GENERAL SOCIOLOGY: SOCI 2013

Web page to assist you with my lecture notes

http://www.uark.edu/~lholyfie

Summer 2009 Lori Holyfield, Ph.D.

Office: 214 Old Main

M\T\W\Th\F Phone: 575-3807

Office Hours: MW, 2:00-3:00 or appointment E-mail: lholyfie@uark.edu

Course Description

This course will provide the students with the basic understanding of the interactions of personal experiences and broader social structures. The assigned textbook covers diverse sociological perspectives on people's activities, social institutions, and current social trends in the United States and other countries. We will start this course with exploring what the study of society means and how it is actually accomplished. Second, we will examine self in society, that is, the ways in which people become socialized and their behavior socially constructed. Next, we will focus on social groups and organizations. Finally, we will discuss social inequalities and their consequences.

Course Objectives

The general purpose of this course is to provide students with a sociological/critical understanding of human behavior and social change. More specifically, my goal is to enhance students' critical thinking about social relations, institutions, culture, politics and economy, and to explore how sociology relates to social policy issues, controversies and life choices. In this class, then, we will have the following objectives:

1. To develop a sociological understanding of different patterns of social relations, including social inequalities, and to address the question of how they affect our lives.

2. To rethink many of our assumptions about society and use sociological concepts as a tool of making sense of everyday life.

3. To develop and practice a "sociological imagination," that is, the ability to link personal experiences to the broader social context.

4. To share our knowledge about and discuss current social issues of sociological relevance in the class context.

Required Textbook

Kendall: Sociology In our Times: The Essentials – Three Hole Punch.

Course Format

This course will consist of lectures, class discussions and film reviews. All members of the class will be expected to participate actively by doing the assigned reading and contributing to class discussion of the material under consideration. In this context, it is vital that you ask questions. As long as no one stops me to ask what, for example, a concept means, I have to assume that you understand and we do not need to discuss it more.

Course Requirements

Four Exams (drop lowest)@ 100 points. each 300

Five Film Reviews @ 20 points each 100

Total 400 points

The Grading system will be as follows:

360 to 400 = A

320 to 359 = B

280 to 319 = C

240 to 279 = D

Below 240 = F

Exams There will be five multiple choice, true/false and short answer exams given in this class. If you miss an exam, you may use it as your dropped exam but you cannot drop the last exam. Each exam will cover both assigned readings and lectures/films/discussions. See class schedule below for the exam dates. My policy is that there are no make-ups for exams except in extreme circumstances. If you miss more than one exam you will be required to provide documentation for your absence.

Class Participation Class participation and attendance are essential to this course and just coming to class every once in a while will not cut it. Since we are using 5 days for film reviews, attendance is very important. More than three undocumented absences will result in a lower grade for class participation. Come to class on time and be prepared to share your ideas and to participate in discussion. I will take class attendance during each class period.

What you can expect from me

Commitment to you and to the class, respect, enthusiasm for the class and its subject matter, a sincere desire and effort to make our experience in this class a positive one, a sense of humor, and willingness to share my ideas with you and to hear your ideas and concerns. I am here to work with you and help you--if you have questions or concerns, please come to see me. To make the communication between us easy and efficient, each student in this class should have an e-mail account. I will use the e-mail to pass on to you different information and news. Thus, it will be important that you check your e-mail at least once a week.

Note on the Honor Code

This University adheres to an Honor Code and I expect you to become familiar with its provisions regarding cheating and plagiarism and abide by them.

Religious Holidays

Although Christian religious holidays are reflected to some extent in the academic calendar of the University, holidays of other religious groups are not. When members of any religion seek to be excused from class for religious reasons, they are expected to provide me with a schedule of religious holidays that they intend to observe, in writing, before the completion of the first week of classes. Students will be allowed to make up work scheduled for dates during which they observe the holidays of their religion.

Americans With Disabilities Act If you have a need for which you would like to request reasonable accommodation, please see the Catalog of Studies and contact Center for Students with Disabilities.

SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)

WEEK I

Meeting 1 (Monday, May 18)

Introduction to the Course: Hello. Hello? Hello!

Meeting 2

Discussion Topic: What is Sociology?

Readings: "Developing the Sociological Perspective" Chapter 1

Meeting 3

Discussion Topic: What is Sociology?

Readings: "Developing the Sociological Perspective" Chapter 1

Meeting 4

Discussion Topic: Sociological Research

Readings: “ Doing Sociological Research” Chapter 1

Meeting 5

Discussion Topic: Continued

Readings: “Film and lecture - Culture” Chapter 2

WEEK 2

Monday is Memorial Day May 25th

Meeting 6 (T, May 29 ) Film -- Boys of Sudan

Defining Culture & Its Elements

“Culture” Chapter 2

Meeting 7

Discussion Topic: Defining Culture & Its Elements

Readings: “Culture” Chapter 2

Meeting 8

Discussion Topic: Cultural Diversity, Popular Culture & Theoretical Perspectives

Readings: “Culture” Chapter 2

Meeting 9 ) FIRST EXAM CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 2 and film

WEEK 3

Meeting 10 (M, June1)

Discussion Topic: The Socialization Process & Theories

Readings: “Socialization” Chapter 3

Meeting 11

Discussion Topic: What is Society?

Readings “Society and Social Interaction” Chapter 4

Meeting 12 continued

Meeting 13 Discussion Topic:

Readings: “Society and Social Interaction” Chapter 4

Meeting 14 Film Day

WEEK 4

Meeting 15 (M, June 8)

SECOND EXAM CHAPTERS 3 AND 4

Meeting 16

Discussion Topic: Groups and Organizations

Readings: “Groups and Organizations” Chapter 5

Meeting 17

Discussion Topic: Continued

Readings: “Groups and Organizations” Chapter 5

Meeting 18 FILM – PERILS OF OBEDIENCE

Discussion Topic: Deviance and Social Control

“Deviance and Social Control“ Chapter 6

Meeting 19

Discussion Topic: Continued and Corporate Crime - special topic

FILM DAY _ SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM

WEEK 5

Meeting 20 (M, June 15)

Meeting 21 THIRD EXAM – CHAPTERS 5, 6 AND supplement

Meeting 22 Discussion Topic: Social Inequalities

Readings: “Class” Chapter 7

Meeting 23 Stratification – Corporate Class

Meeting 24 FILM DAY - Film Review to be assigned.

WEEK 6

Meeting 25 (M, June 22)

Meeting 26

Discussion Topic: Race and Ethnicity Chapter 8

Meeting 27

Readings: “Gender” Chapter 9

Meeting 28

Discussion Topic: Marriage and Family

Meeting 29 FOURTH EXAM – CHAPTER 8 ,9,10