SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
Classroom: Media Auditorium- Healey-LL-3507
Time: Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30-10:45
Professor: Dr. Sofya Aptekar
Email: sofya.aptekar@umb.edu
Office location: Wheatley 03-008 (biology department)
Office Hours: Tuesdays 11-1 (and by appointment)
Teaching Assistant: Candace Cantrell
Email: candace.cantrell001@umb.edu
Office location: Healey 11-011 cubicle 12
Office Hours: Tuesday 1-3
This course is designed to be a broad introduction to the field of sociology. One of the
most valuable skills developed in this course is the sociological imagination, which is a
particular way of looking at the world, our place in it, and our everyday experiences and
choices. Instead of focusing on characteristics of individuals and their personalities,
sociologists examine how lives are shaped by social forces, and how the very free choices
we think we make for ourselves are influenced by the society in which we live.
Sociologists are especially concerned with the relationship between individuals and
societal forces that shape us in ways we may not immediately recognize. In this course,
we will look at this relationship and practice applying the sociological imagination to
many different topics, from economic inequality, to the family, to race and ethnicity.
Course objectives
By the end of the semester, you will


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have ample practice applying your sociological imagination to numerous topics
and your own life
identify a variety of sociological theories and methodological approaches and link
them to your everyday observations
acquire skills in engaging in critical dialogue and debate on sensitive and
complicated topics
Required Text:
Conley, Dalton, You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist
(3rd Edition) (YMAY in the course schedule below)
Available for purchase in the bookstore or online, and on reserve at the library. You may
use an earlier edition. However, it is your responsibility to compare the older versions to
the new one and figure out what pages to read for class.
Additional readings are available at no cost to you on our Blackboard website. Most are
listed on the syllabus, but additional readings may be added throughout the semester.
Please print these readings and bring them to class for easy reference.
Assignments
Written Assignments
Blog entry: Find an item that relates to a topic we are studying in class. Write a
coherent 300-400 word entry that links to and describes what you found, and how it
relates to class material. You must apply relevant sociological concepts in your entry.
For example, you might see a commercial that illustrates gendered division of household
labor and write your blog entry about it. Detailed instructions will be provided,
including a list of websites where you might find suitable items to share and examples of
good blog entries. As detailed below, in the section about class participation, reading
and responding to your classmate’s blog entries is part of your grade. You will have an
opportunity to sign up for a specific date for your blog entry. Everyone will have
different deadlines.
Sociological Imagination Paper: Apply sociological imagination to a situation you
are facing or have faced in the past in your own life. Some suggestions: relationships
with others, dynamics at work or in the family, work/school/family balance, substance
abuse, discrimination, financial struggles. Contact the professor if you are not sure what
to write about. You can also write about a situation faced by someone close to you, if you
have been affected by it yourself and know enough about it to write in detail. This paper
will be a maximum of 3-pages. Detailed instructions will be provided in a separate
document that clearly defines the format and method of handing in the document. This
assignment is due at the beginning of the class on the day it is due.
Tests
Syllabus Quiz: This short in-class quiz will test your understanding of the
requirements for this class.
Reading Quizzes: These in-class pass/fail quizzes will each consist of a single
question derived from the reading for the class in which the quiz is given. The question
will come from the reading guide posted on Blackboard. The quizzes are not surprise
quizzes. They will be announced the previous week. There will be four reading quizzes,
with the lowest grade out of four dropped.
Tests: These tests will take the form of multiple choice and short answers and will be
administered ONLINE through blackboard. There are three units in this course, and one
test per unit. The tests are not cumulative. There is no final exam.
Extra Credit: For extra credit, you can attend a campus event that relates to class.
Write two 1.5-spaced pages, with about one page summarizing what you saw, and the
second page explaining your reaction and how it relates to class material. Another
possibility is watching a feature-length documentary that relates to class. In either case,
you should run your choice of event or documentary by me first, to make sure it is
appropriate. The deadline for turning in extra credit assignments is April 30.
