Hazelwood School District
Secondary Common Syllabus
2008-09
th
11 and 12th Grade Sociology
Course Description:
Students will study the effect of environmental and cultural heritage in shaping
behavioral patterns. They will investigate the results of human interaction in meeting the
challenges of poverty, crime, and racism in our modern society. Other topics include
groups processes, group behavior, and the study of institutions in society. Students will
learn and use the scientific method to gain a better understanding of the work of a
sociologist.
Course Materials:
Sociology: The Study of Human Relationships, Holt, Rinehart, Winston Publishers
Holt Internet Links to the Text
The Standard Deviants videos, WGBH Video Production
Course Expectations:
Gather, analyze and apply information and ideas
Recognize and solve problems
Make decisions and act as responsible members of society
Read articles pertaining to the content being studied.
Read one non-fiction book pertaining to the content being studied.
Interpret primary and secondary sources
Complete a research paper.
Weekly homework assigned.
Ongoing formative assessments to drive instruction
Ongoing summative assessments
District common assessments
Hazelwood School District
Secondary Common Syllabus
2008-09
11th and 12th Grade Sociology
Sample Course Activities:
Create a graphic organizer to explain how sociology is similar and different from other
social sciences. (Unit 1)
Use reading strategies and Cornell note-taking method to examine text.(Unit 1, Unit 2,
Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5)
Complete a research project using either the analysis method, historical method,
observation, questionnaire or case study. (Unit 1)
Create a chart to apply sociological aspects to explain any one sub-culture in the United
States. (Unit 2)
After researching, write a persuasive letter to the Principal regarding whether the school
is or is not a community. (Unit 3)
Choose three minority groups in the United States and construct a visual chart to compare
and contrast unemployment rates, poverty levels, life expectancy, infant mortality rates
with that of the majority in the United States. Present this in class. (Unit 4)
Conduct research on the four major different theories of social change and create a
pamphlet that outlines the causes, effects, and theories related to social change. (Unit 5)
Course Outline:
Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology
a. Similarities and differences among social sciences
b. Early sociologists and their theories
c. Scientific method used by sociologists
Unit 2: Culture
a. Components of culture
b. Cultural traits
c. Cultural diversity
d. Cultural universals
e. Material and non-material aspects of culture
f. Sub-cultures
Unit 3: The Organization of Society
a. Functions of the community
b. Major institutions of society
c. Community behavior
d. Formal and informal sanctions
e. Positive and negative sanctions
f. Normal and deviant behavior
g. Self-fulfilling prophecy
Hazelwood School District
Secondary Common Syllabus
2008-09
Unit 4: Social Inequality
a. Types of discrimination in the United States culture
b. Sociological explanation of social inequality
c. Government policies
d. Stratification
Unit 5: Social Change
a. Social issues today in the United States
b. Social issues today in third world nations
c. Theories of social change
Hazelwood School District
Secondary Common Syllabus
2008-09
th
11 and 12th Grade Sociology
Course Curriculum Map:
Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology
Working in a Kagan cooperative learning group (workplace readiness), the student will
identify the concepts and theories of the sociological perspective and create and conduct
a sociological study to demonstrate how sociologists use the scientific method. (SS7.1,
SS7.5)
3 weeks
Unit 2: Culture
Using technology and other resources, the student will research and analyze cultural and
sub-cultural components using sociological terms. The student will include an analysis
of bias found in sources. The student will create a presentation. (SS6.3, SS6.4, SS7.3,
SS7.4)
4 weeks
Unit 3: The Organization of Society
Through the use of primary and secondary sources, the student will identify social groups
and analyze the characteristics of the organization of society, including interactions and
institutions. The student will also be assessed on workplace readiness. (SS6.2, SS6.3,
SS7.2)
4 weeks
Unit 4: Social Inequality
Using research skills, the student will synthesize social stratification as it relates to racial,
ethnic, disability and gender identity. (SS6.2, SS6.3)
3 weeks
Unit 5: Social Change
Using technology and other resources, the student will analyze social change including
theories, demographic transitions, geographic elements, and economic development. The
student will also evaluate how social change will affect current and shape future life in
the United States. (SS4.6, SS5.3, SS6.3, SS7.1, SS7.2, SS7.3)
4 weeks
Hazelwood School District
Secondary Common Syllabus
2008-09
th
11 and 12th Grade Sociology
Course Lesson Protocol:
High School Social Studies Lesson Plan Protocol
Teacher______________________________
Time
5%
Lesson Segment
Anticipatory Set
25%
Modeled Activity;
Direct Instruction
60%
Cooperative
Student Work;
Independent
Practice
10%
Summarization of
Lesson
Date________________
Activity
Hazelwood School District
Secondary Common Syllabus
2008-09
11th and 12th Grade Sociology
Course Power Vocabulary
affluence
anti-Semitism
assimilation
baby boom generation
birth rate
casualty rate
census data
class conflict
class relations
class system
cultural identity
dating methods
death rate
demographics
deviant culture
economic disparity
ethical dilemma
ethnic group
ethnocentrism
generational conflict
group identity
income gap
infant mortality rate
literacy rate
marital status
mortality rate
nativism
polygamous marriage
population growth rate
scientific method
social attitudes
socioeconomic group
standard of living
status
stratification sub-culture
traditional cultural identity
transmission of culture
welfare state