Introduction to Sociology

Spring Semester 2013

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Sociology is the scientific study of social life. However, sociology is far from a simple set of
concepts or groups of topics. Instead, sociology is a powerful and enlightening way of viewing
and understanding the world around us. It offers us a new way to understand the connections
between individuals and society, along with perspectives on the impact of social forces on
individual behavior. This course is intended to help you use a sociological perspective to enrich
your personal, academic, civic, and professional life. Topics covered include culture, social
interaction, deviance, social classes, social change, politics, religion, and the family. This course
also considers the principal perspectives in sociology for interpreting everyday events and for
interpreting the social structures of society.

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES

1 Understand and develop a sociological perspective.
2 Comprehend and demonstrate knowledge of sociological research methods.
3 Know and understand who major sociologists are and their important
contributions to the discipline.
4 Know and use three primary theoretical traditions in analysis of social
phenomena.
5 Learn and use basic sociological terms and concepts
6 Develop a working knowledge of charts, graphs, and other presentations of
sociological data.
7 Develop and implement the sociological imagination in analysis of social
phenomena.
8 Develop an appreciation for social diversity.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Ritzer, George. 2012. Introduction to Sociology and Interactive E-book. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Five (5) examinations (100 points each)
Every three weeks on Friday I will administer a 50 question, multiple choice exam that
covers three chapters. At the end of the semester, I will drop your lowest exam grade.
This means that you can miss (or totally bomb) one exam without it hurting your grade;
however, because of this, I will be far less likely to allow for make-up exams.
Exam Dates:
1. January 25 (Chapters 1, 2, and 3)
2. February 15 (Chapters 4, 5, and 6)
3. March 8 (Chapters 7, 8, and 9)
4. April 5 (Chapters 10, 11, and 12)
5. April 26 (Chapters, 13, 14, 15, and 16)

2. Ten (10) Weekly Quizzes (5 points each)
Every Friday that we dont have an exam I will administer a short 5 question, multiple
choice quiz that covers information we have read or discussed in class. At the end of the
semester, I will drop your lowest quiz score. Like the exams, this means you can miss or
fail a quiz without it hurting your grade; however, because of this, I will be far less likely
to allow for make-up quizzes.

3. Ten (10) Weekly Reflection Papers (5 points each)
Each Friday that we dont have an exam you will be required to turn in a reflection paper.
Reflection papers should be typed and consist of a minimum of two paragraphs.
Reflection papers are an opportunity to voice your opinions about the subject matter, how
it relates to you, how you feel about it, how it connects to popular culture, what youve
learned, what you havent learned, how you feel about the class, why you feel that way
whatever you want to write about as long as it pertains to this class and the material in
one way or another. This is also an opportunity to provide feedback to me about things
that are helping or hindering your progress in this class, or about ideas you might have
that you think would benefit the class. These reflection papers will not be graded for
content in any way, but they will count towards your grade, and I do take them seriously.
I will allow each student to miss one reflection paper to cover extenuating circumstances.

4. Readings and Interactive E-book Activities
Reading the assigned material for each week is absolutely essential to your success in this
course. All of the grades in this course are connected to the readings: exams, quizzes, and
reflection papers, where you will be required to reflect on the material. Each week we
will cover one chapter from your text book. I prefer each chapter to be read in full by
Monday (that gives you the whole weekend) so that you are prepared for discussion for
the week. At the very least, chapters will need to be read by Friday before you are
quizzed on the material and are required to turn in your reflections. In addition, I expect
that you watch/listen/review the media links in the interactive e-book that are suggested
within each chapter of your text book. These materials will also be included in the
quizzes and the exams, but most importantly, these materials help us connect information
in class to whats going on outside the classroom.

GRADES

Five (5) Exams (100 points each): 500 points total

Fifteen (10) Weekly Quizzes (5 points each): 50 points total

Fifteen (10) Weekly Reflection Papers (5 points each): 50 points total

Total: 600 points


GRADING SCALE

90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 79 C
60 69 D
Below 60 F
CLASSROOM CONDUCT:
Classroom Discussion: Engaging in thoughtful and analytical discussion is an essential
component of this class, and my hopes are that together we can create an environment that
promotes this kind of interaction. In order to accomplish this, it is of the upmost importance that
everyone is respectful of others comments and perspectives. Hateful or disparaging remarks are
entirely unacceptable! Rude and/or inappropriate comments are an assault to a productive
learning environment and entirely counter-productive to the goals in this course. This is not to
say that you cant disagree, but please make sure to do so respectfully. Along these lines, please
be sure to refrain from conversation with others when someone else is talking, and listen
attentively to what they are saying without interrupting them. We are all in this together, so lets
be supportive and courteous.
Cell Phones & Laptops: Warning: cell phone use of any kind during class is my number one pet
peeve it is both rude and distracting. For the sake of my own sanity, I expect you to refrain
from using your cell phone for 50 minutes I know its tough, but you will manage. You can use
laptops to take notes that relate only to this class. Again, using laptops for anything other than
this purpose is both rude and distracting. If I find that you are using your laptop for another
reason, I will not only be terribly irritated, but I will also revoke your privileges to use a laptop.
Along these lines, if I detect that a great number of people are using laptops for other purposes
not related to class, I will simply take away the whole classs privileges to use them. If you find
yourself distracted by other students not complying with these rules, I encourage you to come
and talk to me.
Arrive on Time: Please make every attempt to come to class on time. When students enter the
classroom late it distracts attention away from whatever it is we may be doing. Similarly, please
do not leave before I dismiss class (unless you have an emergency or something similar), as this,
too, is extremely distracting.
ACADEMIC DIHONESTY:

Academic dishonesty in any form will absolutely not be tolerated in this course. I have ZERO
patience when it comes to this issue - if caught cheating on a quiz or exam, you will
undoubtedly receive a zero on the assignment, and possibly an (FF) in the course. If you are
uncertain in any way about USFs policy concerning academic dishonesty, I strongly
recommended reviewing these policies in the USF 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalogue
(http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/catdl.htm) or meeting with me directly. Just so were clear:
- Cheating is using or attempting to use materials, information, notes, study aids, or other
assistance in any type of examination or evaluation which have not been authorized by
the instructor (USF 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalogue, pg. 57).
Other resources for academic dishonesty, as well as USFs Honor Code, are presented under
resources in this syllabus.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: Students with a disability requiring accommodation should
obtain a Memorandum of Accommodations from Students with Disabilities Services
(http://www.sds.usf.edu) and meet with me within the first week or two of class to discuss the
necessary arrangements. I encourage you to meet with me in whatever way you feel most
comfortable, and dont hesitate to email me with questions, come by during office hours, or
schedule an appointment.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE: If you wish to be excused from class for religious observances
not included in USFs academic calendar, please provide me with a schedule of holidays, or
observance days, by the second week of class.
IMPORTANT AND HELPFUL RESOURCES
- Students with Disabilities Services:
http://www.sds.usf.edu/
- USF Writing Center:
http://www.lib.usf.edu/writing/
- USF Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity:
http://www.usf.edu/eoa
- Student Government Computer Services (Free Computer Service!):
http://sgcs.usf.edu/
- USF Undergraduate Catalog
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/catdl.htm
- Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.sa.usf.edu/srr/page.asp?id=88
- Student Rights & Responsibilities
http://www.sa.usf.edu/srr/page.asp?id=81
- Plagiarism Tools:
http://www.c21te.usf.edu/plagiarism/index.html
http://www.cte.usf.edu/plagiarism/plag/html
- USFs Spring 2012 Academic Calendar
http://www.registrar.usf.edu/enroll/regist/calendt.php
- Victims Advocacy Program:
va@admin.usf.edu.
- USF Veterans Services
http://www.veterans.usf.edu/




This course is part of the University of South Floridas Foundations of Knowledge and Learning
Core Curriculum. It is certified for Social and Behavioral Sciences and for the following
dimensions: Critical Thinking, Inquiry-based Learning, Human and Cultural Diversity, Global
Contexts, and Information Literacy. (See http://www.ugs.usf.edu/gec/fklcc.htm for more
information.)

COURSE READING SCHEDULE
* Please be aware that I reserve the right as an instructor to change the syllabus and/or course
schedule if necessary. If I choose to do so, you will receive prior notice via email and
announcements made in class.

Week Readings
Exams/Quizzes/Reflections/Info.

1 (Jan. 7-11) Chapter 1: An Introduction to Sociology Friday: Quiz and
Reflection

2 (Jan. 14-18) Chapter 2: Thinking Sociologically Friday: Quiz and
Reflection

3 (Jan. 23-25) Chapter 3: Researching the Social World No class
Monday/Exam I Friday!

4 (Jan. 28- Feb. 1) Chapter 4: Culture Friday: Quiz and
Reflection
5 (Feb. 4 8) Chapter 5: Individuals, Socialization, Interactions Friday: Quiz and
Reflection

6 (Feb. 11-15) Chapter 6: Groups, Organizations, and the Globe Exam II on Friday!

7 (Feb. 18-22) Chapter 7: Deviance and Crime Friday: Quiz and
Reflection
8 (Feb. 25-Mar. 1) Chapter 8: Social Stratification Friday: Quiz and
Reflection

9 (Mar. 4-8) Chapter 9: Race and Ethnicity Exam III on Friday!

10 (Mar. 11-15) SPRI NG BREAK!! No class this week!

11 (Mar. 18-22) Chapter 10: Sex and Gender Friday: Quiz and
Reflection
12 (Mar. 25-29) Chapter 11: The Family Friday: Quiz and
Reflection
13 (Apr.1-5) Chapter 12: Politics and the Economy Exam IV on Friday

14 (Apr. 8-12) Chapter 16: Education and Religion Friday: Quiz and
Reflection

15 (Apr. 15-19) Chapter 13: Body, Medicine, Health, Health Care Friday: Quiz and
Reflection

16 (Apr. 22-26) Chapter 14: Population, Urbanization, Environment
Chapter 15: Social Change and Social Movements Exam V on Friday!