INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Sociology 1101-A
Georgia Institute of Technology
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 3:05 pm – 3:55 pm
Spring 2013
D.M. Smith 105
Instructor: Jennifer Singh, MPH, PhD
Office: Old Civil Engineering Building, G-22
Office Hours: MWF 11 am – 12 pm or by appointment
Phone: 404-894-7445
Email: jennifer.singh@hts.gatech.edu. Please contact me through the T-Square course
site.
Teaching Assistant: Joon An
Office: Old Civil Engineering Building, G-41
Office Hours: M 2 – 3 pm
Email: hjoon.an@gmail.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An overview of sociology that emphasizes the social nature
of human behavior, including an introduction to culture, social structure, socialization,
deviance, stratification, family, gender, religion, demography, and complex organization.
COURSE OBJECTIVES1:
• Learn to think sociologically by grasping what the “social” entails and the
interactions between individuals and macro level forces.
• Gain an understanding of various sociological perspectives, including core
sociological concepts, theories, and research methodologies.
• Develop complex and critical thinking skills by being aware of multiple
perspectives (e.g., historical, international, cross-cultural) and moving beyond
obvious explanations or surface understandings.
• Recognize various social inequalities, both in the United States and globally, by
tying stratification into social structures and individuals’ location in those
structures.
• Recognize that social concepts and phenomena (e.g., race, gender, sense of time,
or human nature) are actively reflective of social forces and structures, which
consequently vary over time and across societies.
1
Adapted from Persell, C.H., Pfeiffer, K.M., & Syed, A. 2008. “How Sociological Leaders
Teach: Some Key Principles.” Teaching Sociology 36:108-124.
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REQUIRED TEXT
Both books are available at the Engineer’s Bookstore on Marietta St.
Conley, Dalton. You May Ask Yourself. 2nd Edition. New York, W.W. Norton &
Company. ISBN 978-0-393-93517-2
Additional student resources such as study guides, quizzes, etc. available at:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/soc/you-may-ask-yourself2/welcome.aspx
Massey, Garth. Readings in Sociology. 7th Edition. New York, W.W. Norton &
Company. ISBN 978-0-39-313246-5
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Reading and Class Participation
Reading represents the major assignment for this class. I expect each of you to come to
class prepared to discuss, question and clarify each reading assignment. While I do not
expect you to have mastered all of the readings before coming to class, I do expect you to
have read the texts and be prepared to discuss them. Every student is expected to read all
the course material, view videos, attend lectures, and participate in class discussions and
class exercises. Although I do not give credit for participation, the level and quality of
participation in class will be taken seriously in boarder line grades.
Attendance, Pop Quizzes, In-class Assignments (10%)
Attendance will not be taken, however, there will be pop-quizzes and in-class
assignments throughout the semester (5 total). These cannot be made up unless you have
an excused absence as defined by the University Senate (serious illness, illness or death
of a family member, university related trips, major religious holidays).
Short Assignments (25%)
There will be five short assignments worth 25% of your grade. These will consist of short
written responses to assignments such as interviews with people or participant
observation. Late assignments will not be accepted. Details of the assignments will be
distributed in class and on T-square.
Exams (65%)
There will be 3 in-class exams consisting of multiple-choice and true/false questions. The
duration of exam 1 and 2 will be 50 minutes (approximately 35 questions). Each exam
will cover approximately one-third of the course assigned readings, lectures, discussions,
exercises and films. The final exam will cover the last third of the course but will have
additional questions that address central themes in the course (50 questions). Although
the exams are not comprehensive, I assume that knowledge obtained in readings, lectures,
etc. is cumulative. Make-up exams will not be given unless you have an excused absence
as defined by the University Senate (serious illness, illness or death of a family member,
university related trips, major religious holidays or other reasons approved in advance by
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instructor). If you miss an exam due to an excused absence, please contact me
immediately to reschedule the test.
Please be on time for exams.
