Florida State University
SYG 1000-01 Introduction to Sociology
TTh 12:30 -1-45 PM
BELLAMY 180
Spring 2013
Dr. Gloria Lessan
Associate-In Teaching
Sociology Department
(850)644-6416 (Soc Department)
E-mail: glessan@fsu.edu
Office: 513 Bellamy
Office Hrs: TTh 3:00-4:00 PM or by apt.
Office Ph # 644- 1839
TA: Stephanie Bradley
Sociology Graduate Student
E-mail: gpg08@my.fsu.edu
Office: Bellamy 509
Office Hours: TBA
TA: Daniel Lanford
Sociology Graduate Student
E-mail: gpg08@my.fsu.edu
Office: Bellamy 506
Office Hours: TBA
The Liberal Studies Program at Florida State University has been designed to provide a
perspective on the qualities, accomplishments, and aspirations of human beings, the past
and present civilizations we have created, and the natural and technological world we
inhabit. This course has been approved as meeting the requirements for Liberal Studies
Area III, history and Social sciences, and in combination with your other Liberal Studies
courses, provides an important foundation for your lifelong quest for knowledge.
SYLLABUS
Welcome to SYG1000-01 (Introduction to Sociology is a 3 credit-hour course). The information in
this syllabus is for the purpose of facilitating our working together while learning about society.
The syllabus contains basic information about the course objectives, textbooks, requirements,
grading method and outline of readings and exam dates. It also depicts where, when and how to
contact me. Keep this syllabus in your SYG1000-01 folder and bring it to class. We will consult it
as often as it is necessary to clarify, restate or change the above parameters of the course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course offers an overview of main sociological theories and methods for analyzing human
association. It looks at socio-demographic factors, content, standards and patterns of such
associations. Issues of study range from simple concepts like status, role, and group, to more
complex processes such as, social research, deviance and, inequality.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course you will be able to:
1. Identify, define, and illustrate basic concepts, theories, and research techniques
employed in Sociology.
2. Compare and contrast the different theories and methods used to examine and explain
varied patterns of social interaction.
3. Critically examine your social environment and realize that human lives are embedded in
and influenced by the structural factors such as gender, race, age, class, etc.
4. Acquire an increased awareness and appreciation of the diversity and similarities
between and among individuals.
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5. Write and think critically via class discussions, written assignments, and exams about the
concepts, theories, and research techniques in the field.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
The text below is available at Bill’s and FSU Bookstores
1) Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, and Richard P Appelbaum, 2012. Introduction to
th
Sociology, (8 edition) W. W. Norton and Company. This textbook is identified in the Course
Outline (pp.5-8) as Giddens et al.
2) Additional Readings and Lecture Notes for specific topics are posted on Blackboard/Course
Library
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Reading Assignments: Students are expected to have active and constructive class
participation. Hence, assigned readings should be read prior to the corresponding class
date depicted in the Course Outline below. Of course, additional readings are required before
the tests. The complexity of the reading materials is appropriate for college freshmen. Thus, if at
first you do not understand the material, you must reread it as many a times as it is necessary to
accomplish understanding. In order to know whether you fully grasp the concepts and arguments
presented in the readings I suggest to: 1) Write down summaries of the material read, 2) make
questions out of the information presented, and 3) specify the particular issues that remain
unclear. At any rate, whatever study method you use that brings you understanding of the
readings is the best to follow. Make a habit of consulting a college-level dictionary and the
glossary in the textbook to acquire familiarity with scientific terms and expand your vocabulary. In
order to monitor the regularity of the reading assignments and attendance, you will be
given open book assessments. The hard copy of your assessment will evince your
classroom presence while the grade on it will count towards the final grade as class
participation (see below).
Class Participation: The study of society makes more sense when it is done interactively.
Hence, you are to be an active participant during each class. Attend class having done the
readings and other work assigned according to the Course Outline. In order to monitor
the regularity of the reading assignments, you will be given assessments composed of
five short-answer questions. The grades on the total number of assessments will account
for 40% of the final grade. There are six assessments in the semester.
I expect each of you to be prepared to answer questions on assigned readings and to turn in work
on due dates as listed in Course Outline below. My role is to generate and steer the discussion
of the material always within a civil and respectful atmosphere. Therefore, do not fail to participate
for fear of what others may think. Remember there are always other students who are in your
same situation. If uncertainty and nervousness take over the class the course will be a total loss.
Nothing will be gained from silence, passivity, apathy and lectures turned into monologues.
