CLASS INFORMATION SHEET
San Joaquin Delta College
Instructor: Rosalind Gottfried, Ph.D.
Introduction to Sociology Soc. 1A
Prerequisites: Reading Level 2
Semester: Fall 08 Office: Cunningham 418
Phone: 209 954-5735
Office Hours: MWF: 10-10:45 AM; T/TH 12:15- 1:00
Catalog Description: This course examines how social forces affect human behavior. Students
classify, discuss, and analyze the major social forces, such as: socialization, culture, class
inequality and differences, ethnic and racial relations, economic and political institutions,
education, family, religion, and social change. (UC, CSU, CAN Soc 2)
Text(s) and Materials:
The Spirit of Sociology Ron Matson, editor (plus software)
Strapped by Tamara Draut, Anchor Books, 2005
Seinology by Tim Delaney, Prometheus Books, 2006
The N.Y. Times on line
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
1. The identification and application of the sociological perspective.
2. The interpretation of basic sociological theories and perspectives.
3. The application of fundamental sociological thought to basic institutions: the family,
education, the polity, religion, media, economics, and health care.
OBLIGATION OF THE STUDENT:
1. Students with excessive absences in the first four weeks will be dropped by the instructor.
After four weeks it will be the student's obligation to drop the course. If you do not intend to
finish the class and do not drop it, you will receive a failing grade.
2. There will be four exams and a final. These exams will be based on the readings,
lectures, class discussions, and videos. The lowest of the four exams will be dropped. There
will be no make up exams - a missed exam will be dropped as the lowest score.
3. There will be films and classroom exercises assigned to enhance the lessons as
designated by the instructor. After each video, at the beginning of the next class, a one page
reaction essay is due! (Student must attend class to get credit and no handwritten
assignments will be accepted). Video responses will be essays based on personal
responses, not summaries, of the videos. They must be written in correct English and they
must be substantive. That is, I do not want comments that simply state “I liked it”, or “I
didn’t like it”. It is fine to say how you felt about the video but then you must explain why you
felt that way.
4. Articles will be assigned from the NY Times for class work and written assignments.
5. There will be one main written assignment. Guidelines will be distributed in class.
6. It is the student's responsibility to stay current with the readings and assignments.
7. The last day to drop without receiving a "W" is September 9. The last day to drop with a
"W" is November 17. This course "requires a minimum of three hours of work per week for
each unit of credit, including class time." (California State Education Code: Title V, section
55022)
COURSE OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION/THEORIES
Week 1
Introduction to Sociology
Seinology chapter 1
Week 2
Theory, History, Origins of Sociology
Matson Articles 1-3
Matson Article 4
Week 3
Seinology Chapter 2
Culture - Video: Advertising and the End of the World
Matson articles 7-9, 40
Week 4
How Sociologists Do Research
Matson Articles 5, 6
First Exam
Week 5
Socialization and the Life Cycle
Seinology Chapter 3
Video: Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better
Matson articles 10-12
Week 6
Social structure: social interaction, groups, and institutions
Video: Beyond Killing Us Softly
Seinology chapter 5
Matson Articles 13, 14, 16, 17
SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
Week 7
Social Class
Exercise: The Power Shuffle
Matson Articles 22, 24
Week 8
Video: The Overspent American
Strapped Chapters Intro, 1, 2, 3
Week 9
Global Stratification
Matson Article 23
Video: Maquilopolis
Second Exam
Week 10
Race and Ethnicity
Video: "Skin Deep"
Seinology chapter 9
Matson Articles 25-27
Week 11
Gender: Video: Tough Guise
Seinology Chapter 6
Matson Articles 18. 28-30, 44
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Week 12
Families
Seinology Chapter 10
Strapped Chapter 4, 5
Matson Articles 15, 31-33
Third Exam
Week 13
Deviance
Seinology Chapter 7, 8
Matson Articles 19, 20, 21
Week 14
Education - Video: "Fighting Back"
Matson Articles 34, 35
Week 15
Health, Population, and Aging
Seinology Chapter 12, 13
Matson Article 42
Video Excerpts from Sicko
Week 16
Politics
Video: Mississippi: Is This America?
Strapped Chapter 6, 7
Matson Articles 37-39
Week 17
Religion
Seinology Chapter 11
Matson Articles 36
Week 18
Fourth Exam
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Exams 15% each = 45% (Drop lowest semester exam)
Final (cumulative) = 20%
Video papers and class assignments = 15%
Written assignment = 20%
ALL MATERIAL MUST BE TYPED TO RECEIVE CREDIT (Except any assignment which is totally
done in the classroom.)
SOCIAL SCIENCE DIVISION
Classroom Expectations:
It is expected that students in all Social Science Division classes will:
*be attentive to, and participate in, all instructional activities.
*be courteous to people with different perspectives and values.
*be respectful of all persons.
*be on time.
*not leave early without instructor permission.
*not disrupt class sessions by inappropriate behavior.
*not cheat on assignments or examinations.
*not engage in plagiarism.
*not eat, drink, or smoke in classrooms.
*make use of instructor office hours during designated times.
College Catalog (p,12) "Student Responsibilities" Section 5: "If a student decides to drop a course, it is the
student's responsibility to file immediately a "Program Change" with the Registration Office. As a matter of
courtesy and to assist the instructor in maintaining accurate class records, the student should also inform the
instructor of the decision to drop the course."
Students may not leave class early without prior notification of the instructor. Students are also required to be
in class at the start time. Students are asked to shut off all cell phones and pagers. Students who fail to do so
will be asked to leave class for the day (per college guidelines). If you are having problems with the class,
please see instructor ASAP, during any office hour (appointment not needed). If you can’t make the office
hours, please ask the instructor for an appointment during other hours.
The instructor reserves the right to amend this class schedule to better achieve course goals.