ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF PHNOM PENH

INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Bachelor of Arts in English
Academic Year 2022–2023
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title Culture and Society (GS202)
Course Code GS202 No. of Credits 3
Pre-requisites Common Course
(Code) (Code)
Course Coordinator(s) VCD
Email vutha.cedy@rupp.edu.kh Telephone No. 098 34 39 72
Other Course CVS, SSR, SSM, NDV,
Qualification
Teacher(s)/Lecturer(s) NCP, KSH, CCR, SCL
Course Type Core Course  Compulsory  Elective 
Offered in Academic 1st Semester  2nd Semester 
Year

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Culture and Society (GS202) is designed to teach Year-2 students English in context through the
thematic approach. This subject integrates language and content learning through the study of
such key themes as culture and society, crimes, women’s issues, and politics. Students will
develop their academic speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through discussions,
presentations, projects, and other types of written assignments.

2. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, learners should gain the following knowledge: 
 Define concepts related to specific content areas such as culture, society, crimes,
women’s issues, and politics. (PLO1, PLO5)
 Develop proficiency in specialized vocabulary and grammar related to social and political
issues. (PLO1)
 Develop proficiency in language skills related to social aspects such as culture and such
issues as crimes and punishments, women’s issues, and politics. (PLO1)

At the end of the course, learners should be able to use the following skills:
 Explain and analyze the ideas related to specific content areas such as culture, society,
crimes, women’s issues, and politics. (PLO8)
  Use specialized vocabulary and grammar related to social, cultural and political issues
accurately. (PLO8)
 Search and synthesize information from library and online sources to complete class
activities, homework, presentations, and assignments. (PLO9, PLO25, PLO26, PLO27)
 Write essays on culture, society, crimes and punishment, women’s issues, and politics.
(PLO9)

At the end of the course, learners should develop the following attitudes:
 Foster a love of intensive and extensive reading. (PLO22)
 Develop a habit of intensive and extensive reading. (PLO22)
 Develop and appreciate the high spirit of responsibility, teamwork, and collaboration.
(PLO17, PLO19)
 Show respect for academic integrity and ethics. (PLO18)

3. COURSE OUTLINE

Week/Date S Lecture Theme Note

1 1  Course Introduction 23 May
22 – 27 May  Chapter 1: Culture Class Commencement
2 - What is Culture?
2 1 - Component of Symbolic Culture
29 May – 03 2 - Many Cultural Worlds
Jun.

3 1 - Values in U.S. society

05 – 10 Jun. 2 - Cultural Universals
- Technology in Global Village
4 1  Chapter 2: Social Structure and Social
12 – 17 Jun. Interaction
- Levels of social analysis
- The Macrosociology Perspective:
Social Structure
2 - The Sociological Significance of Social
structure
5 1 - Social Institutions Off-campus Week 1
19 – 22 Jun. - The Sociological Significance of Social
Institutions
2 - Comparing Functionalist and Conflict
Perspectives
- What Holds Society Together?
6 1  Chapter 3: Societies to Social Networks
26 Jun. – 01 Jul. - Society and Their Transformation
2 - Society and Their Transformation
7 1 Groups Within Society
3 – 8 Jul. 2 Groups Within Society
8 1 - Group Dynamics Off-campus Week 2
10 – 15 Jul. 2 - Groupthink
 9 1  Chapter 4: Deviance and Social Control
17 – 22 Jul. - What is Deviance?
2 - Competing Explanations of Deviance:
Sociobiology, Psychology, and
Sociology
10 1 - The Symbolic Interaction perspective
24 – 29 Jul.
2 - The Functionalist Perspectives
11 1 - The Conflict Perspectives
31 Jul – 05 Aug.
2 - Reactions to Deviance
12 1  Chapter 5: Sex and Gender Off-campus Week 3
07 – 12 Aug. - Issues of Sex and Gender
- Gender Inequality in Global
Perspectives
2 - Gender Inequality in the United States
- Gender and Violence
13 1 - The Changing Face of Politics
14 – 19 Aug. - Glimpsing the Future – With Hope
2  Chapter 6: Politics
- Micropolitics and Macropolitics
14 1 - Power, Authority, and Violence
21 – 26 Aug.
2 - Types of Government
15 1 - The U.S. Political System
28 Aug. – 02
2 - Who Rules the United States?
Sep.
- War and Terrorism: Implementing
Political Objectives
16  MAKE-UP CLASS
04 – 09 Sep
17  EXAMINATION PREPARATION
11 – 16 Sep.
18  EXAMINATION
18 – 23 Sep.

4. ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS

 Core Textbook

Henslin, J. M. (2012). Sociology: A down-to-earth approach (10th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

 Additional Reading materials (N/A)

5. TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES

The teaching and learning activities follow the blended learning method, which combines in-
class and online learning. They include lectures, discussions in pair, small-group, and whole-
class formats, consultation, individual work, pair work, group work, and presentations. Students
are encouraged to consult the course lecturer about their topics or content before their
presentations begin.

6. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are required to take responsibility for the following:

 careful reading of the course books and handouts
 regular class attendance
 productive participation in class discussions
 homework and assignment completion, presentations, in-class tests, and end-of-semester
examination.

7. COURSE POLICY: (PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING POLICY)

Plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated in the course. Students need to observe this policy
strictly.

8. ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment Task Score (%)

Class participation 10%
Homework 5%
Quizzes 10%
Presentation 10%
Written assignment 10%
Progress test 15%
Semester examination 40%

9. DESCRIPTION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

The students are assessed based on the following tasks:

a. Class participation (PLO18, PLO19)

Students are required to attend classes regularly and punctually and to actively contribute
to both class and online discussions and activities. Late arrivals, absence, and failure to
participate in class and online activities will incur reduction in class participation rating.

b. Homework (PLO18)
Students are required to complete their homework and submit it on time. Homework is to
be completed outside class time, and copying homework answers from one another is
strictly prohibited.

c. Quizzes (PLO1, PLO5, PLO8, PLO9, PLO10)

 (Pop) quizzes are administered at least twice per semester, so students will not be
informed about the quiz dates. It is worth noting that cheating of any form is strictly
prohibited.

d. Presentation (PLO1, PLO5, PLO8, PLO9, PLO17, PLO18, PLO19, PLO22, PLO25,
PLO26, PLO27)
Students are required to prepare PowerPoint presentation paper and present it to the class.
Work arrangements and topics will be assigned later through luck draw.

e. Written assignment (PLO1, PLO5, PLO8, PLO9, PLO10, PLO17, PLO18, PLO19,
PLO22)
Students are required to prepare and submit the first draft of their essays by the deadline.
They are also required to edit their classmates’ first drafts before turning in the final draft
for grading.

f. Progress test (PLO1, PLO5, PLO8, PLO9, PLO10)

Students are required to take one progress test that focuses on their understanding of core
concepts and language points. The test date will be disclosed to students at least one week
in advance. Cheating of any form is strictly prohibited.

g. Semester examination (PLO1, PLO5, PLO8, PLO9, PLO10)

Administered at the end of the semester, this examination, comprised a variety of
exercises, is intended to measure students’ overall learning ability. The examination will
include all the chapters/themes covered. Cheating of any form is strictly prohibited.

10. RATING SCALE

Letter Grade Grade Point Score Explanation

A 4.00 85-100 Excellent

B+ 3.50 80-84 Very Good
B 3.00 75-79 Good
C+ 2.50 70-74 Fairly Good
C 2.00 65-69 Fair
D+ 1.50 60-64 Poor
D 1.00 50-59 Very Poor
F 0.00 <50 Fail