Instructor expectations
Attendance policy
Punctual attendance is crucial to successfully completing this course. In-class material
will differ from what is covered in the readings, and you are responsible for both. There
are 28 class meetings. Attendance is worth 10 percent of your final grade, but if you
miss 6 or more classes, you cannot pass this course, even if you do well on assignments
and tests. You are allowed one absence without any consequences. If you only miss one
class or none, you will get 10 out 10 possible attendance points. If you miss two classes,
you will only get 8 points. If you miss three classes, you will get 6 points. If you miss
four classes, you will get 4 points. And if you miss five classes, you will get 2 points. If
you miss six, you fail the class, unless there is an extraordinary circumstance that you
discussed with me, and I made an exception to the rule.
If you anticipate having to miss class or be late, please communicate with me as soon as
possible, preferably via email. Bring documentation, such as a doctor’s note, when you
come back to class. You may not email me to ask me “What did I miss in class?” It is my
responsibility to teach the class material in class and to help you understand it during
office hours. Your responsibility is to find out from another student what happened in
the class that you missed.
Since this is a large class, attendance will be taken not by calling names but through a
variety of methods. Sometimes, we will have sign-in sheets. Other times, I will use
graded or ungraded short assignments collected in class. If you are late to class, or leave
early, you might miss one of these assignments and be marked absent.
Readings
Please complete all reading before each class. Lectures build and elaborate on the
reading, and it will be difficult to follow if you do not complete the reading.
Occasionally, I will provide reading guides for the more challenging texts. You should
also make use of all the resources that accompany the textbook, such as online selfquizzes, flashcards, examples, and multimedia. Get your money’s worth out of that
textbook!
Class participation
When expressing your ideas in class, treat others with utmost respect. Sociology is full
of sensitive topics that may evoke strong emotional reactions. Err on the side of
politeness and civility. Support your opinions with evidence. Behavior that intimidates
others or limits participation of others will not be tolerated. We do not have a right to
be protected from ideas that make us uncomfortable, but we have a reasonable
expectation that any idea will be expressed in a civil and respectful manner.
This is a large class, and it would be impractical to expect all students to be graded on
participation in class discussion. The grade for participation will come from your
participation on the class blog. You are expected to read and comment on your
classmates’ blog entries throughout the semester. To get full participation grade, you
have to write at least 5 good responses. A good response shows that you read and
understood your classmate’s blog entry and includes something else that is relevant
and/or thought provoking. See the blog for examples of what to do. Participating more
than is required is highly encouraged. Excellent participation on class blog will be
considered if you have a borderline grade. In other words, if you have a B+, but have
written many excellent comments, you will get an A-.
Powerpoints and note-taking
I will strive to make my powerpoint slides available to you on blackboard before class,
although I might tweak them a little afterwards. Many students like to print out the
slides and follow along in class. You will find that my slides provide only the outline. You
must take extensive notes in class, and not only copy what is on the powerpoint or the
board. Although many students prefer to use their laptops to take notes, research shows
that the most effective notetakers (the ones with best retention of the material and best
grades) are students who are taking notes by hand. I would strongly encourage you to
close your laptop and use a pen or a pencil.
Communications
It is an expectation in this course that you will check your email regularly, preferably
daily, for updates from the instructor. The email that you check must be the UMass
Boston account that is connected to our blackboard site. If you are having difficulties
accessing blackboard or with your netID, it is crucial to sort it out immediately. I will
write emails to the class through blackboard. Check blackboard itself regularly as well.
I will respond to your communications with me in a prompt manner, although please do
not expect instantaneous responses. Questions that could be answered by referring to
the syllabus will not be answered (e.g. when is the paper due?). Please observe basic
civility when emailing (e.g. write “Dear Professor Aptekar” instead of “Hey, prof.”, and
sign with your full name). Use your UMass Boston account when emailing. If you have a
lengthy question or concern, it is probably best to come to office hours or stay after
class, and explain in person.
