INTRO to SOCIOLOGY North Fayette Valley High School

AN INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

“Whenver two people meet, there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is.”
-William James

INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY
North Fayette Valley High School

Major Instructional Goals

Students will be provided the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to:

1. compare and contrast the main theoretical perspectives that explain human social behavior.
2. examine the basic components of culture, how culture is transmitted, maintained and changes as

well as how practices vary among different cultures.

1. interpret the characteristics and the stages of the socialization process.
2. demonstrate and understand the characteristics of social stratification within various societies.
3. analyze the characteristics of social groups and their relationships to society.
4. analyze the interrelationships of major social institutions: family, religion, education, government, economy and sport.
5. analyze current social issues as they apply to the study of sociology.
6. relate the study of sociology to personal development and responsible behavior in a democratic society.

Units of Study

Unit 1- Intro to Sociology & Research Unit 2- Culture and Social Structures
Unit 3- Social Inequality
Unit 4- Social Institutions Unit 5- Social Change

Classroom Rules:
We will follow all school rules but common sense is the main guideline in the class. I will not tolerate disrespect of any kind. I consider myself to be an understanding teacher. If you are having a problem, please talk with me at an appropriate time.

The most important rule is: RESPECT

1. Respect yourself!
2. Respect your peers!
3. Respect classroom guests & all adults present in the classroom!
4. Respect the environment we all get to learn in (that means this classroom & this school).
5. Do not interrupt instruction. (If you have questions or comments, you must raise your hand.Interruptions in the educational process will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Some possible consequences are: student-teacher conference, detention (s), notification of parents, and various other strategies to insure quality instruction in this classroom. The bottom line is that you will be required to act like a responsible and respectful young adult in this class at all times.
6. We cannot always control what goes on outside of this classroom. We can however control our attitudes and behavior within this classroom. Foul language, put downs, and disrespect towards the teacher and or others will not be accepted.

Use of restroom:

First of all, I understand that there will be times when the ‘need’ arises. But you should get your bathroom trip take care of BEFORE you come to class. Your trip to the bathroom should not become a daily habit during this class. If you do need to go, please try to ask during an appropriate time in class. If we are in the middle of discussion, please wait until there is a pause in the class (unless it is an emergency).

Finding assignments when absent:

Come see me at the before the class day begins or check the Edmodo class page, it may also be posted on there.

Classroom Discussion:

I will initiate many classroom discussions and activities in which I encourage you to take part. Participation in these discussions and activities will not only increase your involvement in class, but also will help in your understanding of the content, which will positively affect your final grade. Creativity is encouraged. Plus, most of you will most likely have more fun when I don’t talk the whole period!

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices:
Please keep in mind that these devices are not to be used in school, unless directed by the teacher. I suggest you turn them off completely, but if not, the ringers MUST be turned off. Also, if you would disengage your Wi-Fi connection while in school this will free up a lot of band with and increase Internet speed for computer use. If I see you using a cell phone without permission during class, I will give you a warning. If you continue to use the device I will ask you to give it to me and I will hold onto it until the end of class. Next the phone will be taken to the office.

Grading:
The following grading scale has been established to determine the student’s grade on all quizzes, tests, projects, final grades, etc.

93-100 = A87-89 = B+77-79 = C+67-69 = D+

90-92 = A-83-86 = B73-76 = C63-66 = D

80-82 = B-70-72 = C-60-62 = D-

Weighting: (For Quarter Grading) Formative Assessments (Practice/Quizzes/Homework) – 30% Summative Assessments (Tests/Projects) – 70%

A semester assessment (Test) will be given and account for 20% of your semester grade.

Extra-credit points or grades will not be available at any time.

Formative assignments will be always be assigned a due date, generally one or two days. You should get this work done by the due date. (I will explain why) However, I will accept them up to the end of the unit/chapter assessment (test) date. Missing formative work after the end of the assessment date is eligible for a ZERO. Formative assessments are typically; daily work, practice assignments, homework, quizzes, participation, etc.

