Sociology C101
Syllabus and
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Class Schedule
R. Maraccini
Course Description
Sociology C101 is a course designed to cover the following areas within the field of sociology:
The science of sociology, culture, deviance, race and ethnic relations, socialization, personality
development, collective behavior, group influence, the process of social change, and social
institutions.
Throughout the semester, this course will cover these areas by focusing on
sociological theories, concepts, and terminology. Sociology C101 meets the general education
requirements for the associate’s degree at Cerro Coso College, and is accepted for transfer by
the CSU and UC systems, as well as by most private colleges and universities.
Text
Brinkerhoff, White, Ortega, and Weitz Essentials of Sociology, Eighth Edition (Wadsworth
Group, 2011).
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
A. identify what sociology is and how it is applied, and relate both theory and application
in developing their “sociological imagination (Mills, C. W., 1959).
B. critically evaluate social science research data and use it to support their position in
writing the research paper.
C. construct examples of human group behavior and interpret each example based on
the theories learned.
D. identify and explain basic human needs and predict the social situations that inhibit
as well as those that contribute to the satisfaction of these needs.
E. distinguish events in their own lives that are better explained by “understand[ing]
personal troubles as public issues (Mills, C. W., 1959) and relate them to their life
experiences.
F. analyze theory and research in order to synthesize their own perspective on the
social world and explain it.
Reading Assignments and Lectures
Lectures will be based on the material found in assigned chapters from the text and have
been arranged topically.
Exam questions will cover material presented in both the text and
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lectures. Supplemental material will be brought in as the instructor deems necessary. The
instructor may choose to present material in a manner different from that found in the text. This is
so that you the student may have additional exposure to the different schools of thought found
within contemporary sociology. It is to your advantage to read the material before each class
lecture. This will not only help you to keep on top of the subject matter, but will also enable you to
ask questions concerning material found in the text during class lectures and discussions. I
permit taping of my lectures. The reading schedule is found on page 5 of the syllabus.
Exams
The examination schedule is also found on pages 4 of the syllabus. Each exam is arranged
according to topic and the assigned corresponding chapters found in the text. Examinations will
be administered at the beginning of class on Sept. 22nd, Oct. 27th, and December 8th. Each is
worth 100 points, and will consist of multiple choice, matching, and completion or fill-in items.
There will be a total of three exams. The exams combined will comprise 300 points total for a
total of 75% of your final grade. I allow no make-ups. However, I will let students reschedule if
they notify me ahead of time that they will have to miss the night of a scheduled exam.
The last exam is scheduled for the final night meeting (December 8th). It will cover the last of
the assigned reading topics.
Sociological Observation
Part of the student learning objectives for Sociology B1 is to for students to conduct an
observation assignment. You will be required to visit a public location, take notes, and then write
a paper addressing the following:
1. Describe the physical setting. What are some of the key objects, as well as its mood and
pace? Further describe a couple of the social and cultural norms of the location. Make sure
you address how people dressed, interacted, occupied space, and spoke to one another. [30
pts]
2. What appeared to be the social statuses and roles of the individuals in the location?
Explain why you think this is. Also, what did you learn by observing the location
sociologically? [30 pt]
3. Thirty points will be allotted to your incorporation of ideas from the assigned chapters and
class discussions. Use material from both to support your observations. Demonstrate your
understanding of the material. Cite chapter and page when using material taken from the text.
If you are incorporating material from class discussions cite the date of the lecture, and make
sure you refer to the specific portion of the lecture you are referring to.
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4. Ten points will likewise be allotted to paper organization, appropriate citation, spelling, and
grammar. The paper should have a clear introduction that includes what you will discuss in
the rest of the paper, a body that addresses questions 1 and 2, and a conclusion tying the
entire paper together.
The observation is due on November 24th. It should be between 2-3 pages in length. It will be
worth a total of 100 points and will comprise 25% of your final grade. It must be typed and
double-spaced.
Grading
Course grades will be determined employing the following scale:
360 above = A
320-359 = B
280-319 = C
240-279 = D
Less than 240 = F
Please note: The above grading scale is tentative and subject to any changes that the
instructor deems appropriate.
Attendance
This class meets every Wednesday 6:00-9:10 p.m. Each student is expected to arrange her
or his schedule so that they can attend each class session. If you are hospitalized or ill for any
prolonged period of time, you need to contact me at my office. Any student who has no absences
from September 1st on will receive an extra 15 points. You must stay the entire session to collect
the extra 15 points. So don't ask if you can leave early and still get the points. If you cannot
attend a class you may have a substitute attend in your place. However, they cannot be a
classmate.
This course starts promptly at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 9:10 p.m. Attendance will be taken at
the beginning and near the end of each class. Class is scheduled to meet on November 24th.
Withdrawals
The instructor expects the student to officially drop this course. Students are responsible for
officially withdrawing from any classes they no longer wish to attend. Non-attendance does not
release students from this responsibility.
Any student who stops attending and failed to
officially withdraw will receive a letter grade based on the total number of points she/he
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accumulated at the time they stopped attending. Consult page 10 of the 2010-2011 Cerro Coso
Community College Catalog for further information about college policy concerning course
withdrawals.
November 1st is the last day to officially withdraw and receive a “W” from a class for the Fall
semester.
Cheating
Students are expected to do their own work. Cheating and plagiarizing are grounds for
failure, as well as for any other disciplinary action deemed suitable by Cerro Coso. Consult page
140 of the 2010-2011 Cerro Coso Community College Catalogue concerning academic honesty.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who believe they may need special accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact the Disabled Student Program and Services at 760-379-6250, as soon as
possible to ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.
Office
Messages can be left with me at my office at (661) 654-3219. I can also be reached by email
at rmaraccini@csub.edu. My office fax is (661) 654-6971.
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TENTATIVE READING AND CLASS LECTURE SCHEDULE
TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION: THE STUDY OF SOCIETY, CULTURE, AND SOCIAL
STRUCTURES.
Read: Chapter 1, "The Study of Society”; Chapter 2, "Culture"; and Chapter 4, "Social Structures and Social
Interaction."
Wednesday 8/25: “The Study of Society.”
Wednesday 9/1: Finish chapter 1.
Wednesday 9/8: “Culture (ch. 2).”
Wednesday 9/15: "Social Structures and Social Interaction" (ch. 4).
Exam #1: Wednesday 9/22.
TOPIC 2: GROUPS, INTERACTION, SOCIALIZATION, AND THE FAMILY.
Read: Chapter 5, "Groups, Networks, and Organizations"; Chapter 3, "Socialization"; and Chapter 11,
"Family.”
Wednesday 9/29: "Groups, Networks, and Organizations" (ch. 5).
Wednesday 10/6: “Socialization” (ch. 3).
Wednesday 10/13: Finish chapter 3. Start "Family" (ch. 11).
Wednesday 10/20: Finish chapter 11.
Exam #2: Wednesday 10/27
TOPIC 3: SOCIAL INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL CONTROL.
Read: Chapter 6, “Deviance, Crime, and Social Control”; Chapter 7, "Stratification”; and Chapter 8, "Racial
and Ethnic Inequality”.
Wednesday 11/3: “Deviance, Crime, and Social Control" (ch. 6).
Wednesday 11/10: Finish chapter 6. Start “Stratification” (ch. 7).
Wednesday 11/17: "Stratification" (ch. 7).
Wednesday 11/24: Finish chapter 7. Observation paper due.
Wednesday 12/1: "Racial and Ethnic Inequalities" (ch. 8).
Exam #3: Wednesday 12/8. Enjoy the holidays!
The above reading schedule is tentative and subject to any changes deemed necessary by the instructor.
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