intro to sociology Office: LA 3218 - Towson University

Sociology 101 Spring 2016
TTh 12:30–1:45
intro to sociology
Instructor: Jeff A. Larson
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: (410) 704-2929
Office: LA 3218
Office Hours: TTh 2:00-3:30 (or by appt.)

overview readings

Sociology is the science (and art) of understanding social relationships, One required book is available for
human behavior, and the society we live in. As a comprehensive purchase in the bookstore:
introduction to the discipline, the goals of this course are to stimulate
your fascination with sociology and to encourage you to recognize its ¡ Conley, Dalton. 2015. You May
practical value as well as its unique perspective. You will also become Ask Yourself: An Introduction to
familiar with fundamental sociological concepts, research methods, and Thinking Like a Sociologist,
theoretical perspectives that may serve as a foundation for further study Fourth Edition. New York: W.
in the discipline. W. Norton & Co.

goals All other readings can be
downloaded from the course
Upon successful completion of this course, engaged students should be website on Blackboard.
able to:

n Display an understanding of the interrelationship between social
forces and our daily lives, and locate themselves in the context of
the broader social, cultural, and historical patterns of society.

n Describe basic methods of sociological research and how they are
used to examine the social world.

n Analyze social phenomena by accurately applying relevant
sociological theories and concepts.

n Synthesize sociological insights gleaned in this course and apply
them to real world phenomena.

course website

Blackboard (blackboard.towson.edu) is the place to find additional course
readings, your grades, links to related material, and announcements about
the course. I will post occasional assignments there.

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assignments & grading

EXAMS (100 pts. each; 300 total)—Three multiple-choice exams, evenly spaced throughout the semester, will test your
understanding of the readings and lectures. These are NOT cumulative. As you review for the exams, you will find
useful resources (i.e., practice quizzes, reading questions, flashcards) available through the course website.

PARTICIPATION (150 pts.)—Class participation will be gauged with a variety of short assignments throughout the
semester, some completed in class and some at home. Each is graded credit/no-credit and is intended to measure your
active participation and preparedness for class (this includes doing the reading in advance, bringing it to class, and
being prepared to discuss it). These may include reading questions, brief reflection papers, online research, or in-class
group activities. Your final participation grade is the percentage of these assignments that you complete multiplied by 1.5.

ATTENDANCE (50 pts.)—Attendance is required. I will conduct spot-checks randomly throughout the semester and if
you miss class, unless you can document an excused absence, you will be counted absent. Your final attendance grade
is the percentage of these random days that you were in attendance divided by two.

Points: Grading scale: C+ 77–79
Exams 300 A ≥ 93% C 70–76
Participation 150 A− 90–92 D+ 67–69
Attendance 50 B+ 87–89 D 60–66
Total 500 B 83–86 F ≤ 59

B− 80–82

course policies

ABSENCES Attendance is mandatory and is part of your grade (see above). If you are absent, you are responsible for
any missed information, assignments, announcements, and deadlines in your absence. Please ask other students first
about what you missed (meet with them, copy their notes, discuss the material, and ask about missed announcements
or assignments). Once you have done this, I will be happy to discuss the missed material in greater depth. For excused
absences, you must provide documentation at least two-weeks prior to those known in advance and as soon as
possible when not known in advance. Consistent with university policy, excused absences are those absences due to
illness and injury, religious holidays, official university activities, or other events beyond the control of the student that
prevent attending class (see the TU Undergraduate Catalog). If yours is an excused absence, make arrangements with
me as soon as possible to make-up missed work.

CELL PHONES & COMPUTERS Because of their potential for disruption and distraction, the use of personal electronic
equipment must be kept to a minimum. It should be reserved for class-related purposes, not for checking email, social
media, and personal messaging. At my discretion, disruptive students will receive first a verbal warning and, if the
disruptive behavior continues, a one-percent penalty against the final grade for each subsequent offense.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS Deadlines are nonnegotiable and late work will not be accepted.

OFFICE HOURS I am eager to meet with you outside of class and am happy to schedule meetings outside of my
regular office hours. Please email me to schedule a meeting.

