Sociology 1

SOCIOLOGY 1

Principles of Sociology (3 units)

General Education, Social Science (Area D3)

Instructor: Prof. R.S. Palacio Office: SS-225

Office Phone: [phone] Hours: M,W,F, 10-11

Email: [e-mail] T, Th 10-11

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Sociology is the field of study that adds to our knowledge and understanding of social-historical forces that shape our lives and those of others. This course will introduce the basic principles underlying human social behavior and social organization. Lectures and discussions will focus on “the sociological approach,” “the basic elements of the human system,” “the basic forms of human organization,” “basic human institutions,” and “change in the human system.” Major sociological perspectives will provide an orientation for gaining critical awareness of social issues in contemporary society.
This course also satisfies the General Education, Area 3, Social Science Breadth requirements.
Objectives:

• 
  To introduce students to a number of sociological concepts, perspectives, and theories that will enable you to understand structures and processes in society.
  

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  To describe and explain how our individual lives are connected to and patterned by social and historical forces.
  

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  To help students distinguish between sociological reasoning and systematic methods of inquiry from “common wisdom” views of social issues.
  

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  To help students improve their communications skills, both written and oral, in order to enhance their effectiveness in expressing views on social issues.
  

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
This course combines lectures, readings, and class discussion. Class sessions will consist of an interactive lecture style that generates a dialogue necessary for effective discussion and learning. Part of the class period will be devoted to discussion of readings; students are expected to have read the material before class. I want to encourage students to share your thoughts about the readings and lectures, and to participate in class activities.

REQUIRED TEXTS
Henslin, James M. (2006). Essential of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 6^th ed. Boston: Pearson.
Ritzer, George, (2004). The McDonalization of Society: Revised New Century Edition. Pine Forge Press.

ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS
Points earned in all of the following requirements will determine the course grade.
1. THREE (3) IN-CLASS EXAMS: Exams questions will come from textbook and lecture/discussions. The exams will consist of several short essay questions and one long essay question. The first two exams will be administered over two days. I will provide the form for the short questions; students bring a Blue Book for the long essay question. Each exam is worth 50 points.
Exam Dates:

1^st exam: Wed. Sept. 27 & Fri. Sept. 29

2^nd exam: Wed. Nov. 1 & Fri. Nov. 3

3^rd exam: During Finals Week
2. FIELD OBSERVATION BASED ON THE MCDONALIZATION OF SOCIETY
This assignment requires that you do the following:
A. Make sociological observations and take notes of the human activity and physical environment in an organization of your choice. These organizations could be stores, restaurants or fast-food eateries, doctors’ office, hospitals, or campus offices.
B. Write a sociological paper that analyzes your observations and experience in a particular organization by applying the principles and concepts of the book, The McDonalization of Society.
C. The sociological paper will consist of the following: a) description of the physical environment; b) identification of concepts from our reading and discussion of The McDonalization of Society; and c) discussion of what you learned about organizations and modern society by conducting this study. In short, you will make explicit connections between your observations of and experience in an organization with what you have learned from reading The McDonalization of Society.
D. The sociological paper will be 5-6 typed pages (double-spaced) long and is worth 50 points. Guidelines for writing the paper will be provided in another handout. This paper fulfills the writing requirement for GE Breadth courses.
Due date for sociological paper: Monday, November 6th
3. ONE (1) ORAL PRESENTATION TO CLASS: You will make an oral presentation to class based on the findings and analysis of your observation study. The presentation is worth 10 points.

GRADING
3 in-class exam @ 50 pts. each = 150 pts.

1 sociological paper = 50

1 presentation to class = 10

Total = 210

A = 210-189 B = 187-168 C = 167-147 D = 146-126 F = 125-0

(100%-90%) (89%-80%) (79%-70%) (69%-60%) (59%-0)

