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Edinboro University Principles of Sociology Soc. 100- and E02 MWF 1:00-1:50 Wiley 107 Fall 2011
Instructor: Office: Phone: E-mail: Office Hours: Sam Claster, Ph.D. Centennial 332 732-1551 sclaster@edinboro.edu (leave your name and class time!!!) Main Campus: Monday and Wednesday 11am to 1pm Porreco Center: Tuesday and Thursday 11:15am to 11:45pm Other Times By Appointment

Course Description: This course will introduce you to the study of human social interaction and organization in relation to social institutions, cultural and sub-cultural groups, and the global community. In the process you will be introduced to sociological frameworks, methods and analysis. Also, you will develop a sociological imagination, learning to view yourself as part of a community, as someone who has experienced the effects of socialization, and as someone whose personal biography has been influenced by history, social interaction, and the constraints of social norms. One of the major goals of the course is to help you begin to think critically, to view everyday experiences in a new light. In order to think critically and develop a skeptical and questioning world perspective, you will be asked to keep an open mind. Conceptualization and application must accompany Memorization and Recitation to effectively learn and succeed in this course!!!

Course Objectives: 1. Learning fundamental principles, generalization, or theories. Specifically, this course is structured to give students an understanding of the social order and conflict paradigms. The ideas and generalizations will help students understand social order and interaction with a concentration on the topics of power, diversity, oppression, social institutions, culture, socialization, and many more.

2 2. Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions). One of the main goals of this course is to assist students to develop their own sociological imagination, which will allow them to have a greater understanding of the social forces that impact their lives and to more effectively navigate their personal and professional lives. 3. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view. This course will allow students to view ideological, political, and cultural viewpoints from a non-biased social-scientific perspective. Required Text: The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology By Kerry Ferris and Jill Stein; Second Edition; Three-Hole-Punched Version ISBN #: 9780393180411 Attendance: Regular attendance is expected and essential to the effective completion of this course. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain all lecture notes from D2L or your peers. Attendance will be taken for each class period. You may miss 4 class periods without penalty regardless of the excuse. If you are not in class for any reason, then you cannot participate in discussion or think about the material during lecture. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide written excuses for your 4 allotted absences. Each absence beyond the allotted 4 will result in a reduction of up to 1 letter grade for your final grade. If you must miss class for a fifth or more times, you must provide a legitimate Edinboro University excuse from the Student Support Office (732-555 Ext 234). Conduct: This class adopts the policy of a free learning environment. This means that everyone is free to learn without disruptions, which include: talking during lecture (although discussion about course material with the entire class is highly encouraged), disruptive movements or noises, and cell phone or pager ringers. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before the start of class. I understand that sometimes you will be late for class, however, do not make a habit of it. Contributing to the social construction of a free learning environment shows not only a commitment to personal academic success, but it also gives respect to both the instructor and your fellow students. Academic Honesty: This course as well as the Department of Sociology has adopted a policy of academic honesty. This policy holds that all students enrolled in departmental courses will maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. Any action that breaks this policy (i.e. cheating, plagiarism, etc.) will result in a course grade of zero and possible removal from the department/University course of study.

Examinations: You will be assessed via four examinations worth 50 points each and will contain 50 multiple choice questions. Each exam will test your knowledge of

3 approximately three to four chapters from the text, in class lecture material, videos, and any supplemental reading assignments. Exams will be taken on the internet via our D2L course web-site. You will not have to physically go to class on examination days. You will be given a twelve-hour window to take the exam, 8 am to 8 pm on examination days. We will discuss what you will need to do before the first exam for the course and additional instructions have been posted on the D2L course website. A few key points to know/remember about taking the exams: 1. You only have one attempt at taking each exam. 2. If you experience technological problems, you can log back in and finish your exam. (If further difficulties are experienced, contact the instructor via e-mail) 3. You have 65 minutes to complete each exam depending on its length. 4. Questions will appear in random order 5. Make sure you answer each question on the exam!!! 6. Save your exam periodically 7. Remember to submit your exam when you are done!!!!! When you are done, exam scores can be obtained on the D2L course web-site under the My Grades tab. After every student has taken the exam, I will open the exam up for you to review the correct exam answers. Missed Exams: Because the exams are online, there are not many reasons why you should not be able to take one. If a situation does arise in which you will not be able to take an exam on exam day, you must e-mail me before the exam and we will make arrangements for you to take it another time. If you do not contact me before 8 am on the first day of each exam window and you do not complete it by 8 pm on that day, you will receive a 0 for that examination score. Exam Review: Each class scheduled before the test date will be for making up uncovered material, and for exam review. Note: These classes are not for the purpose of learning missed material, they are to be primarily used for concept clarification and question answering. Test review sheets will be posted on D2L prior to the day of the review. Performance Evaluation: Overall scores will be determined as follows: A = 180-200 points B+ = 175-179 points B = 160-174 points C+= 155-159 points C = 140-154 points D+ = 135-139 points D = 120-134 points F = 119 and below

