SOCI 1301
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SOCI 1301
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Spring, 2004
HCCS Mission Statement
The Houston Community College System is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificates, academic preparation, workforce training, and lifelong
learning opportunities that prepare individuals in our diverse
communities for life and work in an increasingly international and
technological society.
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Instructor: Patricia R. Johnson Office Hours:
Office: SIS Building, Room 228
Textbook: Lindsey, Linda L. and Stephen Beach. Sociology. ThirdEdition
New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 2004(Custom Version forHCCS) . A reader, Intersections is included in the textbook.
Study Guide Frank, Lee K., Sociology Second Edition. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
2004. Some students may prefer to have a hard copy of the study guide. However, you may access the study materials found in the Premium Companion Website for the text at http://www.prenhall.com/lindsey.
This site provides resources such as objectives, study guide, web connections, statistical data, videos, and other activities for each chapter in the textbook.
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Description of
The Course: Introduction to Sociology is a survey course, which focuses on the nature
of human groups in society. It examines the dynamics of human
groups and seeks to explain how they organize, perform specific
functions, and adapt to social and cultural changes in their
environment. (Three-hour lecture course)
Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
· Understand the theoretical, historical, and applied nature of the discipline.
· Understand the fundamental quantitative and qualitative techniques in the
study of human group behavior.
· Apply sociological concepts and perspectives to the study of human
group life.
· Appreciate our socially and culturally diverse society and world.
· Enhance computer skills through the use of online exercises developed
for this textbook and assignments designed by the instructor.
Course Requirements
Students enrolled in SOCI 1301 are required to perform the following:
· Attend class on a regular basis.
· Participate in all class activities.
· Take at least three chapter exams.
· Take the final exam.
· Prepare all assigned computer exercises.
· Prepare and present a research paper
.
Chapter Exams
Four chapter exams will be administered during the course of the semester. The exams will consist of multiple-choice, short answer, and discussion questions. You are expected to take the exams at their specified times. The lowest grade of the four exams will be deleted.
Make-up exams will not be given unless an emergency situation occurs such as illness/hospitalization of the student or immediate family member (spouse, child, parent) or the death of a family member. Documentation for a make-up exam will be expected. If necessary, the instructor may offer other options for make-up work.
Research Paper
Each student will be expected to prepare a research paper on a social issue or social problem facing a specific social institution in our society. While students will present their work in groups; each student will submit his/her individual research paper for credit. All papers are due on April 5 for MW classes and April 6 for TR classes.
The research paper should be 5-7 pages in length. You should have at least five references. The research style may be MLA, APA, or ASA. Papers should be neat, typed, and double-spaced. It is important to keep a copy of the paper for your personal files. Late papers will be subject to a reduction in points by a whole letter grade.
The Common Book
Students may earn extra credit by submitting a critique of the book, West of Kabul,East of New York written by Tamim Ansary. This is the fourth book selected for use as the common book. The concept of a common book stems from the desire to establish a dialogue among students, faculty, and staff within the entire HCCS. If you are interested in doing this project, please contact me as soon as possible. There will be a limited number of copies of the book in our library or you may purchase your own copy at our bookstore at a discounted rate.
Basic Intellectual Competencies for SOCI 1301
In compliance with the HCCS Core Curriculum, the student will be able required to demonstrate competencies in six basic intellectual areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy. (HCCS Catalog 2000-01 p. 35)
The instructor will assign various class activities for the accomplishment of these skills.
Reading: Students will be required to read all assigned materials in the textbook and the
reader. Additional reading assignments will be based on website materials
presented in the textbook or cited by the instructor. Students will engage in
independent research on specific social issues facing institutions in our society.
Writing: Students will develop their writing skills in preparing short-answer questions
and discussion/essay questions in exams administered. In addition, students will prepare a research paper.
Speaking: Students will be encouraged to actively participate in class activities such as
individual reports and small group discussions. Each student will give an oral
presentation of his/her research work.
Listening: By participating in class discussions and small group activities, students
will have the opportunity to engage in lively “debates” by taking sides
(theoretical perspectives) on various topics discussed in class.
Critical
Thinking: The chapter exams administered will have both objective items and short
answer/discussion questions that will challenge and develop their
critical/analytical thinking skills.
Computer
Literary: Students will be expected to engage in computer exercises as assigned by the
instructor. The Premium Companion Website would be an important source
for computer work.
Classroom Policies
Attendance
Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. If you miss a class, you are responsible for securing any lecture notes, handouts, etc. disseminated.
