Introduction to Sociology

Spring 2011

SOC 1305.04
Jeremy R. Rhodes, M.A.
Office: Draper 342
Office Phone: 710-7074
Email: jeremy_rhodes@baylor.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, or by appointment

What is Sociology?

According to the American Sociological Association,

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of
human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and
how people interact within these contexts. Since human behavior is shaped by social factors, the
subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized
crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of
a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. In fact, few fields
have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application of knowledge.

Sociology provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and
critiquing the old. The field also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to
virtually any aspect of social life: street crime and delinquency, corporate downsizing, how people
express emotions, welfare or education reform, how families differ and flourish, or problems of
peace and war. Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly
expanding field whose potential is increasingly tapped by those who craft policies and create
programs. Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behavior, forces for social change
and resistance, and how social systems work.

To put it in considerably fewer words, sociology is essentially the scientific study of society.

Course Objectives
Upon completing SOC 1305, students should be able to:

 Think sociologically: To think sociologically is to understand that our individual

identities and common experiences are not only formed within a social context, but are to
some extent determined by social structures and institutions that are beyond our control.
While not completely abandoning the power of individual action, sociologists choose to
focus instead on these social forces that constrain, empower, and dominate the ways we
choose to live our lives.
 Describe the major theoretical perspectives in sociology: Like all fields that attempt to
study and understand various aspects of our lives, sociology is informed by a handful of
different perspectives that at times compete with one another, and other times
complement one another. Describing the elements and assumptions of these theories is
vital to any basic understanding of sociology, and you will be asked to revisit these
foundations throughout the entirety of the semester.
  Apply the major theoretical perspectives to everyday experiences and institutions: These
foundational theories of sociology are commonly applied to virtually every social concept
imaginable. Race, gender, education, religion, and poverty are just the surface of the
dimensions of social life that are studied by sociologists, and you will be able to apply
sociological perspectives to these dimensions as you experience them in your everyday
life.
 Understand the research methods used by sociologists: Like all sciences, sociologists
rely on scientific method to acquire the data that is necessary to build a body of
knowledge. You will understand the methods that sociologists use to get these data and
build this knowledge, and you will be able to determine which method would be the best
choice in a given research situation.

Text
Sociology in our Times: The Essentials by Diana Kendall. Thomson-Wadsworth (7th edition,
ISBN 0495598623). The 8th edition was recently released, but since it is still new, it is
considerably more expensive. I believe that the Baylor bookstore only has the 8th edition, but
you should be able to find the 7th edition online. You are welcome to use either version you can
find. Some of our exam questions will cover material that appears in the textbook, but that we
have not discussed in class.

Additional short articles for each chapter will be posted on blackboard and are listed at the end of
this syllabus.

Grading & Assignments

Exams (75 points)

There will be four exams: three exams spaced evenly throughout the semester,
and one cumulative final exam. These exams will be all multiple choice questions.
Exams will not be returned to students. If you want to examine your test, make an
appointment with me. The lowest of these 4 exam scores will be dropped at the
end of the semester. Therefore, if you are satisfied with your grades on the first 3
exams, you do not have to take the final.

I will not schedule alternate test dates for any reason, unless there is a
documented emergency. A class of 130 students presents some interesting
difficulties, and my inability to accommodate individual requests is one of them.
The test dates are listed on this syllabus so that you can know them in advance,
and you can plan ahead accordingly. I’m sorry, but I can’t make a change for you
if you have more than one exam scheduled on the same day as one of our exams.
You’ll just have to plan ahead and start studying earlier than you otherwise
would. If you have a scheduling conflict with one of our exams, then you may
have to drop that particular exam grade and depend on the other 3 grades to
determine your overall grade.

Each of the three highest exams is worth 25% of your final grade, leaving 25% of
your final grade to be determined by the following assignments:
Quizzes (10 points)
There will be five (5) pop quizzes over the additional readings spaced out over the
semester. There will be 1 additional reading assigned for each chapter, and you
will be expected to have already read that particular reading when class begins.
Each of these 5 pop quizzes will be worth 2 points of your final grade, and each
quiz will consist of 5 multiple choice questions. If you are absent on that day or
answer only 1 question correctly, you will receive a 0 for that quiz. If you answer
2 or 3 questions correctly, you will receive a 1 for that quiz. If you answer 4 or 5
questions correctly, you will receive a 2 for that quiz. Altogether, these 5 pop
quizzes account for 10% (or 10 points) of your final grade.