4 Power Point Lectures: Class lectures will be posted on D2L well before each class period. These lectures should serve as an outline for class discussion. You should print out the power point lectures before each class, this way you can follow along with lecture and add notes to the power points. This will allow you to be fully engaged in the class material instead of taking notes while trying to follow the lecture and discussion. Supplemental Materials: Supplemental materials will be loaded on D2L. These are very important materials so make sure you print these off to be used throughout the course of the semester on the call periods designated on the course schedule. Extra Credit Opportunities: There will be Two extra credit opportunities during the course of the semester. These are small sections of research articles that will enhance your understanding of key sociological concepts. These articles can be obtained via D2L and are worth 5 points each. Each of the readings will be discussed during class and each exam will have a few questions from the article assigned for that section. Fill out the questions after each of the readings in a Microsoft word file. You must turn in each extra credit assignment via the D2L course websites drop box before the start of the class period that each assignment is due. Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason. Special Needs: Students with impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills are encouraged and have the responsibility to contact their instructor, in a timely fashion, regarding reasonable accommodation needs. Course Website: All power-point presentations, test reviews, supplemental reading assignments, bonus opportunities, grades, and announcements will be posted on D2L. Class Schedule: The following class schedule is subject to change do to the subject matter of the course as well as unpredicted class delays. All changes to the schedule will be announced in class and the schedule will be updated on D2L under the Course Schedule tab. The schedule is provided to give you a subject outline of the in class lectures, inform you of the required readings which support each lecture, and to give you a list of due dates for required assignments..

Mon. Aug. 29: Course Introduction Wed. Aug. 31: Sociology of The Real World Read Chapter 1 Supplemental Reading: The Promise (Sociological Imagination) Fri. Sept. 2: Sociology of The Real World Read Chapter 1 Mon Sept. 5: Sociological Theory

5 Read Chapter 2 Supplemental Reading: Solidarity Model Wed. Sept. 7: Sociological Theory Read Chapter 2 Fri. Sept. 9: Sociological Theory Read Chapter 2 Mon. Sept 12: Research Methods Read Chapter 3 Wed. Sept. 14: Research Methods Read Chapter 3 Fri. Sept. 16: Culture Read Chapter 4 Mon. Sept. 19: Culture Read Chapter 4 Extra Credit #1 Due Body Rituals Among the Nacirema Wed. Sept. 21: Exam Review Day Fri. Sept. 23: Exam 1 Mon. Sept. 26: The Self and Interaction Read Chapter 5 Wed. Sept. 28: The Self and Interaction Read Chapter 5 Fri. Sept 30th: Video: Digital Nation Mon. Oct. 3: Video: Digital Nation Wed. Oct. 5: Life in Groups Read Chapter 6 Fri. Oct. 7: Life in Groups Read Chapter 6 Mon. Oct. 10: Deviance Read Chapter 7 Wed. Oct. 12: Deviance

6 Read Chapter 7 Fri. Oct 14: Exam Review Day Mon. Oct. 17: Exam 2 Wed. Oct. 19: Video The One Percent Fri. Oct. 21: Video: The One Percent Mon. Oct. 24: Social Inequality Read Chapter 8 Wed. Oct. 26: Social Inequality Read Chapter 8 Fri. Oct. 28: Social Inequality Read Chapter 8 Mon. Oct. 31: Gender and Sexuality Read Chapter 9 Supplemental Reading: Sex Differences Wed. Nov. 2: Gender and Sexuality Read Chapter 9 Supplemental Reading: Sexuality Disclaimer Fri. Nov. 4: Race and Ethnicity Read Chapter 10 Supplemental Reading: Census Information Mon. Nov. 7: Race and Ethnicity Read Chapter 10 Wed. Nov. 9: Exam Review Day Fri. Nov. 11: Exam 3 Mon. Nov. 14: Politics, Education, Religion Read Chapter 11 Extra Credit #2 Who Rules America Wed. Nov. 16: Politics, Education, Religion Read Chapter 11 Fri. Nov. 18: Politics, Education, Religion

Mon. Nov. 21: Work and The Economy/ Video: RSA Drive Read Chapter 12 Wed. Nov. 23 and Fri. Nov. 25: No Class, Happy Thanksgiving! Mon. Nov. 28: Work and The Economy Read Chapter 12 Wed. Nov. 30: Work and The Economy Fri. Dec. 2: Recreation and Leisure Read Chapter 14 Mon. Dec. 5: Recreation and Leisure Read Chapter 14 Wed. Dec. 7: Exam Review Day Fri. Dec. 9: Exam 4

Final Exam Period: Wednesday December 14th, 12:30-2:30pm, Wiley 107 We will be watching a film, this day counts toward your attendance record!!!