Course Outline

Introduction to Sociology
Winter Semester 2022

Department: Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Course Number and Section: Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 1125)
Instructor: Dr. Esayas Geleta
Email: geletae@douglascollege.ca
Office hours: 11:00am - 12:30pm Monday via Blackboard Ultra, or by appointment
Course Description
This course examines the theory, methods, and substance of sociology. How societies and
individuals are shaped and modified by culture, socialization, deviance, stratification,
globalization, global stratification and global inequality will be covered.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
 Introduce students to the essential sociological concepts and their historical
foundation
 Help students understand the reciprocal relation between individual behavior and
society
 Appreciate the ‘sociological imagination’ view-point
 Learn to apply the theories and methodologies of sociology as a social science in
their everyday lives.
 Provides students with an understanding of the work of contemporary sociologists
and with strong foundational knowledge in preparation for further sociological
study
 Familiarize students with the key sociological concepts, theories and debates
 Demonstrate, using illustrative materials, the uses and continued importance of
sociological analysis in the modern and postmodern world.
 Promote and develop students’ skills in critical thinking, writing, referencing and
research

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DELIVERY MODE(S): voiceover PowerPoint video presentations, blogs, journals, and
blackboard collaborate

LEARNING OUTCOMES: On successful completion of this course, students will be

able to:
 Define a range of sociological concepts used within substantive fields of
sociology
 Explain everyday life using sociological concepts
 Illustrate the applicability of sociological concepts to everyday life
 Explain the wider introductory sociological literature
 Identify and explain the research tools used by sociologists
 Explain key ethical principles employed in sociological practice.

REQUIRED TEXT(S)/RESOURCE MATERIALS:

Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017). Sociology, 9th Canadian Edition. North York, Ontario:
Pearson Education Canada.

I may name additional recommended readings in class. The course will also make use of
sociological journal articles, which I will post on Blackboard. Such readings are
important to deepen your understanding of the lecture topics beyond the foundational
understanding gleaned from your priority reading.

Course Evaluation

Blog entries 20% See instructions below

Essay 30% See instructions below
Midterm 20% March1
Final exam 30% (Final exam schedules will be announced
later )

Blog Entries (20%)

Over the course of the semester, students will be asked to provide answers to five short
essay type questions posted on the course blog on Blackboard. Each entry (answer) is
worth 4% of your total grade. Students are expected to write a minimum of 400 and a
maximum of 700 words text on each question. Read course instructions posted on
Blackboard for details.

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Blogs will give you the opportunity to reflect on the subject matter we cover in class and
also help you to connect with your fellow students as well as learn from each other. I
value your participation in blogs, and take into consideration the substance and the
quality of your posts. Before you post your answers read the textbook, listen to the
lecture videos and also refer to other relevant course materials posted on blackboard.

Your entries are expected to be succinct and precise. While brief feedback such as ‘good
point’ and ‘ I completely agree with you’ to your classmates’ entries are generally
encouraged, they do not count towards your graded contributions.

Essay (due date April 8) (30 %)

Based on reading the course material (textbook and lecture videos, additional readings)
and also making reference to at least three peer reviewed journal articles, students will be
expected to write an essay. Students will be provided with a list of essay questions, and
will be asked to write an essay on the question of their choice. The essay questions will
be posted on the course journal in week 3 (on January 17). The essay should be
approximately 6-8 double-spaced typed pages (2,000- 2,500 words) and will account for
30 percent of the total mark

Midterm (20%) & Final Exam (30%)

The midterm and final exam will be online exams comprised of multiple-choice
questions. The midterm will cover materials up to (and including) Week 7, including the
readings, lectures, as well as any video clips. The final exam will cover all course
materials. However, emphasis will be placed on materials covered after Week 9.

Schedule of Topics and Readings

Date Topic/Reading Do/due

Week 1 Course introduction
The sociological perspective and sociological
imagination
Article: William Levin, the Sociological perspective

Week 2 The sociological perspective

Sociological approaches
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 1
Week 3 Sociological investigation Announcement :
How to do research: Research methods
Essay, 30 percent
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 2
of the total mark.
Week 4 Culture
The theories and major components of culture
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 3

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Week 5 Residential School
Video: Kuper Island
Worksheet
Hookimaw-Witt, “Any Changes since Residential
School?”
Week 6 Society: Marx, Weber and Durkheim
Society and technology
Society and conflict
Tradition and rationality society as system
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 4
Week 7 Socialization
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 5
Watch: 14 min about Genetics,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36HquPzdxf4

Week 8 Study week: No class (Feb 21-25) Study week: No

class
Week 9 Midterm Exam March 1st, 12:30-
2:30

Week Deviance
10 Restorative justice
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 9

Week Deviance and bullies

11 Thornberg, “Distressed Bullies, Social Positioning and
Odd Victims...”
Video: Faking the Grade
worksheet
Week Social stratification, inequality, class structure
12 Video: cast system in India
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 10

Week Global stratification, global poverty and inequality

13 Measuring inequality
Eglitis, “How Economic Inequality Benefits the West”
Macionis, J. and Gerber, L (2017), Chapter 12

Week Globalization and global inequality Essay due date

14 Video: the economics of happiness April 8 at 11:59 pm
Worksheet
Week Recap
15 No Readings

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Office Hours & Weekly Check-In
Every Monday from 11.00am -12:30pm, I will be available online (on Blackboard
Collaborate Ultra) to answer any questions you have about any aspect of the course. If
you wish to meet privately, email me at geletae@douglascollege.ca to set up a one-on-
one appointment.

To access Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, access the course homepage, on the tool panel
on the left side click on ‘Course Tools’, then click on ‘Blackboard Collaborate Ultra’.
Here you will see online sessions you can enter.

What will a typical week in the course look like?

 This course will make extensive use of a dedicated Internet site on Blackboard to
support your learning. You are expected for keeping current with the content of
the site and I advise you to logon at least once a week.

 Lectures will be posted as voiceover PowerPoint video presentations. While

lectures form the backbone of this course, various learning strategies will also be
utilized such as blogs, videos, and one-to-one live office hour discussions.
Through the preparation of thought-provoking questions, students will be
encouraged to think critically about a range of social circumstances. In your
lectures, you will receive guidance as to the areas of knowledge on which you
should concentrate. You will receive an overview of key points of learning
relevant to these topics. It is expected that you will deepen your understanding of
lecture contents through independent reading.

 Every week I will post on blackboard course instruction that informs what you are
expected to do. Also, I’ll be posting other media, such as journal articles, exerts
from other publications, films and podcasts, worksheets.

 I’ll hold office hours and be available to all students live. I’ll be available during
scheduled course time every Monday from 11:00am-12: 30pm via Blackboard
Collaborate Ultra where I can answer your questions about that week’s material,
assignments, and other course related items. If at any point in the semester you
feel you are struggling with the course or with your course work, please don't
hesitate to ask for assistance. Come live and talk to me during my online office
hours, and I will assist you or point you towards other suitable sources of support.
If you are scheduled to attend lectures or have other commitments during my
office hour, please contact me by e-mail for an appointment. My email address is
geletae@douglascollege.ca

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Expectations: Readings & Supplementary Course Material
This course is designed with the expectation that students complete readings and other
materials before scheduled class begins. Please contact me if you require further
information regarding this matter.

Missed Exams
Without a valid excuse (e.g. illness with a doctor’s note – if you are already at the
doctor’s office take the time to ask for a note) students will not be permitted to make-up
exams. If for some reason you are unable to attend the exam when it is scheduled please
contact me prior to the exam via email.

Late Assignments
Without prior permission from the instructor due to a valid excuse (eg. illness with a
doctor’s note) students will not be permitted to submit assignments after the due date.
Assignments that are submitted late will receive a penalty of 5% per day up to a
maximum of 10 days. After 10 days the assignment will receive a 0. If you are struggling
to keep up with the workload it is always best to come live during my office hours and
talk to me– I can usually help.

Grading

This class uses the Douglas College Grading Grid

Alpha 4-point Percentage Alpha 4-point Percentage
Grade Equivalent Guidelines Grade Equivalent Guidelines
A+ 4.33 95-100 C+ 2.33 65-69
A 4.00 90-94 C 2.00 60-64
A- 3.67 85-89 C- 1.67 55-59
B+ 3.33 80-84 P 1.00 50-54
B 3.00 75-79 F 0.00 49 and
below
B- 2.67 70-74 UN 0.0

Important note: This syllabus is a working document. Though classes will normally
follow a set routine, from time to time this document may be subject to change at the
instructor’s discretion.

Academic Misconduct
Students are considered to be responsible adults and should adhere to principles of
intellectual integrity. Intellectual dishonesty may take many forms, such as:
• Plagiarism or the submission of another person’s work as one’s own
• The use of unauthorized aids in assignments or examinations (cheating)
• Collusion or the unauthorized collaboration with others in preparing work
• The deliberate misrepresentation of qualifications
• The willful distortion of results or data

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 • Substitution in an examination by another person
• Handing in the same unchanged work as submitted for another assignment
• Breach of confidentiality.

Plagiarism
Penalties for plagiarism (i.e. submitting work that is not your own) and other forms of
academic dishonesty are treated as offences against the college community and can
include suspension or expulsion. If you plagiarize, you will be reported to the Dean’s
office. This is something I take very seriously. I am happy to answer questions if you
require any clarification on this matter. And please read, understand and abide by the
Douglas College Academic Integrity Policy. This can be found at:
https://www.douglascollege.ca/sites/default/files/docs/finance-dates-and-deadlines/
Academic%20Integrity%20Policy%20w%20Flowchart.pdf

Student Resources
Below are resources available to all students if you need of extra academic or research
help, technical help, or counseling services if you are feeling overwhelmed. They are
great resources and are paid for in part by your tuition – so use them!

 The Learning Centre (academic tutoring):

https://www.douglascollege.ca/student-services/student-support/tutoring/learning-
centre
 Library Help Desk (research): https://library.douglascollege.ca/ask-librarian
 CEIT Service Desk (technical support): https://www.douglascollege.ca/student-
services/essential-resources/it-services/it-servicedesk
 Counseling (personal, educational, career):
https://www.douglascollege.ca/student-services/support/counselling

Keeping our Campuses Healthy (note from the dean’s office)

This winter semester, Douglas will welcome faculty and students on our campuses for in-
person instruction, as we did in fall. Students may also attend campus to seek advice or
assistance from a number of our service areas. To help ensure the safety of our campus
community, please adhere to the following guidelines.
If you come to campus:
· Complete a daily self-assessment before coming to campus: https://bc.thrive.health/
· Follow all posted signage.
· Maintain physical distance of 2m (6 feet) from others when possible.
· Follow PHO guidelines on the recommended use of non-medical face mask in public
areas or areas where physical distancing is not possible

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DO NOT come to campus if:
· You are sick.
· You have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within
the last 14 days.
· You have travelled or been in contact with someone who has travelled outside of
Canada in the past 14 days.
If you are unable to attend a class due to illness, contact your instructor immediately.

Illness on campus
If you become ill while on campus, contact Campus Security immediately for first aid
and to report your symptoms.
If you are concerned that you may have COVID-19, use the BC government COVID-19
self-assessment tool to help guide you on what to do. The province of BC has also set up
a dedicated COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-COVID19 or text 604-630-0300. The service is
available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. with information available in over 110
languages.