EXAM DATES
Exam 1: Feb. 18, 2013
Exam 2: March 25, 2012
Exam 3: April 29, 2013 (2:50 PM – 5:40 PM - Scheduled time for the final exam)
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Graded Assignment
Percentage of grade
Pop Quizzes, In-class Assignments 10%
Short Assignments (5)
25%
Exam #1
20%
Exam #2
20%
Final Exam
25%
Keep Track of your Grade
(your grade X .10) = a
(your grade X .25) = b
(your grade X .20) = c
(your grade X .20) = d
(your grade X .25) = e
Total
(a+b+c+d+e) = your grade
Course grade: 90-100=A
100 %
80-89=B
70-79=C
60-69=D
Lower than 60=F
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
Academic Integrity Statement: Students are expected to act according to the highest
ethical standards. The immediate objective of an Academic Honor Code is to prevent any
Students from gaining an unfair advantage over other Students through academic
misconduct. The following clarification of academic misconduct is taken from Section
XIX Student Code of Conduct, of the Rules and Regulations section of the Georgia
Institute of Technology General Catalog: Academic misconduct is any act that does or
could improperly distort Student grades or other Student academic records. Please review
student responsibilities Article II, Section 3 at the following website:
http://www.honor.gatech.edu/plugins/content/index.php?id=9
Working with other students: Unless specifically identified as group work, all
assignments are to be completed alone.
Cheating: Cheating off of another person’s test or quiz is unethical and unacceptable.
Cheating off of anyone else’s work is a direct violation of the GT Academic Honor Code,
and will be dealt with accordingly.
Unauthorized use of any previous semester course materials, such as tests, quizzes,
homework, projects, and any other coursework, is prohibited in this course. Using these
materials will be considered a direct violation of academic policy and will be dealt with
according to the GT Academic Honor Code.
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For any questions involving these or any other Academic Honor Code issues, please
consult me, the teaching assistants, or visit www.honor.gatech.edu
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
ž Do not talk during lecture, while other students are asking questions, or during
movie/video presentations.
ž Please silence cell phones, and turn off iPods, or other electronics during class.
ž Computers are allowed in class to take notes only. Please refrain from using e-mail,
Facebook, You-Tube, or any other non-related electronic material. It disrupts not only
your learning but also the learning of those around you. If it becomes apparent that
you are using your computer in class to surf the web and are disengaged in class, I will
ask you to close your computer and you will no longer be able to bring it to class.
ž Late arrivals & early departures disrupt not only me, but also other students; therefore,
if you know you will be late or need to leave early—please talk to me before class (or
email me).
ž Since this course discusses controversial issues, I expect you to respect and listen to
everybody’s opinions and perspectives. I value and respect your contributions. Please
do the same for others in the class. Our class is a space free of sexist, racist or other
offensive comments.
ACCOMODATIONS
Students with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact
the instructor. The Office of the Dean of Students, ADAPTS Disability Services Program
is available to assist us with the reasonable accommodations process. More information
at: http://www.adapts.gatech.edu/index.php.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
•
•
•
•
•
American Sociological Association: www.asanet.org. There is a section for students
that will let you browse the site and find information that could be applicable for this
class.
Socio-Web: The SocioWeb is an independent guide to the sociological resources
available on the Internet and is founded in the belief that the Internet can help to unite
the sociological community in powerful ways. http://www.socioweb.com/
Sociological Images: Sociological Images encourages people to exercise and develop
their sociological imaginations with discussions of compelling visuals that span the
breadth of sociological inquiry. http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/
Dictionary of Sociology: http://www.webref.org/sociology/sociology.htm
Sociology Spotlight – i-phone application provided by Wiley-Blackwell:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sociology-spotlight/id452014669?mt=8
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READING AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Read all assigned material before coming to class and be ready to discuss.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes as needed.
Date
Topic/Reading Assignment
Assignments
PART 1: USING YOUR SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
Jan 7
M
Introduction to course: What is Sociology?
Jan 9
W
Introduction to course: What is Sociology?
