Fall 2009 Courses and Syllabi

UNIVERSITY OF GUAM/UNIBETSEDAT GUAHAN

SO 101-03 Introduction to Sociology

2009 Fall Semester

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Lecturer: Dr. Todd Ames

Lecture Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:00 – 12:30

Office: HSS, 2^nd Floor Main Office

Tel.#: 735-2884

Email: tames@uguam.uog.edu

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30-4:00

COURSE TEXTS

Ferrante, Joan. 2002, Sociology: A Global Perspective, Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing. 6^th Edition.

There is also a copy in the Reserve area of the library.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course will be to introduce to students the major theories, explanations, issues, and research in the study of society. This course is designed to provide students with the tools and the abilities to assess, discuss, research, analyze and write about the major topics, issues and studies of society.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

This course will consist of a combination of approaches that are intended to aid the student in approaching and entering the study of society. The approaches will include class room lectures and presentations, course readings, films, and classroom discussions.

GRADING

Grades for the course will be awarded on the following basis:

First Exam 22.5%

Second Exam 22.5%

Third Exam 22.5%

Final Exam 22.5%

Attendance 10%

Optional Assignment 05%

Attendance is required at all classes, class presentations and tests. Letter grades will be based on the CLASS Grading Policies.

Recommended Text

Marshall, G. (ed.) (1994) The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology

Recommended Readings

Berger, P. (1971), Invitation to Sociology, Harmondsworth: Penguin

Berger, P. (1981), Sociology Reinterpreted, Anchor Press/ Doubleday

SO-101-03, Page 2

Bilton, T. et al (eds) (1996) Introductory Sociology (2^nd Edition) London: Macmillan

Giddens, A. (1997) Sociology (3^rd Edition) Cambridge: Polity Press

Lee, D. & Newby, H. (1989) The Problem of Sociology, London: Hutchinson

Mills, C. Wright, (1970) The Sociological Imagination, Harmondsworth: Penguin

Optional Assignment

For the research paper each student will need to review an article from a Sociological Journal. Suitable choices would include: American Journal of Sociology, Current Sociology, Journal of Applied Sociology, Journal of Social Issues, Journal of Sociology: Australian Sociology (to name just a few). The review should include a description of the research findings or discussion, an evaluation of the research methods and the application of one or more theoretical perspectives presented in class to the articles topic. The description, research methods evaluation and theoretical application must be in the student’s own words and can not utilize lengthy quotes or paraphrasing.

The optional paper should be five pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. The paper needs to have full bibliographic citations and should not have lengthy quotes. The papers are due before the last week of class.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENT

Introduction to Sociology SO 101-03

Aug. 19 Introduction to Course

Aug. 24 Lecture on Introduction to The Nature and Scope of Sociology

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 1

Aug. 26 Movies on: Human Social-Economic Activity

Aug. 31 Lecture on Sociological Framework and Theory

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 2

Sep. 02 Lecture on Culture

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 3

Sep. 07 Labor Day No Class

Sep. 09 Lecture on Research Methods

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 2

Sep. 14 Lecture on Research Methods

Sep. 16 Films on: Research Methods

Sep. 21 First Exam

Sep. 23 Socialization

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 4

SO-101-03, Page 3

Sep. 28 Film on: Socialization

Sep. 30 Lecture on Social Interaction and the Construction of Reality

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 5

Oct. 05 Lecture on Social Interaction and the Construction of Reality

Oct. 07 Lecture on Collective Behavior

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 6

Oct. 12 Film on Collective Behavior

Oct. 14 Second Exam

Oct. 19 Lecture on Deviance, Conformity and Social Control

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 7

Oct. 21 Lecture on Race and Ethnicity

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 9

Oct. 26 Film: Human Evolution and Equality

Oct. 28 Lecture on Economics

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 11

Nov. 02 All Soul’s Day No Class

Nov. 04 Film on Economic Activity

Nov. 09 Lecture on Politics and Power

Nov. 11 All Soul’s Day No Class

Nov. 16 Third Exam

Nov. 18 Lecture on Family

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 12

Nov. 23 Lecture on Population

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 13

Nov. 25 Lecture on Religion

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 15

Nov. 30 Films: Feasting on Change and Religion of the South Seas

Dec. 02 Lecture on Gender and Sexuality

Read: Ferrante, Chap. 10

SO-101-03, Page 4

Dec. 07 Film on Gender and Sexuality

Dec. 09 Lecture on Gender and Sexuality

And Review

*Optional Assignments Due

Dec. 16 Final Exam

Final Grades are based on the following percentage scales of total possible points:

A=100-85% B=84-75% C=74-60% D=59-50% F=50>%

ADA Statement ‘In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), UOG will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. You, the student, must self-disclose the need for an accommodation by contacting the ADA Officer at 735-2244/2971. If you disclose your need in writing to me, the instructor, then I will report it to the ADA Officer. Note that documentation is necessary to establish a disability and the need for an accommodation.”

Plagiarism Statement:

Plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance to the Student Handbook. The UOG Student Handbook p. 49 defines plagiarism as: “The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to the use by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.”

The Univ. of Calgary web-page (www.ucalgary.cal—hexham/study/plag.html) defines plagiarism a bit more explicitly:

“Plagiarism is the deliberate attempt to deceive the reader through the appropriation and representation as one’s own the work and words of others. Academic plagiarism occurs when a writer repeatedly uses more than four words from a printed source without the use of quotation marks and a precise reference to the original source in a work presented as the author’s (read plagiarist’s) own research and scholarship.

Papers that are previously written for other courses in whole or part by the student, shall also be considered plagirised and receive no credit towards the course.

H1N1 Flu Information:

An early flu season is upon us. If you develop flu symptoms (fever with aches and pains, and so on), then you should do the following:

1. Go to the Department of Public Health or your medical doctor to be tested.

2. Stay home; do not come to campus; only visit a doctor.

3. Contact the instructor by email or phone, and make arrangements to do make-up work.

4. Do not spread rumors about H1N1 or other illnesses.

Stay healthy, stay fit. Remember that people who smoke are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses such as catching a flu or a cold.