Sociology in the Media (15 points)

The other assignment will concern your ability to find 3 published current articles
in the popular media that address a particular sociological concept that we have
studied in class and explain its connection to sociology. The articles must be
found online, and must be found on a reputable news or editorial site. In other
words, you cannot submit a link to a random blog that you find or read, nor can
you submit anything that even smells like Wikipedia. Examples of websites that
are allowed include www.cnn.com, www.foxnews.com, www.nytimes.com,
www.suntimes.com, www.abcnews.com, or any website of any local newspaper.
“Blogs” that appear on a major news website are okay. YOU MUST CHOOSE
ARTICLES THAT PRESENT AN OPINION, NOT ONES THAT MERELY
PRESENT FACTS. Some websites offer content that is primarily editorial in
nature, and as long as it is not a blog, this is allowed. Examples of this include
www.slate.com and www.theroot.com. Also, the OP-ED (opinion-editorial)
sections of major newspapers are great places to look. If you have questions
about whether a certain website will count, let me know.

When you find your article, you will email to me the following
1. A link to the article
2. A synopsis of the article including the main facts presented and arguments put
forth
3. An explanation of how this relates to a specific sociological concept that we
have discussed or that appears in the textbook (this is the most important part
of the assignment)
4. Your opinion on the argument put forth in the article
5. 3-5 questions that you would ask the class if you were asked to lead a class
discussion on that particular article and issue.

In total, you should write enough that it would take up about 2 full pages (double-
spaced) in Word. You must include the text of your assignment in the body of the
email. Do not attach it as a Word document.

The sociological concept that you utilize must be a specific one. For example, in
mid-March we will be studying race and ethnicity. You cannot choose an article
and tell me that it relates to sociology because it “deals with race and ethnicity.”
 It must deal with some specific concept that we address in our study of race and
ethnicity, something like ethnocentrism, prejudice, or racial diversity in America.

 The first one must be emailed to me by Feb 10 at 8:00 AM, and it must
be an article that applies to chapters 1-6. The article must have been
originally published between Jan 1, 2011 and Feb 10, 2011.
 The second one must be emailed to me by Mar 29 at 8:00 AM, and it
must be an article that applies to chapters 7-12. The article must have
been originally published between Feb 11, 2011 and Mar 29, 2011.
 The third one must be emailed to be by Apr 28 at 8:00 AM, and it must
be an article that applies to chapters 13-17. The article must have been
originally published between Mar 30, 2011 and Apr 28, 2011.

I will deduct 2 points if the article is turned in within 24 hours of the due date. If
it is more than 24 hours late, I will not accept it.

Grading on this assignment will be based on insight into and understanding of

sociological concepts that you discuss; ability to understand, summarize, and
respond to the opinion of the article author; usefulness of the discussion questions
you pose; and ability to follow instructions.

The grading scale for the course is based on the following: A: 90-100; B+ 87-89; B: 80-86; C+
77-79; C: 70-76; D: 65-69; F-below 65. Please note that I cannot change grades after the final
grades have been posted unless I have made a mathematical error in computing your final grade.

Classroom Conduct
There are a few classroom rules which I expect students to follow.
 Disruptive talking during lectures will not be tolerated; this includes talking amongst
your selves while I am lecturing, answering a question, or showing films. Be considerate
of your classmates, socialize elsewhere.
 Keep the classroom neat. Please remove all food and drink items/evidence at the
conclusion of class
 Please feel free to interrupt me at anytime if you have any question about the material. If
you do not understand something, speak up-- chances are other people have the same
question. If you are having trouble with the material, see me as soon as possible.
 Headphones and Bluetooth earpieces are not allowed under any circumstances for any
reason.
 I never want to see your cell phone. Please do not text during my class.
 Hats are not allowed on exam days.
 Laptops are not allowed.
Students and Academic Integrity
Anyone caught cheating will be held accountable based on the policies and procedures of Baylor
University’s policy regarding academic honor and integrity.

Baylor University policies require that students, staff, and faculty act in academic matters with
utmost honesty and integrity. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the Honor
Code and other university policies and procedures affecting academic integrity. Students are also
encouraged to consider these suggestions:
 Review each class syllabus for expectations your professor may have regarding course
work and class attendance that go beyond those stated in university policies and
guidelines and the Honor Code.
 Make sure you understand not only what counts as plagiarism and cheating, but also how
to avoid engaging in these practices. Manage your time, take notes correctly, and use the
internet appropriately.
 Make sure you understand your professor's guidelines about working with other students
on assignments, receiving assistance from other students on assignments, citing sources,
using notes or exams from previous or other classes, and accessing information during an
examination. If in doubt – ASK YOUR PROFESSOR!
 Understand that penalties can result from dishonest conduct, ranging from failure of the
assignment to immediate expulsion from the university.

For more information see the Baylor University Honor Code on the Academic Integrity Web
page or contact the Office of Academic Integrity at 710-8882 or
Academic_Integrity@baylor.edu.

Attendance
Attendance is expected, and I will take roll everyday. You cannot receive credit for this course if
you miss more than 7 classes (this includes missed classes for ANY reason). This means that if
you miss 8 classes, you will automatically earn an F for the class. At times, my lectures diverge
significantly from the text. There is no way you can pass my class without attending regularly.
Some people are better note takers than others. Do not depend upon your classmates to take
good notes.

There will be an assigned seating chart, since this is the quickest way for me to take attendance.

