This course introduces you to concepts in the discipline of sociology.  We will primarily study how and why humans organize themselves into large and small groups, focusing on how sociologists study group behavior.  The course covers the general rubrics of social structure, social action, and social change, presenting theories that sociologists use to understand these dimensions of social life, and empirical research upon which these understandings are based.  We will use many practical examples from a variety of settings to understand inequality in social organizations.  You will have many opportunities to read, write, discuss and lead discussions about these topics over the course of the semester.

The course meets three times per week.  Mondays and Wednesdays consist of lecture and discussion on a weekly topic, drawing upon material presented in the course text.  Please read the assigned readings before the class meeting for which the chapter is assigned, and come to class prepared to discuss the material in the text.  Fridays are dedicated to student-led discussions of current topics pertaining to the course material.  Please read the handouts and assigned readings before the discussion session, and come to class prepared to discuss the issues presented.

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This course uses a participatory, learner-centered, adult education approach.  An adult education approach recognizes that YOU are responsible for your own learning.  The instructors can only provide opportunities to learn, but cannot force you to learn.  Course material is presented in readings from the text, current topic readings drawn from news outlets, lecture, and student-led class discussions.  You are expected to work hard in this course, meaning that for every hour of class time, you should spend at least two to three hours outside of class preparing by doing readings, assignments, studying for quizzes and exams, and thinking about the course material.

You are expected to take responsibility for the success of the course, that is, you should take an active interest not just in the course material, but in the course itself, making it a success for all participants.  Factors such as interest, motivation, creativity, and initiative are important elements in evaluating your performance in the course and assigning a grade.

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Learning is least useful when it is private and hidden; it most powerful when it becomes public and communal. Learning flourishes when we take what we think we know and offer it as community property among fellow learners so that it can be tested, examined, challenged, and improved before we internalize it.

                                                                                                       ~Lee Shulman

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Course Objectives:

After you successfully complete this course, you will be able to:

(1)  Identify and explain three sociological paradigms, and apply them to understand particular social issues and problems.

(2)  Define important sociological concepts, explain important sociological theories, and describe sociological research methods.

(3)  Explain how sociology has developed and changed through history.

(4)  Explain the connections between social structure, social action, and social change.

(5)  Identify 5 important social institutions, and explain the relationship between institutions and individuals.

(6)  Identify and discuss current issues, and how they are shaped by social conditions and social structure.

These objectives contribute to overall course goals:

(1)  Developing critical thinking skills.  The discussions, readings, writing assignments and quizzes are designed to encourage you to develop and use higher-order thinking skills, including analytical, synthetic and applied thinking.

     • Click here for more information on thinking critically.

(2)  Understanding the social structures and processes that condition our lives.  A basic goal of all sociology courses is to help you understand the nature and workings of these social structures, and how they open opportunities and impose constraints on individuals operating within these structures.  Sociologist C. Wright Mills called this using your "sociological imagination;" activities in this course are designed to encourage you to use your sociological imagination.

     • Click here for more information on the sociological imagination.

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• You are expected to attend class regularly and complete all of the assignments.
• You are expected to know all material presented during class sessions, whether you attended the class or not.  If you miss a class session, you should check with another student to see what you missed.
• “I didn’t know” is NEVER a valid excuse.  If you don’t know something, it is your job to find out.

(2)  Missed assignments CANNOT be made up

• It is assumed that if you miss class or an assignment, you are making a choice that prioritizes other activities above the class.  For this reason, none of the assignments or coursework can be made up.
• Assignments are due at the time specified; no late assignments will be accepted.
• If you miss a quiz or writing assignment, you will receive a grade of zero for that assignment.  In the first instance, this will count as your lowest grade and will be dropped.  Subsequent instances will be scored as zero.
• If you must miss a presentation or other in-class activity, it is up to you to arrange to trade with another student before the event.  Please notify the instructor of such changes.

