University Loyola of Chicago Fall 2010 S101 The Sociological Perspective
TTH: 11:30am-12:45pm Dumbach Hall, room 125
Professor Anne Figert Office: Coffey Hall 421 Office Hours: TUES and THURS 1:00-2:15 OR by appointment Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce you to the distinctively sociological perspective of analyzing people, societies and their structures and cultures. Why? Because people are constantly striving to make sense of their world and sociology offers a unique perspective that will allow you to do this now and for the rest of your life. We will examine the many questions, theories and methods that sociologists employ in their perspective and craft. The topics will range from how we use nonverbal communication to the social construction and meaning of differences to changing population dynamics. At the end of this course, you will have a stronger appreciation for which you are as a human being, how the time and place you live affects that and what it means to be part of a diverse society. Therefore, Sociology 101 counts for partial fulfillment (one course) of Loyola University's social science core curriculum requirement, fulfills a critical thinking skill area and meets the Value area of understanding diversity in the U.S. and the world.
Learning Goals for the Course
A learning goal is a statement expressing the knowledge or skills the students should be able to acquire as a result of taking a course. At the end of this course, you should be able: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Demonstrate an understanding of the Sociological Perspective and how it differs from other perspectives on the social world. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among cultural, economic, political, and social forces, and their impact on human behavior. Demonstrate an understanding of differences of class, gender, and race in societies, states, and cultures. Demonstrate an understanding of how our individual self concepts form as a complex interaction of the biological, familial, societal, and cultural contexts in which we develop. Demonstrate the ability to analyze a reading selection, newspaper/magazine article or film/movie for sociological content. Demonstrate awareness that human values and behavior, ideas of justice, and methods of interpretation are influenced by culture and time.
Required Reading
The books are available at the Campus Bookstore in the Granada Centre and at Becks Bookstore on Sheridan Road. (1) Susan Ferguson, Mapping the Social Landscape. 2010. Sixth Edition. McGraw-Hill. (2) George Orwell. Animal Farm. [1946]. 1996. Signet Classics but any edition is fine. (3) Some of the readings for this class are found on the web and they are marked as such on the syllabus and links are made available through the blackboard site. You all have access to the web through your Loyola computer services. Various internet sites are marked in bold with http:// address in the syllabus. Because they are on the web, they may be subject to change. I will announce in class and on Blackboard any changes.
WHAT I EXPECT OF YOU:
1. Make a sincere effort to learn the course material. This includes completing assigned readings on time and bringing your reader to each class session. It also includes talking to me or the teaching assistant so that we can help you if you are struggling with the course. I respect that students have family and work responsibilities, but to do well in this class youll need to do the work. 2. Treat everyone in the class with respect. This includes listening to others when they are speaking, sharing the floor with other students, giving consideration to opinions which differ from yours, and not disrupting other students learning experiences or my teaching. 3. Behave with common courtesy. Arrive to class on time and, barring emergency, remain for the entire class period. Dont read the newspaper/your email, chit-chat, eat loudly or snooze during class. If you know you need to leave class early, it is less distracting for me and others if you choose a seat close to the exit. 4. Minimize the disruptions. Please turn off cell phones or any other electronic devices that may disrupt class or other students. If you feel the need to text message or check emails, please leave the classroom. Although you may be able to multi-task efficiently, the actions may disrupt the learning process of others.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT OF ME:
1. Make a sincere effort to teach this course to the best of my ability. This includes teaching in a way that is appropriate for your skills and abilities, and in a way that is as responsive to your needs as is feasible. It also means that I strive to keep this class updated and interesting so it will be engaging for all of us. 2. Treat you with respect and impartiality. This especially includes being prepared for class, returning your written work in a timely way, and assuring fair, impartial, and consistent grading on exams and assignments. It also means that I will be open to diverse perspectives expressed in class. Blackboard site:
There is a blackboard site for this class. The class site will contain copies of the syllabus, any handouts for the class. If you have popup blockers on your computer, you need to turn this off to be able to access the external links and to use Blackboard effectively.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability for which you have a documented disability from the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, please make sure I get confirmation from this office in order to provide you with accommodations. Speak with me as soon as possible if you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations.
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Assessment of Your Work
1. Three in-class examinations
The examinations are designed to help you synthesize the course material and will cover both the readings and the classroom material. The exams are each worth 100 points. MAKE-UP exams are NOT usually given and will be given only in rare circumstances or events deemed suitable by the instructor such as religious observance or university policy such as sponsored absences.
2. Out of class assignments
There are some formal assignments in order to ensure that multiple learning styles are acknowledged and to ensure that all of the learning goals for the class are met. See back of the syllabus for details. It is entirely up to you about turning these assignments in and some have strict deadlines. There are no extra credit opportunities in this class.
