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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC 202-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Sociology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Benjamin Lee Scribner
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: One hour before class or by appointment

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:
The course covers the major scientific approaches to understanding society, culture and institutions, and the basic methods and perspectives of sociology. We examine the history, development and core concepts of sociology and we then take up important issues in the structure and dynamics of social life: education, religion, class, race and gender, the family, health care and social change. By the end of the course students will have some initial experience in putting these methods into practice as well. They will be in a position to express their ideas about society – based upon study rather than merely opinion – in writing and orally. They will also be familiar with some electronic databases available to researchers on social issues.

Classes will provide a mixture of lectures and group discussion based on contemporary topics and materials. Students are expected to do the required readings in the textbook and additional handouts in preparation for discussion in the following class. 
They will be expected to participate regularly in everyday class discussion and in an out-of-class assignment, observation or participant-observation, to be described more fully in a later handout, and which will be written up in a succinct form and described to the class.

There will be two tests, a mid-term and a final, both a combination of short and long answer questions. Students will also write a research paper on a topic which interests them and is relevant to the course, based on AT LEAST 3 published sociological studies. Students will be graded on their ability to develop a realistic research question, synthesize and critically analyze the materials used and to present their own original conclusions in a logical, well-argued and unbiased manner. Students should discuss their chosen topic with the professor as early as possible in the semester and must hand in an outline (providing the research question, hypothesis, main points around which the paper is to be structured and a bibliography).    



LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Key Skills Taught: Students will be able to both develop and understand concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of society and to use these in the analysis of concrete and specific social issues, conditions, events and problems. Students will learn to treat critically the claims of those who make arguments regarding society and social issues, and of those who use statistics to make claims about social and political realities. In general, students will be exposed to the scientific approaches to rigorously understanding social phenomena, and to be critical of claims based only on opinion, prejudice or self-interest, without having carried out reasonably objective research investigation into the issue treated.
Students will, through having led discussion on the readings, develop their skills at critically analyzing texts and explaining their own views of these to others; they will, through papers develop writing skills; through out of class research assignments, learn to use electronic databases for research and to carry out simple field research and observation of social activity and interactions.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Sociology Matters, Seventh EditionRichard SchaeferMcGraw Hill Education978-0-07-782327-6  Ebook  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term ExamShort-answer questions based on lecture, class discussions and readings. The exam tests 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. 20%
Final ExamA combination of short-answer and essay questions based on readings, lectures and class discussions. The exam tests 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. 25%
Field-work AssignmentsOn-site observations and activities based on guidelines provided in class. Graded based upon having carried out the research observations assigned in an efficient manner to be able to answer the questions involved, and on students’ ability to explain what they did, what they found and what conclusions they come to in a logical and coherent fashion. 15%
Term Paper1,000 word research paper on a topic of interest to the studnet, based on outline agreed with the professor. It will be graded based upon students’ ability to understand what they have read, to discuss it critically, and to develop their own ideas and argue them through in a coherent and logical manner. 25%
Attendance and ParticipationClass participation grading is based upon attendance, regular participation in class discussion, leading class discussion once in a manner that generates good questions or interesting ideas to fuel class conversation on the topics, and insight into the issues presented in class. 15%

-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 cours
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 performance 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. Letter grades and corresponding percentages for this class 94 – 100 points = A 90 – 93.99 pts = A- 87 – 89.99 = B+ 83 – 86.99 = B 80 – 82.99 = B- 77 – 79.99 = C+ 70 – 76.99 = C 60 – 69.99 = D 59.99 – 0 = F

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend class. Absences must be explained to the professor and students who miss a class session are expected to do so only for medical, family emergency, or similar important reasons. More than two absences will lead to a lowering of your grade. Students who miss class are responsible for the material missed on that day. Students should recall that Class attendance and Participation, which are not separated, count as part of the grade of the grade.
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

Other Assignment

WK1A

t

Intro: What is sociology?

The Sociological Imagination

 

 

WK 1B

 

Origins and early development of Sociology

Schaefer Chapter 1

 

WK2A

 

What is culture and how do we get it?

Schaefer Chapter 2A

 

WK 2B

 

What is culture and how do we get it?

Shaefer Chapter 2B 

 

WK3A

 

Social Interaction, Groups and Social Structure

Schaefer Chapter 3A

 

WK 3B

 

Social Interaction, Groups and Social Structure

Schaefer Chapter 3B

 

WK4A

 

Deviance and Social Control

Schaefer Chapter 4A

 

WK4B

 

Deviance and Social Control

Schaefer Chapter 4B

 

WK 5A

 

Stratification in the US and Global Inequality

Schaefer Chapter 5A

 

WK5B

 

Stratification in the US and Global Inequality

Schaefer Chapter 5B

 

WK6A

 

Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

Schaefer Chapter 6A

 

WK 6B

 

Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

Schaefer Chapter 6B

 

WK 7A

 

Inequality by Gender

Schaefer Chapter 7A

 

WK7B

 

Inequality by Gender

Schaefer Chapter 7B

 

WK 8A

 

MID-TERM EXAM

 

 

WK 8B

 

Social Institutions: Family and Religion

Schaefer Ch 8A

 

WK9A

 

Social Institutions: Family and Religion

Schaefer Ch 8B

 

WK9B

 

Social Institutions: Education, Government and Economy

Schaefer Ch 9A

 

WK10A

 

Social Institutions: Education, Government and Economy

Schaefer Ch 9B

Deadline for research paper outlines

 

WK10B

 

Population, Community, Health, and the Environment

Schaefer Ch 10A

 

WK 11A

 

 Schaefer Ch 10B

 

WK11B

 

Social Movements, Social Change, and Technology

Schaefer Ch 11A

 

WK 12A

 

Social Movements, Social Change, and Technology

Schaefer Ch 11B

 

WK 12B

 

Catch up, additional topics

T.B.A.

 

WK 13A

Catch up, additional topics

 

 

WK 13B

Student presentations of research

 

 

WK14A

Student presentations of research

 

 

WK 14B

Conclusions and Review

 

 

Exam Week