Office Hours
Please make use of my office hours and the teaching assistant’s office hours. Making
connections to your university instructors has been shown by researchers to improve
your college outcomes – beyond doing well in this class. It is disappointing to only see
students in office hours to argue about exam points. Other reasons to see me during
office hours include: introducing yourself, clarification on something in the reading or
lecture, concerns about class dynamics or your personal performance, exploring an
interest that connected to class or was sparked by class, advice on career in social
science or academia, etc. If you have a commitment that conflicts with my office hours,
please email me to arrange an alternate time that works for you.
Support outside the classroom
I encourage you to take advantage of tutors available through the Campus Center. These
tutors can help you work on your written assignments, get the most out of your
readings, and develop effective studying techniques for exams. You can fill out an
application at Academic Support Programs (Campus Center-1-1300). Remember that
your tuition pays for these services. You should use them!
Exam make-up and late assignment policy
Make-up tests will only be given in cases of excused absences and official
documentation is required. Excused absences are: illness with a doctor's note, death in
the immediate family, required University activities, and required court appearance.
Documentation must contain information on the specific dates for which you are unable
to take the exam, and you are expected to take the exam immediately after the
circumstances have passed. I must be notified prior to missing an exam for me to
consider giving you a makeup unless the documentation reveals the detaining event
occurred the day of the exam.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date listed on the class syllabus.
Once class has started, any work handed in is considered late. Late submissions will
incur a penalty of half a letter grade reduction (A to A-; A- to B; etc.) for each day that it
is late. A “day” is 24 hours from the due date (start of class). This includes weekends and
holidays. There are no make ups for reading quizzes or the syllabus quiz.
University policy on academic dishonesty and plagiarism
Plagiarism is representing the work of others as your own, including copying other
students’ work or using Internet resources without proper citation. All work that you
submit is assumed to be your own unless you cite source material. If you use words
(either exact or paraphrased), facts, or ideas from another document (including course
materials and web pages), you must cite them. Not doing so is considered plagiarism,
and the result will be a zero on the assignment. If you are at all unsure about what you
should be doing, please talk to me immediately. Students are required to adhere to the
University Policy on Academic Standards and Cheating, to the University Statement on
Plagiarism and the Documentation of Written Work, and to the Code of Student
Conduct as delineated in the Catalog of Undergraduate Programs. The Code is available
online at: http://cdn.umb.edu/images/life_on_campus/Code_of_Conduct_5-14-14.pdf
Disability accommodations
Please inform me at the start of the semester (or ASAP if a disability is verified during
the semester) regarding the need for accommodation of a disability. I will work with you
and the Ross Center to provide the approved accommodation. Contact information:
Ross Center for Disability Services, Campus Center, UL Room 21; Phone: 617-287-7430.
Grading
Grade component
Maximum points
Syllabus quiz
3
Blog contribution
10
Sociological Imagination Paper
15
Test 1
15
Test 2
15
Test 3
15
4 Reading quizzes, lowest
4 each (12 total)
dropped
Participation
5
Attendance
10
Extra Credit
5
Final grade
100
0-59: F
60-62: D63-65: D
66-69: D+ 70-72: C76-79: C+
80-82: B83-85: B
86-89: B+ 90-92: A-
My points
__+__+__=__
73-75: C
93-100: A
Grade appeals
If you feel that a mistake has been made in grading of an exam or an assignment, you
may ask me to re-grade. To do so, please submit at least a paragraph-long written
explanation, with the original test/assignment. Please be aware that re-grading may
result in your grade going down, as well as staying the same or improving, because I
may find a mistake I overlooked the first time.
Course Schedule
YMAY=You May Ask Yourself (our textbook). All other readings are on blackboard.
1
January 27 (Tue)
January 29 (Thu)
2
February 3 (Tue)
February 5 (Thu)
3
February 10 (Tue)
February 12 (Thu)
4
February 17 (Tue)
February 19 (Thu)
February 21-22
Unit 1
SNOW DAY
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociology?
