Introduction to Sociology • Sociology 1 • Spring 2005
Instructor: Guido L. Davis Del Piccolo
Phone: 310-434-3561 Email: Office: Liberal Arts 135K (LA 135K)Office hours: / M & W 10:00-11:00; T & Th 2:15-3:15 or by appointment
Instructor Web Site: /
Course Web Page: / homepage.smc.edu/delpiccolo_guido /soc1.htm
Sociology at SMC Web Site: /
Text’s “Companion Website”: / (find our text from this site, or go direct from my course web page)
This course is an introduction to the discipline of sociology. It will offer you an overview of the field with a focus on society in the United States and Los Angeles, in particular. It will also have a focus on social problems. In this way, the course material will not only attempt to explain society, but also to search for methods to improve or change society. While the course serves as an introduction to the concepts, theories and perspectives of sociology, the specific objectives of this course are to:
- identify the underlying characteristics of sociological analysis and distinguish a sociological perspective from other perspectives—that is, to think "sociologically";
- distinguish between anecdotal evidence and systematic analysis;
- compare and contrast differing theoretical paradigms in sociology—particularly functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism;
- recognize and employ theory in social analysis;
- utilize the sociological imagination in order to place your experiences in the larger social context;
- propose sociologically informed solutions to social issues; and most importantly
- to encourage critical thinking about what we see, hear, read and write.
The purpose of this course is to expand our horizons and share thoughts and ideas; education is an interactional process. There is no one right answer to some of the questions we will discuss in this course. So it benefits us all to engage in discussion with and listen to AND RESPECT all members of the class. If you show disrespect to other students you will be asked to leave the class.
The course is an opportunity to explore different ideas put forth in lectures, in the readings, and in information you bring to the course. Thus, if you have an opinion that differs from that expressed in lecture or in the readings, bring it up so that we can all discuss it. Unlike other courses, lectures are rare and discussions are typical. So don’t expect direct answers.
The following will determine your grade in the course:
Quizzes (approximately 10) / 10-20 questions (10 minutes); multiple choice/fill-in/1-2 sentence answers; lowest quiz score dropped; no make-up quizzes / 30%Exams (2) / Written analysis (essay and/or short answer questions); make-up policy detailed below / 35%
In-Class Group Presentations or Individual Essays / Various topics; details to be distributed later / 15%
Final Exam / Cumulative; 1½ hours / 20%
TOTAL / 100%
Final grades will be assigned based upon the following cumulative points: A=100-90%, B=89-80%, C=79-70%, D=69-60%, F= below 60%.
Readings: You must come prepared to discuss the readings that have been assigned for that day; you are each responsible for the reading material and are EXPECTED to teach the material to each other.
Participation: Students are EXPECTED to participate in class. Only those students who consistently ask questions, offer answers, and give relevant input into class AND group discussion will be "given the benefit of the doubt" if they are on the border (within 1%) between letter grades.
Attendance: Attendance is required. 2 or more consecutive absences without contacting the instructor will likely result in you being dropped from the class. Students are expected to be present each day, on time, for the entire class period. Attendance will be recorded throughout the semester. Merely attending class, however, does NOT guarantee any particular grade in the course.
Missed Quizzes: If you miss a quiz, you will be given a zero (0) for that quiz. This includes coming to the class after the quiz has been started. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN. Your lowest quiz score is dropped when calculating your final grade.
Missed Exams: If you miss an exam, you must contact me within 2 hours of the time of the exam. You must also take the exam within the next 2 days (5% deduction to your grade for EACH DAY) AND provide me with a serious, verifiable excuse (i.e., a doctor’s note, funeral notice) or you will be given a zero. If you know you will miss an exam, come see me to arrange taking it EARLY.
Computers: I strongly encourage you to make use of the computers on campus or at home. Information for the course is often made available on the course web page. Some required reading is ONLY available via the WWW. If you do not have access to this, please inform the instructor.
Phones and Pagers: The classroom is a “cell free” environment. Turn phones and pagers off.
Collaborative Learning: We will rely heavily on collaborative learning in this class. Each student is expected to significantly contribute to class and small group discussions. I also strongly encourage you to study together and to get to know one another. On some assignments, you will be expected to work together and submit joint work. Each student is expected to significantly contribute to the final product.
Academic Honesty: All students are expected to do their own work and, when collaborating with others, to contribute to the final product. All forms of cheating and plagiarism are absolutely forbidden and can result in a failing grade for that particular assignment or test, and/or for the course. The following are all violations of academic honesty:
- Copying answers from another student
- Turning in assignments which are not the student’s own work
- Using words or even ideas which are not the student’s own without properly acknowledging the source (this is plagiarism)
- Using tools or assistance without prior permission from the instructor while taking exams.