Ask questions, answer questions, volunteer your views, make comments, be attentive to what
others say, avoid using the class as a forum for your own agenda. Overall, cooperate in building
a supportive learning environment that benefits us all by offering scholarly comments in a normal,
non-aggressive manner and respectful of all.
Exams: There are four exams in the semester. Each exam covers the assigned material listed in
the Course Outline below. All exams are a combination of multiple-choice and true-false
questions. All assigned readings, lecture and audio-visual presentations are potential material for
exam. To facilitate the learning process you will be given a set of study-guide questions about ten
2
days before each test. Work on these questions as a study tool to self-evaluate your readiness
for the test . Use the class time and office hours (both mine and the TA’s) to talk about your
progress in preparing for the coming test. The study guide is NOT a contract that defines the
exam!
Rules regarding missed exams are described below
Grading Method: Each test is 15% of the final grade or a total of 60% from all four. The class
assessments contribute with the remaining 40%.
Regardless of number of questions, all exams and assessments are graded on a scale of 0-100.
The equivalence of numeric score to letter grade scales is as follows:
95-100
A
Excellent, creative and superb command of the subject matter
90-94
ACreative and outstanding command of the subject matter
87-89
B+
Above average level but not outstanding grasp of the material
84-86
B
Above average but thin understanding of some readings
80-83
BAbove average but misses some parts of the readings and thus is
unable to apply subject matter at all levels
77-79
C+
Average level of achievement with some mastering yet narrow
application of the material
74-76
C
Average level of achievement; it refers to the readings in a superficial
way suggesting spotty understanding of the material
70-73
CClose to average due to spotty understanding of the material and
inability to apply readings
67-69
D+
Below average understanding, showing little knowledge of the material
64-66
D
Below average level with multiple contradictory arguments
60-63
DBelow average understanding thus failure to apply readings
59 and below
F
Fails to understand and address the readings on the subject matter
When scores include decimals, the rule is to round up from .45 and above; and to round down
from .44 and below.
Grades throughout the semester will be posted in the SYG 1000-06 Blackboard. Check this site
on a regular basis and notify the TAs, Stephanie and Daniel or me of any problems regarding
your grades as soon as these are posted.
As a general rule talk to the TAs when you need help. Do so immediately, not at the end of the
semester when it is TOO LATE!
ESSENTIAL POLICY INFORMATION
Attendance: Students are required to attend class and to do so on time. I will take attendance in
two different ways: 1) via turned in class assessments on due dates and 2) by asking students to
write down their names and last four digits of their SSN on a piece of paper. A student, who
accumulates four or more unexcused absences recorded as above, will receive an F grade
for the course. Keep track of your absences and notify the TA of every missed class right away
according to criteria for excused absences below.. Since lectures deal with material and
viewpoints other than the textbook, it is to your advantage to come to class in order to keep up
with readings, note taking and course-related announcements. If you miss class for whatever
reason, it is your responsibility to obtain lecture notes and information from your classmates.
Remember that everything dealt with in class is potential material for exam.
Excused Absences: The following AND only the following absences are eligible to be excused:
- Religious holidays, as specified in FSU policy
- Due to representing FSU at official functions, including intercollegiate debating or varsity
sports events
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Legitimate emergencies
Legitimate medical illness. Medical illnesses are serious in nature and require continued
treatment by medical professionals. Colds, the flu, fatigue, stress, “mental health daysoff” do not qualify as medical illnesses. If you have a chronic illness that could affect your
attendance, it is imperative that you notify me of it at the beginning of class.
For an absence to be excused documentation is required. This may include: doctor’s note
legitimating the seriousness of illness and need of continued treatment, copy of obituary, court
appointment, or police citation.
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Rules regarding missing exams are discussed below.
Courtesy: Coming in late for class or leaving before class dismissal, is rude and disruptive for
all, more so in a mass class as this. Be courteous and avoid these behaviors. If for some
legitimate reason, you foresee to be one-time late for class or to leave class early let me know in
advance, and enter or leave the classroom as quietly as possible. Otherwise, chronic tardiness
and chronic early departures are not accepted and will be penalized at my discretion.
A final rule concerns with the use of cellular phones, pagers, beepers and laser pointers. Turn
them off before entering the classroom and abstain from using them while attending class.
Makeup Exams: ONE and ONLY ONE midterm makeup exam will be given IF and ONLY IF
there is a legitimate reason (appropriate documentation is required) for missing the test. It is your
responsibility to notify me and the TA why you are not taking the test. Do so prior to or no later
than the next class after the scheduled test.