Expectations for the course
SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
□ Mills, “Sociological Imagination” (pp. 3-11)
□ Ch. 1 in YMAY (pp. 1-12)
SNOW DAY
SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION
□ Ackerman, “The Rise of the “Illegal Alien””
□ Watch video, take notes on examples of social
construction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVVWmZAStn8
CULTURE (SNOW DAY – VIDEOS ON BLACKBOARD INSTEAD)
□ Ch. 3 in YMAY (pp. 74-94)
□ Marwick, “Memes”
SOCIAL INTERACTIONS I
□ Ch. 4 in YMAY (pp. 121-124, 132-146)
□ Wade, “Reading the Camouflage”
Syllabus quiz
SOCIAL INTERACTIONS II (SNOW DAY- VIDEOS ON BB)
□ Goffman “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life”
□ Howey “Irony of Understanding”
Blog entries start
REVIEW FOR THE TEST
Test 1 (online)
5
February 24 (Tue)
February 26 (Thu)
6
March 3 (Tue)
March 5 (Thu)
7
March 10
March 12
8
March 24
March 26
March 28-29
Unit 2
SOCIOLOGICAL METHODS
□ Watch catcalling video
□ Wade article on catcalling video
□ Ch. 2 in YMAY (pp. 43-72)
Screening of Tough Guise II
□ Kalish and Kimmel, “Suicide by Mass Murder”
Tough Guise Question Sheet due at the end of class.
THEORIES OF GENDER
□ Ch. 8 in YMAY (pp. 279-309)
GENDER DIFFERENCES AND INEQUALITIES
□ Ch. 8 in YMAY (pp.309-321)
□ Cooky and Lavoy, “Playing but Losing”
FAMILY: HISTORY AND THEORY
□ Ch. 12 in YMAY (pp.451-469)
□ Meadow and Stacey, “Families”
FAMILY: INEQUALITY AND CHANGE
□ Ch. 12 in YMAY (pp. 469-491)
SPRING BREAK
SOCIALIZATION
□ Ch. 4 in YMAY (pp. 124-132)
□ “I Suffer Alone”
Review for Test 2
Test 2 (online)
Unit 3
9
March 31
April 2
10
April 7
April 9
11
April 14
April 16
MEDIA
□ Ch. 3 in YMAY (pp. 94-113)
□ Recuber, “Disaster Porn”
RACE AND ETHNICITY
□ Ch. 9 in YMAY (pp.325-347)
□ Beaman, “But Madame, We are French also”
RACISM, PREJUDICE, GROUP RELATIONS
□ Ch. 9 in YMAY (pp.348-371
□ Thornhill, “If People Stopped Talking about Race”
Screening of Race: The Power of an Illusion, Part 3
Race Question Sheet due in class
STRATIFICATION
□ Ch. 7 in YMAY (pp. 246-259)
□ Jackson, “Inequalities”
AMERICAN STRATIFICATION
□ Ch. 7 in YMAY (pp.259-275)
□ Silva, “Working Class Growing Pains”
12
April 21
April 23
13
April 28
April 30
14
May 5
May 7
15
May 12
May 16-17
POVERTY
Do the “Can You Live on Minimum Wage” exercise
□ Rank, “Rethinking American Poverty”
□ Block et al, “Compassion Gap”
□ Sered, “Suffering”
Sociological Imagination Paper due
CRIME AND DEVIANCE
□ Ch. 6 in YMAY (pp. 187-197, 205-219)
CAPITALISM AND ECONOMY
□ Ch. 14 in YMAY (pp. 537-569)
□ Standing, “Precariat”
AUTHORITY AND THE STATE
□ Ch. 15 in YMAY (pp.573-584. 601-607)
□ Cassidy, “Is America an Oligarchy?”
Last chance to hand in extra credit
EDUCATION: SOCIALIZATION AND INEQUALITY
□ Ch. 13 in YMAY (pp. 495-512, 519-533)
EDUCATION: INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
□ Ch. 13 in YMAY (pp. 512-519)
□ Poon, “I Had a Friend”
□ Beaver, “A Matter of Degrees”
EDUCATION: INEQUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
□ Ross, “Anti-Social Debt”
□ Ashtari, “A Look into the ‘Double Lives’”
□ Tankersley “The College Trap”
Test 3 (online)