PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY (Fall, 2019)

(SYG 2000, Class Number: 22752)

Meeting Time: M,W,F | Period 2 (8:30 AM - 9:20 AM)

Classroom: MAT 0103

Instructor: Sio-Iong (Ziggy) Ao-Ieong

E-mail: aoieongsioiong@ufl.edu

Office: TBC

Office hours: TBC

Course description:

This course will introduce students to Sociology as the scientific study of how society works,
why it works in specific ways and how it is interrelated with individuals. To phrase it more
academically, sociology focuses on the systematic understanding of patterns of social
relationships, social interaction, social institutions and social structure. By using sociological
lens, in addition to learning the key concepts, students are encouraged to view society with
critical thinking and not take commonsense beliefs and reality for granted. Topics covered in
this course include but are not limited to social stratification, deviance, crime, race, gender,
family, education, religion, population, politics, environment and globalization.

Recommended texts:

Henslin, J. M. (2019). Essentials of sociology: A down-to-earth approach. Boston: Pearson.

(Either paperback or digital (REVEL) version would be fine)

Massey, G. (2015). Readings for Sociology 8th ed. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

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Course requirements and grading:

•First exam, 200pts (20%): The first exam will be 40 multiple choice questions and cover
weeks 1-5.

•Second exam, 200pts (20%): The second exam will be 40 multiple choice questions and
cover weeks 6-9

•Final exam, 300pts (30%): Final exam will cover weeks 10-16 (Might include students’
presentations). There will be multiple choice, true or false questions.

•Group assignment and presentation, 150pts (15%)

•In-class participation and assignments, 150pts (15%)

Exam, paper, and grading policies:

•Exams are not cumulative. Questions will be based on lectures, textbook, assigned
readings and materials covered in students’ presentations. It will require students to have a
working knowledge of the theories and concepts.

•In-class assignments and discussion are usually (but not definitely) arranged on Friday. If
you skip those classes, you might lose those points which in any case cannot be made up.

•Please do not ask for extra credits or chances to make up the points you lose.

•Group assignment is graded based on how well you understand and apply the concepts
you learn in class. Students are expected to communicate their ideas with critical thinking
while presenting their works. Further details and requirements will be given.

Class Schedules and readings: (All the additional readings will be shared on Canvas)

Week1 (August 20-23) Introduction

Additional reading: Personal Experiences and Public Issues, by C. Wright Mills

Week2 (August 26-30) The Sociological Perspective

Henslin (2019). Chp 1

Additional reading: Invitation to Sociology, by Peter L. Berger

September 2: Labor Day ---No class!!!

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Week3 (September 4-6) How Sociologists Do Research

Henslin (2019). Chp 5

Additional reading: Getting" and "Making" a Tip, by Greta Feoff Paules

Week4 (September 9-13) Socialization and Culture

Henslin (2019). Chp 2 & 3

Additional reading: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, by Erving Goffman

Body Ritual Among the Nacirema, by Horace Miner

Week5 (September 16-20) Social Structure & Social Interaction

Henslin (2019). Chp 4

Additional reading: The Saints and the Roughnecks, William J. Chambliss

Submit your group member lists

Week6 (September 23-27) Deviance, Crime and Social Control

Henslin (2019). Chp 8

Additional reading: The Normality of Crime, by Emile Durkheim
First exam on 23rd September

Week7 (September 30-October 2) Social Class & Global Stratification

Henslin (2019). Chp 9 & 10

Additional reading: Manifesto of the Communist Party, by Karl Marx

October 4 - 5: Homecoming--- No class!!!

Week8 (October 7-11) Race and Ethnicity

Henslin (2019). Chp 12

Additional reading: The Code of the Streets, by Elijah Anderson

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Week9 (October 14-18) Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Henslin (2019). Chp 11

Additional reading: TBC

Week10 (October 21-25) Aging & Health

Henslin (2019). Chp 13 & 19

Additional reading: The Land of Opportunity, by James Loewan

Second exam on 21st October

Week11 (October 28-November 1) Education and Religion

Henslin (2019). Chp 17 & 18

Additional reading: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, by Max Weber

Week 12 (November 4-8) Marriage and Family

Henslin (2019). Chp 16

Additional reading: The Radical Idea of Marrying for Love, by Stephanie Coontz

November 11: Veterans Day---No class!!!

