Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

Syllabus for American Social Structures

 

Term: Fall,2002

Course Number: URS, PLS, ECN, SOC, 200

Instructor: Dr. Richard Vernier  

Office:518

Office phone: 473-4294

Home Phone: 836-0128

Office Hours: M-Th-9:30-10:30; 12:20-1:20

Instructor Background- BA, MA, UCLA, History, with an emphasis on history of social theory; Dphil, Oxford University, thesis on 18th c. economic theory.

 

Course time: M-Th, 1:50-3:20

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the social sciences: anthropology, sociology, economics, psychology, political science. It will explore how these various disciplines illuminate aspects of American society and life: family, personality theory, socialization, deviance, social stratification, political  and social institutions, ethnic identities, and economic activity. Students will become familiarized with some of the basic vocabulary and concepts of social sciences, and also the specific analytical tools employed to understand human  societies, American and otherwise. Students will have the opportunity to read some classic works of the various disciplines.

 

Competencies:

Learning strategies:  Short quizzes on the assigned readings, midterm essay exam, final essay exam, preparation of precis of social science article.

 

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory; students must come ready to discuss assigned readings; quizzes of assigned readings will be given.

 

Class outline:

Week                 Topics

Sept.02- What the social sciences are; scientific method and the spirit of science

 

Sept.9- The Concept of Culture: Norms and Institutions

Readings: chapters   1-3. Perry & Perry

 

Sept.16- Social Structures and Socialization

Readings: chapters 4, 5 Perry and Perry

From Erving Goffman, Asylums: “Total Institutions”

 

Sept.23- Socialization: Institutions of socialization- family and religion

Readings-chapters 12,13 Perry& Perry

 

Sept.30-  Social Stratification: Class and mobility

Readings- chapter7, Perry and Perry

Class, Status, Party, by Max Weber

 

Oct.6- Social  Composition: Demographics, Race, Gender

Chapters12, pp.248-53; Chapters8&9, Perry and Perry

 

Oct.13- MIDTERM ESSAYS DUE

Government and Politics: Theory

Reading: chapter14, 15 Perry & Perry

Federalist 10, James Madison

 

Oct.20- American Government

Reading: Chapters 15,16 Perry&perry

 

Oct.27- Nov.3 Social Science and Crime

Reading: Perry and Perry, Chapters 6,11

James Q. Wilson, “Broken Windows”

 

Nov.10-Economic Analysis

Perry& Perry, chapter 18

 

Nov.17 Economic Institutions and Policy

Chapter17, Perry and Perry

From Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom

 

Nov.24- International Relations

Chapter19, Perry and Perry

Samuel P. Huntington, review

 

Dec.1- Left open; possible review

 

Dec.8- Hand in article precis, final essays

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

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. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)Your paper may be checked for plagiarism on Turnitin.com, an internet company contracted for by College of St. Joseph to detect student plagiarism.

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and 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).