Sociological Perspectives
Dr. Jeffrey P. Blick
Spring 2002
Class Meeting Time
& Place: T&TH 9:30-10:45 AM; A&S 3-64
Office &
Office Hours: A&S 2-14; T&TH 7:00-9:30 AM, 1:45-3:30 PM & by appt.
Email: jblick@mail.gcsu.edu, jblick@bellsouth.net
Website: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~jblick/
Required Textbook:
Society: The Basics (6th ed.) by John J. Macionis (Prentice Hall, 2002) (paperback with CD-ROM). ISBN 0-13-041048-9.
Course Description:
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, environment/pollution, collective behavior/social movements), this course 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, based on facts rather than emotion, on how to deal with the pressing social problems of today.
Objectives:
1. To acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of the discipline of Sociology including its major concepts, theories, methods, and models.
2. To recognize and appreciate the major social features which explain or lead to diversity in human societies and subcultures.
3. To comprehend the complexity of selected modern social systems through the application of the Sociological perspective.
4. To understand and apply basic Sociological methods and techniques to our own society in order to view it more objectively, relatively, and critically.
5. To learn to comprehend, analyze, apply, and evaluate the internal views offered by the authors of articles and/or Sociological studies and to synthesize a personal perspective based on major theories and concepts.
Course Requirements & Grading
Procedure:
There will be four tests during the course of the semester about every 3-5 weeks (about every 4 chapters). Tests will consist of a variety of question types. These tests are designed to check student comprehension of Sociology as the course 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.
20% of your grade is based on attendance (See Attendance & Tardiness Policy, below)
80% of your grade is based on tests (4) at 20% each
100%: Total Possible Percentage Points
Course Schedule:
Students are expected to have read the assigned material BEFORE coming to class so that they are well informed and up to date on the subject matter to be covered in that day’s lecture. For your convenience, the class syllabus will be posted on Dr. Blick’s website no later than the second week of class.
T 1/8: Bureaucratic & Administrative Details. Introduction to Sociology. What is Sociology? Chapter 1.
TH 1/10: Read Chapter 1: Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method.
T 1/15: More on Chapter 1: Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method.
TH 1/17: More on Chapter 1: Sociology, Perspective, Theory and Method.
T 1/22: Read Chapter 2: Culture.
TH 1/24: Read Chapter 3: Socialization.
T 1/29: More on Chapter 3: Socialization.
TH 1/31: Read Chapter 4: Social Interaction in Everyday Life.
T 2/5: TEST 1, Chapters 1-4.
TH 2/7: Read Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations.
T 2/12: Read Chapter 6: Deviance.
TH 2/14: More on Chapter 6: Deviance.
T 2/19: Read Chapter 7: Sexuality.
TH 2/21: Read Chapter 8: Social Stratification.
T 2/26: More on Chapter 8: Social Stratification.
TH 2/28: TEST 2, Chapters 5-8. (Midterm). DROP DATE MARCH 1.
T 3/5: Read Chapter 9, Global Stratification.
TH 3/7: Read Chapter 9: Global Stratification.
T 3/12: Read Chapter 10: Gender Stratification.
TH 3/14: Read Chapter 11: Race and Ethnicity.
T 3/19: More on Chapter 11: Race and Ethnicity.
TH 3/21: TEST 3, Chapters 9-11.
T 3/26: GC&SU Spring Break, March 25-29. No Class.
TH 3/28: GC&SU Spring Break, March 25-29. No Class.
T 4/2: Read Chapter 12: The Economy and Politics.
TH 4/4: More on Chapter 12: The Economy and Politics.
T 4/9: Read Chapter 13: Family and Religion.
TH 4/11: More on Chapter 13: Family and Religion. (Skip Ch. 14).
T 4/16: Read Chapter 15: Population, Urbanization, and Environment.
TH 4/18: More on Chapter 15: Population, Urbanization, and Environment.
T 4/23: Read Chapter 16: Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies.
TH 4/25: More on Chapter 16: Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies.
TH 5/2: TEST 4, Chapters 12, 13, 15, and 16 (Skip Ch.
14), 8:00-9:00 AM.
Disclaimer:
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. Videos will be scheduled based on availability and relevance.
Cellular Phones, Beepers, Pagers,
& Other Disruptions in Class:
Disruption of class due to cellular phones, beepers, pagers, etc. will NOT be tolerated. Students are required to turn OFF all cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. prior to the beginning of class. Students disrupting the class with such devices will be asked to leave the classroom and will not be readmitted for the remainder of the class. It is also requested that students NOT carry on private conversations during lectures or during videos, as it is extremely rude and distracting to your classmates and to your professor.
Honor Code:
Students attending GC&SU and attending this class are expected to adhere to the GC&SU Honor Code. All incoming freshmen should receive information about the Honor Code during orientation. All students should familiarize themselves with the GC&SU Honor Code. The Honor Code is located in the 2000-2002 Undergraduate Catalog (pp. 58-59) and online at:
http://www.gcsu.edu/student_affairs/Student_Handbook/honor/honor.html
Attendance & Tardiness
Policy:
Tardiness will not be accepted, as it is very disruptive to your professors and to the class. It is therefore necessary that you show up on time for class every day. You will be required to sign a class roster to indicate your attendance for the day, thus it is crucial for you to arrive on time in order to sign the roster and receive your attendance credit. 20% of your grade is based on attendance. Failure to show up on time forfeits your attendance credit for the day. Attendance is calculated by a simple formula as follows: x/31 x 100 where x = number of days present in class (there are 31 total class days scheduled). For example, a person missing only one day (30 out of 31 days) would have an attendance grade of 96.774. This figure is then multiplied by .20 (20%) to calculate the amount attendance contributes to the overall grade.
Requests for Modifications:
Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a documented disability should make an appointment to meet the professors as soon as possible. An official letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be expected in order to receive accommodations.
In Case of Fire:
In the event of a fire alarm signal, students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire and/or smoke. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the building. In case of fire, do not use elevators. Do not reenter the building under any circumstances. Assemble for a head count in front of the building away from fire apparatus and report your presence to your instructor.
Drop Date:
The last day to withdraw from this course without academic penalty is Friday, March 1.