1
St. PetersburgCollege
Tarpon Springs Campus
SYG2000/INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
FALL 2011
COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Marios Stephanides/
Office Hours W 6:00-7:00PM/or by appointment
ClassWe 7:00-9:40PMNumber1141
RoomTS-GA421
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT
Dean: Dr. Joseph Smiley
Office Location: Lyseum 250
Office Number: 727-712-5783
Academic Chair: Dr. David Liebert
Office Location: CE 105
Office Number: 727-712-5776
THEME (Cultural Diversity)
I was born in Cyprus but I am a citizen of the world.
When you set out for Ithaka
Ask that your way be long,
Full of adventure, full of instruction
Always keep Ithaka fixed in your mind;
Your arrival there is what you are destined for.
But do not in the least hurry your journey.C.P. Cavafy
…………………………………
REQUIRED TEXT
Barkan, Steven (2011). Sociology. Flat World publisher (ISBN:978-1936-126-538).Available for free from Internet.
Library Reserve:Henslin:SOCIOLOGY: A Down to Earth Approach: 9th Ed,
Palls, Byron: CULTURAL PORTRAITS: A Synoptic Guide: AuthorHouse (ISBN:978-4343-8867), Bloomington, IN
SUGGESTED GLOBAL RESOURCES
-Parrillo-Strangers to These Shores: America’s Cultural Diversity-Allyn-Bacon,2006 (helpful with country presentations).
-Stephanides, M. Greeks in Kentucky: N York: Mellen Press, 2001
-DeVita-Armstrong. Distant Mirrors:Americaas a Foreign Culture. 1998:Wadsworth.
BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisites: (REA 0002 and ENC 0020) or EAP 1695 or appropriate score on the SPC placement test.This course is the study of society and its effects upon individual behavior. Emphasis is placed on thegroup basis of society, points of conflict within societies, and societal trends in regard to increasedgrowth and changing institutions. This course partially satisfies the writing requirements outlined in theGeneral Education Requirements. 47 contact hours.
MAJOR LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.The student will demonstrate an understanding of sociology and the study of the group basis of society.
2.The student will demonstrate knowledge of differences within societies.
3.The student will demonstrate knowledge of societal trends in population growth, urbanization, and collective behavior.
4.The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major institutions of society.
- The student will demonstrate increased ability in writing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES STATED IN PERFORMANCE TERMS:
1.The student will demonstrate an understanding of sociology and the study of the group basis of society by:
a.describing the focus of sociology.
b. delineating the major sociological groups such as: formal groups, informal groups, family, and institutions.
c.summarizing ways in which individual behavior is influenced by cultural norms.
2.The student will demonstrate knowledge of differences within societies by:
a.distinguishing the classical and moderntheories of deviant behavior.
b.identifying the relationship between technology andsocial systems.
c.identifying the bases of racial and ethnic group membership and sources of prejudice and discrimination.
3.The student will demonstrate knowledge of societal trends in population growth, urbanization, and collective behavior by:
a.identifying social and economic changes that affect demographic trends.
b.identifyingthe effects of urbanization on humans.
c.identifying human behaviors as they are exhibited in various forms of collective activities.
4.The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major institutions of society by:
a.distinguishing the functions of the family.
b.identifying the functionsof religion in society.
c.recognizing the functions ofeducation.
d.recognizing the social functions ofeconomic and political systems.
5.The student will demonstrate increased ability in writing by planning and writing one or more of the following (all of which are evaluated):
a.research, analysis, outline, evaluation or other types of papers completed outside of the direct classroom experience.
b.research, analysis, outline, journal, evaluation or other types of essays completed during the direct classroom experience.
c.any type of expository, evaluative, persuasive or personal response writing as described in the college publication entitled " A Resource Manual for Writing Across the Curriculum."
Methods of Student Evaluation:Grades-percentages are approximate
1) Four Exams 80%400 points
2) Power Point05% 030
3) Paper05030
4) 4 Journals-Films-05%030
5) Class Participation05%030
TOTAL520 points
(TO BE DIVIDED BY 5 TOTURN IT INTO A PERCENTAGE)
EXTRA CREDITTo Be arranged by the Sepember 23rd.
Internship or Interview05% 020 –Optional
GRADING SCALES
A 90-100% (450-Above)B 80-89% (400-449)C70-77% (350-399)
D (300-349)F Less than 60%
GRADE WEIGHT
The majority of your grade is based on tests. The other materials can only
bring your grade up one level. That is, an A from a B, or B from a C.
A grade of “ I” (incomplete) will be given only if a student is unable to complete the course because of some unforeseen reason (such as hospitalization) but has a reasonable possibility of passing the course. Documentation is required.
TEST HELP-Library
The Library Tutoring Center will provide assistance with test preparation especially for international students who might have problems with English.
FILMS-NO MAKE-UPS
A 2-page typed, double spaced reaction paper is required of the four films to be shown, each counts 5 points out of 520. In addition each student is required to submit one objective question based on the film. Materials could be included in the test.Report is due the next class meeting.
MAKE-UP EXAMS
Given only with official College excuse such as sickness or death, otherwise a 0 will be given. Documentation is required!
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
A variety of teaching methods will be used: Lectures, discussion, group and film presentations.
ACADEMIC CONDUCT
Cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, multiple submission, fabrication, collusion, borrowing, buying or dissemination of information contrary to University policy will not be tolerated.TALKING DURING CLASS IS INAPPROPRIATE, while the professor is lecturing!
