Introduction to Sociology 101-005
Spring
2004
T
/ R: 9:30-10:45; Kiva104
Course
Website: www.unm.edu/~soc101/
Instructor: Jason Ben-Meir
Office: Room 1059, Social Science Bldg.
Phone: 277-0471
Email: soc101@unm.edu
Office hours: 9:00-9:30 T / R and by appointment
TA: Sarah Strong TA: Sarah Schuerch
Office: Room 1063, SSB Phone: 277-2501
Phone: 277-8991
E-mail: ssschuerch@yahoo.com
E-mail: sstrong@unm.edu Office hours: By appointment
Office hours: By appointment
Course Objective:
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, theoretical perspectives, and social themes in contemporary sociology. We will be looking at sociological insights into the structure of human society. The primary goal of this course is to introduce the students to the realities of human society such as socialization, stratification (racial/ethnic, gender, class, etc.), group behavior, crime and deviance, social structures, political organization, and methods to improve the human condition. The emphasis will be on learning to think about, identify, and consciously affect the structure of our social surrounding.
Course Outline:
There are three major emphases in this course. First, we will develop a strong understanding of social theories. This is necessary because each theory we study offers a perspective of the nature of society. Social theories help us better understand possible causes of social problems and evaluate the effectiveness of remedies. Second, we will delve into how society is constructed and trace social problems that exist to the structural nature of society. Finally, we will consider methods that are applied today to affect the societal structure and reconcile conflicts—be they racial, ethnic, socio-economic, class, or gender. Our textbook presents social issues as a product of multiple forces, and therefore offers an effective foundation from which we can embark on this study.
Required Text: D. Stanley Eitzen and Maxine Baca Zinn, In Conflict and Order: Understanding Society, Tenth Edition, 2004.
Teaching Philosophy:
A genuine educational experience requires dialogue among students, with the instructor facilitating and catalyzing discussion. This teaching method 1) draws out the wide range perspectives in the class and encourages a more full understanding of the subject and 2) builds relationships among class members based on mutual understanding. Friends, let’s have honest dialogue and in so doing maximize our educational experience.
Course Requirements
and Grades:
1. Three Exams (Each exam is 25% of the total grade): Exams will be multiple choice. The class prior to each exam will be review and a review sheet will be provided. There must be a good reason for a make-up exam to be given. Exams are scheduled on February 19, April 8, and May 11 (final exam, 7:30-9:30 a.m.).
2. Class Journal (25% of the total grade): The purpose of a class journal is to express your thoughts on the topics we discuss and relate them to your own experiences. They should be an honest expression of how you view the sociological issues. Journal statements are one page in length (not shorter or longer) and typed. Journals are due every second Thursday starting the first week of class. The due dates of journals are 1/22, 2/5, 2/20, 3/4, 3/25, 4/9, 4/22, and 5/6. Journals are not graded but are read and marked that they were completed. Late journals are not accepted. They can be e-mailed.
3. Extra Credit Option--Volunteering for the Community: 10% extra credit will be added to your final grade by volunteering twenty hours to serving communities and writing a three page paper about your experience. Our class website has a list of non-profits in Albuquerque that request volunteers. You are free to volunteer at other places. Let me know the kind of community service they provide. Papers describing your volunteer experience are due May 6.
Note: To get an A+ in the course, you must receive near perfect scores on all of the exams. For example, a B+ average on the exams plus 10% extra credit will give you an A for the course, not an A+.
Student Services:
Any student who, because of disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodations for individual learning needs. UNM will make every attempt to accommodate all qualified students with disabilities. For further information, contact Student Support Services at 277-3506.
Schedule and Reading List:
Week 1: Defining Sociology and Socialization
January 20-23 Chapters 1 and 5
Journals due on Thursday 1/22
Week 2: Social Theories and Research Methods
January 26-30 Quotes by Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, and Karl Marx
Week 3: The Structure of
Social Groups and the Order and Conflict Model
February 2-6 Chapters 2 and 3
Journals due on Thursday 2/5
Week 4: Culture and Social Control
February 9-13 Chapters 4 and 6
Week 5: Review and Exam
February 16-20 Journals due by Friday 2/20
FIRST EXAM: FEBRUARY
19
Week 6: A Community Development
Method Applied to Our Class
February 23-27 Quote readings on participatory community development
Film: Back from the Brink
Week 7: Conclusion of
Community Development and the Structural Forces
March 1-5 of Societal Change
Chapters 18 and 8
Journals due on Thursday 3/4
Week 8: “Deviance”
March 8-12 Chapter
7
Guest speaker: Psychologist Jane Davis and her work with inmates 3/9
Week 9: Spring Break
March 15-19
Week 10: Social Stratification and Class
March 22-26 Chapters 9 and 10
Guest Speaker Frank Ortiz, a criminal investigator discussing Gun control 3/23
Journals due on Thursday 3/25
Week 11: Racial Inequality and Reconciliation
March 29- Chapter 11
April 2 Film: The Color of Fear
Guest Speaker Azul La Luz on the history of “races”
Week 12: Review and Exam
April 5-9 Journals due by Friday 4/9
SECOND EXAM: APRIL
8
Week 13: Gender Inequality and Mating Strategies
According to Evolution
April 12-16 Chapter 12
Film: Gender Matters
Week 14: Religion
April 19-23 Chapter 17
A panel of guest speakers that are part of diverse religions
Journals due on Thursday 4/22
Week 15: The Economy and Politics
April 26-30 Chapters 13 and 14
Week 16: Families, Education, Final
Thoughts, and Review
May 3-7 Chapters 14, 15, and 16
Community service papers are due on
Thursday 5/6
Journals are due on Thursday 5/6