Developing Sociological Consciousness
Social Issues: Perspectives in Sociology
Monday/Wednesday: 2 pm – 3:15 pm
CRN 12047- Section 2105/02
Social Science 1021
Instructor Robin Crawford
E-mail: rcrawfor@kennesaw.edu
Office Location: SO4005
Consultation Hours: M/W: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm; or by
appointment
The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve the autonomy
and individuality of his [or her] existence in the face of overwhelming social forces, of historical
heritage, of external culture, and of the technique of life. – Georg Simmel
Spring 2011
So many questions about our social world compel us to take a closer look at sociology as a social science and the
importance of its principles as life-enhancing tools. In this course a common set of world social issues will be critically
examined from the sociological perspective. The discipline of sociology focuses on how culture and social structure
combine to shape the way we as human beings live our lives and define and solve our problems.
You are about to enter a world that will challenge your current assumptions. Your assignment, should you choose to
accept it, is to suspend judgment and approach this sociological journey with an open mind. Think about what is revealed
in your assigned readings and assignments, and ask questions. Think about and respectfully respond to your fellow
classmates' observations and perspectives during class discussions. Become a “practical skeptic” by exploring beyond
the surface. Question what is considered “the obvious.” Your objectives:
 Explain the sociological perspective.
 Use sociology to better understand yourself and society.
 Participate in and reflect upon desocialization activities.
 Examine local, national, international, and global social issues by challenging “the obvious” with a dose of healthy
skepticism; and propose practical solutions that include individual, community, organizational, and institutional
responsibility.
Required Texts
Obtaining the required texts is solely the responsibility of the student. If you order the assigned books from sources other
than the bookstore, you are responsible for ensuring that the books arrive on time or getting another copy in the meantime
- you are responsible for remaining current with your assigned readings. The “Exercises in Sociology: A Lab Manual for
the Study of Social Behavior” will be available online along with Pearson’s MySocLab (detailed instructions to access this
material is included with your packaged text. It will also be posted online and distributed as a handout during the first day
of class).


(MS) Charon, Joel M. and Le Garth Vigilant. 2009. The Meaning of Sociology, 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Prentice Hall (available as an e-book bundled with “Exercises in Sociology: A Lab Manual for the
Study of Social Behavior” to defray textbook costs).
(SE) Schwalbe, Michael. 2008. The Sociologically Examined Life: Pieces of the Conversation, 4th ed. Boston, MA:
McGraw-Hill.
Course Format - You are responsible for reading all of the assigned material BEFORE attending class. As you read the
material, you are encouraged to ask:
 What does the author want me to glean from this information/research? Why?
 What does the information/research reveal?
 Whose truth is in the information/research?
 What are my assumptions and conclusions after reviewing this information/research? Why?
As we analyze our social world you will have several opportunities to demonstrate your understanding of sociological
concepts through group assignments – in and out of class - and in class discussions. In addition to the required reading,
you may watch films and popular animated television shows, analyze popular music, and exercise the sociological
perspective on a number of current events.
Attendance - Attendance is essential for successful completion of this course. Some of the material covered in class will
not be found in the readings; therefore if you miss class, you miss important information directly connected to your overall
success in the class. Past experience has revealed that relying on the notes from other students does not work, as you
will miss key points. Additionally, I will not make a special effort to bring you up to date on information and materials
Crawford – 2105/02 – Spring 2011
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missed – please consult with one of your group members. Although attendance is not included in your final evaluation,
attendance sheets will be available for each class, as your attendance pattern may make the difference if your grade is
right on the line. You are expected to arrive to class prepared and on time, just as you expect me to arrive
prepared and on time.
Class Participation - Participation is expected, as an individual and as part of a group. This can only be accomplished
by reading the assigned material BEFORE class to be familiar with the topic for discussion. Be assured that lectures and
class discussion will go beyond what is assigned in the readings. Your preparation ahead of time contributes to class
discussions and group assignments in a meaningful way. A good portion of your learning will come from your fellow
classmates. If you are not planning to read the assigned material, you may want to plan on dropping the class.