In order to justify the absence from a test, students need to show documentation of its reason.
This may include an obituary, court order, doctor-signed prescription/bill, or a document from an
agency signed by a legitimate authority that fully describes the emergency causing the student’s
missing the test. Turn in this documentation to the TA before taking the makeup exam. Contact
the TA to learn about the date, time, and location of the makeup exam. The makeup exam may
have a different format from the original i.e., essay questions.
Student Conduct: My many years of college experience, both as student and instructor, have
shown me that for the most part students are bright, good-natured and amiable toward others. In
general you are expected to comply with the FSU Code of Conduct at all time while participating
in FSU-related activities. Your behavior during class should be courteous, respectful and
professional. In a nutshell, anyone who ignores my authority to protect the integrity of the
classroom will be asked to cease his/her disruptive behavior, may be asked to leave the
classroom, and/or drop the course.
Failure to abide by these principles can result in academic penalties ranging from a
lowered grade, to dismissal, to failing the course.
http://e-soc.net/
Academic Honor Code: Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published
in the Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The Academic Honor System
of The Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility
(1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse
to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the university community, and (3) to foster a high
sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the university community. Please see the
following website for a complete explanation:
http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook/codes/honor.html
Academic Dishonesty: Students must abide by the highest standards of academic integrity. Any
form of academic dishonesty will result in a “zero” for that particular assignment or an “F” for the
course, at the instructor’s discretion. Any student who plagiarizes, cheats on exams, or otherwise
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behaves in a dishonest way may be reported to the University Judicial Office for official
adjudication.
http://www.fsu.edu/~dof/forms/honorpolicy.pdf
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should:
(1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; (2) bring
me a letter indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the
first week of class. Please feel free to see me in case of any problems or concerns and I will be
only happy to help! For more information about services available to FSU students with
disabilities contact:
Student Disability Resource Center, Dean of Students, 08 Kellum Hall
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl 32306-4400, (850) 644-9566 (voice),
(850) 644-8504 (TDD), SDRC@admin.fsu.edu,
http://www.fsu.edu/~staffair/dean/StudentDisability/
Incomplete Grades: Missing tests is not a sufficient reason for requesting an incomplete grade.
A grade of incomplete (I) is given only under extenuating circumstances at the instructor’s
discretion. The guidelines from the College of Social Sciences require that students seeking an
“I” grade must be passing the course.
COURSE OUTLINE
Wk
Date
Learning Objectives
(By the end of the class
students will be able to:)
Content
(What will be
covered in class?)
At Home
(What will students
do at home?)
1
Jan 5
Recognize basic content,
objectives and
requirements of the course.
Apply the rationale of the
Sociological imagination
to events and experiences
of their own lives;
distinguish Sociology from
other social science
perspectives
Review a Brief History of
Sociology
Identify main Sociological
thinkers and their theories.
Syllabus
Read through the
syllabus and bring
any queries to
class
Jan 10
Giddens et al Ch.
1, See Table 1.1;
Bb/Lecture
Notes/First Exam
Materials
(FEM)/Chart on
“Selected
Influences on the
Development of
Sociology”
5
Read the chapters;
prepare for an
assessment.
Download study
guide #1 and begin
answering the
questions on
theories
Assessment
(To demonstrate
learning students
will):
Express their concerns
about the syllabus
Sign in on class roster
to certify First Day
Attendance
Define in your own
words basic
sociological concepts
and how everyday
topics are shaped by
the socio-historical
context
1-2
2
Jan 1015
Jan 17
Identify the assumptions
and arguments of main
sociological paradigms
Apply the theories to
specific behaviors and
evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of each theory.
Compare and contrast the
three main Sociological
paradigms in terms of
differences, similarities,
strengths and weaknesses
Compare and contrast the
advantages and
disadvantages of research
techniques and research
types
Giddens et al Ch. 1, 5;
Bb/Lecture Notes/FEM
on Sociological
Paradigms
Bb/Lecture Notes/FEM
on Theoretical
Comparisons
Giddens et al Ch 2;
Ch. 5 (pp: 128130)
3
Jan 22
Distinguish between
causation and correlation
and among basic statistical
terms.
Discuss scientific
objectivity
Giddens et al Ch.2;
Bb/Lecture Notes/
FEM Charts on
Research Methods
and Research
Types
3
Jan 24
Identify elements of social
culture and structure
Giddens et al Ch.