Week 13 (November 13-15) Population and Environment

Henslin (2019). Chp 20 & 22

Additional reading: The Tragedy of Commons, by Garrett Hardin

Week 14 (November 18-22)

Additional reading: TBC

Group presentation

Week 15 (November 25)

Group presentation

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November 27 - 30: Thanksgiving break---No class!!!

Week 16 (December 2-4)

Group presentation

Final Exam: Final Exam: 12/12/2019 @ 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM (In classroom)

Schedule is tentative and subject to change

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The general education student learning outcomes (SLOs) describe the knowledge, skills and
attitudes that students are expected to acquire while completing a general education course at
the University of Florida. The SLOs fall into three categories: content, communication, and
critical thinking:

1) Content is knowledge of the concepts, principles, terminology and methodologies used

within the discipline. Students demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts,
methodologies and theories used within the discipline.
 
2) Communication is the development and expression of ideas in written and oral forms.
Students communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written
or oral forms appropriate to the discipline.
 
3) Critical thinking is characterized by the comprehensive analysis of issues, ideas, and
evidence before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. Students analyze
information carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline specific
methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Students are not permitted to sell class notes or tapes of lectures, presentations, or
discussions.

I encourage students who have arranged a special needs accommodation letter through the
Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) to see me immediately to present their paper

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work and to figure out a plan of action.  The SDS office is located in 001 Reid Hall, phone:
392-8565.

Students interested in seeking writing assistance should consider visiting the UF Reading &
Writing Center (RWC).  It provides 30-minute consultations.  The RWC is located in SW
Broward Hall, phone: 392-6420 http:/www.at.ufl.edu/rwcenter

FINAL GRADE DISTRIBUTION 

The University of Florida's grading scale includes minus grades.  The distribution I've listed
below shows the range of grades, the grade point value in terms of how a student's grade will
be calculated into his or her GPA, the percentage range I will be using to assign final grades,
and the point value range that I'll use to determine final grades.  PLEASE NOTE THAT IF
YOU EARN A GRADE OF "C-" OR BELOW IT WILL NOT BE COUNTED TOWARD
YOUR GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS OR YOUR SOCIOLOGY MAJOR
REQUIREMENTS.  In other words, you will need at least 730 total points in this class in
order for it to count toward your Gen Ed or sociology major requirements.  

Grade
Grade Percent Points
Points
A     4.0  93-1000 930-1000
A-   3.67 90-92  900-929
B+ 3.33 87-89  870-899
B 3.0 83-86 830-869
B- 2.67 80-82  800-829
C+ 2.33 77-79 770-799
C 2.0 73-76 730-769
C- 1.67 70-72  700-729
D+ 1.33 67-69 670-699
D 1.0 63-66 630-669
D- .67 60-62 600-629
E 0 Below 60 599 and below

INCOMPLETE GRADES

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has a specific policy and proceed regarding
incomplete grades.  Please see the following documents:

    http://www.clas.ufl.edu/forms/incomplete-grade-policy-clas.pdf

    http://www.clas.ufl.edu/forms/incomplete-grade-contract.pdf

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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HONOR CODE

Found at https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/honor-code-prior-to-june-7-2018/

Preamble: In adopting this Honor Code, the students of the University of Florida recognize
that academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the University Community.
Students who enroll at the University commit to holding themselves and their peers to the
high standard of honor required by the Honor Code.  Any individual who becomes aware of a
violation of the Honor Code is bound by honor to take corrective action.  Student and faculty
support are crucial to the success of the Honor Code.  The quality of a University of Florida
education is dependent upon the community acceptance and enforcement of the Honor Code.

The Honor Code: We, the members of the University of Florida, pledge to hold ourselves and
our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge
is either required or implied:

"On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."

(1) All students are required to abide by the Student Honor Code.

(2) The conduct set forth hereinafter constitutes a violation of the Student Honor Code.
Those adjudged to have committed such conduct shall be subject to sanctions provided in
Rule 6C1-4.016, F.A.C.

Any form of "paper sharing," electronic paper purchasing, or plagiarism will not be tolerated.
I will fail students for the entire COURSE for any form of academic misconduct regarding
the preparation of their paper.  Please do your own work.

COURSE EVALUATION

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of
instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance
on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available
at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/. Students will be notified when the evaluation period
opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their
Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of
course evaluation results are available to students at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-
results/