PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
Course No: SOCI -104-04 Instructor: Roland Blanchette
Spring Semester 2005 Office no: LA 450–Brockton; C 104–Canton
Classroom: LA 560 Office hrs: MWF 11:00-11:50 am–Canton
Class hrs: W 1:00-3:50 pm TTh 11:00-12:00 am–Brockton
E-mail: rblanchette@massasoit.mass.edu Office phone: 508-588-9100 ext 1706
Text: Schaefer, Richard T. Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 5th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill
Higher Education, 2004. ISBN: 0-07-288411-8.
Students are strongly encouraged to purchase this textbook through an online bookseller such as www.amazon.com or www.mcgraw-hill.com. McGraw-Hill lists the book at $43.00 new. You can purchase new and used editions much cheaper on the web and they will be sent to you fairly quickly. The ISBN number has been provided for you.
Catalogue Description: Involves the study of humans as social animals. The attributes of the individual will be presented, and a study will be made of behavior as influenced and modified by group activity. Social institutions such as the family, the community, and education will be described. Problems which interfere with the successful operation of society will be fully discussed.
Prerequisite: Preparing for College Reading II (ENGL-092), Introductory Writing (ENGL-099), and Fundamentals of Math (MATH-010), or waiver by placement testing results, or departmental approval.
Course Objective: The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the field of sociology. Students will be taught how to “do” sociology, that is, how to analyze behavior from the point of view of a sociologist. By the end of the course, the student should have an adequate knowledge of the following: 1) what the discipline of sociology is, 2) sociological methods and perspectives, and 3) the areas of sociological interest. In addition, through the reading, writing, and critical thinking that are part of the course, students should be better able to: 1) evaluate and interpret the meaning of textual material, 2) organize and connect ideas, 3) view situations from different perspectives, and 4) differentiate between fact and fiction, concrete and abstract, theory and practice.
Disability Statement: Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in the classroom are encouraged to contact the Disability Counselor, Stan Oliver, x1464, or Learning Disability Services Counselor, Andrea Henry, x1805, as soon as possible in order to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
WORK FOR THE COURSE
Assignments: All students are required to complete a series of three writing assignments. Students who do not complete the writing assignments will not receive a grade for the course. These assignments will be explained during the first week of class. Students are also expected to read the text assignments by the dates specified on the course outline. All students are required to make a brief visit to my office sometime during the beginning of the semester. This visit need not take more than 30 seconds and you are encouraged to visit between classes if your schedule permits.
Exams: There will be ten weekly brief exams and a cumulative final exam. The tests will be based on the text and the material presented in class. All students are required to take all the exams on the scheduled dates. There are no make-up exams.
Teaching Procedures and Attendance: This is primarily a lecture course, but there will be opportunity for questions and discussion. Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes. Do not come to class late; interrupting class by walking into class late or getting up to leave early is rude and will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive an F for the course. Please read the Attendance and Academic Integrity policies printed in the College catalogue. Students are also strongly encouraged to actively participate in class discussions; part of the work of this course is to show up ready, eager, and prepared for the class.
Grades: Evaluation and grading is based on the following distribution: The average of your best seven brief exams will count as one grade. The three writing assignments will each count as one grade. The mandatory final exam will count as one grade. The best four grades will be averaged to compute the final grade.
94-100 = A 80-82 = B- 67-69 = D+
90-93 = A- 77-79 = C+ 60-66 = D
87-89 = B+ 73-76 = C -59 = F
83-86 = B 70-72 = C-
COURSE OUTLINE
Note: This is a tentative outline of the subjects that will be covered in this course. You will be given ample time and notice to prepare for class work and assignments. A more detailed discussion of the topics will be found in your study guide.
Week 1 Jan 26 Week 9 Mar 23
Introduction. Theoretical Perspectives. Social Control.
Schaefer, Ch 1. Schaefer, Ch 7.
Week 2 Feb 2 Week 10 Mar 30
Research Methods. Social Deviance.
Schaefer, Ch 2. Exam 1. Schaefer, Ch 7. Exam 6. Assign 2.
