Introduction to Sociology

Stony Brook University

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

SOC 105.30 Introduction to Sociology

Winter 2023

Asynchronous Online

Instructor: Ida Nikou

Ida.nikou@stonybrook.edu

Office Hours: virtual meeting on Zoom by appointment

Important Note: Every effort will be made to avoid changing the course schedule but the
possibility exists that unforeseen events will make syllabus changes necessary. It is your
responsibility to check Brightspace for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will
be clearly noted in course announcements or through email.

Course Description:

This course provides a broad introduction to the core concepts in sociology and the distinctive style of
sociological thought and analysis. It does so by coupling key theories, approaches, and sub-disciplines
to concrete illustrations drawn from contemporary and historical social life.

Learning Outcomes and Goals:

1. Understand the concepts, theories, and methods that sociologists use to understand and
explain social phenomena.

2. Be able to skillfully consume and apply those concepts, theories, and methods.

3. Learn to be creative and think critically when analyzing social problems

Required Course Readings and Materials:

Introduction to Sociology, Seagull 11th Edition, from W.W. Norton, edited by Anthony Giddens,
Mitchell Duneier, Richard Appelbaum, and Deborah Carr.

This book is available at the campus bookstore and as an e-book. In addition, you can find the PDF on
Brightspace.

Course Evaluation:

Five (5) quizzes, each 20% = 100%

This is a three-week long course. Each week consists of a two-part module covering six parts total.
Every module opens on Monday at 8 am and ends on Sunday at 11:59 pm. Except for the last module,
which ends on Friday, Jan 20th. Each part of the weekly module consists of a PowerPoint slide and a
quiz. After completing the readings and studying the PowerPoint slides for each part, you will have to
take the related quiz. These quizzes are designed to open ONLY after you study the slides. This means
 Introduction to Sociology
Stony Brook University

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

that you would NOT be able to take the quiz if you have not studied the PowerPoint slides. This is
because each quiz consists of 20% of your final grade, and you have only ONE chance to take it. The
quizzes are a combination of multiple choice questions and true/false, and are timed; once you start
the quiz, you have to finish it in one setting; you cannot pause or stop the test, and if you do it will be
an automatic zero. The quizzes must be completed by the deadline of each module but can be done at
any time during the module being open. It is imperative that you stay on top of the deadlines. This is
a very condensed course, and your time management is the key to your success in this course.

Grade Scale

95-100 = A 87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 67-69 = D+

94-90 = A- 83-86 = B 73-76 = C 61-66 = D

80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 0-60 = F

COURSE SCHEDULE

• WEEK 1- MODULE 1: BASICS AND THEORY

Opens on Jan 3rd 8am, Closes on Jan 8th, 11:59 pm

◦ Part 1: What is Sociology? (Ch.1)

Quiz 1: Basic Concepts – Due Jan 8th, 11:59 pm

◦ Part 2: Theoretical approaches to Sociology (Ch.1)

Quiz 2: Theory – Due Jan 8th, 11:59 pm

• WEEK 2- MODULE 2: METHODS AND INEQUALITY

Opens Jan 9th 8am, Closes on Jan 15th, 11:59 pm

◦ Part 3: Research Methodology (Ch. 2)

Quiz 3: Methods – Due Jan 15th, 11:59 pm

◦ Part 4: Stratification & Inequality (Ch. 8)

Quiz 4: Stratification & Inequality – Due Jan 15th, 11:59 pm

• WEEK 3- MODULE 3: RACE AND GENDER

Opens Jan 16th 8am, Closes on Jan 20th, 6:00 pm

◦ Part 5: Race and Racism (Ch. 11)

◦ Part 6: Gender and Sexuality (Ch. 10)

Quiz 5: Race and Gender – Due Jan 20th, 6:00 pm

 Introduction to Sociology
Stony Brook University

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

There won’t be any FINAL EXAM for this class. You will have quizzes at the
end of each module.

Course Policies

How We Will Communicate:

My preferred method of contact is via the email listed at the top of this syllabus. If you use Brightspace’s Email
Tool, it will automatically include your full name, course name, and section when you send me an email. I strive to
respond to your emails as soon as possible, but please allow between 24-48 hours for a reply. Your Stony Brook
University email must be used for all University related communications. You must have an active Stony Brook
University e-mail account and access to the Internet. All instructor correspondence will be sent to your SBU e-mail
account. Please plan on checking your SBU email account regularly for course related messages. To log in to Stony
Brook Google Mail, go to http://www.stonybrook.edu/mycloud and sign in with your NetID and password.

Additionally, should you need it, I will be available for online office hours via Zoom. If you would like to take
advantage of this, please email me with your contact information to schedule a time to talk. This time should be
used to ask questions about course material —issues with Brightspace or similar things can be handled via email.

Brightspace
Brightspace is the main learning platform that contains all the resources, exams, and important
announcements. Please check it regularly.