EVALUATING PAPERS AND ESSAYS
The criterion for evaluating papers and essays is as follows:
A grade: This grade is given to a superior or outstanding paper. The paper/essay addresses all aspects of the assignment; it is fully developed and very well organized. It is distinguished by skill and sophistication in word choice, sentence and paragraph structure, organized, development and interpretation of ideas.
B grade: This is a very good paper; it is a better than an adequate response to the assignment. It is well organized and developed, but it is weaker than the superior paper in some ways. Although it is well written, it may slight one part of the assignment, it may have minor problems with development or with organization and interpretation of evidence. It may have some minor grammatical problems, or it may show less sophistication in word choice or sentence structure.
C grade: This is a good paper with an adequate or satisfactory response to the assignment. The writing is clearly competent, but this paper is weaker than the superior or the very good paper. It may omit a part of the assignment; its insights may be general and superficial; it may be less clearly organized; evidence is not fully developed or clearly interpreted; it may have more than a few sentences marred by awkward or ungrammatical construction, errors in punctuation and spelling, or imprecise use of words.
D grade: This is a minimally acceptable paper that barely meets the requirement of the assignment. The writing is less than competent and usually shows problems in several areas. The organization may be unclear; the development weak; the evidence inadequately interpreted; ideas inadequately supported; the paragraphs and sentences poorly structured, or use of words inaccurate. The writing also shows some problems with grammar and mechanics. The writing is strong enough, however, to earn a passing grade.
F grade: A failing grade represents unacceptable work. The writing does not meet the minimum requirements of the assignment; it has major deficiencies in organization, development, interpretation of ideas and evidence, paragraph development, sentence structure, word choice, grammar and mechanics.

CLASS POLICIES
In order to create a good classroom environment, we will observe the following policies.

1. 
   University policy on cheating and plagiarism will be observed (see the Catalog or the Schedule of Courses for description of policy).
   

2. 
   If you have any medical or learning disability that might affect your work in this course, it is your responsibility to inform Professor Palacio and to contact the University’s Service to Students with Disabilities in the Library at 278-2811 so that reasonable accommodations can be made.
   

3. 
   University policy on incomplete grades will be observed (see the General Catalog or the Schedule of Courses for description of policy).
   

4. You are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Regular class attendance and prompt arrival for lecture/discussions will enable you to best utilize class sessions as an effective learning tool. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were away. Being absent does not excuse you from anything that was discussed or due in class. Lecture notes are not disseminated. When you have a serious and compelling medical condition or when a death or serious illness in the immediate family that prevents attending class, you are responsible for contacting Professor Palacio as soon as possible after the missed class. You are also responsible for providing documentation of the reason for the absence upon returning to class.

5. Students are expected to take examinations at the scheduled date and time. If you miss an exam, you will have the opportunity to make it up during “dead week” at the end of instruction.
6. All assignments must be turned in on time and in paper copy form. Electronic transmission of papers will not be accepted, unless arrangement is made with Professor Palacio. Late assignments will lose 5 points per day.
7. The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote learning and intellectual growth. Therefore, the goals of the course will be met, in large part, by giving respect and consideration to all. This means that we will pay full attention to lecture, discussion, or workshop activity during class sessions. Reading and writing irrelevant material, talking about unrelated issues, sleeping, listening to head-sets, making or receiving phone calls, and any other distracting activities – including eating, gum popping, or chewing tobacco will not be allowed.
8. If you need to leave early, please let Professor Palacio know at the beginning of class that you will be doing so. Please do not just get up and leave.

COURSE OUTLINE
Schedule Topic Outline Readings
Week 1 The Sociological Perspective Henslin, Chapter 1

Ritzer, Chapter 1

Week 2 Culture Henslin, Chapter 2

Ritzer, Chapter 2

Week 3 Socialization Henslin, Chapter 3

Ritzer, Chapter 3

Week 4 Social Structure and Social Interaction Henslin, Chapter 4

Ritzer, Chapter 4

Week 5 1st Exam: September 27 & 29
Week 6 Social Groups and Formal Henslin, Chapter 5

Ritzer, Chapter 5

Week 7 Deviance and Social Control Henslin, Chapter 6

Ritzer, Chapter 6

Week 8 Global Stratification Henslin, Chapter 7

Ritzer, Chapter 7

Week 9 Social Class in the United States Henslin, Chapter 8

Ritzer, Chapter 8

Week 10 2nd Exam: November 1^st & 2^nd
Week 11 Inequalities of Race Henslin, Chapter 9

Ritzer, Chapter 9 &10

Sociological Report Due: November 6th
Week 12 Inequalities of Gender and Age Henslin, Chapter 10
Week 13 Politics and the Economy Henslin, Chapter 11
Week 14 Marriage and Family Henslin, Chapter 12

Education and Religion Henslin, Chapter 13

Week 15 Population and Urbanization Henslin, Chapter 14

Social Change Henslin, Chapter 15

16 3^rd Exam: During Finals Week


SUBJECT TO CHANGE
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.