St.

Johns College Junior College

SOC 115
SOCIETY, CULTURE AND IDENTITY
(Modules I for CAPE Sociology Unit 1)
Humanities and Social Sciences Department
COURSE OUTLINE
Instructor:

Mrs. Anna-Kaye Wade B.A., M.Sc.

Credit Hours:

5x

Class Schedule:

MWF section 1 at
TuTh section 1 at

Office Hours:

Will be posted in Humanities and Social Sciences Department

Course Text:

Nasser Mustapha 2009, Sociology for Caribbean Students

Email:

awade@jc.sjc.edu.bz

Course Description:

SOC 115 is designed as part of the Sociology for CAPE programme that will
be examined under CXC at the end of a two year programme. The CAPE
syllabus aims to provide students with the necessary skills for an
understanding of the structures, organisation and development of societies,
particularly those in the Caribbean. It introduces them to the knowledge of the
theories and basic research methods of Sociology, the sociological
perspective, and the processes of social structural change with specific
emphasis on the development and modernisation of societies. More
specifically, in this course, students will be introduced to the theories and
concepts of the sociological perspective, sociology as a science and a
discipline, culture and identity. As a result of familiarizing the student with the
various sociological approaches, he/she will apply this knowledge to the
Belizean society. There is also an internal assessment requirement (School
Based Assessment) in this course.

Rationale:

To give a well rounded view of the discipline to students, to provide a social

science requirement for graduation, and to provide, for those who plan to
concentrate in the social sciences, the necessary background for further
study.

8:00am
8:00am

Instructors Note:
This document states the expectations and evaluations for (Course Code: Course Name).
course implies your agreement to the criteria listed in the course outline.

Your continued enrolment in this

Skills and Abilities to be assessed:

Course OUTCOMES At
completion of this course students
are expected to have developed
knowledge and understanding,
application and analysis and
synthesis and evaluation:
KNOWLEDGE &
COMPREHENSION
1. Define Sociological Concepts

2. Describe Sociological Theories

and perspectives
3. Explain methods of research

4. Identify and explain sociological

issues
APPLICATION
1. Apply sociological concepts to
Caribbean reality
2. Analyze sociological data and
apply the major sociological research
methods to the analysis of issues
3. Compare and contrast mainstream
perspectives and Caribbean
perspectives
SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION
1. Assess the importance of
sociological theories to modern life

2. Evaluate the usefulness of the

main sociological perspectives to the
study of Caribbean society
3. Draw conclusions based on the
findings of sociological research

Assessment of Course outcomes

Linkages to Institutional Learning

Outcomes

quizzes, short answer exercises,

matching exercises, being able to
give real-life examples of concepts in
written, oral or dramatized form or be
able to identify the concepts when
observed in real-life experiences.
essay writing assignments, oral
presentations, discussion
Research project (internal
assessment), oral presentations,
discussion, short answer quizzes,
research article critiques
Essay writing assignments,
reflections, field research/projects,
discussion, oral presentations, article
critiques

Disciplinary grounding

essay writing assignments, field

projects, article critiques, research
projects (surveys), dramatizations
Research article critiques, research
project (internal assessment), oral
presentations, dramatizations,
discussions
Essay writing assignments, article
critiques, reflections, discussion

Comprehension skills, critical thinking

and problem solving skills, speaking
and writing skills
Quantitative skills, critical thinking
and problem solving, information and
technological literacy

Reflections, drama productions, field

projects, research project (internal
assessment), oral presentations,
discussion, essay writing
assignments, article reviews and
critiques
Discussion, reflections, field projects,
essay writing assignments

Critical thinking and problem solving,

speaking and writing skills, personal
and interpersonal skills.

Research project (internal

assessment), research article
critiques, discussion, essay writing
assignments

Critical thinking and problem solving,

comprehension skills

Comprehension skills, Speaking and

writing skills, Disciplinary grounding
Disciplinary grounding, quantitative
skills, critical thinking and problem
solving, speaking and writing skills
Disciplinary grounding, critical
thinking and problem solving,
speaking and writing skills,

Comprehension skills, critical thinking

and problem solving skills,
disciplinary grounding

Critical thinking and problem solving

Methods of Instruction: Methods of Instruction will include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture/Class Instructions
Group work
Field and library research
Class presentations
Creative projects and dramatizations
Discussion & debates
Documentary films
Take home assignments
Reading assignments
In-class Worksheets

Course Objectives: The course aims to: (according to Sociology CAPE syllabus)
1. develop an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of Sociology
2. develop an understanding of the main theoretical perspectives in Sociology from the classical to the
contemporary period, in mainstream and Caribbean Sociology
3. enable students to use the main research methods of the sociologists
4. appreciate the cultural diversity of the Caribbean.
5. develop a sense of personal and cultural identity, including a moral responsibility and social
commitment, as Caribbean people.

