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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "SOSC 202"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Sociology"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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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, culture, religion, class, race and gender, deviance, the family, health care, globalization, migration, media 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, and to participate actively in those discussions.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe, interpret and evaluate core theories and aspects of the functioning and organization of western societies
2. Show awareness of the most significant social transformations and societal processes that characterise contemporary societies;
3. Reflect in a theoretically informed way on society, engaging with their own taken for granted beliefs and values;
4. Analyse 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.
7. Discuss sociology’s contribution to the study of global transformations
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Sociology Matters | Richard Schaefer | McGraw Hill | 0073528250 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Sociology : introductory readings | Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton | Polity 2010 | 9780745648835 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term Exam: 20% | A combination of short and long answer questions which wil 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. | 20% |
| Final Exam: | A combination of short and long answer questions which wil 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. | 25% |
| Research paper | Students will write a research paper on a topic which interests them and is relevant to the course, based on AT LEAST 3 published sociological studies. The term paper will be graded based upon students’ ability to develop a realistic research question, synthesize and critically analyze the materials used and to present their own original conclusions in a logical, coherent, well-argued and unbiased manner.t 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) | 25% |
| Field-work Observation | The written and oral explanation of out of class research will be graded based upon having carried out the research observation 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% |
| Attendance and Participation | Class participation grading is based upon attendance, regular participation in class discussion, generating good questions or interesting insights to fuel class conversation.
| 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 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. The final exam period runs until 9 December.
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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SCHEDULE
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Session
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Session Focus
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Reading Assignment
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Other Assignment
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WK1 A
29 Aug
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Intro: What is sociology?
The Sociological Imagination
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WK 1B
31 Aug
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Origins and early development of Sociology
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Schaefer p.1-13
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WK 2A
5 Sept
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Contemporary Perspectives Part 1
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Schaefer p. 13-20
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WK 2B
7 Sept
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Contemporary Perspectives Part 2
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WK 3A
12 Sept
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Sociological Research Methods and Ethics
Library Session
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Schaefer p.20-35
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WK 3B
14 Sept
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Culture
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Schaefer p. 37-54
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WK 4A
19 Sept
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Socialization Part 1
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Schaefer p. 54-64
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WK 4B
21 Sept
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Socialization Part 2
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Schaefer p. 65-74
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WK 5A
26 Sept
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Society, Social Structure and Social Interaction
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Schaefer p. 75-81
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WK 5B
28 Sept
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Groups and Organizations
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Schaefer p. 81-100
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WK 6A
3 Oct
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Deviance, Crime and Social Control Part 1
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Schaefer p.101-114
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WK 6B
5 Oct
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Deviance, Crime and Social Control Part 2
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Schaefer p. 115-128
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WK 7A
10 Oct
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Class and Inequality Part 1
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Schaefer p. 129-150
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WK 7B
12 Oct
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Class and Inequality Part 2
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Schaefer p. 151-163
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WK 8A
17 Oct
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MID-TERM EXAM
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WK 8B
19 Oct
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Race and Ethnicity Part 1
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Schaefer p. 164-177
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WK 9A
24 Oct
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Race and Ethnicity Part 2
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Schaefer p.178-187
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WK 9B
26 Oct
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Sex, Gender and Inequality Part 1
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Schaefer p.188-198
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WK 10A
31 Oct
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Sex, Gender and Inequality Part 2
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Schaefer p.198-208
Deadline for research paper outlines
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WK 10B
2 Nov
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Students present fieldwork observation
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Schaefer p.209-222
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WK 11A
7 Nov
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Family
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WK 11B
9 Nov
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Education
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Schaefer p.234-245
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WK 12 A
14 Nov
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Religion
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Schaefer p.222-233
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WK 12 B
16 Nov
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Health
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Schaefer p.276-297
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WK 13 A
21 Nov
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Urbanization and population
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WK 13B
23 Nov
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Social Movements
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Schaefer p.263-276
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WK 14A
28 Nov
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Social Change
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Schaefer p.299-305
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WK 14B
30 Nov
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Conclusions and Review
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Schaefer p.305-314
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Final Exams week
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