(SOCI 1101-06, CRN 60943)
Dr. Jeffrey P. Blick
Class Meeting Time and Place: M&W, 8:15-9:30 PM, Room M220
Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment
E-mail: jblick@mail.gcsu.edu, jblick@bellsouth.net
Website: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~jblick/
The purpose of this course is to provide a solid introduction to the major issues in Sociology. Students will become familiar with sociologically related ideas to help them view society and the world with a greater sociological and social awareness and a more open-minded approach. Since many topics in Sociology are controversial (e.g., sexuality/gender, social inequality/poverty, race/ethnicity, population/urbanization, collective behavior/social movements), this class is bound to be exciting and thought provoking. Students in the modern world must face these and other important issues and learn to formulate their own ideas and opinions on how to deal with certain social problems.
A. To acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of the discipline of Sociology including its major concepts, theories, methods, and models.
B. To recognize and appreciate the major social features which explain or lead to diversity in human societies and subcultures.
C. To comprehend the complexity of selected modern social systems through the application of a Sociological perspective.
D. To understand and apply basic Sociological methods and techniques to our own society in order to view it more objectively, relatively, and critically.
E. To learn to comprehend, apply, analyze, and evaluate the internal views offered by the authors of articles and/or Sociological studies and to synthesize a personal perspective based on certain theories and concepts.
There will be four tests during the course of the semester about every 4-5 weeks that will consist of a variety of question types. These tests are designed to check your comprehension of Sociology as the class progresses. This class uses the 10 Point Grading Scale (90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F). Absences will affect your performance in this class as 20% of your grade is based on attendance. Missed tests due to unexcused absences cannot be made up. Excuses must be signed by a doctor or other official giving a valid explanation for the absence. There will be no make up opportunities in this class except for excused absences nor is there extra credit.
Dates in Red indicate test dates.
1. M 8/21/00: Bureaucratic and Administrative Details. Introduction to Sociology. What is Sociology?
2. W 8/23/00: Read Chapter 1. Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method.
3. M 8/28/00: Read Chapter 2. Culture.
4. W 8/30/00: More on Culture.
M 9/4/00: OFF - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.
5. W 9/6/00: Read Chapter 3. Socialization: From Infancy to Old Age.
6. M 9/11/00: Read Chapter 4. Social Interaction in Everyday Life.
8. M 9/18/00: Read Chapter 5. Groups and Organizations.
9. W 9/20/00: More on Groups and Organizations.
10. M 9/25/00: Read Chapter 6. Deviance.
11. W 9/27/00: More on Deviance.
12. M 10/2/00: Read Chapter 7. Social Stratification.
13. W 10/4/00: More on Social Stratification.
14. M 10/9/00: Read Chapter 8. Global Stratification.
15. W 10/11/00: More on Global Stratification.
16. M 10/16/00: Read Chapter 9. Sex and Gender.
18. M 10/23/00: Read Chapter 10. Race and Ethnicity.
19. W 10/25/00: More on Race and Ethnicity.
20. M 10/30/00: Read Chapter 11. Economics and Politics.
21. W 11/1/00: More on Economics and Politics.
22. M 11/6/00: Read Chapter 12. Family and Religion.
23. W 11/8/00: More on Family and Religion.
24. M 11/13/00: Read Chapter 13. Education and Medicine.
26. M 11/20/00: Read Chapter 14. Population and Urbanization.
W 11/22/00: OFF - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
27. M 11/27/00: More on Population and Urbanization.
28. W 11/29/00: Read Chapter 15. Environment and Society.
29. M 12/4/00: More on Environment and Society.
30. W 12/6/00: Read Chapter 16. Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies.
This schedule is an outline of planned course readings and activities that may be modified to allow for addition or deletion of certain classroom materials, discussions, guest speakers, etc. Movies or videos will be scheduled based on availability and relevance.