Dr. Andreas Schneider

SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology Fall 2008

  • Section 004 MWF 11-11:50  Holden Hall 109

  • Section 006 MWF 13-13:50  Holden Hall 109

 

Contact Information

My Office hours

Teaching Assistant:

Social Sciences Librarian: Brian Quinn, Texas Tech University Libraries, 806-742-2238 ext. 294, brian.quinn@ttu.edu

Academic Calendar Fall 2008

Course Description:

My Introduction to Sociology will be guided by Giddens' (2007) sixth edition of Introduction to Sociology and some assigned essays in the reader to the textbook Readings For Sociology fifth edition (2006) edited by Garth Massey. Analogous to the textbook, the course will be structured in five sections: The first question will concern methods and perspectives of how to study sociology. Then we will illuminate culture, as it is co created by individuals and society. Third, we will study the concepts of power and inequality. This knowledge will enable us to take an intensive look on social institutions. Finally we will observe historical social change and discuss potential global changes in the near future.

There are two personal interests that will give this course an unique perspective. My research interest and my experiences in multiple cultures makes me emphasize a cross-cultural perspective, that is also reflected in our textbook. Second, I will integrate modern media like the Internet. Not only will I point out important sources on the Internet, students will have access to an electronic syllabus on the World Wide Web (WWW) at: http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider. Although overheads and other sources used in class will be posted on our WWW page, class attendance will be mandatory, just as in traditional courses.

A general reminder: We will be dealing with diverse theoretical approaches and some emotional and controversial issues, and you might surf the Internet without a parental censoring program. Students who are not prepared to be exposed to alternative opinions and materials should reconsider their enrollment in the course.

One section of this syllabus contains the administrative "laws" of the course. The other section with the course outline is to a certain degree variable. Participation is an important aspect of our class. I welcome feedback from students and will incorporate it into the class session. Further, I will integrate current events and problems as they become relevant to our class. For these reasons we will proceed at our own pace as much as possible. To structure this interactive approach I will be continuously update our electronic syllabus and will provide you with a brief preview of our next session in each time we meet in class.

Syllabus and Study Guide

For your convenience, I left the links to my class notes and overheads open.  These texts reflect the current state of preparation of the course and will be updated right before the specific class session. 

Flexible Part of this Syllabus: Content

Some of the sessions described below have a fixed date, others are listed in their sequential order. This gives me the opportunity to incorporate your contributions into the course. The electronic syllabus will gives you the structure for this dynamic course construction. In the electronic syllabus I left the links to overheads and other information open. This is for your convenience. These posted notes should be considered a draft. Notes for each session will be updated and authoritative before each session. This tool of the information age makes some old teaching techniques obsolete. Now, for example, you have the most comprehensive study guide.

For everyone interested, I link my article about the reasoning behind the electronic syllabus, and the evaluation of students: Schneider, Andreas. 1998. "Sociology: The Internet as an Extended Sociology Classroom." Social Science Computer. Review Vol. 16, No. 4.

 

I. Methods and Perspectives of how to Study Sociology

Introduction

Assignments:

 

Basic Theories and Theorists in Sociology

Two Approaches to Introduce Sociology

1.People Approach

2. Perspective Approach

Assignments:

 

Exam Week

 

Monday Sept 22 First Exam

Study Sheet for our First Exam

Wednesday 24 Movie (in class): Stanford Prison Experiment

Friday 26 Library session in the Library

There will be a 50 minute session on the use of the library held by Brian Quinn Sept 26 at our ordinary course time at the Library TLTC section Room 150. Directions: enter the library lobby through the main doors, turn right at the elevators, walk down the hall to the large video screen, turn right at the video screen and walk through the double doors, room 150 is just inside the double doors on the left.