Class Manners - Not to be condescending, as most of you already know and adhere to these basic rules of civility, but for
those of you who have managed to get by without following these basic rules to date:
 Laptop users – there will be a section in the auditorium designated for you, as it is important not to distract
students who are not laptop users!!
 Please familiarize yourself with assignment and exam dates.
 The degradation of specific individuals or groups and/or excessive use of profanity in any class discussion or
assignment will compromise your grade.
 Sociologists look for patterns and what is typical. There will be times when your personal experience will differ from
what we are discussing in class. Some of what will be discussed will go against popular belief. Although interesting,
personal experience or anecdotal evidence is not sufficient to prove a point. So, if you did not review the assigned
material, please do not argue about an issue.
Technology - Guidelines related to how to use GeorgiaVIEW Vista will be addressed during the first week of class.
GeorgiaVIEW Vista will be a primary tool used for announcements, assignments, and other pertinent materials. You will
also be able to check grades, communicate with fellow classmates, communicate with me through e-mail, and access
additional links to articles, etc. You should be checking GeorgiaVIEW Vista at least twice a week to stay current. When
you have a question, comment, complaint, concern, or you just want to say how much you are enjoying your learning
experience :o), please e-mail me through GeorgiaVIEW Vista. My goal is to respond within 24 hours to GeorgiaVIEW
Vista e-mails that don't require effort beyond a quick response (between Monday at 8 am until Friday at 8 pm - weekend
e-mails are not guaranteed a response within 24 hours). If your e-mail requires additional effort beyond a quick response,
my goal is to respond as soon as possible. If you use my university e-mail address, please include your last name course, and section (ex. Smith – Sociology 2105/02). For technology problems, visit Student Technology Services at
http://its.kennesaw.edu/students.htm.
Academic Honesty Policy - I expect you to conform to the rules listed in the undergraduate catalog related to the
Student Code of Conduct, which includes the University’s policy on academic honesty and more specifically plagiarism
and cheating. Please familiarize yourself with this section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Any student caught cheating or
plagiarizing will receive an “F” – no exceptions! It is your responsibility to know and understand what constitutes
plagiarism. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC2ew6qLa8U
and http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/plagiarism.html
The KSU Writing Center - is a free service offered to all KSU students. Experienced, friendly writing assistants work with
you on thesis development, organization, research documentation, grammar, mechanics, and more. They help you
improve your paper AND teach you strategies to become a better writer on your own. For more information or to make an
appointment, visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter, or stop by Room 242 in the English Building.
Special Accommodations Notice - In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. It
is imperative that YOU take the initiative to bring such needs to my attention, as I am not legally permitted to inquire about
such particular needs of students.
Course Guidelines
 Each student will be assigned to a class group.
 All writing assignments should be typed with a header on the first page, 1” margins, double-spaced in the font of your
choice and stapled before submission (no paper clips, hair pins, safety pins, or folded over corners). Please include
your last name or group name and page numbers in the footer of all of your papers unless otherwise instructed.
 Extra Credit opportunities are available, up to five possible points (see “Summary of Evaluations” section for more
details).
 You can contest a grade on an assignment or exam within two weeks (14 days including weekends) of that
assignment being due or within two weeks (14 days including weekends) of that test being administered.
 Late assignments will be reduced 10% of the total grade awarded for each day late.
Crawford – 2105/02 – Spring 2011
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Summary of Class Evaluations
Group Exercises (10%)
You and your group are tasked with submitting two (2) in-class group exercises where you “apply” sociological
concepts/theories. The exercises and accompanying readings are available online via the Media Lab (instructions related
to how to access will be reviewed during the first week of class). As a group, you are tasked with coming to class with a
copy of the exercise instructions as noted on the detailed course schedule. A member of your group should forward your
group assignment via email by midnight on the assigned date.
Cross-Cultural Analysis Project (50%)
You and your group will complete a cross-cultural analysis, also known as comparative analysis; a method central to
many social sciences involving the comparative examination of differing cultures. The Institute for Global Initiatives at
KSU has organized an “Annual Country Study” each year since 2003 and this academic year is the “Year of Romania”
(YoR). Your project will encompass a comparative study of the United States and Romania. Each group will examine
one aspect of culture (i.e., family, education, religion, economics, politics, social change, social stratification, war, poverty,
immigration, homelessness, etc.) and create a comparison presentation between the United States and Romania. Also
as part of this project, each student is required to attend and briefly summarize one (1) “Year of Romania” event (see
submission form posted on Vista), compose a brief essay summarizing the overall project experience (1 ½ - 2 pages), and
complete an individual, anonymous Group Peer Review Form (3% will be deducted from your final grade for missing
forms).