Grading Scale
The first exam is worth 80 points and the second and third exams are worth 100 points. The out of class assignments add up to a total of 20 possible points. Your final grade will be determined by the following 300 point scale: Total Points Final Letter Grade 300 - 282 points A 281 - 270 points A269 - 261 points B+ 260 - 252 points B 251 - 240 points B239 - 231 points C+ 230 - 222 points C 221 - 210 points C- (You must pass with a C- or higher to receive core credit) 209 - 204 points D+ 203 - 180 points D 179 - fewer F
Policy on Academic integrity
This means no cheating, plagiarism or any other violation of the guidelines established in Loyola University's policy outlined in the Bulletin of Undergraduate Studies. Any student who has engaged in academic dishonesty such as cheating on an exam or presenting someone elses work as their own on the extra credit assignments will be given a grade of 0" on the exam or assignment. The student will also be reported to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and their respective college of study. Depending upon the seriousness of the situation, the student could also receive a grade of F in this course. If you are unclear as to what might constitute academic dishonesty, talk to me or go to the following site for more information: http://www.luc.edu/is/cease/ai.shtml.
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Class Topics and Reading Assignments
(Note: Have the reading assigned for that day completed before coming to class)
Week 1 August 31 Introduction to Sociology Welcome, Introduction to class, Administration and Paperwork
Assignment: Go to the following web site and take this questionnaire about learning styles. Submit print of the Read/Write Study Strategies out with your name on it and answer the questions found on the last page of the syllabus. This assignment is due in class on September http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire 7th. September 2 Sociology and how to think Sociologically
Readings: 1) Mills, "The Promise" Pp 1-7. 2) Gaines, Teenage Wasteland Pp. 7-19. 3) Schwalbe, Finding Out How the Social World Works Pp. 33-43. Week 2 September 7 Building Blocks of Society Interaction and Shared Meanings
Readings: 1) Duneier, Sidewalk Pp. 53-61 2) England and Thomas, The Decline of the Date Pp. 69-78. 3) Williams, Shopping as Symbolic Interaction Pp. 172-83. September 9 Socialization
Readings: 1) Dyer, "Anybody's Son Will Do" Pp. 135-46. 2) Lucal, What it Means to be Gendered Me Pp. 108-22. 3) Granfield, "Making it by Faking it" Pp. 123-35. Week 3 September 14 Socialization and Social Structures Culture
Readings: 1) Glassner The Culture of Fear Pp. 61-68. 2) Sandhu, Instant Karma Pp. 78-87. 3) Trask, "Lovely Hula Hands" Pp. 88-95. September 16 Groups, Organizations and Belonging
Readings: 1) Haney, Banks, & Zimbardo, Interpersonal Dynamics in a Situated Prison Pp. 43-53. Week 4 September 21 Social Structures Social Structures: From the Individual to Societal Levels
Readings: 1) Adler and Adler, Peer Power Pp. 155- 70. 2) Jankowski, Gang Business Pp. 170-181. September 23 Social Structures and Cultures together
Readings: 1) Draus and Carlson, Down on Main Street Pp. 218-34.
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Week 5 September 28
Deviance and Exam 1
Deviance and Social Control
Readings: 1) Rosenhan, On Being Sane in Insane Places Pp. 197-207 2) McLorg and Taub, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Pp. 207-18.
September 30
Week 6 October 5
Examination #1
Stratification and Inequalities Power and Authority
Readings: 1) Clawson, Neustadtl & Weller, Dollars and Votes Pp. 406-19. 2) Mills, "The Power Elite" Pp.399-406. 3) Start reading Animal Farm October 7 Social Stratification
Readings: 1) Marx and Engels, "Manifesto of the Communist Party" Pp.468-73. 2) Davis, Moore and Tumin, Some Principles of Stratification Pp. 256-66. 3) http://www.demos.org/inequality/numbers.cfm 4) Continue reading Animal Farm Week 7 October 12 October 14 Week 8 October 19 Fall Break and Animal Farm Fall Break -- No class but finish reading Animal Farm Animal Farm Discussion Racial and Gendered Consequences of Difference Power, Class and Privilege What does it mean? Who has it?
