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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC 202"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Sociology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ferruccio Trabalzi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30-2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and practices of the study of society. Students will learn central ideas such as socialization, culture, stratification, institutions, work organization, gender, ethnicity, race and globalization. They will also learn about how sociologists practice their craft reading about studies of current social issues - inequality, changes in family life, social movements and others - and by carrying out small scale out-of-class research assignments.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and practices of the study of society. Students will learn central ideas such as socialization, culture, stratification, institutions, work organization, gender, ethnicity, race and globalization. They will also learn about how sociologists practice their craft reading about studies of current social issues - inequality, changes in family life, social movements and others - and by carrying out small scale out-of-class research assignments.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Having taken this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe, interpret and evaluate various aspects of  western societies 
  2. Show awareness of the most significant social transformations and societal processes that characterize contemporary societies;
  3. Reflect in a theoretically informed way on society, engaging our own taken for granted beliefs and values;
  4. Analyze and identify significant social issues using a broad sociological perspective
  5. Conceptualize society via its main institutions
  6. Explain and exemplify main sociological concepts such as social class, socialization, social and cultural stratification, deviance, social interaction, gender, race and power.
Discuss sociology’s contribution to the study of modern society and global transformations
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Sociology: introductory readingsGiddens, Anthony and Sutton, PhilipPolity Press13-978-0-7456-4883-5  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Sociology Matters Richard Schaefer McGraw Hill0073528250   
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term ExamA combination of short and long answer questions which will demonstrate students’ ability to identify, understand and critically discuss the concepts learned in the course and to apply them to analyzing specific cases of social problems. 30%
Final ExamFormat of the final exam: between 5 to 10 questions including multiple choice, short and longer answers for a total of 100 points. All questions are based on readings and lectures after midterm (i.e. the final exam is not cumulative and does not include topics dealt with in the first part of the semester) .30
ParticipationShowing up for class on time grants the student a B in the final participation grade. To earn full participation the student has to actively participate. This means asking questions relevant to the issue at hand, answering when prompted by the professor, bringing into the discussion relevant points, experiences and whatever extra information generate further reflection on the topic discussed at the moment. 10%
Research projects3 group research project conducted according to three methodologies: quantitative, qualitative, participant observation. 10% each project30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. 
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

 Assignments

 

WK1 

Mon Sept 3

 

 

Intro to the course and general information relative to readings, assignments, and exams

 

 

 

 

Wed Sept 5

 

 

Intro:

What is sociology?

 

 

Giddens-Sutton 
pp 5-8, 
pp 13-15

Schaefer Ch1 pp 3-6

 

 

 

 

 

WK 2

Mon Sept 10

 

 

The History of Sociological Thought I

 

Giddens-Sutton 
pp 21-24,
pp 109-111
Schaefer Ch1 pp. 8-14

 

 

 

 

 

Wed Sept12

 

 

Giddens-Sutton 
pp 25-29
Schaefer Ch1 pp 8-14

 

WK 3

Mon Sept 17

Major Theoretical Perspectives

  Schaefer 15-20

 

 

Wed Sept 19

Research Methods I

 

Giddens-Sutton pp. 47-52, 53-59, 68-73

 

 

WK 4

Mon Sept 24

Research Methods II

 

Giddens-Sutton pp. 47-52, 53-59, 68-73

 

 

 

Wed Sept 26



Practice: Learning How and Where to Get Data

 


A sociological tour of the JCU library

WK 5

Mon Oct 1

 


 Practice I
Quantitative Research

 
Wed Oct 3

 


Practice 2
Qualitative Research

WK 6 
Mon Oct 8

 

 

Practice III
Participant Observation

Wed  Oct 10

 In class student presentation of fieldwork

 

 

WK 7 
Mon Oct 15

Sociological data in the age of social media





 

 

Wed Oct 17

In class recap





WK 8
Mon  Oct 22

Mid-Term Exam

 

 

Wed Oct 24

 Socialization across life: Nurture Vs Nature

 Video: Tales from the Jungle: Margaret Mead 

 

WK 9
Mon  Oct 29

 

Social Interaction

 

Giddens-Sutton pp 154-160

Schaefer pp 54-70

 

Wed  Oct 31

 

 

Elements of Social Structure and Social Stratification

 Schaefer pp 77-89

 

WK 10
Mon  Nov 5

Global Stratification

Giddens-Sutton 
pp 137-142

      Wed Nov 7

From Colonialism to Globalization: A History of Global Stratification

 

 

WK 11
Mon Nov 12

 Population and Urbanism

 

 

Wed Nov 14

 Migration in a globalizing world

 

WK 12
 
Mon Nov 19

The fear of the other different from ourselves: Racism and Xenophobia

Wed Nov 21

Islamic Cultures: The Social Construction of difference

 

WK 13
Mon  Nov 26

Neo Slavery in the Industrial World

 

 

Wed Nov 28

Drugs, Self and Society

 

WK 14
Mon Dec 3

 Sociology in the Age of Fluid Societies

 

 

Wed Dec 5

Recap

           

 

Final Exams week