Instructor:  Kurt Monroe, M.A.         

                                                                                    Home phone:  529-7534                  

                                                                                     Semester:  Summer 1998

 

SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE

COURSE OUTLINE

 

 

CRSE                      CRSE                                                                      SEM         LECT        LAB         CIPS

PREFIX  NO.                  COURSE TITLE          CR         HRS     HRS      CODE

SOC                        111A             Introductory Sociology      3             3          0        11451101 01

  

1.     CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COUSE:  A study of society, including the rules, interactions, and cultural patterns that organize everyday life.  Analysis of social conflict, the structure and function of institutions, the dynamics of individual and group interactions, social stratification, and interactions among diverse groups of people.

 

2.     PRE-REQUISITES:  None

 

3.     GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OR OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE INCLUDING STUDENTS FOR WHOM INTENDEND:  As a result of the course, the student will be able to identify, describe and interpret the basic concepts and topics of the sociological perspective.  This course is recommended for social science majors and those who wish to pursue a career in health services, law enforcement, social work, or teaching.

 

4.     SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OR COMPETENCIES TO BE DEVELOPED:

 

1.     Demonstrate knowledge of basic sociological concepts about social processes (e.g., socialization, deviance, social control, and stratification by class, gender, and race) and social institutions (e.g., family and the state).

2.     Employing the “sociological imagination,” challenge conventional ideas of the past and dissolve certain myths relating to social reality.

3.     Provide an understanding of theoretical arguments in sociology and apply these perspectives to contemporary events and/or personal experience.

4.     Provide an awareness of cultural diversity.

5.     Understand the process involved in sociological research.

6.     Demonstrate that one has the background required for continued training in sociology at another institution.  

 

5.     PRIMARY METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:  Discussion/Lecture.  Videos and group work will also be used as an instructing tool.

 

 

 

6.     MAJOR COURSE TOPICS, UNITS OR CONTENT TO BE COVERED: 

 

      Assignments:                                 Tentative

 

                June        8              Chapter  1:  Sociology: An Introduction

                                10            Chapter  1:  Sociology: An Introduction

                                11            Chapter  2:  The Tools of Sociology

                                15            Chapter  3:  Culture

                                17            Chapter  3:  Culture

                                18            Chapter  4:  Societies and Nations

                                22            Chapter  5:  Socialization

                                24            Test 1

                                25            Chapter  6:  Interaction in Groups

                                29            Chapter  7:  Deviance and Social Control

                July         1              Chapter  7:  Deviance and Social Control

2              Chapter  8:  Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and 

                                                     Mass Publics

6              Chapter  9:  Population, Urbanization, and Community

8              Chapter  9:  Population, Urbanization, and Community

9              Chapter         10:  Global Social Change

13            Test 2

15            Chapter          11:  Stratification and Social Mobility

16            Chapter          12:  Inequalities of Social Class

20            Chapter          13:  Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity

22            Chapter          13:  Inequalities of Race and Ethnicity

23            Chapter          14:  Inequalities of Gender

                                                (Paper is Due)

27            Chapter          16:  The Family

29            Class Presentations

30            Final 

               

7.     TEXTBOOK:  Sociology in a Changing World, 4th edition.

      AUTHOR:  Kornblum  1997.

      SUPPLEMENTAL READING:  Supplemental readings may    

      be distributed to supplement some chapters, such as short articles from Seeing

      Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology.

               

8.     SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS, RESEARCH PAPERS, SEMINARS, LABORATORY OR SHOP ACTIVITIES OR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED OF STUDENTS:  In additions to participating in class and group work and completing examinations, you will have your choice of either doing a presentation or small paper.  The presentation will be based on your “experience” with violating gender roles, and the paper will require a summary of a short but very interesting theory of gender relations.  These options will be discussed more in depth during class.

 

9.     METHOD OF DETERMING STUDENT GRADE:  Your grade will be calculated by adding up the points earned on three (3) examinations, your presentation or paper, attendance, and class participation.  Below demonstrates how your grade will be computed.

 

                Grading:

 

                3 Exams                         300                                   A = 360 & above

                Presentation/Paper                       50                                   B = 320 - 359

                Attendance                                    25                                   C = 280 - 319

                Participation                        25                              D = 240 - 279

                                                                                                                                E = 239 & below

Total Points                                 400                                                                                   

 

 

               

                Attendance and Class Participation:               

 

                You will only be allowed 2 free absentees.  After you have used your 2 free absentees you will be docked 5 points for each absentee.  Also, this class will be group oriented and geared toward class participation.  Your attendance, opinions, and involvement in class and group discussions will be a valuable component to the class.   I am understanding in that everyone has different levels of comfort in voicing their opinions, some students are more comfortable than others in group settings.  However, I will do my best to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible.  Learning should take place in a relaxed environment; it is my goal to produce an environment that you will feel comfortable to express your views and experiences.