Readings: 1) Johnson, What can we Do? Pp. 649-60 2) http://ted.coe.wayne.edu/ele3600/mcintosh.html or http://www.case.edu/president/aaction/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf October 21 Sex and Gender and Sexuality
Readings: 1) Risman, Gender as Structure Pp. 295-304. 2) Pascoe, Dude, Youre a Fag Pp. 305-313. 3) Young, et al., Drinking Like a Guy Pp. 314-330. Week 9 October 26 Race, Ethnicity and Education Races and Ethnicities
Readings: 1) Bonilla-Silva, New Racism, Color-Blind Racism and the Future of Whiteness in America Pp. 345-60. 2) Shapiro, The Hidden Cost of Being African-American Pp. 270-81 3) Flower Kim, Out of Sorts Pp. 371-83 October 28 Education
Readings: 1) Crow Dog and Erdoes, "Civilize them with a Stick" Pp. 571-77. 2) Kozol, Still Separate, Still Unequal: Americas Educational Apartheid Pp. 578-94. 3) Ferguson, Bad Boys Pp. 580-88 5
Week 10 November 2
Exam 2 and Families Examination # 2
November 4 Romantic Love, Courtship and Families Readings: 1) Cherlin, The Deinstitutionalization of American Marriage Pp. 589-600. Week 11 November 9 Families and Work Families-- continued
Readings: 1) Crittenden, The Mommy Tax Pp. 601-11. 2) Lareau, Invisible Inequality Pp. 611--26. November 11 Work
Readings: 1) Leidner, "Over the Counter: McDonald's" Pp. 474-89. 2) Loe, Working at Bazooms Pp. 330-344. 3) Ehrenreich, Nicked-and-Dimed Pp. 282-95 4) LeDuff, At the Slaughterhouse Pp. 361-70. Week 12 November 16 Religion and other Life and Death Issues Varieties of Religious Beliefs and Practices Religion(s) in U.S. and the World
Readings: 1) Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Pp. 499-505 2) Dadaneau, Religion and Society Pp. 506-515 4) Shorto, Faith at Work Pp. 517-26. November 18 Health and Medicalization
Readings: 1) Conrad and Potter, From Hyperactive Children to ADHD Adults Social Problems, Vol. 47, No. 4 (Nov., 2000), pp. 559582 Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3097135 2) Karp, Illness and Identity Pp. 557-70. Week 13 November 23 Medicine, Health Care and Illness
Readings: 1) Rubin, Sand Castles and Snake Pits Pp. 527-33. 2) Klinenberg, Dying Alone Pp. 540-56. 3) http://altmed.od.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/ November 25 Week 14 November 30 Thanksgiving Day (No Classes) The Natural and Social Environments Science, Technology and Society
Readings: 1) Davis and Webster, The Social Context of Science: Cancer and the Environment The ANNALS of the Academy of Political and Social Science 2002 584: 13.http://ann.sagepub.com/content/584/1/13
American
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December 2
Societal and Environmental Changes
Readings: 1) Gerald Markowitz and David Rosner. Corporate Responsibility for Toxins The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2002 584: 159 http://ann.sagepub.com/content/584/1/159 2) http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2001/presskit/english/womenen.htm Week 15 December 7 What the Future Holds? World Populations and Globalization
Readings: http://www.census.gov/ Harper and Leicht, American Social Trends Pp. 627-40. December 9 Final Day of Class: Review and Summary Readings: 1) Johnson, What can we Do? Pp. 649-60 (read again)
December 14th (Tuesday) Exam #3
9:00am 11:00am in the classroom
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S101 Assignments
POINTS:
1.
Learning Styles Assignment
Go to the following web site and take this questionnaire about learning styles. http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire
Submit print of the Read/Write Study Strategies out with your name on it and answer the following questions in 1-2 typewritten double spaced pages: Do you concur with the assessment given? Why or why not? What do you think a successful outcome would be for you in this class? Given what this assessment and your own self-knowledge about you as a learner, how can you use this knowledge to help you achieve what you define as success in this class? Due at the beginning of class on September 7th. Worth up to 5 points ________
2. Office Visit
Schedule an appointment or drop in during my office hours for a chat. (a one time credit worth 5 points you can utilize more time and visits just not for credit). ________ Must be done for full credit by October 20th.
3. Choose ONE of the following options:
Option A: Attend one campus activity (talk, group meeting, athletic event, etc.) and address all of the following questions/statements: 1) What talk/event did you choose to attend? 2) Why did you choose this event? 3) Describe where this event took place and who was there. 4) Summarize the talk content or event activity you attended using some of the sociological terms/concepts or theories that weve talked about or you have read about from class (1-2 page double spaced typed and spell checked write-up is due within one week of attending the event). Must be turned in by November 18th (worth up to 5 points) Option B : Attend one off-campus talk or activity in the larger community and address all of the following questions/statements: 1) What talk/event did you choose to attend? 2) Why did you choose this event? 3) Describe where this event took place and who was there. 4) Summarize the talk content or event activity you attended using some of the sociological terms/concepts or theories that weve talked about or you have read about from class (1-2 page double spaced typed and spell checked write-up is due within one week of attending the event). Must be turned in by November 18th (worth up to 5 points) ________ ________
4. Write a film review of any in-class film (approximately 2 typewritten, double spaced pages) by addressing all of the following questions/statements.
1) Summarize the film and the main sociological concepts depicted in the film. 2) Explain or describe how the film discusses and presents this concept. 3) How successful was it for use in sociology classes? 4) What did you find particularly interesting or useful? Note: the 1-2 page double spaced typed and spell checked write-up is due within one week of viewing the film). Must be turned in by December 9th (worth up to 5 points) 8
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