introsyllabus

Instructor: Dr. Kathleen R. Johnson

Office: Rhodes Hall N-109 (located inside the Faculty Resource Center in Rhodes)

Telephone: office (603) 358-2810 home (413) 665-6759

Office Hours: M 10:00-11:50, W 3-3:30 & by appointment

Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social interaction. Sociology focuses on the human condition, with what happens when people join communities, and with the problems that arise from communal living. While everyone has experience living in society and interacting with others, sociology helps us to look at the commonplace in an uncommon way. It provides us with a set of concepts, theories, research findings, and approaches to knowledge that may prove useful to you in the broadest possible context -- in the classroom as well as in your work, family, and community. Accordingly, no topic is too small or too big. As sociologist C. Wright Mills has argued, we can enhance our understanding of nearly anything by creatively exercising the "sociological imagination" -- the application of a given social theory to a particular aspect of communal life. It is this imagination that we hope to develop during this course.

* learn about a variety of sociological perspectives and concepts designed to explain social behavior;

* explore basic social processes such as socialization over the life cycle, power, and social change;

* broaden our understanding of society's institutions and the ways they can structure our individual lives;

* learn about and become more critical evaluators of the methods of social research;

* understand patterns of social change -- where society is now and where it seems to be going;

* expand our awareness of race, class, gender, ethnic, and inter-species boundaries;

* improve our writing and speaking skills through the use of short journal entries and class discussions.

Henslin, James M. 2004. Essentials of Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach. (Fifth Edition) Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Henslin, James M. 2004. Exploring Social Life: Readings to Accompany Essentials of Sociology (Fifth Edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Class Meetings: I organize class meetings on a lecture/discussion basis and encourage questions, comments, and discussions during all class meetings. We will also take advantage of videos, group activities, and exercises that may help you to learn the material. While these may help you to understand and remember the material, the best way to learn is by relating the material to your own lives, by making connections between the "public issues" we will discuss in class and your "personal lives." You should use the document/handout entitled "Topics and Schedule of Readings" as a rough guide to the required readings. I will confirm each reading assignment in class prior to the due date.

Using the Textbook: This course follows the basic structure of our textbook (Essentials). The first part provides an overview of the sociological perspective -- how sociologists look at the world, what questions they ask, what theories they often employ, and how this differs from other forms and methods of acquiring knowledge. In Part 2 we examine social control and the significant ways in which social groups influence our lives. Part 3 focuses on the ways that social inequality pervades society and how those inequalities affect our lives. If time permits, we will also discuss Parts 4 and 5 of the text in which we will have an opportunity to analyze some of the significant social institutions of our society and the issues surrounding social change and social movements.

I encourage you to take a look at the Allyn and Bacon web site that accompanies your textbook (http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_henslin_essentials_5a). We use the other text for this course (Exploring Social Life) to supplement and emphasize some of the content covered in the Henslin textbook and to provide a focus or springboard for classroom discussions.

Writing: Most educational experts now agree that the process of writing is crucial to critical thinking and analysis. In short, clear thinkers are clear writers (and vice versa). This course requires that you keep a “Making Connections Journal” containing (by the end of the semester) a total of five entries or papers. I determine the grade for these entries based on their completeness, analytical sophistication, and quality in the overall presentation of thought. A separate handout will describe the assignment in more detail. Special Note: I accept late journal entries only under very exceptional circumstances.

For learning to be successful, you must become active cognitively. You should maintain good attention in class, take notes, ask questions, study well -- and most importantly -- develop a love for learning.

Research demonstrates that cooperative learning produces higher achievement and more positive relationships among students, and for this reason, I frequently ask you to take part in class exercises (small group or “team” discussions, pair problem solving, and other activities), do various homework (in addition to reading), and generally to participate in larger classroom discussions. You cannot achieve this if you are absent and/or have not done all the assigned reading. It is your responsibility to know what readings have been assigned for each class period. In general, you should think critically about what you have read, come prepared with your questions, contribute your viewpoints, challenge the viewpoint of others, and share pertinent life experiences.

Several times throughout the semester I will ask you to complete a student evaluation or self-assessment in which you will reflect on what and how you are learning in this course.

Student-Faculty Relationship and Disabilities: I will be available to discuss any aspect of the course, its content, and your reactions to it. If you are having difficulties with this course (for example, due to a documented disability, study habits, or inability to work with others) please contact me early in the semester.

Exams: There will be three exams. Each exam will blend "objective" (true-false, multiple choice, and/or matching) questions, and several essay questions. The objective questions on the exam will test your attendance and note-taking, basic grasp of the issues, and attention to the details of the reading assignments. The essay questions will assess your ability not only to recall information but present it in a well-organized, logical, and defensible manner. In most cases, the essay questions will require that you support your ideas with clear examples.

Not all questions on these exams need reflect the content or specific focus of class discussions; you are responsible for the content of all assigned readings, whether discussed in class or not. I will notify you of the dates for these exams at least two weeks in advance. Please note that I provide make-up exams only under exceptional circumstances.

Attendance and Canceled Classes: Participation is critical to the success of this course, and I expect you to come to all classes and arrive on time. There are rare occasions when I must cancel class due to inclement weather. You can obtain information about canceled classes from your “MyKSC” home page or at <http://www.keene.edu/newsevents/cancellations.cfm>.

Grading: I base your final course grade on the average of the three exams and your journal grade. Each component is worth 25% of your overall course average.