SYG2000 - Intro to Sociology - Spring 2014-2
Tuesday and Thursday 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM in room 3218
Syllabus
Instructor: Alejandro Angee, Ph.D.
Office: 3506-3 Phone: (305) 237 3180 Email: aangee@mdc.edu Web: http://faculty.mdc.edu/aangee
Office Hours: Monday, 2:00PM to 3:30PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 1:00PM to 4:00 PM
Course Description
This course offers an introduction to sociology as a way of understanding complex social, political, and
economic phenomena in the world. Sociology is a field of study that focuses on social structures, social forces,
and group interactions. Specifically, this course will concentrate on several important sociological topics such as
culture, the social construction of knowledge, “race,” gender, and economic inequality, as well as political
sociology.
Course Objectives
Sociologist Peter L. Berger saw sociology as a debunking perspective – that is, looking at things from different
ways in which people traditionally see the world. This is one of the major objectives for this class, where
combining and developing critical thinking skills are applied to the understanding of major themes in society.
Thus, by the end of the class, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand the main sociological theoretical perspectives
Apply these perspectives to contemporary social problems
Develop insight into the critical link between social structure and individual circumstances
Acquire analytical skills for understanding and evaluating social phenomena and the interactions from
which they emerge.
Class Policy for Lecture and Discussion
Class lectures will result from ideas and materials associated with textbook concepts, films, and assigned
readings. Thus, lectures are intended to improve your understanding of the readings and topics covered in the
class. A great deal of classroom time will be dedicated to group discussion; consequently, students MUST
KEEP UP WITH THE WEEKLY READINGS and actively participate in class.

Required Textbook: Intro to Sociology, by Henry L. Tishler, 11th Edition.
Web Enhanced Class
This class has a “Web Enhanced” designation. This means that you will need to be able to login and familiarize
yourself with the college’s ANGEL software. Assignments, additional readings, and a variety of resources will
be available here and all homework will need to be turned in through the system. Here is the login page:
https://mycourses.mdc.edu/default.asp
Power Points, Lectures and Class Discussions
Weekly power points are available at http://faculty.mdc.edu/aangee. It is recommended that students download
and print them to facilitate the note-taking process. Because not everything will come from the book, I highly
recommend that you take notes during class discussions/lectures.
1/12/2015
Grading Policy and Procedures
There will be 3 exams worth 15 points each. These will be composed of multiple-choice, true and false, and
short essay questions, and will account for 45% of your total grade. The exams have a window of one day to be
completed online and are rigorously timed. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE-UPS FOR MISSING AN
EXAMINATION!
There will be 10 homework assignments during the semester. These are worth 5 points each, or 50% of your
total grade. The take home activities are based on the reading that is due for that particular day (usually from the
book or any other reading given by the professor) and are composed of essays, short answer, true and false, or
multiple choice questions. Homework is due every Monday. Late activities will lose 1 point for every class they
are late.
There will be 5 points for attendance and participation. You are allowed 4 (excused/unexcused) absences
without penalty. Any additional absence will result in the loss of your 5 attendance/participation points.
The breakdown of your final grade is as follows:
Item
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Home Work 10X(5pts)
Attendance/Participation
Total
Points
15
15
15
50
5
100
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 59 and below
Course/Departmental Policies
 Semester deadlines and important dates can be found at: www.mdc.edu/main/academics/academic_calendar.asp
 Students with Disabilities or Special Needs: Please let me know if you need any special accommodations.
 Academic Honesty: Students that are found responsible for academic misconduct, will be subject to the
Academic Misconduct Procedures and Sanctions outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities
Handbook: www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
 If You Miss a Class: Please do not email your professor to ask if you “missed something important” the day
you were absent! Surely you missed something important! Please follow your syllabus closely, download the
power points from the website, and call or ask a classmate if you need the notes for that day.
 Cell Phone Policy: ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USE IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. ANY
USE OF CELLPHONES OR TEXTING IN THE CLASS WILL RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC LOSS
OF 5 POINTS FROM THE PARTICIPATION GRADE AND MAY RESULT IN EXPULSION FROM
THE CLASSROOM IF BEHAVIOR CONTINUES AFTER FAIR WARNING!!!!
Student Learning Outcomes at MDC
According to the Miami Dade College’s Learning Outcomes website, “Miami Dade College Learning Outcomes
are learning goals that emphasize the lifelong skills needed to be successful in work and life and to participate in
our society as a global citizen.” At MDC, these Learning Outcomes are developed and used across the spectrum
of educational and co-curricular activities that make up the students’ major courses of study (www.mdc.edu/learningoutcomes).
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:










Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.
2
Semester Schedule
PART 1 – THE STUDY OF SOCIETY
Week 1
Introduction to class:
01/05
What the heck is sociology anyway?
 Review syllabus and class assignments
 Clarify expectations for class and instructor
The Sociological Perspective
 Film: Born into Brothels
Week 2
The Sociological Perspective II
01/12
 Film: Born into Brothels
PART 2 – THE INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY
Week 3
Culture
01/19
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Week 4
Socialization and Social Interaction
01/26
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Week 5
Social groups and Deviant Behavior
02/02
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Week 6
Social groups and Deviant Behavior (continued)
02/09
 Class Lecture and Discussion
**TEST 1. Thursday, February 13 (Parts 1 & 2)**
PART 3 – SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Week 7
Class Stratification
02/16
 Class Lecture and Discussion
 Film: Waging a living
Week 8
Class Stratification (continued)
02/23
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Week 9
Race and Ethnicity
03/02
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Week 10
Gender Stratification
03/09
 Class Lecture and Discussion
 Film: Killing us Softly 3
Week 11
*** TEST 1. Thursday, March 20 (Part 3)***
03/16
 Progress Reviews
PART 4 – INSTITUTIONS AND GLOBALIZATION
Week 12
Marriage and Alternative Family Arrangements
03/23
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Film: Every Good Marriage Begins with Tears
Week 13
Religion
03/30
 Class Lecture and Discussion
Week 14
Education
04/06
 Class Lecture and Discussion
 Film: Time for School 3
Week 15
Political and Economic Systems
04/13
 Class Lecture and Discussion
 Film: Without the King
Final review and good bye party!
Week 16
04/20
Test 3. TBA
3
 Read: Tischler, chapter 1
 Read: C. Wright Mills,
The Sociological imagination
 HW 1 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapter 3
 HW 2 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapters 4, 5
 Read: Tischler, chapters 6, 7
 HW 3 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapter 8
 HW 4 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapter 10
 HW 5 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapter 11
 HW 6 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapter 12
 HW 7 available on ANGEL




Read: Tischler, chapter 13
HW 8 available on ANGEL
Read: Tischler, chapter 14
HW 9 available on ANGEL
 Read: Tischler, chapter 15
 HW 10 available on ANGEL