Fall, 2008
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SOC 200 Bulletin Board |
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First Reading Assignment From Textbook : Chp. 1 -- A Sociological Sampler
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Class Photos, Fall, 2008
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Principles of Sociology SOC 200 — Fall, 2008 John Barnes Office: 654 |
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Office Phone: 540-863-2886
College Toll Free: 877-73DSLCC
Home: 540-862-1271
Cell: 540-691-7763
Email:
jbarnes@dslcc.edu
SOC 200 (Principles of Sociology) 3 credit hours
8:00 - 9:15 TuTh, Room 649 and Elluminate
This course is taught using Elluminate and Blackboard classroom management
tools. Although students must be involved in classroom activities via computer
during the meeting time each week, they do not have to be physically on the
DSLCC campus. They can participate from any internet-connected computer.
Students will also have the option to attend live class presentations if
they prefer that to computer participation. While this class will meet as a
group (in person or virtually) only in our morning sessions, students are
expected to participate in an additional course activity via Elluminate
recordings, pod casts, and Blackboard activities between morning meetings.
Hybrid courses use the world wide web, Blackboard course management system, video and audio pod casts, and Elluminate web conferencing software to provide lectures, group discussion, interactive links, email communication, testing, homework assignments, study sessions, virtual office hours, and discussion board as well as assignments and other course information. Class attendance (in person or virtually) is required because much of the course content is still provided in classroom activities and some of the Bb and computer activities occur in a monitored classroom setting.
To take this class you will need:
1.) a college email address to receive course communications and access Bb
(This detail will be taken care of the first day of class if you don't already
have one.);
2.) access to the internet (Not necessarily from your personal home
computer--you may use computers available at the college) so you can use Bb,
Elluminate, Podcasts, and web pages;
3.) the textbook;
4.) a set of headphones with microphone attached to participate in
course activities.
Course Description:
SOC 200—Principles of Sociology (3 cr) Introduces fundamentals of social life, presents significant research and theory in such areas as culture, social structure, socialization, deviance, social stratification, and social institutions.
Developmental Prerequisites: ENG 01 & 04 Developmental Corequisites: ENG 03 &05
Instructional Goals:
This course is designed to introduce you to the general principles of sociology. The viewpoint of the sociologist is perhaps the most useful single thing you can hope to gain from contact with a survey of the discipline.
The course will communicate something of the sociologist’s intellectual orientation toward behavior and defining the subject matter of sociology.
It will attempt
to develop the basic tools of sociological research and analysis. Most students take this
course as part of a sequence with
SOC 268—Social Problems and social institutions;
although the courses are designed so they stand alone also. Some major social institutions
will be analyzed systematically applying the tools of sociological research. Finally, a
systematic study of social change, social control, and social problems with be undertaken.
Ideally, you will be motivated to develop a framework of thought whereby you can more
effectively and critically judge contemporary social issues. You are also expected to
increase you ability for critical evaluation and effective
communication.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES:
The course instructional procedures include reading, writing, discussion, lecture, audio-visual presentations, research, testing, homework, projects and individual conferences with me. To a great extent, classroom activities will be independent of the text and other readings. I will not attempt to "cover" or duplicate reading assignments in class. You are expected to complete all reading and related homework assignments before we cover a topic in class so you can better understand classroom activities and participate meaningfully in them. It is important that you take good notes of classroom activities to use as you prepare for quizzes and exams. You should make arrangements for someone to tape class and/or provide you a copy of their notes for any classes you must miss since you will be responsible for all material covered.