Week 3 Feb 9 Week 11 Apr 6
Culture. Social Stratification.
Schaefer, Ch 3. Exam 2. Schaefer, Ch 8. Exam 7.
Week 4 Feb 16 Week 12 Apr 13
Socialization. Race and Ethnicity.
Schaefer, Ch 4. Exam 3. Schaefer, Ch 9.
Week 5 Feb 23 Week 13 Apr 20
Presidents Day: No classes Monday. Patriot’s Day: No classes Monday.
Social Structure. Race and Ethnicity.
Schaefer, Ch 5. Assign 1. Schaefer, Ch 9. Exam 8.
Week 6 Mar 2 Week 14 Apr 27
Social Groups. Scheduling Day: No classes Tuesday.
Schaefer, Ch 6. Exam 4. The Family.
Schaefer, Ch 11. Exam 9
Week 7 Mar 9 Week 15 May 4
Formal Organization. Religion.
Schaefer, Ch 6. Exam 5. Schaefer, Ch 12. Assignment 3.
Week 8 Mar 16 Week 16 May 11
Spring Recess: No classes. Human Ecology. Social Change.
Schaefer, Ch 14, 16. Exam 10.
Week 17 May 13-18 Final Exam Week.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Consult your study guide for some important advice on writing these assignments. If you have problems, come talk to me.
Assignment #1 LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT Due: Feb 23
As active researchers, sociologists make frequent use of a most important resource, the library. For this assignment, I want you to research the topic you have been given and provide the following:
1. Who created this term or concept?
2. A brief description of the topic.
3. Cite the source of your information.
Do not cite your textbook. Be sure your citation is written in MLA or APA style. Consult your English handbook.
Your paper will be graded according to: 1) your ability to follow instructions, 2) care and thoroughness given to your research, and 3) accurate use of a proper style.
Assignment #2 FILM REVIEW Due: Mar 30
View one of the films on the following list and write a review. Be sure to use a sociological focus. How did the film highlight some of the concepts we have discussed in class? This is not as easy as it looks, I expect some critical analysis of the film.
A Perfect World 1993; Kevin Costner The Accused 1988; Jody Foster
Bad Boys 1983; Sean Penn Bend It Like Beckham 2002; Parminder Nagra
Chicago 2002; Renée Zellweger Ghost World 2000; Thora Birch
Glory 1989; Denzel Washington My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2002; Nia Vardalos
Mystic Pizza 1988; Julia Roberts Mystic River 2003; Sean Penn
Philadelphia 1993; Tom Hanks The Pianist 2002; Adrien Brody
Remember the Titans 2000; D. Washington Saving Private Ryan 1997; Tom Hanks
Shrek 2001; Eddie Murphy Signs 2002; Mel Gibson
Spirited Away 2002; Hayao Miyazaki Whale Rider 2003; Keisha Castle-Hughes
Witness 1985; Harrison Ford Unforgiven 1992; Clint Eastwood
Your paper will be graded according to: 1) care and thoroughness given to your analysis of the movie, and 2) appropriate use of the concepts mentioned in class and from the readings.
Assignment #3 SOCIAL CLASS Due: May 4
What is the social class of your neighbors? For this assignment, you must interview two of your neighbors, make some assessment of their social class, and write an essay. The following steps are the easiest way to accomplish this task.
1. Try to build some objective measure using criteria such as occupation, your estimate of the value of home, car, and other possessions, education level, social group membership, and so on. Once you have established your social class distinctions, see how your neighbors fit in.
2. Talk to your neighbors. Tell them you have a class assignment and ask for their help. Do not ask your neighbors about money! The final question you should ask them is, “What is your social class?” Record what they tell you and their reasons for their answer; then compare their social class assessment to your own.
3. Write this up in an essay. Provide a description of your neighbors and your speculation about their social class. Do not use their names. Then provide some description of the interview. And finally, include your analysis and conclusions.
I expect you to interview two of your neighbors. Your paper will be graded according to the quality and thoroughness of your discussion.
ALL PAPERS MUST BE
CAREFULLY PROOFREAD AND PRINTED