MILLSAPS COLLEGE
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Core 6
SOAN 1000 Introduction to Sociology
Professor: Ming Tsui
Spring 2011
Office: S-H 342
MWF 9:00 am
Phone: 974-1388 (office)
Office Hours: MW 10-12 or by appointment
SYLLABUS
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Adopting a cross-cultural and comparative approach, this course will provide a
comprehensive overview of sociological principles. Using the sociological imagination, we will
explore the relationship between individuals and their social environment, as well as the origin,
structure and function of various social institutions. We will begin by examining the dominant
paradigms of sociological thoughts and methods by which the social world is studied. With this
foundation we will move towards a sociological understanding of the major substantive areas in the
field: culture and society, social institutions, stratification and inequality, globalization and social
change. Specific issues include self and society, marriage and the family, education, religion, popular
culture and mass media, class, gender, and race/ethnicity. The purpose of this course is to develop a
capacity for critical thinking about the socially constructed reality which we are inclined to view as
"given," and apply the sociological imagination to our own observation and analysis of the world.
LIBERAL ARTS ABILITIES:
This course is part of the interdisciplinary core curriculum at Millsaps. The objectives of
this class include the development of the following core abilities.
1. Reasoning -the ability to analyze and synthesize arguments, question assumptions, evaluate
evidence, argue positions, draw conclusions, and raise new questions. Varieties of reasoning
include quantitative, scientific, ethical, and aesthetic:
Quantitative - the ability to use mathematical reasoning as a tool of analysis and as a
means of conveying information
Scientific - the ability to understand and to use the scientific methods
Ethical - the ability to analyze the principles and assumptions of moral claims and to
make informed and reasoned moral arguments
Aesthetic - the ability to analyze visual, performing, or literary art
2. Communication - the ability to express ideas, arguments, and information coherently and
persuasively both orally and in writing.
3. Historical Consciousness - the ability to understand the achievements, problems, and
perspectives of the past and to recognize their influence upon the course of events.
4. Social & Cultural Awareness - the ability to engage perspectives other than one’s own.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Methods:
We will use a combination of lectures and inter-teaching to conduct this course. Everyone is
expected to participate actively in inter-teaching and class discussion. To successfully accomplish
these goals, regular class attendance is essential.
****No make-ups for in-class quizzes except for extreme circumstances such as hospitalization and
instructor=s approval is required.
**** Late papers will not be accepted.
**** More than three un-excused absences will result in grade reduction.
**** Tardiness is disruptive and will therefore count against your class participation grade.
**** Cell phones and computers must be turned off during class.
WRITING
Writing is a significant component of this course. There are three short papers (3-6 pages) with
topics described below. As a core 6 course, short papers can be submitted and included in your
Writing Portfolio.
A. Short papers
paper # 1...Sociological imagination... (due Feb. 11)
The readings at the very beginning of the semester introduce the concept of
Asociological imagination.@ This paper asks you to interpret this concept and apply it
to your own experience of the social world. In addition you are asked to use
sociological theories introduced in these chapters to make a sociological analysis of
the issue.
paper #2...Equality and Stratification... (due March 30)
Instruction will be given on the day the paper is assigned.
paper #3...Social Institution and the Self...(due April 22)
A sociological study of either the family, education, or religion, with focusing on
either their roles in the social reproduction of class, poverty, and/or on their functions
for the larger society.
B. Quizzes
We will have quizzes on the readings regularly. The questions in the quiz will come from the
inter-teaching guide. (See separation instruction for inter-teaching.) Quizzes will be graded
according to the following: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 or below=F.
GRADES
Short Papers
30%
Quizzes
60%
Class/Group participation
10%
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REQUIRED TEXTS:
1. Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard Applebaum, & Deborah Carr. (2011). Essentials of
Sociology (3rd edition), New York: WW Norton & Company.
2. Susan J. Ferguson. (2010). Mapping the Social Landscape: Readings in Sociology (6th ed.),
McGraw Hill.
3. A collection of additional readings. (To be distributed in class).
CLASS SCHEDULE
Jan. 10
First meeting of class: Introduction and overview
What is Sociology: History and Theory
Jan. 12
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 1; Mapping the Social Landscape, Reading
No. 1.AThe Promise@ by Mills, and “The great seduction” by Brooks (handout).
Jan. 14
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 1, continued; Mapping the Social
Landscape, Reading No.41, pp. 473-478 AManifesto of the Communist Party@ by
Marx; Brooks AThe power of marriage@ and AAlbanian custom fades: women as
family man@ (handouts).
Jan. 19
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 1, cont.
Jan. 21
READ: Mapping the Social Landscape, No. 2 ATeenage wasteland@ by Gaines and
No. 3 AIntersection of biography and history@ by Romero.
Doing Social Research
Jan. 24
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 1, cont.; Mapping the Social Landscape,
Reading No. 4. AFinding out how the social world works@by Schwalbe
Jan. 26
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 1, cont.; Mapping
the Social Landscape, Reading No. 5 AInterpersonal dynamics in simulated
prison@ by Haney, Banks, and Zimbardo.