(3)  Illnesses and emergencies MUST be documented

(4)  Class discussion is an important element in this course

• The purpose of the discussion is to provide you with an opportunity to practice thinking skills in a safe environment.
• In discussions, you are encouraged to explore ideas presented in the readings and lectures, to think about and apply concepts, and to develop arguments and evaluate evidence.
• You must demonstrate appropriate respect for the opinions and ideas of other students.  If you repeatedly show disrespect for other students, you will be asked to leave the classroom.
• Class discussions are NOT a time to chat with other students about topics not related to the course.  Talking privately with other students while the rest of the class is trying to carry on a discussion is disruptive, bothersome, and disrespectful to other students and to the professor.  If you repeatedly talk out of turn, you will be asked to leave the classroom.
• It is acceptable (and encouraged) to disagree with the perspectives of other students, but you should phrase this to show disagreement with the idea or opinion, not with the person presenting the idea or opinion.
• Please make sure that all pagers, cell phones, etc. are turned off during class time.  If your phone or pager repeatedly interrupts class, you will be asked to leave the classroom.
• If you are asked to leave the classroom for disruptive or disrespectful behavior, you cannot make up any work that you miss as a result.

(5)  You are expected to comply with all academic standards and ethics as defined in the DSU Bulletin and Handbook

• You are expected to do your own work in this course.  Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will NOT be tolerated.
• Click here if you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism.  The DSU Library's "Plagiarism Prevention: A Guide for Students" is also a good resource.  If it is still unclear, see the instructor.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND THESE GUIDELINES.  If at some point in the semester you are suspected of committing plagiarism, pleas of “I didn’t know what plagiarism was” will not be accepted.
• The policy on plagiarism includes the sanctions – use the above link.  Make sure you are aware of these sanctions BEFORE you submit any work in this class.

(6)  DO NOT bring cell phones or other portable communication devices to class during quizzes, exams, or in-class assignments.  If the instructor sees a cell phone or other device during a quiz, exam or in-class assignment, your work will be collected immediately and you will be asked to leave the classroom.

(7)  Appropriate accommodations will be made for students with medical problems or diagnosed disabilities.  Have Dr. Richard Houston at the Reily Health Center (846-4690) contact the course instructor to make arrangements.

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(1) Reading, Attendance and Participation (20 points)

(2) Discussion Leader (10 points)

(3) Quizzes (20 points)

(4) Writing Assignments (20 points)

• Three in-class or take-home writing assignments will be assigned during the semester (10 points each).
• The lowest grade from the three writing assignments will be dropped at the end of the semester.
• You should complete each assignment and submit it at the specified time.
• You should prepare papers using standard college prose, and should check for errors in spelling and grammar prior to submitting the paper.
• For out-of-class assignments, the papers should be typed, 10 or 12 point font, 1 inch margins, double spaced.
• You are expected to do your own work on these assignments, particularly out-of-class assignments – see the policy on plagiarism and cheating; this policy will be enforced with no exceptions.  For more information on plagiarism, see the Delta State Library's guide to plagiarism prevention.

• Click here for tips on writing papers for this course.
• Click here for the writing assignments.

(5) Final Exam (20 points)

• Each student must take the final exam.
• The exam includes short-answer and essay questions.
• The exam tests your ability to absorb and synthesize course material presented in the readings and lectures.
• The final exam is comprehensive.

Additional Resources:

• Click here for tips on taking essay tests.

(6) Discretionary (10 points)

• The instructors will evaluate your performance based on factors such as motivation, interest, and improvement over the course of the semester.

Additional Resources:

• Click here for tips on developing good study habits.

Your final grade in the course will be calculated as follows:

• There are a total of 100 points available for the semester.  Your final score is simply the sum of all points earned over the semester.
• If you accumulate 90 or more points during the semester, you will get an “A” in the course.  If you accumulate 80 to 89 points, you will get a “B,” for 70 to 79 points you will get a “C,” and for 60 to 69 points you will get a “D.”  If you get less than 60 points, your final grade will be an “F.”
• Note that you start with zero and earn points; you do not start with 100 and lose points.

If you comply with all course requirements and submit all of the assignments satisfactorily and on time, you can expect a “C” in this course.  To receive a higher grade, you must demonstrate a superior grasp of course material and an ability to apply the material in productive ways.  It is also helpful to show an interest in the course material and in learning, and an achievement-based orientation.

Note that you simply cannot pass this class unless you attend the lectures and discussions regularly, as a substantial portion of your grade depends on attendance and active participation in class activities.

Study Questions:

Each week, a set of study questions pertaining to the week's topic will be posted on this web page. These questions are designed to assist you with the week's reading assignments. It is recommended that you prepare short answers to these questions to prepare for lectures and discussions. Questions for the quizzes, the final exam, and writing assignments are frequently drawn from these study questions.

Click on hyperlink for study questions: