Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR GENERAL SOCIOLOGY

 

 

 

Term:  Fall, 2000  (001)  (Sept.  6 - Dec. 13, 2000)

Course Number: SOC210X

Instructor:   Dr. David Plebanski

Office:  Room # 517

Office Phone:  219 473-4274

E-mail:  dplebanski@ccsj.edu

Beeper: (312) 204-1815

 

Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

                        Wednesday 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. & 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

                        Thursday 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

 

Course Time: Wednesday 7:00 -10:00 P.M.

 

Course Description:   This course serves as an introduction to the conceptual framework of sociology and the scientific approach to social phenomena within the structure-functional frame of reference.

 

Textbooks:  Sociology (7th edition)

                    Author: Richard T. Schafer

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

 

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a

course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

Students are expected to be on time for class.  Students entering class late are expected to do so quietly and in a courteous manner.  If more than four classes are missed the student will receive an "F" for the course.  Any extension relative to attendance will have to be approved by Dr. Plebanski.

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

The five written assignments will be due the week after the assignment is given.  The papers will then be discussed in a roundtable format relative to the sociological perspective of the assignment.  Late papers will be docked one letter grade.

 

Learning Outcomes/Student Competencies:

The overall objective is to acquaint the student with a sociological perspective, and how society and social behavior is viewed.  The course will enable a student to apply critical thinking skills to the terminology and ideologies discussed in class and from the text itself.  Special emphasis will be placed on structural functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist theories.

 

Assessment:

Exam - Midterm                                                                    30  % of grade

Final - Exam                                                                         30  % of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments         10  % of grade

Written Assignments                                                             30  % of grade

 

Grading Scale:

A:  100-93  A-: 92-90   B+: 89-87     B: 86-83         B-: 82-80         C+: 79-77

C:   76-73   C-: 72-70   D+: 69-67     D: 66-63         D-: 62-60         F: 59 and below

 

Format for Written Assignments: Written assignments will consist of short written works, which require the application of the subject area under study.  Five written assignments will be given out during the year.  The length, focus, date, and subject matter of the assignments will be given out in class.  Therefore, it is imperative that students attend all classes, so as not to miss any of the written assignments.  

 

Class Participation: Class participation is crucial to obtaining the most benefit from this course.  The format of the class will consist of lecture and group discussion.  Students are responsible for reviewing and analyzing the assigned readings and MUST be prepared to discuss them in class.  The very heart of sociology deals with complexities of human social life.  Therefore, I require critical thinking and participation from the students, regarding issues being discussed in class.

 

Class Assignments: Five written assignments

 

Class Date                                                                  Topic-Assignment

Sept 6                                                               Course introduction

                                                                        Review of syllabus and course outline                                                                                                                             Nature and uses of sociology

 

 

Sept 13                                                             Chapter 1 - development of sociology    

                                                                        Chapter 2 - methods of studying society

                                                                        Video - Obedience

 

Sept 20                                                             Chapter 3 - culture of society

                                                                        Chapter 4 - socialization and social interaction

                                                                        Video - culture

 

Sept 27                                                             Chapter 5 - social structures and groups

                                                                        Chapter 6 - Groups and organizations

 

Oct 4                                                                Chapter 7 - Deviance

                                                                        Guest speaker

 

Oct 11                                                              Chapter 8 - stratification

                                                                        Chapter 9 - social inequality

 

Oct 18                                                              Chapter 10 - race and ethnic inequality

                                                                        Video - Eyes on the Prize

 

Oct 25                                                              Mid-term exam

 

Nov 1                                                               Discussion on crime and street gangs

                                                                        Video - on street gangs

 

Nov 8                                                               Chapter 11 - gender stratification

                                                                        Chapter 13 - family groups

 

Nov 15                                                             Chapter 14 - religious groups

                                                                        Chapter 15 - education

 

Nov 22                                                             Chapter 16 - Government

Chapter 17 - Economy

                                                                        Chapter 18 - Health

 

Nov 29                                                             Chapter 19 - urbanization

                                                                        Chapter 20 - population and ecology

                                                                        Video - Eyes on the Prize

 

Dec 6                                                               Chapter 21 - collective behavior

                                                                        Chapter 22 - social change

 

Dec 13                                                             Final exam