Introduction to Sociology
SOC 1001: 3 credits
Prof. John Murray
Fall 2008
An overview of the broad scope of the discipline of sociology. Basic concepts and theories will be discussed as the major fields of study within sociology are introduced. The sociological perspective, as a useful view of human experience, will serve as the central theme of the course.
The course has a substantial "hands-on" learning component. Throughout the semester you will be required to participate in Web-based research and field projects and to submit the results of your research by the scheduled due date. Submissions must be typewritten. Your final grade will be based on the quality of your online and field work projects, your class participation, and your performance on two 75-minute "hour exams" and a comprehensive written final exam to be given on the date specified by the Registrar during final exam week.
The
following book is required reading:
Ballantine & Roberts, Our Social World, Pine Forge Press, 2007.
The study site for Our Social World is at www.pineforge.com//ballantinestudy. It is full of up-to-date resources and study supplements, and you should plan to use the site regularly. For online assignments that require newspaper research, an excellent portal is www.aldaily.com
Note: Tirzah Stein will be serving as Teaching Assistant. She is available to meet with you on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:00 at the Library.
Tentative Weekly Schedule of Reading and Research Assignments:
| August 25 |
Chapter 1:
Introducing Sociology (Read also pp. xix-xxiii) |
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September 1
|
Chapter 2: How Do
Sociologists Study the
Social World? |
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| September 8 |
Chapter
3: Society & Culture |
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| September 15 |
Chapter 4:
Socialization: Becoming Human |
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| September 22 |
Discussion and review on Tuesday,
September 23 |
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| September 29 |
Chapter 5: Small Groups
and Large Organizations |
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| October 6 |
Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control |
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| October 13 |
Chapters 7: Wealth
& Power Inequalities |
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| October 20 |
Chapter 8: Racial &
Ethnic Inequalities Our Social World study site: Internet Exercises 3, 4, and 5 |
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| October 27 |
Discussion and review on
Tuesday, October 28 HOUR EXAM on Friday, October 31 |
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| November 3 |
Chapter 9: Gender
Inequalities |
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| November 10 |
Chapters
10 and 11: The Changing Family and Schooling |
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| November 17 |
Chapters 12 and 13:
Religion and Health Care |
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| November 24 |
Chapter
14 and 15: Urbanization, Globalization & Social Change |
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| December 1 | Course wrap-up and review | |
| December 8 |
FINAL EXAM
WEEK |
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To
Prof. Murray's Homepage |
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