Sociology 001
Perspectives in Sociology
California State University,
Sacramento
Department of Sociology
Fall 2003
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Sociology is the study of society. It helps us to better
understand social behavior. It makes us aware of the vast majority of
ways people behave as well as shows us how most behaviors are common patterns
in a specific culture. This aids us in the comprehension of how we are
molded to behave in certain ways and the difficulty involved in any attempts
to change these behaviors.
This class will include the learning objectives of the Sociology Department,
which include learning the basic concepts, theories and ideas that encompass
the field of sociology, thinking critically about your own culture, exercising
the sociological imagination by making connections between personal experience
and larger social forces and engaging in cross-cultural analyses. This
will be assessed through class discussions and assignments, as well as
through performance on exams, which will cover lectures and assigned readings
and videos.
TBA
The following assignments are due on the dates indicated.
Assignment Breach (2 papers): This paper requires
you to perform a breaching experiment in which you will break a
norm. The write up will be broken up into two parts, with both guidelines
for paper expectations being made available on the web. The first
will be a one-two page vivid description of the breach. You will
be graded on the quality of the breach as well as how you perceive
it to be a breach, not to mention the vividness of the description
(offering a ethnographic write up of an experience). The second
paper will be an argument about some point made in class or in the
readings concerning a sociological concept. You will draw on information
offered in class (lecture, section, readings) to assess the reactions
in a theoretical frame. In other words you will use the breach as
supporting evidence for whatever sociological concept you are arguing
to support or display. A list of possible norms to break will be
given to you along with a deeper explanation of the project. If
you desire to breach another norm, check with me first. If you do
not and then do it anyway, the paper will not be accepted. The paper
is to be three-four pages. Ethnography Paper: 10% of total
grade Breach as Evidence Paper: 15% of
your total grade Group Project: Postings, Class Assignments, and Quizzes: Throughout
the semester a series of short assignments will be given that incorporate
the concepts of the class into your own lives. They will be both
given out during class and on the web, so you will need to periodically
check the web for new assignments or postings. Postings occur over
the weekend, but assignments will be due the class following when
the assignment was given, as we will discuss them then. No make-ups
for these are possible, unless you choose to use one of your extensions,
and that is only available to be used on assignments. As well, quizzes
about the readings may be given throughout the semester. Four exams will be given over the course of the
semester. Only three of the exams will be counted for the total
grade. Each will consist of short answer questions, and matching,
true/false and/or multiple-choice questions . Each test will only
examine your knowledge from the previous test until the class period
just prior to the exam. The final will not be a comprehensive final.
You will need to bring both blue books and scantrons for all of
the exams.
Your group will need to determine an aspect of society they wish
to study. Pick something small, yet interesting. Most likely your
project will be descriptive and not interpretative. This will be
furthered explained later. You can also check the web for a more
thorough explanation of what will be expected of you. Your group
will also be expected to turn in a two-page literature review that
cites at least three academic sources. Examples of how to write
this up will be given throughout the class and on the website. This
paper will need an introduction, state why you have chosen to study
this (contradictory points-of-view in the literature, not enough
studies conducted upon it, etc.- this is where your citations will
be given). Also, you will give your hypothesis (what do you expect
to occur, or an educated guess of the outcome), theory (why it occurs),
method (questionnaire, interviews, observations- include also sampling
procedure and number in sample) and a brief conclusion (respond
only to whether the hypothesis was correct or not). If your hypothesis
was not validated, then offer a plausible explanation as to why.