CLASS PARTICIPATION-
The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus.
The emphasis will be on active participatory learning. CLASS DISCUSSIONS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED. If you have a borderline grade your participation will help you. Attendance is expected at every class in order to facilitate learning. Students who miss too many classes do not do well on tests and miss out on class participation. Please call or e-mail if you miss class more than once. Any student with more than TWO weeks of absences will be considered to be no longer actively reported and their grade will be affected. About eight(8) in-class assignments will be given for about 5-10 points each.
GROUP DISCUSSIONS-30 points
Introductions start here with the personal information sheet. You will be divided into groups of 3 for a discussion for at least half an hour per week. A coordinator and secretary will be appointed to keep the record of participation. Half class attendance does not count at all. Grading based on attendance and active participation.
CLASS ATTENDANCE/ETIQUETTE:
It is your responsibility to attend class. BE ON TIME AND REMAIN FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD. Arriving and leaving at inappropriate times is disruptive. You will be held responsible for getting whatever materials you miss, and any information or announcements made during your absence. You are responsible. Excessive or unexcused absences will impact your test performance.
Grade information will not be given over the phone, by mail, or e-mail. A Self-Evaluation Form will be provided at the end of the semester, so you can estimate your own grade based on your own scores.
Important! Students who miss more than FOUR classes will be given anF
The last day a student can voluntarily withdraw from this class and receive a grade of “W” is October 27, 2011. (Check date)
POWER POINT PRESENTATION/GROUP PROJECT/NO MAKE-UP DATES (REQUIRED)
On the second week, you will be assigned to groups of threeand asked to do a:
PRESENTATION.
Power Point presentation is required of at least 20 slides and 15 minutes long using the same research as your foreign interview (per person). For three people should be at least 35 slides and half-an-hour long. The early reports have more flexibility in terms of discussion since the research will not be finished so early. Oral reports begin at the sixth week of classes (Sept 27). A 2-pg fact sheet along with a map of the country is required along with 30 copies of the evaluation forms to be passed out to the class. No make-ups without medical excuse!
PAPERS:Each individual is reponsible for a 5-6 page ethnic paper
DETAILS
The foreign-country report/papershould describe the five main social institutions andan international social problem or issue such as economic, political, educational, family and religious institutions. For example: What are the family problems or issues faced in China, India, or Africa? The report should be properly footnoted (American Psychological Association), contain Census information and haveat least 5up-to-date references. All references must be from magazines, journals and books. You are allowed to use the Internet but documentation is required. An interview with the person of that country isoptional. The presentation should be e-mailed to me one week prior to the presentation.
CRITERIA FOR GRADING REPORTS/PAPERS (IF ANY)
The report (paper) will be graded for organization, consistency, critical analysis, and the ability to use the comparative analysis approach. For example, how do American dating customs compare to Chinese? (See Handoutto be given later).
SERVICE LEARNING –Optional(30 points out of 500)
Request must be submitted by September 29. Students will be expected to spend at least 5 hours during the semester in one of the on or off campus nonprofit community agencies. A signature of the agency supervisor is required. Other projects are encouraged with instructor approval. Materials are to be presented in the last two weeks of classes. A 2 page report is required and is due Nov 29, the week following Thanksgiving recess.
READING AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
Readings must be completed before the day for which they are to be covered. This schedule is tentative and subject to change by your professor. Any changes will be announced in class and you will be held responsible for them regardless of whether you were in class at the time of the announcement. Read at least one chapter per week.
Please take a moment and review additional College-wide policies that pertain to this class. Link:
OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT-
DATE CHAPTER TITLE
Part OneConceptual and Theoretical Foundations/Introduction
Aug24-Ww0 1«Sociology & Sociological Perspective»
1The Three Approaches-
------Handout-Personal Information/Introductions
Aug31-Ww11Handout:GreekSociologistAutobiography
Film 1-"Cyprus Political Conflict”-
Sept07-Ww22“Eye On Society:Doing Sociological Research”
Sept 14-Ww33“Culture”
Film- 2-India-Globalization
Sept21-Ww4REVIEW TEST 1-Study Guide
TEST 1-Chapters 1-3
------
Sept28-Ww5ORAL REPORTS BEGIN (R1
4“Socialization”-Handout:Assignment Melina
Oct05-Ww65“Social Structure & Social Interaction “
______Oral Reports(R2)
Part TwoSocial Groups/Definitions/Social Origin of
Deviance/Theories/Importance of Social Class in Society
Oct 12-Ww76“ Groups and Organizations”
Oral Reports(R3)
FILM3-Armenian Genocide
------
Oct 19-W w87 “Deviance, Crime and Social Control”
Oral Reports(R4)
TEST # 2 Review 4 chapters (4-7)
Oct26-Ww98«Social Sratification» (R5)
9“ Global Stratification”
Nov02-Ww1010“Race and /Ethnicity” (R6)
Film 4-TarponSprings-GreekVillage
------
Part ThreeIndustrial and Industrializing Societies
Feudalism/Capitalism/Socialism
Nov09-Ww11 11 “Gender and Gender Inequality”(R7)
TEST #3-Review chapters 8-11
Nov 16-Ww12 15“ The Family “ (R8)
Aging Video (#5)-Discussion
Nov 23w13No Class Thanksgiving Holiday(R9)
Nov 30-Ww1416“Education”(R10)
------
Dec 07-w1517«Religion»
TEST # 4-Review chapters 15-17
Dec14w16FINAL-Review chapters 3-7-10-15