Specific Objectives: Students should be able to: (according to Sociology CAPE syllabus)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

use the fundamental concepts of Sociology

evaluate the different theoretical perspectives in Sociology
apply the major sociological research methods to the analysis of issues
demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in research
analyse the relationship between the individual and society
define the elements and characteristics of culture
explain Caribbean cultural diversity and change
explain the concept of socialization in relation to social order and social change
assess the relative importance of the different agents of socialization

Methods of Evaluation
This course uses some evaluative methods that focus on the application of knowledge,
comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills. Evaluations will be based
on, but not limited to the following:

Tests/Assessments 40%
In-class presentations, In-class activities and Essays 25%
Quizzes
15%
Final exam 20%

Completion of all coursework is expected on the date indicated by the instructor. Grades are
computed on a percentage scale as follows:
(A 90-100; B+ 85-89; B 80-84; C+ 75-79; C 70-74; D 60-69; F 0-59)
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Course Expectations:

Students are expected to report to ALL class periods Monday to Friday on time.
Students are responsible for materials presented in class during their absence.
Assignments for submission are to be typed and formatted using Times New Roman, 12pt,
double spaced, unless specified otherwise by the instructor, and turned in at the beginning of the
class period when they are due. Penalties will be given for late work. In the case an electronic
copy is forwarded to lecturer in order to meet a deadline, a hard copy of the assignment must be
produced by the student for grading.
Tests/Assignments/quizes given during a students absence will not be re-administered without valid
excuse. No make up test/quiz/assignment will be given once the test/quiz/assignment has been
graded and returned to the class - at this point a student will receive an automatic 0 grade.
Cell phones, ipods, MP3 players and other devices are to be turned off during class sessions and
put away. These technologies may be confiscated for the week if they are used during class
periods and student will receive a grade reduction of 5 pts for each violation.
Students are expected to consult with the instructor as necessary about individual concerns,
progress, and/or any other relevant issues during office hours and not during the class session.
Students must observe all rules and regulations set out by the Academic Bulletin and Student
Handbook for 2009-2010.

Attendance/Punctuality Policy:
See Academic Bulletin and Student Handbook for 2010-2011 for guidelines pertaining to Attendance/Punctuality
Policy.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism:

Students must read and be familiar with St. Johns College Junior College policies 2009 on academic honesty,
plagiarism and cheating. PLAGIARISM will not be tolerated in any form in this course and will receive heavy
sanctions. See Academic Bulletin and Student Handbook for 2010-2011.

Work Missed Because Of Absence:

See Academic Bulletin and Student Handbook for 2010-2011 for guidelines pertaining to Attendance/Punctuality
Policy.

Description of Assignments:

Various essay type questions

Written one page reflections
Various Article critiques and literature reviews
Field and library research projects
In-class presentations
Group work
Dramatizations
Final exam
Quizzes
Reading assignments
Discussions

Worksheets

Course Content:
Topics:
MODULE 1: UNIT 1: Sociology, Culture and Identity
(1) The Sociological Perspective:
i.
Sociology as a discipline development of Sociology as a discipline, development of Sociology in
the Caribbean, Sociology as a science.
ii.

How society works social order, social change, status and roles, values, norms and sanctions,
social groups, socialization

(2) Sociological Research:

The study of society:
, Surveys, Observation, Document study, Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, Sampling
probability and non-probability, ethical issues in research
i.
ii.
iii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

Positivism and interpretivism,

Quantitative and qualitative research
Surveys
Observation
Document study
Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
Sampling probability and non-probability
Ethical issues in research

(3) Culture and Identity:

j.
Elements of culture
ii.
Characteristics of culture
iii.
Types of culture change
viii.
Sub-culture and counter-culture
ix.
Globalization and culture
x.
Plantation society and culture

Course Content & Tentative Course Schedule: Mon to Fri schedule

Date
Week 1

Topics - Activities
Monday

Welcome

To be announced in class

Introduction to SOC 115:

students introduced to
course and CAPE
expectations

Tuesday
Introduction to Sociology

Sociology as a Discipline:

Thursday
Introduction to Sociology

What is Sociology
Definitions for Sociology
Sociological Imagination

Week 2
Sociology as a Discipline:
The sociological
imagination, Origins of
Sociology, Relationship
between Sociology and the
other social sciences

Assignment Due Dates

Wednesday
Introduction to Sociology

Friday
Introduction to Sociology
Monday
The development of Sociology origins of
sociology

To be announced in class

Tuesday
The development of Sociology origins of
sociology

Wednesday
The development of Sociology origins of
sociology
Thursday
The development of Sociology origins of
sociology
Friday
Assessment

Week 3
The Development of
Sociology as a Discipline:
Founding Fathers
AND
The Relationship between
Sociology and the Social
Sciences:
Branches of Sociology
AND
Development of Sociology in
the Caribbean

Monday
The Development of Sociology as a Discipline

To be announced in class
Tuesday
The Development of Sociology as a Discipline
Wednesday
The Development of Sociology as a Discipline
Thursday
The Development of Sociology as a Discipline
Friday
Assessment

Week 4
Theoretical Perspectives:
Functionalist Perspective
Conflict Perspective
Interactionist Perspective