Students with Disabilities

Any student who needs learning accommodation should inform the professor immediately at the
beginning of the semester. The student is responsible for obtaining appropriate documentation
and information regarding needed accommodations from the Baylor University Office of Access
and Learning Accommodation (OALA) and providing it to the professor early in the semester.
The OALA phone number is (254) 710-3605 and the office is in Paul L. Foster Success Center -
Sid Richardson - Room 189.
Tentative Course Outline (subject to change)
Jan 11. Introduction to class; Chapter 1 - Sociological Perspective
Jan 13. Chapter 1 - Sociological Perspective and Research Process

Jan 18. Chapter 1 - Sociological Perspective and Research Process

Jan 20. Chapter 2 - Culture

Jan 25. Chapter 2 - Culture / Chapter 3 - Socialization

Jan 27. Chapter 3 - Socialization

Feb 1. Chapter 4 - Social Structure and Interaction

Feb 3. Chapter 4 - Social Structure and Interaction

Feb 8. Chapter 5 – Groups and Organizations

Feb 10. Exam 1 (Ch 1-5); Sociology in the Media #1 Due

Feb 15. Chapter 6 - Crime and Delinquency

Feb 17. Non-Criminal Deviance

Feb 22. Chapter 8 - Global Stratification

Feb 24. Chapter 8 - Global Stratification

Mar 1. Chapter 7 - US Stratification

Mar 3. Chapter 7 - US Stratification

Mar 8. Spring Break

Mar 10. Spring Break

Mar 15. Chapter 9 - Race/Ethnicity

Mar 17. Chapter 9 - Race/Ethnicity

Mar 22. Chapter 10 - Sex/Gender

Mar 24. Chapter 10 - Sex/Gender

Mar 29. Exam 2 (Ch 6-10); Sociology in the Media #2 Due

Mar 31. Chapter 13 – Politics

Apr 5. Chapter 13 – Politics and Economy

Apr 7. Chapter 13 – Economy; Chapter 11 - Families

Apr 12. Chapter 11 - Families

Apr 14. Diadeloso

Apr 19. Chapter 12 – Education

Apr 21. Chapter 12 – Education and Religion
Apr 26. Chapter 12 – Religion
Apr 28. Exam 3 (Ch 11-13); Sociology in the Media #3 Due

FINAL EXAM – Wednesday, May 4 at 2:00 PM in our regular classroom

Additional Readings

Ch 1 – The Sociological Perspective

Zirin, D. (2008, July). Calling Sports Sociology off the Bench. Contexts, 7(3), 28-31.

Ch 1 – Research Methods
Anonymous. (2009, January). Discoveries: New and Noteworthy Social Research.  Contexts, 8(1), 8-11.

Ch 2 – Culture
Harkness, G. (2008, July). Hip Hop Culture and America's Most Taboo Word. Contexts, 7(3), 38-42.

Ch 3 – Socialization
Karen Sternheimer.  (2007, January). Do Video Games Kill? Contexts, 6(1), 13-17.

Ch 4 – Social Structure and Interaction

Mcpherson, M., Smith-lovin, L., & Brashears, M. (2008, July). The Ties that Bind are Fraying. Contexts, 7(3), 32-
36.

Ch 5 – Groups and Organizations

Anonymous. (2007, October). What's Wrong with the American Corporation?  Contexts, 6(4), 10-13.

Ch 6 – Deviance and Crime

Anonymous. (2007, Spring). Mass Murder: What Causes It? Can it be Stopped? Contexts, 6(2), 28-34.

Ch 7 – US Stratification
Fred Block, Anna C. Korteweg, Kerry Woodward, Zach Schiller, & Imrul Mazid. (2006, April). The Compassion
Gap in American Poverty Policy. Contexts, 5(2), 14-20. 

Ch 8 – Global Stratification
Anonymous.  (2008, April). Democracy and Development in the Global South.  Contexts, 7(2), 74-77. 

Ch 9 – Race and Ethnicity

Mcardle, E. (2008, January). Sociologists on the Colorblind Question. Contexts, 7(1), 34-37. 

Ch 10 – Sex and Gender

Douglas Hartmann.  (2003, October). The Sanctity of Sunday Football: Why Men Love Sports. Contexts, 2(4), 13-
21.

Ch 11 – Families
Natalia Sarkisian & Naomi Gerstel. (2006, October). Marriage: the Good, the Bad, and the
Greedy. Contexts, 5(4), 16-21.

Ch 12 – Education
George Farkas.  (2004, April). The Black-White Test Score Gap. Contexts, 3(2), 12-19. 
Ch 12 – Religion
W. Bradford Wilcox. (2006, October). Religion and the Domestication of Men. Contexts, 5(4), 42-46. 

Ch 13 – Politics
Lane Kenworthy. (2007, July). Is Equality Feasible? Contexts, 6(3), 28-32.

Ch 13 – Economy
Perrin, A. (2008, October). Why You Voted. Contexts, 7(4), 22-25.