3;
Bb/Lecture
Notes/FEM Chart
on Culture and
Structure
4
Jan 29
Review of material
4
5
Jan 31
Feb 5-12
6-7
Feb 1419
Describe the process of
socialization; compare and
contrast the different
theories of socialization
Analyze the process of
gender and race/ethnic
socialization
Describe the notions of
group and formal
Read the
chapters;
Answer
study guide
questions on
theoretical
comparisons
Answer
assess #1
Relate names of
thinkers with their
basic ideas.
Participate in class
Turn in assess #1 on
1/15
Read the materials;
Answer study
guide questions on
methods of
research and
comparison among
methods
Read the chapter
and lecture notes;
Answer assess #2
Participate in class.
Identify the research
technique(s) used in
the research studies
described in the class
readings.
Do the readings;
Answer study
guide questions on
culture and
structure
Give examples of
cultural and structural
elements.
Turn in assess #2 on
1/24
Provide examples of
causation, correlation
and sociodemographic statistics.
Answer extra credit
bogus test #1 in class
TEST #1
Giddens et al Ch.4,
Ch.10 (pp : 257264, 272-273, 288289), Ch.11
(pp:293-296);
Bb/Lecture Notes/
Second Exam
Materials (SEM)
on Socialization in
general and
Socialization by
gender, race and
ethnicity
Giddens et al Ch.6;
Bb/Lecture
6
Read the chapters;
Download study
guide #2 and begin
answering
questions on
socialization;
Answer assess #3
Give similarities and
differences among the
theories of
socialization.
Participate in class
Read the chapters;
Answer study
Give illustrations of
basic concepts of
Turn in assess #3 on
2/12
organizations. Describe
the concept of bureaucracy
and identify the problems
associated with it; explore
the possible solutions to
these problems
Family as group and as an
institution
7
Feb 21
8
Feb 26
8
Feb 28
9
Mar 5-7
Distinguish between
deviance as a norm
violation and deviance as a
social reaction.
Critically approach the
official crime statistics as
social constructs and the
existence of the dark area
of crime.
10
Mar 1115
Mar 1921
Spring Break!
11
12
Mar 26
12
Mar 28
1315
Apr 2 16
notes/SEM on
Groups
guide questions on
groups.
Answer take home
assess #4
Giddens et al Ch.
15 (pp: 429—432,
433-437,438
440, 454-455)
Read the Chapters.
Answer study
guide questions on
family
Bring class
materials to the
review
Review for test #2
groups and social
organizations.
Provide examples of
bureaucratic problems
and solutions.
Participate in class
Participate in class
Turn in assess #4
Answer extra-credit
bogus test #2
TEST #2
Distinguish the main
arguments of causation,
strengths, and weaknesses
of theories on deviance
Giddens et al Ch.7
Bb/Lecture Notes/
SEM on Deviance
Read the chapter;
Answer study
guide question #3
on definitions of
deviance and
crime
measurement.
Answer assess #5
Participate in class.
Giddens et al Ch.7
Bb/Lecture Notes/
SEM on Deviance
Crime and
Punishment
Theories
Read the chapter;
Answer study
guide question #3
on deviance
theories.
Participate in class.
Turn in assess #5 on
3/19
Review for test #3
Answer extra credit
bogus test #3
TEST #3
Examine concepts, types
and theories of economic
inequality and poverty as
well as their correlates of
gender, race and ethnicity
in the USA.
Giddens et al Ch.
8, Ch.10 (pp: 287313), Ch.11 (pp:
325-351);
Bb/Lecture
Notes/Third Exam
Materials (TEM)
on Social
Stratification
7
Read the chapters;
Answer study
guide question #4
on stratification
and poverty
Answer take home
assess #6
Participate in class.
Turn in assess #6 on
4/16
1516
Apr 1823
Compare and contrast the
theories on the social
institutions of family,
education, religion, and
polity .
Ch. 16 (pp: 496512), Ch. 17 (pp:
528-537; 548-556);
Bb/Lecture
Notes/Fourth Exam
Materials (FEM)
on Social
Institutions
16
Apr 25
Class review
17
May 3
All Fourth Exam
Materials plus
Giddens et al Ch 1
and Bb/Lecture
Notes on Theories
of Sociology
FINAL EXAM
Friday, 7:30-9:30
AM
8
Read the chapters;
Answer study
guide questions on
social institutions
Participate in class
Answer extra credit
bogus test #4