Required Reading: The required readings for this course are found in:
- Sociology, 9th Edition, by Jon M. Shepard,
- Classic Readings in Sociology, 2nd or 3rd Edition, by Eve L. Howard (packaged with the text)
- Online (Web-based) Readings, accessible through the course web page,
- Additional readings may be assigned.
Items 1 & 2 are available at the SMC bookstore AND at“A and R Texts” (across Pico; 314-4361).
On reserve at the library, you will find copies of the texts plus other items. If you do not have web access, please see me as the web readings are NOT on reserve.
Introduction to Sociology • Sociology 1 • Spring 2005
Instructor: Guido L. Davis Del Piccolo
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE(Subject to Change as Instructor Deems Necessary)
We e k / D A Y / DATES / TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS(please note that dates of quizzes and exams are tentative and subject to change as instructor deems necessary) / READINGS
Book = Sociology, Shepard
Classic = Classic Readings
Web = online; accessible through course web page
1 / T / 2/15 / Introduction to Course and
The Sociological Perspective
1 / Th / 2/17 / continued / Book: Chapter 1 (pp. 1-19)Classic: The Promise of Sociology
Classic: Invitation to Sociology
2 / T / 2/22 / Explaining Society:
Origins and Theory
QUIZ 1(tentative) / Book: Chapter 1 (pp. 19-36)
2 / Th / 2/24 / continued / Web: “Functionalism 1 & 2”
Web: “Conflict Theory 1 & 2”
Web: “Symbolic Interactionism 1 & 2”
3 / T / 3/1 / Doing Sociology:
Research Methods
QUIZ 2 (tentative)
/ Book: Chapter 23 / Th / 3/3 / Culture / Book: Chapter 3
Classic: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema
4 / T / 3/8 / Socialization
QUIZ 3 (tentative)
/ Book: Chapter 44 / Th / 3/10 /
NO CLASSES: CAMPUS CLOSED
5 / T / 3/15 / Social Structure and SocietyGroups / Web: “If Hitler Asked You …”
Book: Chapter 5
Book: Part of Chapter 6 (p. 143-155)
5 / Th / 3/17 / Deviance
QUIZ 4 (tentative)
/ Book: Chapter 76 / T / 3/22 / Film: The Times of Harvey Milk / Web: “Saints and Roughnecks”
6 / Th / 3/24 / continued *
QUIZ 5 (tentative)
7 / T / 3/29 /EXAM #1 (tentative)
7 / Th / 3/31 / Social Stratification:Class Inequality / Book: Chapter 8
8 / T / 4/5 / and Education / Book: Chapter 13
8 / Th / 4/7 / and Welfare / Classic: The Uses of Poverty
4/11-4/15 / SPRING BREAK
We e k / D A Y / DATES / TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
(please note that dates of quizzes and exams are tentative and subject to change as instructor deems necessary) / READINGS
Book = Sociology, Shepard
Classic = Classic Readings
Web = online; accessible through course web page
9 / T / 4/19 / Racial and Ethnic Inequality *
QUIZ 6 (tentative)
/ Book: Chapter 9Classic: The Souls of Black Folk
9 / Th / 4/21 / continued *
10 / T / 4/26 / Gender Inequality *
QUIZ 7 (tentative)
/ Book: Chapter 1010 / Th / 4/28 / continued *
11 / T / 5/3 / 3D Social Stratification:
Class, Race & Gender
QUIZ 8 (tentative)
/ Web: “Black Feminist Thought”11 / Th / 5/5 / Global Inequality / READINGS TO BE ASSIGNED
12 / T / 5/10 /
EXAM #2 (tentative)
12 / Th / 5/12 / Social Institutions:Economics * / Book: Chapter 14 (pp. 385-404)
Classic: Savage Inequalities
13 / T / 5/17 / Politics * / Book: Chapter 14 (pp. 368-384)
Classic: The Power Elite
13 / Th / 5/19 /
continued *
QUIZ 9(tentative)
14 / T / 5/24 /GROUP PRESENTATIONS
/ READINGS TO BE ASSIGNED14 / Th / 5/26 / Social Change and Collective Behavior / Book: Chapter 18
15 / T / 5/31 / Los Angeles Uprising, 1992
Film: L.A. is Burning
QUIZ 10 (tentative)
/ Web: “Anatomy of a Rebellion”15 / Th / 6/2 / Course Summary / Classic: The Promise of Sociology
16 / T / 6/7 / FINAL EXAM: 9:00-10:30
* Possible dates of Group Presentations integrated into current class session.
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