 

Sociological Methods

Steps in the Research Process

Relation between Theory, Hypothesis and the Empirical World

Important Properties of a Theory

Causation

Assignments:

 

Internet session

 

Study Sheet for our Second Exam

 

II. Individuals, Society and Culture

Culture and Society

I.  Society, Social Culture and Social Structure

Ethnocentrism versus Cultural Relativism

II.  Different Societies

From hunters and gatherers to a post industrial population

Thee waves of civilization

III.     Imperialism and Colonialism

Theories revisited and applied:

Assignments:

 

Socialization and the Life Cycle  (Culture and the Social Person)

Values, Norms, Laws, and Social Roles

Genie, the girls without socialization

Agents of Socialization

Assignments:

 

Microsociology

Microsociology -- Macrosociology

Symbolic Interactionist (SI) Perspective revisited

Nonverbal communication

The Study of Day-to-Day Social Life

Goffman

Assignments:

 

Deviance

Definitions

Key Concepts

Deviance from four sociological perspectives

Functionalism

Conflict Theory

Symbolic Interactionism

Crime Statistics

Assignments:

 

Special Presentation: The Social Construction of Pain

Study Sheet for the Third Exam

 

Gender and Sexuality  

Definitions of Sex and Gender

Five Natural Categories of Sexes

Gender: Nature Versus Nurture Debate

Sexual behavior and sexual identities

Two Empirical Studies of Sexual Behavior in Conflict

Assignments:

  Not assigned, but a fun reading about the male perspective on the gender issue.

Schneider Andreas. 2007. The New Man: Overcoming the Dark Ages of Traditionalism and its Feminist Reaction. Texas: SocioThought.com (The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by Texas Tech.)

 

Power and Inequality

Social Stratification

Theoretical Perspectives

Nature of Stratification

Conflict Perspective

Census Bureau Statistics about Lubbock

Assignments:

 

Ethnicity and Race

Definitions

Revisit:

Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination

Stereotypes

Assignments:

 

Social Institutions

Modern Organizations

How do we exercise power, leadership, or rulership

What is an ideal type

The five most essential characteristics of an bureaucratic institution

Values in the organization

Foucault: Control of Time and Space (surveillance)

Assignments:

 

Work and Economic Life

Three Perspectives

Conflict Theory

Division of labor

A different perspective on the feminist perspectives

High-trust versus low-trust systems

Globalization

Modern trends

Assignments:

 

Study Sheet for our Fourth Exam

 

Religion

I like to point out that the sociological study of religion is primarily interested in the impact of religious beliefs on society and the individual. Sociology is by no means interested in the correctness of religious models, which is subject to believe.  Believing does not follow scientific logic.  However, according to Max Weber, believing does not exclude believers to engage in scientific inquiry – at least as long they are able to engage in value free science. Sociology is (one form of) social science, not a believe system.  Science is different from the doctrine of Christian fundamentalism that "emphasizes a return to literal interpretations of the scriptural texts (Capps, 1990 in Giddens 1996, 289)." 

Definitions

Classifications

Theories of religion

Weber: The Protestant ethic and the rise of capitalism.

Fundamentalism versus Secularism

Assignments:

 

Family

Key concepts

Nuclear family, extended family

Monogamy, polygamy

The North American family historically and today

Assignments:

 

Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment (additional information)

Here follows the inflexible part of this syllabus: Regulations

Required Readings

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to increase the student’s knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing
the issues facing humanity.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course students should be able to

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

3 pop exams 5% each; no time scheduled

First exam 15 %, Sept 22

Second exam 20% Oct 13

Third Exam 20%  Nov 3

Fourth exam (comprehensive) 20 %  Nov 21

Attendance 10%

----------------------

100% = 100 points

 

If the student stands "between" grades, outstanding constructive class participation might be used for further rounding in the conversion to the final grade.

Grading Keys

Grading key to convert number grades in letter grades: 0-59 F, 60-62 D-, 63-66 D, 67-68 D+, 69-72 C-, 73-76 C, 77-78 C+, 79-82 B-, 83-86 B, 87-88 B+, 89-92 A-, 93-96 A, 97-100 A+

Exams

All exams will be multiple choice. Not only do you need to have a basic understanding of the material, you also should be able to take what you have learned and apply it.  The first exam is cumulative in the sense that it includes the subjects of the pop quiz. The second and third exam are cumulative only in the sense that they will include theorists and basic theories.  The fourth exam will be comprehensive. Please make sure to bring the orange "bubble sheets" to the exam.

