SYLLABUS, SOC 1000
Fall 2010
SOCIOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES – SOC 1000
Section 1000-02
Class meets Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:35-10:50 a.m. in CR 302
Instructor: Dr. Anna Zajacova
Office: 421 Ross Hall
Email: zajacova@uwyo.edu (Please write SOC 1000 in the subject line)
Office hours: Tuesdays 11:00 a.m.-12:30 pm, Thursdays 1:00-2:30 pm, or by appointment
Teaching assistant: Ms. Melinda Varju
Office: 451 Ross Hall
Email: mvarju@uwyo.edu (Please write SOC 1000 in the subject line)
Office hours: Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 pm, or by appointment
Course website
The WyoWeb Course Studio site will include key information about the class. Please check the site
regularly.
Prerequisite
None
University studies program (USP)
This class fulfills the Cultural context-social sciences (CS) requirement.
Course description:
This course provides a broad overview of sociology as a way of understanding the everyday life.
Sociology is a social science field that places social, economic, and political phenomena within the
society's structure. We discuss major theoretical perspectives and concepts, including sociological
imagination, socialization, culture, stratification and inequality, deviance, social change, and other
topics. We explore the impact of social structure and institutions such as education, healthcare, and
family.
Course objectives:
At the completion of the class, you will be able to



Recognize the three major sociological perspectives
Be able to apply these perspectives to social problems and issues
Have a solid understanding of how society and social forces influence you life
Required reading:
Richard T. Schaefer (2009). Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 8th edition. McGraw-Hill.
The book is available at the University bookstore.
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SYLLABUS, SOC 1000
Fall 2010
Grading:
There will be several short quizzes, 3 in-class exams and a cumulative final exam. You get to drop
the lowest in-class exam score; only the best two will be a part of your final grade.
In-class exam
30%
In-class exam
30%
Quizzes
5%
Final exam
35%
Exams. All exams will consist of multiple-choice questions. The midterms will be non-cumulative;
the final exam covers material from the entire course. Please note: Since you get to drop one of
the in-class exams, there will be no makeup exams.
Quizzes. The quizzes will be super short (1-3 questions) and unannounced; their function is to take
attendance and ensure that you are doing the assigned readings along with the lectures, rather than
cram before exams. There will be at least 3 quizzes throughout the semester.
The final grade will be determined as follows:
90%-100%
A
80%-89%
B
70%-79%
C
60%-69%
D
0%-59%
F
Recommendations for doing well in this class.
To succeed, it is important that you attend lectures and read all assigned chapters. During lectures,
you should take notes that will make sense to you a few weeks or months later. When reading,
highlight key ideas, scribble questions or comments in the book, and generally work with the text
actively.
If you miss a class, you do not need to email me. However, you are responsible for material covered
that day -- email your classmate, ask what was covered, get a copy of their notes.
Show respect to your classmates and the instructor. This includes coming to class on time, paying
attention, waiting for the lecture to end before packing your stuff, turning your phone off, etc.
Students who behave in a disrespectful or distracting way may be asked to leave the class.
Attendance:
Class attendance is required.
Class participation:
Appropriate participation in class discussion is expected and encouraged.
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SYLLABUS, SOC 1000
Fall 2010
Important dates:
August 24
Tuesday
First class
September 21
Tuesday
First exam
October 14
Thursday
Second exam
October 20
Wednesday
Mid-semester grades
November 9
Tuesday
Third exam
November 23
Tuesday
No class
December 2
Thursday
Last class
December 9
Thursday
Final exam 10:15 a.m. -12:15 pm
Rights and responsibilities:
Please refer to the University of Wyoming Regulation 8-30 for information concerning your
rights and responsibilities as a University of Wyoming student.
Accommodations
If you have physical, learning, or psychological disabilities that require accommodations, please let
me know as soon as possible. You must register with, and provide documentation of your disability
to University Disability Support Services (UDSS) in SEO, room 109 Knight Hall.
The Writing Center
Coe Library, Room 302
307-766-5250
writing@uwyo.edu
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/ctl/writing_center/
Student Learning Center
Washakie Center, lower level
307-766-3730
http://www.uwyo.edu/reslife-dining/slc1.asp
University Counseling Center
341 Knight Hall
307-766-2187
307-766-8989 (after-hours emergencies)
uccstaff@uwyo.edu
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/ucc/
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SYLLABUS, SOC 1000
Fall 2010
Academic Honesty:
The University of Wyoming is built upon a strong foundation of integrity, respect and trust. All
members of the University community have a responsibility to be honest and the right to expect
honesty from others. Any form of academic dishonesty is unacceptable to our community and will
not be tolerated. Attempts at cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of F (0 points) for the
assignment or exam, lowered final grade, or additional repercussions.
Suspected violations of standards of academic honesty should and will be reported to the instructor,
department head, or dean. University regulations regarding academic honesty can be found at:
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/legal/universityregulations.htm.
Classroom behavior:
Appropriate behavior is expected of all students, in order to facilitate a supportive learning
environment. Any activities not related to the class material must be conducted outside of the
classroom, including any online networking or in-person communication. Phones must be turned
off and no conversation, texting, or tweeting is allowed.
Complaints:
Student Complaints should be addressed through the following chain of authority:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Instructor (Dr. Anna Zajacova)
UW Sociology Department Chair (Dr. Donna Barnes)
UW Dean of Arts and Sciences (Dr. Oliver Walter)
UW Vice President for Academic Affairs (Dr. Myron Allen)
Lecture topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Introduction, history, major theoretical perspectives
Research methods in sociology
Culture
Socialization
Social interaction
Deviance
Stratification
Race and ethnicity
Gender
Family
Education and religion
Government and economy
Health
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Note: The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus during the course of the semester.
Any changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
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