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EVALUATION PROCEDURES: EXAMINATIONS --There will be two examinations, a mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will cover material for the first half of the term and the final will cover material for the second half of the term. Each of these exams will count for twenty percent (20%) of your course grade. The exams will consist of questions taking from the tests for each half of the course plus essay questions which will be provided in advance on a study sheet, which will contain all the possible essay questions. The exams and tests will be taken in a proctored environment.TESTS-- The remaining sixty percent (60%) of your course grade will be the average of your test scores. There will be about six tests during the term. Each test will consist of multiple choice, true-false, and short answer questions. They will be based on the reading assignments plus notes from classroom material. After the tests are graded, a score for the test will be entered in the Bb grade book. We will go over each test in class and it is important that you take good notes on this review because some of the test questions will also be on the exams. No make-up tests are permitted. If you have a compelling reason for missing a test, you must communicate it to me before the test is scheduled, unless that is manifestly impossible to do. If I agree to excuse the test, you will take a special mid-term or final exam that will count as both an exam grade and for the missed test, or some other assignment that I determine will substitute. Two Test Grades will be entered for class participation (therefore, you will have approximately eight test grades). Class participation includes attendance, and all other assignments and projects. I assume you registered for this course intending to master the content and earn credit for the class. To accomplish this will require a significant investment of time and effort on your part. If your personal circumstances won’t allow this level of effort, perhaps you should reconsider your decision to enroll at this time. The key to success is to attend every class session (much of the information you will need for quizzes, homework and examinations will come only from classroom activities), take good notes, study all assigned readings, thoroughly prepare for each test and examination, and successfully complete all writing assignments, projects, and homework on time. Take advantage of my office hours and study sessions, as well as the services of the Achievement Center, to get all the individual help you need.
1. Arrive on time and don’t leave until class ends, pay constant attention and engage in all interactivity whether you are participating physically or virtually; 2. Remain awake, alert, participate, and arrive prepared; 3. Don’t carry on side conversations, pass notes, or induce other distractions including beepers, cell phones, irrelevant computer activities, and text messaging; 4. Don’t bring children to class. The grading scale is: Below 60%=F; 60-69%=D; 70-79%=C; 80-89%=B; 90%+=A.OFFICE HOURS:
WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Withdrawal from the class with no penalty may be made up to the end of the (equivalent of the eight weeks of class in the summer session) eighth week of regular class, The withdrawal date for this session is Thursday, October 30, 2008. You will be allowed to withdraw from the course with a grade of W after this date only if you have a documented mitigating circumstance. Initiating a withdrawal is your responsibility. I will not initiate the Administrative Withdrawal procedure. Warning! VCCS policy prohibits
enrolling in a course more than twice unless mitigating circumstances
exist. A W grade counts for an enrollment. |
My
office is located in Room 654, ACC. A copy of my class schedule with
office hours marked is posted there and on my home page. I will also
schedule virtual office hours online. Please feel free to call or email
me if that’s more convenient. 
Course Topics:
Following is a list of the topics we plan to
discuss this semester in the approximate sequence.
You are responsible for the reading assignment for each topic
before we cover it in class. Regular
quizzes, homework assignments, and study sheets are planned for this class
and these will provide you with more specific objectives to help you
prepare for the examinations. The
reading assignments are in the required textbook for the course, Sociology,
by Rodney Stark, Ninth or Tenth Edition [The chapter titles and numbers below
are from the ninth edition.]
A. Chapter
One: Groups and
Relationships: A Sociological
Sampler
Social Sciences and the Sociological Perspective
Comparison of various approaches or perspectives to the scientific study
of human behavior
Sociological Imagination
Freud, G. H. Mead, Cooley, The Looking-Glass-Self
B. Chapter
Two: Concepts for Social and
Cultural Theories
Durkheim on Victimless Crimes, Suicide, and Religion
Italian and Jewish Immigrants Case Study
Ethnomethodology
Milgram’s Research and Problems with Studying Self-Aware Subjects
The Scientific Process and Statistical Analysis
Correlation and Sampling and Experimental Method
C. Chapter
Three: Micro Sociology:
Testing Interaction Theories
Symbolic Interactionism and Choice Theories
Goffman: An Introduction to
the Dramaturgical School
D. Chapter
Four: Macro Sociology:
Studying Larger Groups and Society
Conflict, Functionalist and Pluralist Theories
Case Studies on Application of Systems Theories
E. Chapter
Five: Biology, Culture, and
Society
Ardrey, Wilson, Morris Representing Nature versus Nurture Theories
White and Cultural Determinism
Subcultural Case Studies: Appalachian
and Vietnam Combat Experience
F. Chapter 12:
Gender and Inequality
Case Studies and Theories of Sex-Role Socialization
G. Chapter
Six: Socialization and Social
Roles
Henry, Childrearing and Ethnocentrism in America
Behavior Modification and Cognitive Theories of Socialization
Summerhill and Erikson
H. Chapter
Seven: Deviance
and Conformity
Theories of Deviance (particularly juveniles)
Cohen and Unintended Consequences of Social Stratification
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SOC 200 Course Calendar Fall'08
Class Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, August
26 |