Self-Assessments/Final Exam (40%)
Fourteen ungraded self-assessments will be available during the semester – one self-assessment per chapter in your
textbook. You are encouraged to take all of these self-assessments until you receive 100%, as these will prepare you for
the final exam. Your comprehensive final exam will be administered in-class via PowerPoint (plenty of time will be
allotted for this test). Wednesday, March 28th (In-Class Comprehensive Final Exam)
Extra Credit Opportunities (5%)
Participate in a series of desocialization exercises (up to five – one point each) and reflect upon the experience via the
assigned online discussion board.
Evaluation Format
Group Exercises (2)
Event Summary
Cross-Cultural Project
Individual Essay
Comprehensive Final Exam
Total
Percentage
10%
10%
25%
15%
40%
100 points
Grading Scale - 100-90 = A; 89-80 = B; 79-70 = C; 69-60 = D; 59 and below = F
Important Dates
January 5-6
Final Registration
March 14
January 8-14
Drop/Add
May 2
Last Day to Withdraw Without
Academic Penalty
Last Day of Classes
January 8
First Day of Classes
May 3-9
Final Exams
January 20
Final Payment Deadline
May 12
Final Grades Due
March 5-11
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
May 10-12
Graduation (Tentative)
Crawford – 2105/02 – Spring 2011
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Detailed Course Schedule
(The instructor reserves the right to adjust the syllabus and course schedule with student input)
Date
Class Agenda
January 10th
Building a Foundation
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
January 12th
Teambuilding Exercise
January 17th
NO CLASS – HOLIDAY
January 19th
Sociology – The Discipline/ As a
Perspective (Lecture/Class Discussion)
January 24th
Group Collaboration
January 26th
Cross-Cultural Analysis (CCA)
Project Discussion
January 31st
Social Organization/ Social Structure
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
February 2nd
Group Collaboration
February 7th
Inequality in Society/ Culture
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
February 9th
Group Collaboration
February 14th
Social Institutions/ Organizations,
Societies, and Globalization
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
February 16th
Group Collaboration
February 21st
Social Order, Social Control, Social
Deviance, and Social Power
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
February 23rd
Group Collaboration
February 28th
Organizations, Societies, and
Globalization
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
March 2nd
Group Collaboration
March 14th
Reading Assignment
Assignment/Test Schedule
MS - Chapters 1 & 2
SE – Chapter 1
“The Sociological
Perspective,”
pages 1-5
Group Exercise Due:
“The Sociological Imagination”
pages 10-11
(send via email by midnight Thurs.)
MS - Chapters 3 & 4
SE – Chapter 4 & 5
CCA Group Strategy Due
(form posted on Vista)
MS - Chapters 5 & 6
SE – Chapter 2 & 11
“No Degree, and No Way
Back to the Middle”
pages 73-75
Group Exercise Due:
“Social Class in the United States”
pages 81-82
(send via email by midnight Thurs.)
MS - Chapters 7 & 8
SE – Chapter 3 & 7
CCA Group Reference List Due
MS - Chapters 9 & 10
SE – Chapter 6 & 10
CCA Group Outline Due
MS - Chapters 11 & 12
SE – Chapters 12
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES (Saturday – Friday)
Family, Religion, Society and the
MS - Chapters 13, 14, & 15
Individual
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
March 16th
Group Collaboration
March 21st
The Sociologically Examined Life
(Lecture/Class Discussion)
March 23rd
CCA Project Group Collaboration
March 28th
Sociological Trivia (Final Exam Prep)
March 30th
COMPREHENSIVE IN-CLASS FINAL EXAM- (2 pm – 3:15 pm)
Crawford – 2105/02 – Spring 2011
SE – Chapters 8 & 9
CCA Group
Project, Essay, & Event Form Due
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