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course schedule

WEEK 1 What Is Sociology?
Jan. 26 * SNOW DAY *
Jan. 28 Introduction: The Sociological Imagination and Social Institutions

WEEK 2 Introduction (cont.)
Feb. 2 [Film] Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Experiment
Conley, Chapter 1 (pp. 3–29)
Feb. 4 Sociological Explanations [* See announcement on Blackboard]
WEEK 3
Classical Theorists and Modern Theoretical Perspectives
Feb. 9 Conley, Chapter 1 (pp. 29–39)
Sociology’s Distinctiveness and Divisions
Feb. 11

WEEK 4 Research Methods
Feb. 16 Research Methods (Scientific Method, Quantitative/Qualitative Methods)
Conley, Chapter 2 (pp. 43–50)
Feb. 18 Research Methods (Variables, Measurement)
Conley, Chapter 2 (pp. 50–69)
WEEK 5
Feb. 23 Research Methods in the Journals
Feb. 25 EXAM 1

WEEK 6 Socialization and Micro-interactionism
Mar. 1 Socialization vs. Social Structures (Mead’s Theory of the Self, Merton’s Role Theory)
Conley, Chapter 4 (pp. 112–120, 128–132)
Mar. 3 Symbolic Interactionism (Dramaturgy, Ethnomethodology)
Conley, Chapter 4 (pp. 132–145)
WEEK 7
Mar. 8 Presentation-of-Self
Goffman (1959) [available on Blackboard]
Mar. 10 Presentation-of-Self (cont.)
WEEK 8
No Class – Spring Break
Mar. 15 No Class – Spring Break
Mar. 17

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WEEK 9 Stratification and Structuralism
Mar. 22 Stratification in the U.S.
Conley, Chapter 7 (pp. 256–271)
Mar. 24 Stratification in the U.S. Presidential Election
WEEK 10
[Film] Inequality for All
Mar. 29 A Structural Theory of Poverty
Mar. 31 [Film] Inequality for All
Rank (2004; pp. 49–65) [available on Blackboard]
WEEK 11
Apr. 5 A Structural Theory of Poverty (cont.)
Rank (2004; pp. 65–82) [available on Blackboard]
Apr. 7 EXAM 2
WEEK 12 Gender
Social Construction of Gender
Apr. 12 Conley, Chapter 8 (pp. 274–287)
Social Construction of Gender (cont.)
Apr. 14
WEEK 13 Theories of Sex and Gender
Conley, Chapter 8 (pp. 288–296)
Apr. 19 Gender Inequality
[Film] Miss Representation
Apr. 21 Conley, Chapter 8 (pp. 305–317)

WEEK 14 [Film] Miss Representation
Apr. 26 Sexual Assault on Campus [Warning: Topic may be upsetting to some students]
Apr. 28 Armstrong, Hamilton, & Sweeney (2006) [available on Blackboard ]
Power and Authority
WEEK 15 Weber’s Forms of Authority
May 3 Conley, Chapter 15 (pp. 569–577)
Lukes’ Dimensions of Power
May 5 Conley, Chapter 15 (pp. 577–580, 587–590)

WEEK 16 TBD
May 10
EXAM 3 – 8:00–10:00 (in the usual classroom)
FINALS
May 12

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university & department policies

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY The faculty of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice expects
students to demonstrate academic integrity at all times. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any class.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, any form of cheating or unapproved help on an exam or
academic exercise, copying someone else’s written work without citation, presenting fabricated information as
legitimate, any unauthorized collaboration among students, or assisting someone to cheat in any way. Penalties for
academic dishonesty are determined by the individual faculty member. The minimum penalty in for academic
dishonesty in this class is a zero on the relevant assignment or exam. Students who are charged with academic
dishonesty must remain enrolled in the course and cannot withdraw. Instructors will file a report of academic
dishonesty with the Office of the Student Conduct and Civility Education, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts,
and to the Chair’s Office in the department.

For more information on academic integrity, see the TU Student Academic Integrity Policy
(http://catalog.towson.edu/undergraduate/appendices/appendix-f-code-student-conduct/) and the College of Liberal Arts’
Academic Integrity and Appeals Information (http://www.towson.edu/cla/acadviolations).

We also encourage students to make use of campus resources to learn more about academic integrity and how to
avoid academic dishonesty, such as the resources provided by Cook Library and the Writing Center
(http://www.towson.edu/writingcenter). (Department Statement on Academic Dishonesty: Updated Spring 2015).

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students who have, or suspect that they may have, a disability should seek services
through Disability Support Services. Students must be registered with DSS and receive written authorization to obtain
disability-related accommodations. If you need accommodation due to a disability, please visit DSS for guidance. The
office is located at 7720 York Road, AD 232, Ph: 4-2638 or 3475.

REPEATING A COURSE Students may not repeat this course more than once (make a third attempt at this course)
without the prior approval of the Academic Standards Committee. Please call 4-4351 or visit ES 235 for more
information.

UNIVERSITY EMERGENCIES In the event of a University-wide emergency, course requirements deadlines and grading
schemes are subject to changes that may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with
the instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or
grading scheme. In the case of a University-wide emergency, please refer first to the course Blackboard page, and then
the instructor’s email. For general information about any emergency situation, please refer to the university website or
the TU Text Alert System (sign up at http://www.towson.edu/adminfinance/facilities/police/campusemergency/).

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