Week 5

Essay Writing and Proper

CAPE formatting and Internal
Assessment

Monday
3 main Theoretical perspectives
Tuesday
3 main Theoretical perspectives
Wednesday
3 main Theoretical perspectives
Thursday
3 main Theoretical perspectives
Friday
Assessment

Monday
Essay Writing and Proper CAPE formatting
and Internal Assessment

To be announced in class

(Students begin working on

Internal assessment)

**START OF MODULE TWO**

Tuesday
Essay Writing and Proper CAPE formatting
and Internal Assessment
Wednesday
Essay Writing and Proper CAPE formatting
and Internal Assessment

To be announced in class

Thursday
Essay Writing and Proper CAPE formatting
and Internal Assessment
Friday
Assessment

Week 6
Sociology as a science
AND
Some Basic Concepts:
Society, Socialization,
Sociological Perspectives

Monday
What is a science?
Tuesday
Some Basic Concepts: SOCIETY

To be announced in class

Wednesday
Some Basic Concepts: SOCIETY
Thursday
Some Basic Concepts: SOCIETY
Friday
Assessment

Week 7
Sociological Research:
Introduction

Monday
Sociological Research
Tuesday

Quantitative Vs. Qualitative

Research
Measures of Central
Tendency

Sociological Research

To be announced in class
Wednesday
Sociological Research
Thursday
Sociological Research
Friday
Assessment

(Internal assessment in
process for ALL students)

Monday
Sociological Research

Week 8

Tuesday
Sociological Research

Sociological Research:
Questionnaires
Interviews
Participant Observation
Case Studies

To be announced in class
Wednesday
Sociological Research
Thursday
Sociological Research
Friday
Assessment

Week 9
Sociological Research:

Monday
Sociological Research

Questionnaires
Interviews
Participant Observation
Case Studies

Tuesday
Sociological Research

Wednesday
Sociological Research
Thursday
Sociological Research
Friday
Assessment

Monday
Sociological Research

Week 10

Tuesday
Sociological Research

Sociological Research:
Middle Range Studies
Longitudinal Studies
Sampling
Ethical Issues in Research

Wednesday
Sociological Research
Thursday
Sociological Research
Friday

Week 11
Culture and Identity:
Introduction
Definition of Culture
Material and Non-Material
Culture
Characteristics of Culture
Culture and Identity:
Functions of Culture
Structural and Cultural
Universals

Week 12
Cultural Variations:
Dominant Culture
Ideal culture
Real culture
Culture shock
Ethnocentrism
Cultural Relativism
Subcultures and
Countercultures
Cultural Variations:
Multiculturalism
Globalization and Culture

Assessment
Monday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity
Tuesday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity

Wednesday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity
Thursday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and
Identity
Friday
Assessment
Monday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity
Tuesday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity

Wednesday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity
Thursday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and
Identity
Friday
Assessment

To be announced in class

To be announced in class

Culture and Change:

Cultural lag

Week 13

Causes of cultural change:

Value contradictions
Cultural diffusion
Acculturation and
interculturation

Monday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity
Tuesday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity

Wednesday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and Identity
Thursday
Basic Concepts: Society & Culture and
Identity

To be announced in class

Friday
Assessment

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Week 14
Culture in the Caribbean:
Plantation society and
culture
The indigenous people
The Africans
The Chinese
The East Indians
The plantation Society
Theory
The Plural Society Thesis
The Creole Society Thesis

Monday
Culture in the Caribbean

To be announced in class

Tuesday
Culture in the Caribbean

Wednesday
Culture in the Caribbean
Thursday
Culture in the Caribbean
Friday
Culture in the Caribbean

Week 15
Culture in the Caribbean:
Colonialism and Culture
Past and Contemporary
Caribbean culture
East Indian Culture
Caribbean Popular Culture
Carnival
Music
Reggae and Rastafarism
Literature
Vodun/Voodoo
Cricket
Caribbean Culture and
Globalization

Monday
Culture in the Caribbean
Tuesday
Culture in the Caribbean

To be announced in class
Wednesday
Culture in the Caribbean
Thursday
Culture in the Caribbean
Friday
Culture in the Caribbean

Week 16

EXAM WEEK

Bibliography:
Notes and Readings in Introductory Sociology Compilation of notes

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Taboo: National Geographic documentary films

Sociology Themes and Perspectives 6th Edition Haralambos and Holborn
Development in Belize 1960 1980 Initiatives at the State and Community Levels Joseph O. Palacio, Ph.D
Sociology for Caribbean students Development and Social change 2006 Nasser Mustapha
Society A brief Introduction Ian Robertson
Our Society Olatunji Balogun
Sociology 9th Edition Richard T. Schaefer
Osoba and Steele An Introduction to Sociology (SY 14A Study Guide University of the West Indies publication)
Donald P. Irish, Carla B. Howery, Instructors Manual to accompany Ian Robertson Sociology second Edition
Study Guide by Henry Borne Society The Basics fifth Edition

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