You are required to turn this in, with the bibliography, exam questions,
and group grades on the first day of the assigned days. You will
be expected to have visual aid of some type to go along with the
project (graph, chart, hand-out, guest speaker, video, etc.). Questions
from the class will follow your presentation. Finally, exam questions
will need to be turned at the time of the presentation. These will
be multiple-choice, and there should be an equal number of questions
for the number of group members (meaning, each group member needs
to make up a question). These questions need to be usable, as they
will be used on exams. The break-down for grading on this assignment
will be: topic- 5 points; theory/hypothesis- 5 points; methodology-
10 points; conclusion- 5 points; literature review- 10 points; sources/bibliography-
5 points; presentation- 5 points; visual aid- 5 points; exam questions-
5 points; and group grade- 20 points (which needs to be turned in
by each member on the day of your presentation. If it is late, your
grade will be reduced for each late day. This is your grade given
to each of your group members concerning their participation to
the project. The grade will be the average score of all the grades
given for that individual- This will insure that anyone who does
not contribute to the group will have their grade seriously affected.).
The total project will be graded on a 75 point scale.
The due dates for each of the papers are stated in the syllabus. No late papers will be accepted. The paper guidelines are on the web, as well as in a handout given at the beginning of class. As well, a brief statement in class about what is expected will be given. The due dates for each assignment are listed in the course calendar at the end of the syllabus. While I will attempt to offer reminders to impending due dates, it is ultimately your responsibility to insure that all papers are ready to be turned in by the expected due date.
Use of the website. While there are times when the site will be down, this is not an excuse for a missed assignment or late paper. The material will be up with sufficient time to copy it before it comes due. Ultimately it is your responsibility to either obtain it, or let me know of any problems you are having with it. I will attempt to correct any problems, but on occasion they are not always my fault (I know, that is hard to imagine, but it is true).
EXTENSIONS: Throughout the course, each student will be allotted three
extensions for the papers/assignments. You do not need permission from
the professor. You may use these extensions whenever you want, subject
to the rules given below:
1) You get three extensions. Don’t ask me for more- you will not
get them. Hence, you should use extensions wisely when you really need
them, such as sickness or an athletic event.
2) You may use a maximum of two extensions on any one paper; by using
two on one paper, you can turn the paper in one week late (two classes
late).
3) You can use one on any assignment given in the class, meaning the assignment
can be turned in one class period later. Any assignment turned in later,
or if you have used all of your extensions, will not be accepted.
4) Any paper that is submitted later than two classes after it is due
(regardless of your extension situation), or is turned in late after you
have used all of your extensions will be penalized two full grades.
5) Any assignments submitted after one class period (regardless of extension
situation), or after you have used all of your extensions, the assignment
will not be accepted.
6) No extension can be used for posting assignments. If you fail to post
before the end of the allotted time, then you lose those points.
All papers must be typed and stapled and not placed in any covers, folders
or any other such contraption. A title page is expected, which will contain
the following information: Title of the paper, your name, and the name
of the class (Sociology 126 for those of you not paying attention). Thank
you.
Turn off all pagers and cell phones before entering class. I accept the right to answer any that ring (and make up any wild stories about you to the person who has called).
If you are a student who has a disability that may necessitate accommodations being made in the classroom, please contact SSD, (916) 278-6955.
Finally, cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are caught engaging in either of these activities, you will receive an F.
Students will need an electronic mail account and computer access to the Web. All CSUS students enrolled in one or more units can create a SacLink account for electronic mail and Internet services. Although a home computer with a high speed modem running Netscape or Internet Explorer would be beneficial, students can use the Web from one of the campus student labs.
Computing RecommendationsYou should be comfortable using a computer and willing to browse the Web. This class requires online class participation on the Web assignments and electronic discussions.
You need:
- Macintosh compatible with System 8 or higher or Windows compatible Pentium running Windows 95/98 or Windows NT.
- 32MB of RAM, preferably 64MB
- 28.8K or faster modem - preferably 56K
- Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape 4.0 (or higher)
- SacLink or other Internet Account
- Word processing skills
Students need an electronic mail account and computer access to the Web. All CSUS students enrolled in one or more units can create a SacLink account for electronic mail and Internet services. Although a home computer with a high speed modem running Netscape or Internet Explorer would be beneficial, students can use the Web from one of the campus student labs.
Required: The text for the course this semester is/are:
Course Reader.
Directions for obtaining these will be given on the first day of class.