University Policies

Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) Statement:

If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please
contact the Student Accessibility Support Center, 128 ECC Building, (631) 632-6748, or via e-mail
at: sasc@stonybrook.edu. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All
information and documentation are confidential.
Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their
professors and the Student Accessibility Support Center. For procedures and information, go to the following
website: https://ehs.stonybrook.edu//programs/fire-safety/emergency-evacuation/evacuation-guide-
disabilities and search Fire Safety and Evacuation and Disabilities.

Academic Integrity Statement

Each student must pursue their academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work.
Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty are required to report any suspected
instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. Faculty in the Health Sciences Center (School of
Health Technology & Management, Nursing, Social Welfare, Dental Medicine) and School of Medicine are required
to follow their school-specific procedures. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including
categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website
at http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic_integrity/index.html

Critical Incident Management

Critical Incident Management: Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and
property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Student Conduct and Community
Standards any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning
environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Until/unless the latest COVID guidance is explicitly amended by
SBU, during Fall 2021"disruptive behavior” will include refusal to wear a mask during classes. For the latest COVID
guidance, please refer to: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/strongertogether/latest.php

Understand When You May Drop This Course:

It is the student’s responsibility to understand when they need to consider disenrolling from a course. Refer to the
Stony Brook Academic Schedule for dates and deadlines for registration:
http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/registrar/calendars/academic_calendars
Course Materials and Copyright Statement:
 Introduction to Sociology
Stony Brook University

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

Course material accessed from Blackboard, SB Connect, SB Capture or a Stony Brook Course website is for the
exclusive use of students who are currently enrolled in the course. Content from these systems cannot be reused
or distributed without written permission of the instructor and/or the copyright holder. Duplication of materials
protected by copyright, without permission of the copyright holder is a violation of the Federal copyright law, as
well as a violation of Stony Brook's Academic Integrity.

Communication Guidelines and Learning Resources:

Maintain Professional Conduct in the Classroom: The classroom is a professional environment where academic
debate and learning take place. I will make every effort to make this environment safe for you to share your
opinions, ideas, and beliefs. In return, you are expected to respect the opinions, ideas, and beliefs of other
students—both in the face-to-face classroom and online communication. Students have the right and privilege to
learn in the class, free from harassment and disruption. The course follows the standards set in the Student Code
of Conduct, and students are subject to disciplinary action for violation of that code. If your behavior does not
follow the course etiquette standards stated below, the grade you receive for a posting may suffer. I reserve the
right to remove any discussion messages that display inappropriate language or content.

Student Resources:
● Academic and Transfer Advising Services: Have questions about choosing the right course? Contact an
advisor today. Phone: (631) 632-7082 (option 2); email: advising@stonybrook.edu; website:
http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/advising/
● Amazon @ Stony Brook: Order your books before classes begin. Phone: (631) 632-9828; email:
Bookstore_Liaison@stonybrook.ed; website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/bookstore/
● Bursar: For help with billing and payment. Phone: (631) 632-9316; email: bursar@stonybrook.edu;
website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/bursar/
● Career Center The Career Center's mission is to support the academic mission of Stony Brook University
by educating students about the career decision-making process, helping them plan and attain their career
goals, and assisting with their smooth transition to the workplace or further education. Phone: (631) 632-
6810; email: sbucareercenter@stonybrook.edu; Website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/career-center/
● Counseling and Psychological Services: CAPS staff are available by phone, day or night.
http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/caps/
● Student Accessibility Support Center: Students in need of special accommodations should contact SASC.
Phone: (631) 632-6748; email:sasc@stonybrook.edu
● Student Support Team: The Office of the Dean of Students’ Student Support Team coordinates efforts to
assist students who encounter challenges or concerns in achieving success at Stony Brook University.
Call (631) 632-7320 or email: student_supportteam@stonybrook.edu.
● Wellness Resource Videos : a compiled list of short videos that provide various wellness and mindfulness
tips and information, from sleep tips to strategies in managing stress and procrastination and more.
● Library: Access to online databases, electronic journals, eBooks, and more!
o Library Instruction Website - http://library.stonybrook.edu/workshops-this-week-citation-
skills-worldcat-and-endnote-the-hsc/
o SBU Library Research Guides and Tutorials
http://library.stonybrook.edu/research/research-basics/
● Registrar: Having a registration issue? Let them know. Phone: (631) 632-6175; email:
registrar_office@stonybrook.edu; http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/registrar/
● Writing Center: Students are able to schedule face-to-face and online appointments.
https://www.stonybrook.edu/writingcenter/
● Support for Online Learning http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/onlineed/student.html
● Ombuds Office The Stony Brook University Ombuds Office provides an alternative channel for confidential,
impartial, independent and informal dispute resolution services for the entire University community. We
provide a safe place to voice your concerns and explore options for productive conflict management and
resolution. The Ombuds Office is a source of confidential advice and information about University policies
and procedures and helps individuals and groups address university-related conflicts and concerns.
http://www.stonybrook.edu/ombuds/
● Student Success website,
● Division of Undergraduate Education,
● Academic Success and Tutoring Center