Jan 11
F
Jan 14
M
Conley, Ch. 1: Sociological Imagination (p. 3-15)
LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR CLASS
Conley, Ch. 1: Sociological Imagination (p. 16-27)
Jan 16
W
Conley, Ch. 1: Sociological Imagination (p. 27-38)
Massey, p. 19-26 What Makes Sociology Different
Jan 18
F
Massey, p. 13-18 Personal Experiences and Public
Issues
Jan 21
M
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY
Jan 23
W
Conley, Ch. 2. Methods (p. 41-68)
Jan 25
F
Massey, p. 51 – 56: Telling the Truth about Damned
Lies and Statistics
Massey, p. 64 – 75: Racism and Research: Tuskegee
Jan 28
M
Conley, Ch. 3: Culture and Media (p. 71-90)
Jan 30
W
Conley, Ch. 3: Culture and Media (p.91-108)
Feb 1
F
Massey, p. 97-108: McDonalds in Hong Kong
Massey, p. 126-134: Nike Culture
Feb 4
Feb 6
M
Conley, Ch. 4: Socialization and the Construction of
Reality (p.111-127)
Massey, p. 137-152: Boyhood, Organized Sports,
and the Construction of Masculinities
W
Conley, Ch. 4: Socialization and the Construction of
Reality (p.127-140)
Massey, p. 391-406: Police Accounts of Normal
Force
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Read the Syllabus
Buy books
Assignment 1 Due:
Sociological
Imagination
Homework: watch
Merchants of Cool
Assignment 2 Due:
Questions to
Merchants of Cool
Be prepared for class
discussion of the
movie: Merchants of
Cool
Feb 8
F
Conley - Ch. 5: Groups and Networks (p.143-165)
Feb 11
M
Conley - Ch. 5: Groups and Networks (p.143-165)
Feb 13
W
Conley, Ch. 6: Social Control and Deviance (p. 177203)
Massey, Ch. 32: From Panopticon to Disney World
Feb 15
F
Zimbardo – The Pathology of Imprisonment
(on T-square)
Feb 18
M
EXAM 1 (CH. 1-6)
PART 2. FAULT LINES, SOCIAL DIVISION AND INEQUALITY
Feb 20
W
Conley, Ch. 7. Stratification (p. 227 – 246)
Feb 22
F
Take home quiz
Feb 25
M
Feb 27
W
Mar 1
F
Mar 4
M
Mar 6
W
Conley, Ch. 9: Race (p. 320-330)
Massey, pp. 232 – 241: Optional Ethnicities
Mar 8
F
Conley, Ch.9: Race (p.331-352)
Massey, p 328 – 338: From More than Just Race
Mar 11
M
Conley, Ch. 10 Poverty (p.355-376)
Mar 13
W
Conley, Ch. 11: Health and Society (p.387-411)
Mar 15
F
Conley, Ch. 11: Health and Society (p.412-423)
Conley, Ch. 7. Stratification (p. 246 - 262)
Massey, p. 245: Nickel and Dimed
Conley, Ch. 8: Gender (p. 265-276)
Massey, p. 79 – 96: To Veil or not to Veil?
Conley, Ch. 8: Gender (p. 293-304)
Assignment 3 Due:
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH A GRADE TV and Gender
OF “W” BY 4:00PM
Roles
Conley, Ch. 9: Race (p. 307-320)
Massey, pp. 226 – 231: Love and Race Caught in
the Public Eye
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Mar
18,20,
22
MW
Mar 25
M
F
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
EXAM 2 (Ch. 7-11)
PART 3. BULIDING BLOCKS: INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIETY
Mar 27
W
Conley, Ch. 12: Family (p. 427-449)
Mar 29
F
Conley, Ch. 12: Family (p. 449-466)
Apr 1
M
Conley - Ch. 13: Education (p. 469 – 485)
Read report on Georgia Cheating Scandal:
http://www.ajc.com/news/volume-1-of-special1000798.html (p. 1-19 only)
Apr 3
W
Conley - Ch. 13: Education (p. 485- 508)
Apr 5
F
Conley – Ch. 16: Religion (p.583-595)
Massey, p. 460-468: Religious Community and
American Individualism
Apr 8
M
Conley – Ch. 16: Religion (p. 596-618)
Apr 10
W
Capitalism and the Economy (p. TBD)
Apr 12
F
Apr 15
M
Apr 17
W
Science Environment and Society (p. 649-664)
Apr 19
F
Class Discussion – bring copy of assignment to class
(electronic copy okay)
Apr 22
M
Collective Action, Social Movements and Social
Change (pp. 667-692)
Social movement/social media (TBD)
Apr 24
W
Collective Action, Social Movements and Social
Change (p. 696-702)
Apr 26
F
Course Wrap up – bring lap-tops for course
evaluation
Apr 29
M
FINAL EXAM – 2:50 PM – 5:40 PM
Assignment 4 Due:
Educational
Experiences
Capitalism and the Economy
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Vaughn
3 readings on T-square/resources/April 12
Science Environment and Society (p. 629-649)
Massy, p. 122-125: America’s National Eating
Disorder
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Assignment 5:
Impact of technology
on society