9-11
(Complete by April 29)
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENTS
March 30 April 1
SOCIOLOGICAL TOOLS, PART D:
RESEARCH METHODS (CONTINUED):
QUANTITATIVE METHODS
Charon, Afterword
April 4 - 8
SOCIOLOGICAL TOOLS, PART E:
CONFLICT THEORY
Marx & Engels, “Manifesto of the
Communist Party;” Marx & Engels,
“Contribution to the Critique of
Hegel’s Philosophy of Right;” and
Mills, “The Power Elite;”
April 8: Analysis Paper 2 is due
April 11 - 15
THE MEDIA
Mantsios, “Media Magic: Making
Class Invisible” and Clawson, et al.,
“Follow the Money”
April 18 - 22
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Key Concept:
• Stratification
Charon, chs. 4 & 7; Davis & Moore,
“Some Principles of Stratification” and
Lorber, “Night to His Day”
DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL
Berger, “The Meaning of Social
Key Concepts:
Control;” Chambliss, “The
• Deviance
Saints and the Roughnecks;” and
• Social Control
Rosenhan, “Being Sane in Insane
• (Also: norms, values, cultural relativism, Places”
and socialization)
April 25 - 27
RELIGION & SOCIAL CHANGE
Key Concept:
• Social Change
Charon, chs. 8 & 9; Durkheim,
“Elementary Forms of Religious
Life” and Smith “A Brief History of
the Liberation Theology Movement”
THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
Key Concept:
• Sociological Imagination
Charon, ch. 10
April 27: discussion materials due
April 29
DISCUSSION THREE
Ain’t No Makin’ It, chs. 9-11
May 4
EXAM III, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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