A student may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. For a three- hour credit lecture course, a student may be dropped after six hours of absence. If you have issues that would impact your attendance, you should discuss this with me as soon as possible.
Students are expected to remain in class for the entire period. If you must leave the class early, please inform me of your intentions at the beginning of the class.
Children in the Classroom
We love children and understand that parents often face childcare problems. However, the campus is a workplace, and the purpose of our presence here is the business of education. Therefore, we cannot allow children in college classrooms or unattended children on campus. We ask for your cooperation in adhering to this policy.
Disability
If you have any specific physical disabilities and disabilities and requirements, please contact me as early in the semester as possible so appropriate accommodations may be made.
Student Academic Dishonesty
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes
Copying information from another student’s test.
Using, during a test, materials not authorized by your instructor.
Collaborating with another student during a test without
authority.
Knowingly using, buying, selling, transporting, or
soliciting in whole or part of the contents of an
unadministered test.
Substituting for another student, or permitting another
student to substitute for one’s self to take a test.
Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be
administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s work for credit.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit.
Disciplinary action may be taken against the student in violation of any of these policies.
Cellular Phones/Beepers
Students with electronic devices such as cellular phones and beepers should have the ringers turned to vibrate or completely off. The ringers can be a distraction in the classroom.
Departmental Guidelines for Student Incompletes (Grade – I)
A grade of “I” (incomplete) will be considered only for students who have completed at least 75% of this course. Only students who are unable to complete the class because of some extraordinary circumstance(s) may receive an “I”.
Any student receiving an “I” in this course has until the end of the following semester (except summer) to complete the assignments missed. If the coursework is not completed, the grade becomes an “F” regardless of your class average. In all cases, regardless of circumstances, the instructor has the right to refuse to award an “I”.
Course evaluation
Your evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
Three Chapter Exams = 60%
Research Paper = 20%
Final Exam = 20%
__________
100%
Grading System
HCCS uses the following grading system
100 - 90 = A
89 – 80 = B
79 – 70 = C
69 – 60 = D
Below 60 = F
Spring,2004 Introduction to Sociology
Course Calendar/Assignments
Week Textbook Reader - Intersections
Jan. 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Jan.19 - 22 Overview of the Course Sociological Perspectives
The Sociological Perspective
Chapter 1 Invitation to Sociology
Jan.26 - 29 Major Theoretical
Perspectives
Chapter 1
Feb. 2 - 5 Sociological Research Ethics and Politics of Field
Chapter 2 Research in South Africa
Feb. 9 – 12 Exam #1 – Chps. 1 & 2 The Mysterious Fall of
Culture/Chapter 3 Nacirema
Feb.16 - 19 Culture/Society and Social The McDonaldization
Structure – Chapter 4 of Society
Feb. 16 Presidents’ Day Holiday
Feb. 23 - 26 Chapter 4
Socialization – Chapter 5 The Socialization and Risk
Behavior in Two Countries Denmark and the U.S.
What Does It Mean to Be
Human?
March 1 -5 Chapter 5
Exam #2 – Chaps 3, 4, & 5
March 8 - 11 Chapter 7 – Sexuality If Men Could
Menstruate
March 15 – 21 Spring Break !!!
March 22 - 25 Deviant Behavior- Chapter 8 Topless Dancers:
And Selected Parts of Chapter 9 Managing Stigma in a Deviant Occupation
March 29 – April 1 Crime and Criminal And the Poor Get Justice – Chapter 9 Prison
Exam# 3 –Chps.7,8,& 9
April 5 – 8 Group Presentations
(Research on Social Institutions)
April 8 Last Day for Withdrawals-8pm
April 9 –11 Easter Holidays
April 12 - 15 Chapter11
Social Class Positive Functions
of Undeserving Poor
April 19 - 22 Chapter 12/13
Race and Ethnic Minorities Race Matters
Gender White Racism
Women in Today’s
World
April 26 - 29 Gender
Exam # 4 – Chaps. 11, 12 & 13
May 3 – 7 Semester Wrap-Up/Review for Final
May 10 - 16 Final Examination Week
May 21 Grades Available to Students
Your instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus as deemed necessary.
Spring, 2004 Final Exam Schedule
Final exams will be given at the normal class hour on the meeting date below.
Monday, May 10 Thusday,May 13
1:30pm class at 1:00pm 10:00 am class
Tuesday, May 11
11:30 a.m. class at 11:00am
SOCI 1301
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Spring, 2004
HCCS Mission Statement