Society and Change: The Tipping Point
Syllabus for Spring 2011
Instructor - Ms. Cindy Threet
Cindy_Theet@dpsk12.org
Room D214
720-424-1821
Course Description:
This sociology survey course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of how societies are
formed and how they function. Sociology is a study of people in group relationships and integrates all the
disciplines of social movement. This course addresses values, norms, culture, socialization, social stratification,
and social institutions. It may also include consideration of social problems such as crime, poverty, prejudice
and discrimination, collective behavior and social movements. An emphasis will be placed on culture and
socialization, social status, social institutions, and social problems, as well as the effects and influence on
behavior. Using the tools and techniques of sociologists, students will study changes taking place in society and
examine their causes, consequences, and possible solutions. Students will read major sociological theorists as
well as consider how sociologists approach issues.
Texts:

Sociology: The Basics, by John J. Macionis.

Down to Earth Sociology, by James M. Henslin

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, by Malcolm Gladwell (All students
will read. Please have a copy by Jan. 18th)

 Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn
 Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution – And How It Can Renew America,
by Thomas Friedman
 An Army of Davids: How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media,
Big Government and Other Goliaths, by Glenn Reynolds
 Six Degrees: the Science of a Connected Age, by Duncan J. Watts
 China Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, by Ted C.
Fishman
 Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich
 Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, by Dan Ariely
Major Instructional Goals:
The student will be provided the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to:
1. Compare and contrast the main theoretical perspectives that explain human social behavior.
2. Examine the basic components of culture, how culture is transmitted, maintained and changes as well
as how practices vary among different cultures.
3. Interpret the characteristics and the stages of the socialization process.
4. Demonstrate and understand the characteristics of social stratification within various societies.
5. Analyze the characteristics of social groups and their relationships to society.
6. Analyze the interrelationships of five major social institutions: family, religion, education, government
and economy.
7. Analyze current social issues as they apply to the study of sociology.
8. Relate the study of sociology to personal development and responsible behavior in a democratic
society.
Course Outline
Unit 1 - Introduction to Sociology and Research – Perspective, Theory and Method (chapter 1)
Unit 2 - Culture and Social Structures (chapter 2)
Unit 3 – Socialization From Infancy to Old Age (chapter 3)
Unit 4 - Social Interaction in Everyday Life (chapter 4)
Unit 5 – Groups and Organizations (chapter 5)
Unit 6 – Sexuality and Society (chapter 6)
Units 7: Social, Global and Gender Stratification, Race and Ethnicity (Chapters 7-11 textbook)
Unit 8: Economics and Politics (chapter 12)
Unit 9: Family and Religion (chapter 13)
Unit 10: Education, Medicine, Population, Urbanization and Environment (chapters 14 and 15)
Unit 11: Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies (chapter 16)
ASSIGNMENTS
 Students will take a short quiz at the end of every chapter.
 Students will complete responses to our readings in class.
 Students will also complete assignments to accompany the homework readings. These will mainly be
reflections on The Tipping Point and the book club selections.
MAJOR PROJECTS
 We will have a culminating research project for The Tipping Point. You might complete a tipping point
analysis of Facebook, texting, tweeting, The Tea Party, Sarah Palin, Oprah, reality TV , Harry Potter,
Twilight books and movies, Lady Gaga’s popularity, tattooing, or some other new fashion craze.
 Book clubs will use power-point presentations to teach the class about their books and the
philosophies they studied.
 The students will choose a sociological topic/issue/problem that they feel is in need of change or
worthy of analysis. They will research their topic and present a written analysis explaining how society
can reach the tipping point for this needed change.
Grading and Attendance:
Semester grades will be determined by a continuous accumulation of scores over the
18-week semester (there will also be separate grades for each 9 weeks). Student grades are based on
accuracy,
completion, rigor, and presentation quality of all work.
Grading Scale:
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D
F
93100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
60-69
0-59
Assignments will be given point values based on the time required and expectations of the assignment. Work
will be turned in on time. LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR 50% CREDIT.
Makeup work from excused absences will be completed promptly. It is YOUR responsibility to find out what
work you missed if you were absent. Makeup work will NOT be accepted for unexcused absences. All
unexcused absences (truancies) will be reported to the student advisor.
*******COMMUNICATE WITH ME AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU NEED HELP OR MORE TIME TO GET
SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS OR PROJECTS FINISHED. Coming to me on the day assignments are due (or after)
with excuses will do no good- don’t even try it! Students who attend regularly, conscientiously complete
assignments and participate in class discussion will earn a good grade. Don’t be late. Don’t ditch. Don’t blow
off assignments and homework.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT GRADING!
It is important to me that your written work is given the consideration it deserves. That consideration
takes time. Daily homework assignments will generally be graded within a week, but papers take me longersometimes a month, depending on the assignment. Please be patient with me, I want to be able to read and
think about what you have to say- not just skim!
Progress Monitoring:


Grades in Infinite Campus will be updated once a week.
Every 3 weeks prog/elig grades will be used to help identifying struggling students for interventions
including tutoring.


Every week, IC Messenger will send notices regarding failing assignments. These are notices of
assignments that earned a failing grade (less than 59%). To verify a student’s class grade, you will need
to check IC in more detail. Please keep in mind the grading policies as stated in the syllabus above.
IC Messenger will also send out a message if the student has missed an assignment. Failing grades will
be sent once per week, missing grades may be sent multiple times over a nine-week period.
Non-Academic Materials: The following are not permitted in class.
o Cell phones and pagers. (Parents, please do not call your student during class. In case of an
emergency, please call the main office.)
o Grooming supplies (makeup, perfume, lotion, cologne, brushes, etc.)
o I-pods, walkmans, gameboys, etc.
o Notes to/from friends
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is a cornerstone of this class. Cheating, including plagiarism is never acceptable.
Presenting someone else’s work as your own, whether the work is from a friend, the Internet, a parent, etc.,
is cheating. Please review citation formats. If you choose to cheat on an assignment, test, or quiz, you will
earn no credit for the assignment, test, or quiz. In addition, a referral will be sent to the Student Advisor.
Absences:
Please review DSA's attendance policies and other procedures in the student planner. Due to the nature of
the program, it is helpful for the student to be in attendance in each class every day. Please try to schedule
other activities outside the school calendar.
Tardy Policy:
Being on time to class is a respect issue. I make a point to treat my students with respect, and showing up on
time is one way for students to return that respect. If you have a hard time getting to class on time, I’ll
probably give you a hard time. If it continues to be an issue, you’ll be referred to the Student Advisor.
PLEASE BE ON TIME TO CLASS!!!