Introduction to Sociology

Sociology 108-201 Summer 2002

Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., & Friday from 8:40 until 9:40 am in Quigley 206

Instructor: Robert Jenkot

Office: Faner 4340 (use entrance 6 or 7, take the elevator to the 4th floor, turn right, go to #4340)

Office Phone: 453-3892 Sociology Main Office Phone: 453-2494 Email: rjenk47@siu.edu

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:50 - 10:30 am, and by appointment

DETAILED COURSE DESCRIPTION: SOC 108 explores some of the ways social scientists explain human behavior. In contrast to psychology, sociology shows how the structure and collective experience of groups influence how people live. Among characteristic questions are: Why are some people wealthy and others poor, and how does this mold their lives and views of one another? How are adult roles developed, and how are children brought up to occupy them? Why do conflicts develop between groups within a society, and how can they be managed? Why do societies designate some behavior as "deviant," and how are individuals recruited into deviant patterns of behavior? By grappling with these questions, students should develop an appreciation of differences between groups and of the complexities of social life.

I. Required Textbook: Shepard, Jon M. 2002. Sociology, 8th Edition. Wadsworth.

Packaged with Wadsworth Classic Readings in Sociology



II. Student Learning Objectives: Students will be able to: (a) demonstrate knowledge of basic sociological concepts about social processes (e.g., socialization, deviance, social control, and stratification by class, gender, and race) and social institutions (e.g., the family, religion, and the state); (b) summarize theoretical or explanatory arguments in sociology; (c) apply these arguments to contemporary events or personal experience; and (d) display knowledge of cultural, class, religious, and other differences within and between societies.

Plagiarism: Do not copy from anyone else's work. You must provide a citation both in the text and in the bibliography in any work turned in if you quote someone else's work. Ask me if you are not sure. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade. (See the student handbook for details)

Cheating/Copying: Do not cheat or copy from another student. Cheating and/or copying will result in a failing grade. (See the student handbook for details)

Citations/Bibliographies: I am not concerned with "how" you reference the works you use (ASA, APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), but you must do it. In text citations should be as follows: (Jenkot 2001:23-24).

Writing Assignments: These will range between three (3) and six (6) page projects, I will make the assignments clear when I assign them. These assignments must be typed, using 12 point font, double spaced, and with one inch margins. Failure to comply with these parameters will result in lost points.

Late Assignments: I will only accept a late assignment in EXTREME cases. In such extreme cases I will allow for an additional week with a corresponding 10 point deduction, except in special circumstances. The idea is to turn your work in on time. I will accept no late work after July 30, 2002.

Missed Exams: These will be handled on a case by case basis. No exam will be returned until all exams have been turned in and graded. Any make-up exam allowed will be in an essay format.



IV. Grading & Evaluation: The is no imposed "curve" in this class. I will use the standard 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% scale.

Review of Assignments:
- Five multiple choice exams during the semester 100 points each (4*100=400 points)
- One short paper worth 50 points
-Total points for this course: 450



V. Tentative Course Schedule:

I expect that you have read, or are reading, the chapters as we move through the semester. I will not be lecturing directly from the text.



Week 1: June 10-14

Course Introduction

Shepard Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4

Mills- The Promise of Sociology

Berger- Invitation to Sociology

Huff- How to Lie with Statistics

Miner- Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

Week 2: June 17-21

EXAM #1 WEDNESDAY 6/19/02

Shepard Chapters: 5, 6, 7

Merton- Manifest and Latent Functions

Mead- The Self

Goffman- The Presentation of Self

Week 3: June 24-28

CONTINUED LECTURE/DISCUSSION

EXAM #2 FRIDAY 6/28/02

Week 4: July 1-5 (NOTE: No class on July 4)

Shepard Chapters: 8, 9, 10

Gans- The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All

DuBois- The Souls of Black Folk

Kozol- Savage Inequalities

Week 5: July 8-12

EXAM #3 DURING THIS WEEK (WILL ADJUST DEPENDING UPON PROGRESS)

CONTINUED LECTURE/DISCUSSION

Writing Assignment Assigned, Due July 22

NOTE: MAY BEGIN LECTURING ON THE UPCOMING SECTION

Week 6: July 15-19

Shepard Chapters: 11, 12, 13, 14

Marx and Engels- Manifesto of the Communist Party

Bernard- The Future of Marriage

Kanter- Men and Women of the Corporation

Mills- The Power Elite

Week 7: July 22-26

EXAM #4 MONDAY 6/22/02

Shepard Chapters: 15, 16, 17

Wirth- Urbanism as a Way of Life

Week 8: July 29-31

CONTINUED LECTURE/DISCUSSION

NOTE: Final Exam Date/Time Will Be Announced