Culture and Society
Jan.28-31
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 2; AThe code of the street@ by Anderson and
“The way we live now” by Brooks (handouts)
Feb. 2
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 2 cont.; AThe price of honor@ by Beyer and
“A tale of two expats” (Economist) (handouts)
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Socialization and Life Cycle
Feb. 4
READ: Essentials of Sociology: Chapter 3
***1st short paper assigned, due Feb. 11
Feb. 7
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 3 cont. and Mapping the Social
Landscape, Reading No. 13 AMaking it by faking it@ by Granfield,
Feb. 9
READ: Mapping the Social Landscape, Reading No. 11 ANight of his day: the
socialization of gender@ by Lorber
Social Interaction and Everyday Life
Feb. 11-14
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 4 and AYou just don=t understand@ by
Tannen (handout)
***1st short paper due, Feb. 11
Feb. 16
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 4 cont.
Groups, Networks, and Organizations
Feb. 18
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 5 and Mapping the Social Landscape,
Reading No. 15 “Peer Power” by Alder & Adler
Feb. 21
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 5 cont.
Conformity, Deviance, and Crime
Feb. 23
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 6; Mapping the Social Landscape, Reading
No. 19 AOn being sane in insane places@ by Rosenhan and AIn search of respect@ by
Bourgois (handout).
Feb. 25
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 6 cont.; Mapping the Social
Landscape, Reading No. 20 AAnorexia Nervosa and Bulimia@ by McLorg and Taub.
Stratification, Class, and Inequality
Feb.28-Mar.2 READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 7; "Week in sweatshop@
and.AMoney changes everything...@ (handouts)
Mar. 4
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 7 cont.; Mapping the Social Landscape,
Reading No. 26 ANickel-and-dimed: On (not) getting by in America@ by
Ehrenreich.
Mar. 7-9
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 7 cont.; Mapping the Social
Landscape, Reading No. 24 AWho Rules America?@by Domhoff and No. 23.
ASome principles of stratification@ by Davis and Moore.
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Global Inequality
Mar. 11
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 8 and “Two cheers for sweatshops” by
Kristof and Wudunn (handout).
March 12-20 Spring Break
Gender and Inequality
Mar. 21-23
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 9; ABrief lives@ (handout).
Movie: Small Happiness
Mar. 25
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 9 cont.
Movie: Hillary=s Class
***2nd short paper assigned, due March 30
Race and Ethnicity
Mar. 28
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 10
Mar. 30
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 10 cont.
nd
***2 short paper due, March 30
Marriage and the Family
Apr. 1-4
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 11
Movie: The Vanishing Father
***Student evaluation
Apr. 6
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 11 cont. and Mapping the Social Landscape,
Reading No.55 “Invisible inequality” by Lareau.
Education and Religion
Apr. 8-11
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 12 andAPreparing for power@ by Cookson
and Persell (handout).
Apr. 13-15
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 12 cont.
rd
***3 short paper assigned, due April 22
Work and Economic Life
Apr. 18-20
READ: Essentials of Sociology, Chapter 13 and AWhen work disappear@ by Wilson
Apr. 22
Last in-class quiz
rd
***3 short paper due, April 22
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ACADEMIC HONOR CODE of MILLSAPS COLLEGE
Millsaps College is an academic community dedicated to the pursuit of scholarly inquiry and
intellectual growth. The foundation of this community is a spirit of personal honesty and mutual
trust. Through their Honor Code, the students of Millsaps College affirm their adherence to these
basic ethical principles.
An Honor Code is not simply a set of rules and procedures governing students' academic conduct. It
is an opportunity to put personal responsibility and integrity into action. When students agree to
abide by an Honor Code, they liberate themselves to pursue their academic goals in an atmosphere of
mutual confidence and respect.
The success of the Code depends on the support of each member of the community. Students and
faculty alike commit themselves in their work to the principles of academic honesty. When they
become aware of infractions, both students and faculty are obligated to report them to the Honor
Council, which is responsible for enforcement.
The pledge signed by all students upon entering the College is as follows:
As a Millsaps College student, I hereby affirm that I understand the Honor
Code and am aware of its implications and of my responsibility to the Code. In
the interests of expanding the atmosphere of respect and trust in the College, I
promise to uphold the Honor Code and I will not tolerate dishonest behavior in
myself or in others.
Each examination, quiz, or other assignment that is to be graded will carry the written pledge: "I
hereby certify that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment.
(Signature)" The abbreviation "Pledged" followed by the student's signature has the same meaning
and may be acceptable on assignments other than final examinations.
It is the responsibility of students and faculty to report offenses to the Honor Code Council in the
form of a written report. This account must be signed, the accusation explained in as much detail as
possible, and submitted to the Dean of the College.
The Honor Council, 2009-2010
Students:
Faculty:
Brooke Furrh, Chair
Dr. Rachel Heard, Faculty Secretary
Amanda Smith, Vice Chair
Ms. Ashleigh Powers
Oliver Galicki, Sergeant at Arms
Dr. Susan Taylor
Lamees El-Sadek
Mark Herndon
Sameer Goel
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