Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology
Instructor: Sabrina Santiago
Class #: 44901 Soc 101 01;
44904 Soc 101 07
Days/Time: MWF 8-8:50am; 9-9:50am
Room: 229A; 463
Southwestern College
Email: ssantiag@sdccd.edu*
*Please put your school, course title and
meeting time in subject line (ex. SWC
Soc101 9am)
Websites: www.MySocLab.com
& http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/ssantiago
Catalog Course Description
“3 units, 3 hours lecture
SOC 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY - 3 Units
[Recommended Preparation: RDG 158 or the equivalent skill level as determined by
the Southwestern College Reading Assessment or equivalent.] Examines the central
concepts and perspectives of sociology. Includes the basics of sociological theory,
socialization, culture, groups and organizations, the mass media, deviance and social
control, social stratification, racial and ethnic inequality, family, religion, education,
government, the economy, the environment, population, health, social movements,
and social change. Transfers to: CSU, UC” (quoted from SWC catalog)
Student Learning Objectives
1. Students will be able to identify key terms and apply the major theoretical
perspectives to information and experiences.
2. Students will be able to compare and contrast elements of social inequalities in
regards to race, ethnicity, gender, and age.
3. Students will be able to conduct Internet research relating to key concepts in
sociology and compose an electronically generated paper using APA format.
4. Students will explain and analyze the development of culture through the process
of socialization in relation to race, class, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion,
ethnicity and nationality.
Attendance Requirements
It is the responsibility of each student to add, drop or withdraw from classes prior to
deadlines. As you know, the school does not accept student inability to pay fees as an
excuse. If you are unable to pay required fees you may want to seek out the assistance of
the financial aid office. Make sure that if you decide to withdraw from this class that you
do it before the deadline or a grade must be assigned to you. Consistent, punctual
attendance is highly recommended as 1) you cannot get credit for class participation on
the days that you are absent 2) you will be held responsible for all material covered in
class and 3) lateness is calculated into the participation grade. If you are unable to attend
class, check the instructor’s website (http://classroom.sdmesa.edu/ssantiago) to find out
about any assignments and/or to obtain any handouts provided in class. The covered
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material will neither be repeated in or out of class for the benefit of those students who
were absent or tardy. You do not have to notify me of absences.
Classroom Behavior and Student Code of Conduct
Every student is expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct as explained in the
course catalog. Consistent with the policy of fostering an environment that is conducive
to learning for all students, I will not tolerate consistent and/or significant (from my
view) classroom disruptions. It is required in this class that we retain the utmost respect
for one another at all times. Finally, if any student disrupts or distracts the class in any
way I will ask the student to remove himself/herself from the class until he/she has
resolved whatever issue distracting him/her from the focus of the topic that is being SWC
Students with Disabilities
“Southwestern College recommends that students with disabilities discuss academic
accommodations with their professor during the first two weeks of class. This syllabus
and course handouts are available in alternative media upon request.” DSPS. 482-6512.
Required Texts
Henslin, James M. 2006. Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 9th ed. Boston: Allyn &
Bacon. 020560577X
And
MySocLab without e-book
OR
MySocLab with e-book
 Access to both the text (on-line or hardcopy) and to MySocLab is required!
 You can buy immediate access to MySocLab with e-book or without
e-book at www.mysoclab.com.
Exams/Quizzes
You are responsible for taking the online test for each chapter being covered in the class
(see schedule below).
Midterm and Final exams will be “objective” (multiple choice, true false, etc.). Please
bring a scantron to each exam. No make-up tests will be given.
Class Participation
You are responsible for reading each chapter and other assigned articles before the
material is covered in the class (see schedule below). The in-class coursework requires
that you have read the assigned material so that you can provide educated feedback to the
other students in the class and so that you will have a better chance of grasping the
sociological points addressed in class. Those who have not read the assigned material will
not get credit for that portion of the class participation.
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Research Paper
Your research paper must address a topic related to sociology. The paper should be 57 pages typed, excluding the bibliography. There are heavy penalties for writing less
than required but there is no penalty for writing over 7 pages. You should have at least
seven (7) social science sources cited in the body of the paper and listed in the
bibliography. There is a strict penalty for not including sources listed in the bibliography
within the body of the paper. This is a standard research paper. It should have a thesis (or
a statement about the main points of your paper). Your research objective is to find
information from credible (academic, refereed) sources about the topic under
investigation. The research paper should be written from a sociological perspective.
Method of Evaluation
Class Participation
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
20%
30%
20%
Final
Research Paper
20%
10%
Class Schedule
1/14-16
Ch.1: The Sociological Perspective
Group Presentations based on “Data Analysis: U.S. Marriage, U.S.
Divorce”
1/19
Holiday—Martin Luther King Day
1/21-23
Ch.2: Culture
Group Presentations based on Culture weblink & “Body Ritual Among the
Nacirema” reading
1/26-30
Ch.3: Socialization
Group Presentation on “Anybody’s Son Will Do”
2/2-6
Ch.4: Social Structure and Social Interaction
Group Presentations on “The Great Football Ritual”
2/9-11
Ch.5: How Sociologists Do Research
Group Presentations based on Explore: Research
2/18-27
Ch.6: Societies to Social Networks
3/2-9
Ch.8: Deviance and Social Control
Group Presentations based on Explore: “Deviance and Social Control” and
reading “Fraternities and Rape Culture”
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3/11
Review for Midterm
3/13
Midterm Exam
3/16-20
Ch.9: Global Stratification
Group Presentation “Job on the Line”
3/23-4/3
Ch.10: Social Class in the United States
Group Presentation based on Explore “Social Class”
Group Presentation based on “The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All”
Group Presentation based on “Data Analysis: Distribution of Property of
Americans”
4/6-10
Spring Break
4/13-17
Ch.11: Sex and Gender
Group Presentation based on “Learning Silence: Girls and Boys in
School”
4/20-24
Ch.12: Race and Ethnicity
Group Presentation based on “How the Jews became White Folks”
4/27-5/1
Ch.15: Politics
5/4-8
Ch. 16: Marriage and the Family
Group Presentation based on Explore “Social Groups or Marriage and
Family”
5/11-13
Ch.22: Social Change and the Environment
Group Presentations based on “Social Change and the Environment”
5/15
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam Dates
8am Class: Monday, May 18, 8-10am
9am Class: Wednesday, May 20, 8-10am
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