How to prepare for the exams:

1. Read the assigned material before class
2. Attend class and raise questions
3. Reread you notes and the notes I posted on the WWW after class.
4. If something is still unclear: (a) selectively reread the assigned material
(b) present your question  when I ask about your questions at the beginning of each class section.
5. If this fails to make you understand the material, please (a)  meet our assistant in her office hours or 
(b) meet with me in my office hours.

Attendance

Attendance is a logical prerequisite of participation. At the end of the course I will count the sessions you were absent. Grading key for absences: For classes that meet three times a week 0 to 4 unexcused absences 100 points, 5 to 6 absences 50 points, 7 or more absences 0 points. For classes that meet twice a week: 0 to 3 unexcused absences 100 points, 4 to 5 absences 50 points, 6 or more absences 0 points. For classes that meet once a week: 0 to 2 unexcused absences 100 points, 3 absences 50 points, 4 or more absences 0 points.

With all respect, there are more efficient ways for me to serve students than conveying their current standing on the attendance list. For that reason I will stay with the strict policy not to reply to any requests of information about your attendance standing. My assistant will count the attendances at the end of the course. You are completely responsible for signing up the attendance sheet. If you wish, you can keep your own attendance statistics. My assistant will only accept written excuses, signed by a third official party. Missing exams or pop exams will not count against your participation.

Missed Assignment Regulations

Students who have no authoritative excuse for their absence at an exam (or pop exam) will receive "0" points. Students with a medical excuse can take a makeup exam.  These makeup exams with open end questions and/or multiple choice exams and will be given in one of the office hours of my assistant.

Authoritative excuses I accepted in the past were: physician's statements, copies of invitations for job interviews or funerals, and dated trophies. Concerning an absence due to officially approved trips – in accordance with the Texas Tech University Catalog, the person responsible for a student missing class (e.g. coach) due to a trip should notify the instructors of the departure and return schedule in advance of the trip. The student may not be penalized and is responsible for the material missed. The Texas Tech University Catalog also states that a student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. (prior notification to the instructor is required)

Withdrawal

A clarifying reminder of our Dean: "Please make sure that the student knows that it is her/his responsibility to withdraw from the class in person in the Office of the Registrar. Often, students, as well as some instructors, are under the impression that the instructor of the course can withdraw the student from the class by assigning a grade of “W” on the final grade report. A “W” cannot be assigned to a student unless the student has officially withdrawn from the class by the withdrawal deadline".

Class Management

Disabilities Accommodation: Any student who because of a disability may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.  Students should present appropriate verification from AccessTECH in the Student Counseling Center.  No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to the completion of this approved university process.

Academic Integrity: Keep in mind that I have to enforce the strict rules of academic behavior. Any student found cheating on the exam or plagiarizing a paper will receive an "F" for the exam or paper and may receive an "F" for the entire course. “It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension. a.  Dishonesty of any kind on examinations and quizzes or on written assignments, illegal possession of examinations, the use of unauthorized notes during an examination or quiz, obtaining information during an examination from the examination paper or otherwise from another student, assisting others to cheat, alteration of grade records, illegal entry or unauthorized presence in an office are instances of cheating. b.  Complete honesty is required of students in the presentation of any and all phases of course work as their own. This applies to quizzes of whatever length as well as to examinations, daily reports, and term papers. c.  Plagiarism is offering the work of another as one's own without proper acknowledgement; therefore, any student who fails to give credit for quotations or essentially identical expressions of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines, internet sources, and other reference works, or from the themes, reports, or other writings of a fellow student, is guilty of plagiarism.(TTU OP 34.12)”

Civility in the Classroom: Please be referred to the University's policy posted at http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/vpsa/publications/civility2002.pdf. While I have no problem with you eating in the classroom (see description), I ask you to shut off your cellular phones.

Back to the homepage of Dr. Andreas Schneider http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider/

Disclaimer: The documents linked to other sources on the WWW, others than http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/Schneider2/ and its subdirectories, do not necessarily express the views of Texas Tech University or Dr. Andreas Schneider. @Copyright 2008 Andreas Schneider