All students must complete all summative assessments in order to receive a final grade for this course. Incomplete (I) summative assessments will become an F after due dates for the purpose of establishing eligibility. Summative assessments are typically;tests, final projects, final papers, presentations, or others as defined by Mr. Krambeer

Re-takes and Re-do are available within two weeks of the initial summative assessment. Here are some guidelines for retake:

a. Retake and re-do are required for D’s and F’s

b. Before a retake/re-do can be taken, all formative work must be completed.

c. Additional learning/support must also take place.

d. Retakes will most likely not be the same assessment, and may even be a different form of assessment altogether.

e. It will be Mr. Krambeer’s discretion when the retakes/re-dos will be completed. It is reasonable that a re-take or a re-do will take priority over a before or after school practice or rehearsal.

WhyStudy Sociology?

Why study sociology? Sociology prepares one for a lifetime of change, developing one's appreciation of diversity, love of learning, as well as a knowledge base about human behavior, social organization, and culture. If you are the type who doesn't necessarily follow the crowd (but are fascinated by their behavior), the type who is truly interested in what is going on in the world, thensociology should interest you.

Second, the field helps us look more objectively at the society in which we live. It directs attention to how the parts of society fit together as well as the causes and consequences of social change. A study of sociology provides the conceptual tools and methods for understanding the contemporary scene. By focusing on the external constraints to social action it helps us better understand ourselves, and the motivations of others around us. While we are all creatures of our society, we are also the creators--sociology provides the tools so that we can take a more active role in that creation,a role that is essential if we hope to achieve a more just society.

In today's world of specialization and career oriented majors in college, a degree in sociology seems on the surface to have little relevance. But leaders of industry, government, and education have increasingly been advocating a strong liberal arts education as the most effective path to career attainment. The United States Department of Labor forecasts that people entering the job market today will change careers several times over the course of their work life. Rather than prepare the student for a narrow specialty, the liberal arts prepare the individual to meet the challenges and opportunities of our increasingly diverse and complex society

What is Sociology?

The 6 billion people on earth are members of a single biological species: Homo sapiens. But there are striking differences among the world’s people. The Chinese wear white at funerals while people in the United States prefer black. People in England and the United States say a watch “runs” while the Spanish say it “walks” and the Germans say it “functions.” Australians turn on lights by flipping switches “down.” North Americans do the same by flipping the light switch “up”; the Australians, British and Japanese all drive on the left side of the road, while people in the United States drive on the right. Most people in the United States kiss in public, the Chinese kiss only in private; the French kiss publicly twice (once on each cheek), while the Belgians kiss three times (starting on either cheek); the New Zealand Maoris rub noses and, for their part, few Nigerians kiss at all. At weddings, moreover, U.S. couples kiss, Koreans bow and a Cambodian groom touches his nose to the bride’s cheek, as do many Native American people.

The world over, people wear much or little clothing, have many or few children, venerate or shun the elderly, are peaceful or warlike, enjoy different kinds of art and music and hold different religious beliefs. We may be the same people biologically, but wecertainly differ in our tastes, behaviors and beliefs. The capacity for such startling differences is human culture; the study of how people live is the discipline of sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of how human societies shape the lives of people who live in them. People make lots of decisions in the course of living every day. But we make these decisions within the context of “society;” our family, school, nation and the larger world. The essential wisdom of sociology is; the social world guides our life choices just as the seasons influence our selection of activities and clothing.

Is Sociology for You?

• Are you curious about why things are as they are?
• Do you want to make the world a better place?
• Are you a people watcher who enjoys seeing what others do and how they react to various situations?
• Have you ever worked as a volunteer for an organization with a mission of helping others in need?
• Are you fascinated by the customs and cultures of people who differ from you?
  

Most people who answer ‘yes’ to these questions areexcited and interested to find out how different the world looks when viewed sociologically. When viewed this way, our way of life loses its “taken for granted” quality, and comes alive with questions about “How?” “Why?” and “For whom?” Sociology can open your mind and provide answers where you did not even realize there were questions!