There's A Lot You Can Do With A Degree in Sociology  

                       Introduction to Sociology    (SOC101)

(SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES             MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE)

Course Documents:             Course Outline        Course Content          Course Assignment       Course References

Course Syllabus           

 Course:    Introduction to Sociology                      SOC101 B04  Spring 2008

Course Information:    CEDIT HOURS: 3.0

                                         PREREQUISITES: RDG 100   COREQUISITE: ENG 100

                                         CLASS HOURS:  T Th 9:35pm—11:00am

                                         Class Room        WM 450

INSTRUCTOR:      Meifang Zhang, Ph.D

Contact Information: Phone: (O)738-7830

                                     OFFICE:  WM 419 

                                              E-mail: zhangm@midlandstech.edu                     

OFFICE HOURS:   Monday 2:00pm -- 4:00pm        W ednesday 2:00pm—4:00pm  

                  T Th  1:00pm—3:00pm  

         Students who need to meet with the instructor at times other than  the designated office hours should call to make appointments or leave messages at 738--7830 or by E-mail: zhangm@midlandstech.edu .  Notes can be left at the instructor’s mailbox in Room 445 at WM Building of Beltline campus. 

REQUIRED TEXT:   W. E. Thompson, and J.V. Hickey, 2008, Society in Focus Sixth Edition, Allyn and Bacon

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course provides an overview of sociology as a social science discipline. We will begin by defining the field of sociology and will discuss the similarities and differences between sociology and other social science disciplines in studying human society and human social behavior. Throughout the semester, students will explore the major areas of sociological inquiry, learn the core concepts of sociology and sociology theories, know the basics of the scientific method in doing sociology. The course emphasizes the development of critical thinking and analytical skills. The process of scientific research and its application will be substantially discussed. Multicultural topics will be added to for a broader vision of the society we live today.

Note: Basic course information will be provided online. Please go to http://classes.midlandstech.edu/soczhang, for Soc101 workbook, which contains lectured topics in sociology for self study, exercise questions and keys for practice. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1). Describe the fundamental goals of sociology as a science and understand the logic and the application of the "scientific method" in the study of society and human social behavior.

2). Apply major sociological theories in the analysis of social issues and phenomena, and describe the structural and institutional forces that shape and influence individuals.

3). Describe major social institutions, understand the impact of the institutional changes on human behavior, and explain the social issues concerning the institutional arrangement of society and problems existing in the systems. 

4). Understanding the dynamic forces leading to social changes.

5). Understand human interaction, social groups and group dynamics as defined by sociology.

6). Define deviance and crime from the sociological perspective and understand the social causes of deviant behavior and different means of social control.

7). Define social stratification, describe its forms and dimensions, and analyze issues of social inequality from both a national perspective and global perspective.

8). Learn and be able to use basic sociological concepts.

9). Use the sociological perspective to analyze media materials/social issues.

CLASS Policy:

 Format: Material will be presented in lecture format. Multimedia presentation will be used to illustrate the important topics and concepts. Frequently, lectures are augmented with class exercises and class discussions. (Note that the materials presented are not restricted to textbook information. Students will be tested both on the lectured materials and textbook readings. Attendance is, therefore, highly necessary for success in this course). Students are required to be attentive listeners, active participators and contributors to class discussions to achieve success. To aid in the organization of the learning process, for each chapter, a topic outline will be handed out to lead class discussion and lectures.   

Attendance: Each student is required by the Department to attend a minimum of 85% of their regularly scheduled classes. The maximum number of allowable absences during the semester is 4 for classes that meet twice a week, and 6 for classes that meet three times a week. This will include all extenuated absences.

Assignments and Tests:    Students are required to complete one  paper assignment, three tests, and a cumulative Final Exam during the semester. Paper assignment instructions will be handed out as designated in course outline. Late assignment will not be accepted unless the instructor has given approval prior to the scheduled due date. Students could earn bonus points by presenting outstanding work.                                                                                                                      Tests and the final exam will consist of multiple choices, true-false questions.  Students are required to be present for all scheduled tests and the examination. The decision to allow a makeup test or examination is at the sole discretion of the instructor. Test dates will be announced in class at least one week before the tests.

For students who need special accommodations for class or tests, documentation regarding a specific disability from the Counseling Service is required for accommodation arrangement. When informed, the instructor will make necessary accommodation arrangement for students.  Confidentiality of the information received will be maintained.

Students should refer to student handbook for academic honesty and classroom conduct. Disruptive and obstructive behavior would not be tolerated allowed in classrooms (for example, cell phones should be shown when class in session.   

Grade: A maximum score of 100 can be earned for the course grade. Final grade for the course will be based on the results of the Three tests, the Final Exam, and the completion of the term paper.                                                                                                      

Grade Computation:      Course grades will be computed as follows:

               Test 1                      20%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                 Test 2                      20%

                  Test 3                     20%

                 Term Paper              10%

                 Final Exam        ___30%____           

                                                  100%.  

The grading scale for the course is given below:

  A--(90 over)      B--(80 - 89)      C--(70 - 79)      D--(60 - 69)        F--(59 below)

            COURSE OUTLINE:      SOC 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

                  TOPIC                                              READING ASSIGNMENT

WEEK 1     Course Orientation                                                             Syllabus

                   The Sociological Perspective:                                          Chapter 1  

                    Development of sociology/theoretical perspectives        Chapter 1

 WEEK 2     Doing  sociology (sociological  Research)                Chapter 2

                    Term paper assignment

  WEEK 3      Test 1 (Chapter 1-2)       

                       Culture                                                      Chapter 3

WEEK 4    Socialization                                                     Chapter  4

WEEK 5      Social Structure and Social Interaction              Chapter  5

                     Groups and Social Organization                        Chapter 6   

WEEK 6     Deviance and Social Control                               Chapter  8

                      Test 2  (Chapters  3, 4, 5,-6, 8)

WEEK 7      Social Stratification                                                Chapter 9

 WEEK 8      Social Class in the U.S. and  Global Inequality      Chapter 10

 WEEK 9      Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity                           Chapter 11

                Term paper Due

WEEK 10     Inequalities of Gender and Age                           Chapter 12, 13

                      Test 3  (Chapters  9-13)

 WEEK 11     Social Institutions                                              Chapter 14

                  The Family system                                         

WEEK 12     Education and Religion                                        Chapter 15, 16

Week 13         Political Systems                                               Chapter 17

                        Assignment (optional)

                       Economic Systems                                             Chapter 18

Week 14           The Health Care System                                       Chapter 19

                Population and Urbanization              Chapter 20, 21

 WEEK 15    Review and Final Exam  

 Additional note:

PREPARATION: Prior to each class, the student should review the previously covered material of the last class. For better understanding of the lecture and class material, it is highly recommended that students read the text material at least once before the lecture and more times after the lecture.  For better learning environment: all cell phones should be off, no sleeping in classrooms, no talking while the teacher is talking, students should not walk out of classroom when class is in session. Students who display any disturbing behavior should be asked to leave the classroom. 

Students are required by the college to do course evaluation online. Please go the Midlands Technical College MTC online course evaluation close to the end of the semester to give your comments and suggestions to the course. Your input will be greatly appreciated.  

08/20/2009